How to Create a Smoky Eye Effect

Dramatic, smoky eyes are a popular makeup trend. Makeup artists have been creating this look on celebrities for quite some time now. By following these easy steps, and with flawless application, you will be on your way to looking fabulous.

You will need:

Three shades of eye shadow
Dark eyeliner
Mascara
Eye shadow brush
Translucent base powder

Step One: Choose a color

Classic smoky eyes can be achieved by using any dark color, such as dark brown or gray. You will need three eye shadow shades of the color chosen; light, medium, and dark. You will also want to choose an eyeliner in the same shade of color. If you have small eyes, avoid using black eyeliner.

Step Two: Choose a brush

The key to a great looking smoky eye is in successful blending. You need to have a good eye shadow brush to achieve this.

Step Three: Work in twos

Whatever you do to one eye, do the same on the other eye before going on to the next step. This will ensure that your work is the same and the resulting look is symmetrical.

Step Four: Prepare the skin

To avoid ending up with 'panda' eyes, you need to prepare the eye lid so the eye shadow will stay nicely blended. Any oil on the skin will cause the eye shadow to melt and move. Prepare the skin by lightly dusting your eyelid with a translucent base powder. To avoid eye shadow powder from falling on to your cheek bones during application, apply a thick coating of translucent powder below your eye to catch the shadow. This acts as a guard or shield during application, and will have to be removed when you are finished applying eye shadow.

Step Five: Line the eyes

Start from the inner corner of the top lid and draw a thin and even line along the lash line. Keep this line along the lashes, and try to fill in the spaces with color. Apply the eye liner to the entire upper lid, and only ½ or ¾ of the lower lid. If you line more than this, your eyes will end up looking smaller.

Step Six: Apply the lightest shade

Apply the highlight shade along the brow bone and up to the eye brow.

Step Seven: Apply the medium shade

Apply the medium shade along the eye lid, building up to the crease of the eye lid. Blend well making sure there are no lines.