Mastering the art of the smokey eye is a technique every woman should have in their creative arsenal. It’s classic, sexy, and can give your eyes a major dose of definition. It may look complicated to conquer, but with these step-by-step smokey eye tutorials and tips, you’ll have the look down in no time.
As someone who has always gone light when it comes to makeup, I didn’t master the smokey eye until well into my college years. I usually relied on one of my best friends when it came to creating the smouldering look, but at some point I wanted to be able to do it on my own. She couldn’t be there for every date I went on, or every time I went to a wedding or big event, so I knew it was something I needed to learn.
The thing is, there’s a fine line when it comes to creating the perfect smokey eye. It can go from classy to raunchy pretty quickly if you’re not careful, and the last thing you want is to show up to a lavish event with raccoon eyes. When done properly the smokey eye is sexy and sophisticated, and with the option to create the look with different shades ranging from browns and golds to greys and blacks, you can wear the look for numerous occasions.
For a summer wedding, wear a brown smokey eye with a pastel floral dress. For a fancy dinner party, wear the classic black smokey eye with your favorite LBD. For a night out with the girls, a smokey eye with a pop of color will have all eyes on you. You see, the smokey eye in all its forms is a great technique to have in your back pocket. It will take you from a first date to your wedding day and everywhere in between.
Don’t be scared off by how tricky it may seem. Practice makes perfect and following awesome tutorials is the best way to get the look down pat. Here are 6 smokey eye tutorials we absolutely love!
1. Smokey Eye For Beginners by Lauren Curtis
If you’re completely new and feel lost when it comes to mastering the smokey eye, don’t fret! This tutorial acts as an in-depth guide to creating the lust-worthy look. One of the key factors to keep in mind when creating this look is using the proper eye makeup brushes. For this smokey eye tutorial, the Sigma Beauty Tapered Blending – E40 is her ultimate go-to, and a must-have when you’re trying to learn the smokey eye technique. She demonstrates how to blend each shade properly to really make your eyes pop and look more elongated. She created this tutorial as one part of her clubbing makeup routine, so if you’re a club-hopper, make sure to take notes!
2. Easy Brown Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial by Tina Yong
In this step-by-step tutorial, Tina Yong demonstrates how to create the perfect smokey eye using rich brown shades. She highlights the importance of starting with a good primer such as MAC Paint Pot Soft Ochre to make your eye makeup last longer and stay in its place. What’s the point of having a gorgeous smokey eye if it’s just going to smudge off throughout the night anyway? She shows you where to put each shade and even how to perfect the winged eyeliner technique. Follow her lead and you’ll master this look in no time.
3. For Beginners Black Smokey Eye in 12 Simple Steps by Gemma Clifford
This tutorial is for anyone who’s looking to conquer the classic black smokey eye. She shares juicy tips on the screen throughout the video to ensure the look is long-lasting and provides as much definition for your eyes as possible. She also highlights the exact colours she uses from each brand on the screen so you know exactly what she’s using and for which step. Watch her as she takes you from bare faced beauty to sexy knockout in 12 simple steps. And don’t forget to finish off the look with a lipstick like Mac Satin Lipstick, Myth. It will even out your face and compliment your eye makeup.
4. Smouldering Smokey Eye by Maya Mia
I love how detailed this smokey eye tutorial is. It’s definitely more on the heavier, smouldering side, so try this one out when you have a glamorous event to attend. The way she blends her eye makeup is like art, and she shows you exactly how to do it. As long as you layer on a little bit at a time, you can get your desired smokey eye look without going overboard. For any smokey eye I’ve done, I’ve always used a MAC palette, such as the MAC Keepsakes/Beige eyes Holiday 2014 Eye Palette. It has all the colours you need to create a smokey eye – and more!
5. Smokey Eye With a Pop of Color by Jaclyn Hill
If you’re in the mood for something funky and fun, why not try adding a pop of color to your smokey eye? Using a plum shade such as MAC Eye Shadow Sketch, add in some drama and definition to your peepers. It’s not too out there, but still adds a little something something. Jaclyn Hill is so awesome, I love watching her videos, and she provides such an in-depth step-by-step to refining the smokey eye. As a professional makeup artist, you can count on her to give you the goods.
6. Gold Smokey Eye Tutorial by Teni Panosian
There’s something about a gold smokey eye that is so darn sophisticated. As she mentions in the tutorial, the look is perfect for New Years Eve, or any event where dressing your best is required. The gold shade in the Anastasia Illumin8 Eye Shadow Duo On Set is just perfect for this look. She provides awesome tips such as how to apply your shadow when it’s wet so that the pigments show up more vividly. Take a look and be amazed when you’re able to do it yourself!
Whether you want the classic brown or black smokey eye, or feel the urge to add a pop of gold or color, these tutorials will help you master and perfect the classic look!
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