Sultry Smokey Eyes

Many girls dreams of having a sexy sultry smokey eye look that we see everyone wearing on the red carpet. Kim K was known for her signature smokey eye look with a nude lip, and still today I get compliments and questions on how the heck do I do that myself?!

So you're not sure where to start? It's simple! SO many people get the idea that a smokey eye has to consist of heavy dark black eyeshadow, and that's not always the case! You can create a smokey eye look with browns, blacks, purples, blue hues, greens, deep reds and bronzes.

For a more natural smokey look I usually choose a bronzy-brown tone. Whichever you prefer, there's a few components that you should keep in mind. What you'll need: a blending brush, a brush to apply and pack on more color with (I use a Mac 239 or my Sigma Beauty E55 brush), a dark colored eyeshadow, your favorite highlight eyeshadow, an eyeshadow color used for the base of your lid, eyeshadow primer (optional), a dark eyeliner pencil, and liquid or gel eyeliner (if you prefer the top eyeliner look).

If you're not sure where to start with the color choices... there are so many drugstore brands that create smokey eye quads or eyeshadow palettes :) One of my favorites is Maybelline's: Stylish Smokes in 02 Natural Smokes (it even has a photo describing where to place the eyeshadow on the back).

Let's Get Started:  Step 0- If you're using an eyeshadow primer apply that to your eyelid first. Step 1- Take your brush that you're going to apply your color with. I start by taking my highlight color and applying it all over my lid, focusing on the inner corner near my tear duct and underneath my eyebrow on the brow bone. Step 2- After you've applied that, take the same brush and apply the color you chose for your base. We're going to apply this to the lid of your eye, until it hits the crease. Take your blending brush and blend the edges until there are no harsh lines and the color becomes diffused with the highlight color.  Step 3- Now we're going to take the darkest color for your crease and use your first brush to sweep a dark hue in the crease of your eyelid. Create an outer "V" of your eye and place the color. Take your blending brush and blend the color until there are no more harsh lines and creating the illusion of a smokey eye. If your color fades a little, add more eyeshadow and repeat this process for darker pigmentation.  Step 4- Once you are happy with the results, you can apply your eyeliner pencil to your waterline (I tight line my top waterline as well).  Step 5- Next, curl your eyelashes.  Step 6- If you want top liner using liquid or gel I suggest doing this before you apply your mascara. Step 7- Once you are done applying this, apply your mascara. Sometimes if I want a really smokey look, I sweep a little bit of dark eyeshadow along my lower lash line under the water line and smoke it out! I hope this helps you out!

If anyone was wondering what colors I use, I usually use "vanilla", "naked lunch" or "shroom" by Mac for a highlight. For a dark color, I use "carbon" or "graphology" by Mac. There are so many dupes to those colors though, I just happen to love Mac eyeshadows for their pigmentation :)

XOXO,
Claire

Here is a diagram if you're not sure where to

 apply your eyeshadow. 

Smokey Eye... get the look!