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Reader Q&A: How Do I Do a Smoky Eye?

Posted 02/14/11 at 03:33PM by Audrey Fine

This week's reader question comes from Shanna who asks "How do I apply shadow for a smoky eye look?"

Shanna is so not alone in her quest for the smoky eye -- it's a look that nearly everyone wants to try but one that not many know how to do properly. Till now! Here are the six steps you need to follow for a beautiful smoky look:

Step 1: Pick your shade. These days a smoky eye doesn't have to be all about black -- you can use charcoal gray, chocolate brown, deep eggplant, emerald green -- whichever dark color speaks to you, go for it.

Step 2: Start by smudging dark eyeliner along your upper lashline from outer edge to inner edge staying as close to your lashline as possible.

Step 3: Using a blending brush, apply the dark shade you've chosen across the lid from the lashline to the crease making sure to blend upwards. Then, using an angled brush, apply along the bottom lashline.

Step 4: Choose a complimentary color a few shades lighter to apply to the crease of your eye, blending as you go to prevent obvious delineations between the two shades.

Step 5: Apply a light "highlighter" shade right underneath the eyebrow and on the inside corner of the eye.

Step 6: Complete the look with several coats of black or brown-black mascara. (Here are my tips for getting gorgeous lashes.)

And, presto! There you have your very own, gorgeous smoky eye. See? Wasn't as complicated as you thought it would be, was it?

Have a question for our experts? Click here and ask away. And read on to get more expert makeup answers.
And the survey says...
1-6 of 14 Comments

  • Posted by GigiSD on 04/13/13 at 03:06pm

    I love how the steps are broken down here. Moreover, I like how they mention that a "smoky" eye doesn't necessarily have to be gray or black; it can be any color.

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  • Posted by EricaC123 on 04/13/13 at 02:57pm

    Nice

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  • Posted by powerwoman033 on 03/14/12 at 04:54pm

    These tips really break the smokey eye down and I love it! I also have an affinity for the Too Faced eye kits that come with 3 different step by step instruction cards! Once you get the hang of it, have fun going smokey with any dark color.

    Report Abuse

  • Posted by Nicole2814 on 12/21/11 at 08:41am

    smokey eyes

    Report Abuse

  • Posted by anna_davis on 11/28/11 at 01:53pm

    i love smokey eyes!

    Report Abuse

  • Posted by LipglossandSpandex on 07/21/11 at 10:03pm

    This would be more helpful with a picture, or several pictures illustrating the steps. I personally like doing eyeliner last.

    Report Abuse

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