Ready to turn heads with your eye makeup? Mastering the smokey eye look is easier than you think!

Get ready to mystify your audiences with smokey eye makeup – a technique that transforms simple eyeshadow into a powerful statement of beauty. In this article, you will learn how to do smokey eye makeup, alongside a range of looks for you to try out, as well as expert approved ways on how to apply them. Learn how to outline, blend, and highlight your eyes to achieve that perfect smokey eye look that suits any occasion.

Key Points:

• Understand the essentials of building a smokey eye, from selecting the right shades to proper application techniques.
• Discover the importance of eyeshadow primers and blending brushes for a long-lasting, impactful look.
• Explore various smokey eye styles, including classic, subtle, and bold, to match your personal style or event.
• Get tips on how to avoid common mistakes and make your smokey eyes stand out.
• Learn how to integrate smokey eye makeup seamlessly with other elements of your look for a complete transformation.

What is a Smokey Eye?

A smokey eye can be used as an art form that emphasises your eyes through skilled blending and several layers of eyeshadow. 

The secret to achieving the best smokey eye makeup look lies in its ability to create depth and allure, making it a standout choice for any occasion. Unlike applying a single shade, smokey eye makeup involves a gradient technique, starting darker at the base and softly fading out. This method not only transforms the eyes’ shape but also adds a dramatic flair that’s hard to miss.

Key Tips for Smokey Eye Success: 

• Don’t Be Afraid To Go Dark: Always start with the darkest shade near your lash line. This not only keeps the look modern but ensures the focus remains on your eyes, not just your makeup.
• Keep It Simple: Limit yourself to three shades and one eyeliner to avoid overcomplicating the look. This makes it easier to achieve a balanced and impactful smokey eye.
• Blending is Essential: Invest in good blending brushes. The ability to blend your shadows and liner smoothly is what will give your smokey eyes their signature sultry appearance. Good blending softens harsh lines and unifies colors, essential for creating the perfect smokey eye makeup look.

Check out our professional eye makeup products to help achieve your smokey eye look

How To Do Smokey Eye Makeup

Here’s how you can perfect the best smokey eye makeup look using Mehron eye products.

1. Priming Up

Before beginning your smokey eye makeup routine, be sure to moisturise and prime your skin up with an appropriate moisturiser. But primer or moisturiser first?

An eyeshadow primer base helps to keep your eyeshadow intact, ensuring that your smokey eyes remain flawless throughout the day or night. 

It’s the first step in preventing your makeup from creasing or smudging, keeping the focus sharply on your eyes.

2. Building the Base

Now that your skin is primed and moisturised, you can begin crafting your smokey eye, starting with a good eye pencil. 

Outline your eyes, then begin layering with a dark shadow close to the lash line—this is your smokey eye’s anchor. 

As you move upwards, gradually lighten the shades to create a seamless transition, which will be essential when developing that iconic smokey effect that catches light and shadow perfectly.

3. Sketching the Smokey Outline

Use it to sketch the desired shape of your smokey eyes, starting at the upper lash line and blending upwards beyond the crease of your eyelid. 

This technique helps to enlarge the appearance of your eyes and sets a smokey foundation. Don’t hesitate to extend the liner to your lower lash line to intensify the smokey effect.

4. Erasing Unwanted Shadows

After you’ve blended your eyeliner, introduce a matte eyeshadow to deepen the crease and address any under-eye shadows. 

This step involves a precise application with a concealer brush to clean up and define the eye area, enhancing the smokey look while keeping it neat and polished.

5. Highlighting and Illuminating

For a touch of glamour, apply a bronze eyeshadow on the centre of the eyelids, then brighten the inner corners of your eyes with a dab of gold. 

This not only adds dimension but also makes your eyes appear wider and more inviting.

6. Luscious Lashes

No smokey eye makeup look is complete without attention to the lashes. 

Apply a volumising mascara to both the top and bottom lashes, ensuring they are fully coated to appear longer and fuller. 

This step is vital for adding that extra bit of drama to your smokey eyes.

7. Adding Dramatic Depth

To deepen the smokey effect, use a darker eyeliner to tight-line the upper and lower lash lines. This technique aids the thickness of your lashes and adds an intensity that complements the smokey shadow.

8. Finishing with a Flair

Conclude your smokey eye makeup by applying the darkest eyeshadow shade to the outer corners of your eyes. Blend it into the mid-tones for a seamless transition. 

This not only completes the gradient effect but also solidifies the smokey allure.

9. Cat-Eye Charm

To improve on perfection, you could consider advancing the smokey look by extending your lashes outward from the inner corner to the outer edge of your eyes, creating a subtle cat-eye effect. 

This final touch brings a sophisticated and wide-awake look to your smokey eye makeup, perfect for any occasion.

Exploring Smokey Eye Makeup Styles

Whether you’re aiming for a subtle enhancement or dramatic flair, these smokey eye makeup looks will help you to choose the perfect smokey eye style that suits you best.

Olive Toned Smoke

Channel your inner star with olive-toned smokey eyes. Ideal for those with fiery red hair, this style uses green and brown shades that reflect beautifully, creating a captivating look that compliments warm hair colours.

Coffee Smoke

For a soft and natural appearance, choose light brown and coffee shades. This less intense version of the smokey eye effect is perfect for daytime events or for anyone wanting a subtler touch.

Rosé Smoke

Crank up the drama with rosé tones. Using berries and red colour styles not only adds richness to your smokey eyes but also magnifies darker eye colours, too, making them pop at any social gathering.

Deep Burned Orange Smoke

Burned orange is your go-to for highlighting hazel eyes. This warm colour base can be elevated with a splash of vibrant orange to draw attention and add an element of fun.

Spotlight Smokey Eye

Create a spotlight effect by applying darker shades at the corners and a shimmering highlight in the centre. 

This style, favoured by cultural celebrities like Brazilian pop star Anitta, brings a glamorous, eye-catching look that’s perfect for nights out.

Latte Smokey Eye

Why not switch it up for a toned-down, sophisticated smokey eye with matte shades of beige and soft browns. This approach adds depth without being too overwhelming, ideal for stage makeup or casual days out.

Berry Smoke

Soft berry colour tones offer a tender and romantic smokey eye look. Pair it with sheer berry lips for a seamless, enchanting appearance perfect for date nights.

Golden Hour Smoke

Embrace the timeless elegance of golden hour smokey eyes. This style uses soft gold and bronze tones that flatter any skin tone, aiding those who prefer a natural beauty look, as well as ensuring you look stunning from every angle.

Pop of Pink

Brighten your smokey eye with a pop of pink in the centre of the lid. This unexpected touch adds a playful vibe to your look, perfect for spring and summer occasions.

Customise Your Smokey Eye Makeup

In conclusion, creating stunning smokey eye makeup, perfect for beginners and professional makeup artists, is an art form in itself which can also reflect your talent and skill set towards makeup. Embrace these tips to master your smokey eye makeup and ensure your eyes are always the highlight of your ensemble.

Check out Victoria Beckham’s 90’s inspired smokey eye for more makeup look ideas

Further reading:

Unsure of what makeup looks to use smokey eyes for? Try these guides – 

• Drag queen makeup guide
• 1960s makeup guide

FAQs

What is the smokey eye rule?

The smokey eye rule involves blending a dark eyeshadow colour on the lid with a lighter colour towards the brow bone to create a seamless gradient effect.

What colours are good for smokey eyes?

Good colours for smokey eyes include classic blacks and greys, deep browns, rich plums, and dark greens. Metallic shades like gold or silver can also add a glamorous touch.

Is smokey eye hard to do?

Creating a smokey eye can be challenging for beginners due to the need for precise blending and layering of colours, but with practice, it becomes easier to achieve a polished look.

Sources

Harry, A., (2025) Victoria Beckham shows us how to recreate her signature 90s-inspired smoky eye. Hello! Fashion. [online] Available at: https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/beauty-trends/812663/victoria-beckham-90s-smoky-eye-tutorial/ [accessed 08/04/2025]