Creating Smoky Eye Makeup

The Popularity of Dramatic Eyes

Dark and sultry eyes have been considered romantic and beautiful for decades. From the golden age of movies to today's dinner parties, smokey eyes have consistently set the look. While the end result is gorgeous, application can be a messy process. If you do not have experience with eyeliner or dark-colored cosmetics, you could cause an eye makeup disaster. Creating smoky eye makeup can be tricky, and having some guidance can help you meet optimal success.

A Guide to Creating Smoky Eye Makeup

A large part of a smokey look is pulled off by correctly blending cosmetics. Always ensure your colors are blending together nicely, or else your final look will appear amateurish. It is also important to mix together a lighter base color with a dark shade on top. Finding the perfect combination can make or break your look.

Step One

Prepare your eyelids by applying an eye shadow base. This will help reduce creasing and smearing, and also prevents flakes of makeup from falling into and irritating your eyes. The shadow base works to absorb oil from the skin, giving a smooth and dry canvas for the color to cling to. Mac makes an excellent base for first time users.

Step Two

Eyeliner is a pivotal cosmetic used for smokey eyes. For a novice, it is best to stick to the typical shades of brown, gray, or black. This should be applied above your upper lash line. Try to thicken the amount in the center of the line, while applying more sparingly along the edges. If you are going for a more colorful look, check out some of the violet, dark green, and blue eyeliners available for purchase.

Step Three

Blend a lighter shade of eyeliner to your bottom lash line and gently smudge it. This smudging is what gives you the "smokey" look, and it is important to have definition on your lower lashes without overdoing it.

This may be a challenge at first, so a pencil liner is often recommended over liquid. If you want to use a liquid liner, ask your beauty counter consultant which is easiest for a beginner. She may be able to recommend a product you wouldn't have otherwise chosen.

Step Four

Apply your base color of eye shadow. This works best if it is cream colored or perhaps a light shade of gold. This should always be lighter than your final "smoky" color. Brands such as Cover Girl and Stila make some fun shimmers and lighter hues, which will work perfectly as a base.

Step Five

After you have applied your base color, reach for your darker eye shadow. Start at your lash line and blend with your base color upward. Creating smoky eye makeup involves your eyeliner pulling a disappearing act. It should be completely blended and smudged into the shadow by the time you are done.

Step Six

Finish off your eyes with a few coats of heavy mascara. Look for a thickening formula, and always opt for a deep shade such as black. The lashes are an important part of finishing off this stunning look.

When you are preparing to wear such a style of eye makeup, remember not to overdo it with the rest of your face. Lips should not draw attention to themselves while your eyes are in the spotlight. It is important to decide which feature you wish to play up, and leave the rest to a treatment of neutral and subtle product shades.

Smoky eyes are flattering in almost any social situation. From emo teens to wedding day glamour, dark eye makeup can capture your personality and add new dimension to your look.

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