The Perfect Smoky Eye: Tips From the Pros
Here’s everything you need to know to master the smoky eye. (Photo: Ben Ritter)
Nothing says New Years Eve like a sultry smoky eye. If you’re someone who hasn’t quite perfected the look yet, we’ve got your back. In honor of the upcoming holiday, we rounded up the best smoky eye tips from our favorite makeup artists. Here’s everything you need to know to look flawless before the ball drops.
Use a primer
“For any smoky eye application, I would start with an eyeshadow primer for long wear, to prevent creasing, and to prevent shadow residue from dropping on upper cheek bones or under eyes,” says Andréa Tiller, the woman behind Amy Schumer’s Emmy Awards smoky eye. Try Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24) when doing a subtle wash of color and a tinted cream shadow, like Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick ($28) as a primer for a more intense smoky eye.
Pick your colors
Round up four shadows, a black eyeliner, and a black mascara to nail this look. The first color is your base color and it will be the lightest shade. Next, select a light to medium shade that matches the tones you are going for. This shade will be one to two shades darker than your lid. The third color is a medium to dark shade that is going to be richer and more pigmented than the last. And the fourth color is a black-pigmented color, like a charcoal gray. “If you have a deep skin tone, you’ll want to go for something really dark, focusing on the black pigmented shadows because a soft gray won’t work as well,” says Kim Soane, the Director of Global Artistry at Bobbi Brown. “If you have really fair skin, you might go less on the black pigment and use more gray tones.”
Rock the look with glasses
Don’t be afraid of a smoky eye look when you’re a glasses girl. “Make sure you keep the colors to a medium tone and not too black,” say Yahoo Beauty editor-in-chief Bobbi Brown. “Smoky browns can be layered from the lightest to the darkest, and it’s best to choose three colors in the same color family. Top it off with an even darker liner — black is great here because it really defines the eye. Then use a light pale shade as a highlighter to open up the eye.”
Brushes are optional
Nina Park, who works with Bella Thorne and Ashley Tisdale, likes to use her finger for smudging and leaves the brushes at home since smoky eyes are really about shape and depth, not precision If you aren’t ready to finger paint, she likes the Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush ($27) or any concealer brush. “Use a synthetic, semi-dense, tapered brush,” she advises.
Always blend
Makeup artist Fiona Stiles says it’s always best to start slow and build up your eye gradually — and don’t forget to blend. Blend edges using a brush or your fingers. “If you have smaller eyes, be sure to blur and blend out the edges to give the illusion of a bigger eye,” she says.
Create definition with liner
“Create more definition by applying black gel or liquid liner in between the upper eyelashes,” says Robin Black, the founder of Beauty is Boring. “Then fill in the lower rim with a white pencil liner. These two quick tricks make eyes look more open.” She recommends using NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Iceberg ($23) and Hourglass 1.55MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner ($16).
Finish with mascara
“Try not to put too much mascara on your wand, you want them feathery but still with drama,” says Lupita Nyong’o’s go-to makeup artist Nick Barose. He suggests two coats of mascara, with a focus on the lashes at the outer edge of the eyes.
Keep the rest of your makeup simple
“Because the eye look is intense, it works best when paired with fresh, simple makeup like a tinted moisturizer, a hint of blush, and pretty, but soft, lip color,” says Yahoo Beauty editor-in-chief Bobbi Brown. Here on Flaviana, Brown applied a subtle rosy blush and balm to lips.
Photo: Ben Ritter / Makeup: Bobbi Brown / Model: Flaviana Matata, Wilhelmina
Related:
Day-to-Night Makeup Tips from Bobbi Brown
