Guide: Smokey Eye Makeup For Beginners

What Is a Smokey Eyes ?

Smokey eyes are characterized by dark, smoky eyeshadow near the eyes, which looks like "smoke". Different from your everyday eye makeup, smokey eyes look versatile and can be personalized by using different colors and glitter. While traditional smokey eyes usually consist of black, brown and gray shades, learning simple smokey eye makeup for beginners can help you unleash your creativity, making them look unique and personalized to your look. 

Smokey eyes are a timeless and attractive makeup trend that will never fade. It is the ideal makeup for a night out, a special event or even to bring some drama to your daily makeup routine. Smokey eye makeup can be adapted to meet different occasions.

Different types of smokey eyes

• Classic smoky eye: Dark eye shadows are applied around the eyelids to create a dramatic, smoldering appearance. Black eyeliner and gray eyeshadow are used in a black or classic smoky eye look.

• Soft smoky eye: Lighter, subtle colors are used for a less dramatic, daytime-appropriate smoky eye. The brown smoky eye is a prime example of this, with the look created using brown eyeliner and brown shades of eyeshadow.

• Colored smoky eye: Bright eyeshadow colors replace classic neutrals to create a colorful, bold smoky eye. Blue smoky eye The smoky eye is one of the most popular ways to add color to the smoky eye effect.

To create a great smokey eye, you'll need the following beauty tools:

• Makeup primer so that your eyeshadow lasts longer and looks beautiful.
• Choose an eyeshadow palette with dark and neutral shades.
• A dark brown or black pencil or gel eyeliner.
• Eye mascara to outline and accentuate your lashes.
• Blending brush to blend the colors perfectly.
• Smudging brush to blur the eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Step-by-Step Smokey Eye Tutorial

Smokey eyes are all about practice. A smokey eye tutorial helps you to perform the process with ease as you bring out your inner artist to create alluring eyeshadow designs. Below is a smokey eye guide for beginners.

1. Start with a clean face

The first step of the tutorial on how to do simple smokey eye makeup is to wash your face, especially the eye area thoroughly. Get an oil-free cleaning agent to clean all the residue of oil and dirt in the folds. This will guarantee that the makeup pigments of the smokey eye look are prominent in their full glory. Also, your eye makeup will not fade or crack even after a long working day.

2. Use an eye primer

On the next step of smokey eye makeup for beginners, it’s time to tackle the eye primer.

• Primer is a base makeup that smoothens skin folds and lines.
• Applying an eye primer to the skin around the eyes smoothens them and provides an even surface.
• This is a necessary step when you have oily skin.

After applying the primer, let it dry for a few minutes before applying any color.

3. Apply concealer for best results

It is important to follow this step of smokey eye makeup for beginners. Dark circles or blemishes will neutralize any eye makeup, especially smokey eye makeup.

• Try using the right color-correcting concealer for dark circles around the eyes.
• Peach and orange are the most suitable colors that neutralize blue circles around the eyes.
• Pat the product near the eyes instead of rubbing it so that it settles evenly on the skin.

This step will help create the ideal base that will be bright and clean for you to enhance the smokey eyes beautifully.

4. Use basic colors in the beginning

When you are learning how to do smokey eye makeup for beginners, it is best to use the basics.

• When you are confident about the technique, you can experiment with colors and glitters for a bold effect!
• Use a palette of basic browns and blacks, which will help you master the classic smokey eye look.
• Adorn your hands with the best silver glitter eyeshadow look for a dramatic high-voltage look!

5. Choose the right tools

When you learn how to do smokey eye makeup for beginners, your makeup brushes become your best companions!

• You should apply the colors on the eyelids using a brush rather than using your fingers to hold them.
• You are going to use three eyeshadow brushes, a blending brush, and a tippy little brush to apply the eyeshadow color correctly.

6. Start with the eyeshadow brush

Finally, it’s time to try out the colors mentioned in this tutorial on how to do smokey eye makeup for beginners!

• Using a medium-toned nude color, apply it on the eyelids and create a light smokey base.
• For beginners, it’s okay to use brown for a toned smokey eye effect.
• Using a pigment, apply it on the outer corner of the upper eyelid.
• Continue blending it to the crease line and the outer edge of the eye.
• Let it create a smooth darker gradient of color over the base eyeshadow color.
• Use tapered brushes and fluffy brushes when blending the corners of the eyes.

7. Blend to contour the eyes

After learning how to do smokey eye makeup for beginners, it’s time to open up the look with a little highlighting effect.

• You will want to lighten the area around the eyes for the ideal smokey look.
• You can also lightly brush this highlighter between the eyelids to add a more radiant look.
• Make sure you blend all the colors to create a beautiful flowing transition of shades.

8. Color the lash lines

Whether it’s an easy smokey eye or a more complex shading of the eyes, you have to define the color along your lash lines. Here are the steps on how to do smokey eye makeup for beginners.

• Take your normal black eyeliner and extend it along the upper eyelids as close to the lash line as possible.
• Smudge the line to blend the dark lashline with the smoked effect.
• When you reach the lower lash line, use black or brown eyeshadow shades.
• Shade near the lower lash line and smudge it using a brush to get a lighter effect.
• Brown will give a lighter effect to the eyes while black will make them look more prominent.

9. Create the perfect wings

We are on the last part of the smokey eye makeup tutorial for beginners!

• You can use a brush or a pen eyeliner for this step.
• Draw a small wing that covers the smokey tip.
• Connect the outer wing to the lower lash line.
• This will enhance the perfectly framed bright-looking smokey-eye effect.
• Don't forget to apply mascara on the lashes to add depth to your eyes.
• With the help of these tips, you will become an expert in applying black smokey eye makeup.

More Tips and Tricks for Smokey Eyes Perfection

• Blot your eyeshadow with a blending brush to get a flawless finish.
• Use a small brush to apply eyeshadow on the outer corner of your eyes to make it look precise.
• Use a pencil brush to apply eyeshadow on your lower lash line to make it look more defined.
• Apply highlighter on your inner corner and brow bone to brighten your eyes.
• Don't forget to pluck your eyebrows to finalize your look.

FAQs

Q 1. How do I make my smokey eye more colorful?

To make your smokey eye more colorful, apply a white or nude eyeshadow base underneath your eyeshadow. This will accentuate the base colors and make them stand out. Also, applying a shimmer eyeshadow in the center of your eyelid will give you more dimension and light.

Q 2. How do I choose the ideal eyeshadow palette for a smokey eye?

Choose an eyeshadow palette that has a variety of dark, medium and light colors. A good palette should have a matte and shimmer finish to provide depth. Character Cosmetics' eyeshadow palette has neutral colors such as black, brown and grey, and other bright colors in matte and shimmer finishes, for effortless smokey eye makeup.

Q 3. What are the best colors for a smokey eye?

The most effective colors to use for a smokey eye are generally grey, black and brown, as these always give a flattering smokey finish. Nevertheless, depending on your complexion and fashion sense, you can also try purple, blue, and green colors to develop a distinctive smokey eye look.

Q 4. Can I use liquid eyeliner for a smokey eye look?

Yes, you can use liquid eyeliner instead of gel eyeliner in a smokey eye, but you should apply it in small amounts. Draw a thin line near your lash line, then use a smudger brush or cotton swab to smudge the line. You should be gentle to ensure that the liquid eyeliner is not too wet when smudging. This method is suitable if you like a more outlined look with a little smokiness.

Q 5. Can a smokey eye be worn during the day?

A smokey eye can be softened for daytime wear by using lighter colors and less intensity. Choose browns and taupes instead of black to get a softer daytime look.