How To Do A Simple Smoky Eye
Here’s a picture tutorial on how to do a simple smoky eye. It doesn’t take very long. I was able to complete this look under 10 minutes.
This is a monochromatic smoky eye. It’s not very shimmery or so dramatic so it’s perfect for the daytime (and nighttime too).
Update: You’ll notice as the tutorial progresses, my eye gets a little redder and redder. It’s because I kept accidentally poking myself in the eye while trying to take the pictures. Silly me.
Step 1: Prep your face. Apply whatever face makeup you use: foundation, concealer, powder, etc.
Step 2: Apply an eyeshadow primer. Blend it onto your lid and brow bone.
I used Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer.
Step 3: Using an eyeshadow brush, apply a shimmery, neutral colored eyeshadow onto your entire eyelid.
I used Estee Lauder eyeshadow in Nutmeg and MAC eyeshadow brush #252.
Step 4: Using the eyeshadow brush, apply a grey eyeshadow over the entire lid, but don’t go past the crease of the eye. If you don’t have a crease, don’t go past your brow bone.
I used Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow Trios in Impeccable Greys.
Step 5A: Use the same eyeshadow brush to brush a dark eyeshadow shade onto the outer 1/3 of your eyelid.
Step 5B: Either use the same eyeshadow brush or an angled eyeshadow brush to apply the same dark eyeshadow shade into the crease of your eye. If you don’t have a crease, just follow the shape of your eye.
I used L’oreal Hip Eyeshadow Duo in Gilded and MAC Angled Eyeshadow Brush #275.
Step 6: Use a different eyeshadow brush or an eyeshadow blending brush to blend, blend, and blend. I blended the shadows up towards my brow bone and a little past my outer eye corner. Blend until you don’t notice the harsh contrasting colors between the two dark shadow colors.
I used MAC Blending Brush #217.
Step 7: Using the same shimmery, neutral eyeshadow color and the eyeshadow brush, apply the neutral eyeshadow from your crease to below your brows.
Step 8: Again, blend, blend, and blend.
Step 9: Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply the dark silver shadow to your bottom lash line. If you don’t have a flat eyeshadow brush, you can use a Q-tip or a stiff eyeliner brush.
I used MAC eyeshadow brush #212.
Step 10: Using the flat eyeshadow brush (or a Q-tip or stiff eyeliner brush), to apply the dark eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eye on the bottom lash line.
Step 11: Apply a dark eyeliner to the top and bottom lash line and the waterline.
I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.
Step 12: Apply mascara to the top and bottom lashes.
I used Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara in Black.
July 10th, 2009 at
Oh wow, that was an easy to do, simple tutorial. All the other tutorials I’ve seen have too many (unnecessary) steps. The pictures were clear and so were the instructions. Thanks for posting!
p.s. I use the same mascara ;P
July 10th, 2009 at
Thank you so much for this tutorial, especially with having the pictures. I’m not really good at knowing where to apply makeup and I’ve always wanted to do smokey eyes. Your tutorial definitely clears this all up for me. I think I’ll try it out this weekend.
October 4th, 2009 at
Thanks for this tutorial! It’s so clear! I love also that you use both high end and lower end products. I usually do the same. What do you find is usually the best primer??
October 4th, 2009 at
There are a lot of good primers out there, but 3 primers at the top of my list are Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and Smashbox Lid Primer.
If you’re looking for a drugstore primer, I use Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadow as a base. I look for a color that most matches my skintone or eyeshadow color(s) I’m using. It’ll give your shadows a bit of a sheen to it, so if you’re going for a matte eye look, don’t use it.