How to Create a Gorgeous, Smokey Eye

The smokey eye is still one of the hottest makeup trends of the season but you don't need a professional makeup artist to get the look. This sultry, smoldering, smokey eye is easier to create with the right set of products and can completely transform your look. Whether you're going glam for the night or just want to play with new look this season, try your hand at creating a gorgeous, smokey eye.

Use these tips to create this coveted look:

1. Prep the lids. Use an eyelid primer or a lightweight moisturizer to create a super-smooth surface on your lids. This can help any eye shadows you apply last longer and will make it easier to layer different shades for the smokey eye look.

2. Use the lightest shade for the base. If you've purchased a smokey eye kit, use the lightest shade as a base color over the entire lid and up to the brow. If you're putting together your own smokey eye palette, make sure you're using the lightest shade available as your base color.

3. Create contours. You'll need a dark grey, pewter, or near-black shadow to create a smoldering effect along the eyebrow crease. This acts as a frame for the smokey eye look. Make sure you apply this color only to the top of your lids and slightly off the edge of each eye. You'll be blending this layer later.

4. Fill your lids. You can use the same darker shade you used in Step 3, or a complementary shade to color your lids. Fill each lid evenly with color and smudge it with your fingertip or smudging tool to blend with the darkest shadow. This is what creates the sultry effect. Use a glitter shadow or bolder shade here for a twist on the classic smokey eye.

5. Highlight the eyes and brows. Use a lighter shade to highlight the edges of your eyes and the inner and outer corners of the eye. You can also add a touch of color to the upper brow area and blend it with the lightest shade used in Step 2.

6. Line your eyes with a thick black liner. Enhance your eyes by lining the upper and lower lash line with thick, black eyeliner. Blend the liner slightly with your finger or smudging tool to soften the color and blend it with the eyeshadow. A thicker line will create a more dramatic effect. Draw the liner out further from the corner of each eye if you want to create a cat eye.

7. Enhance the lashes. Skip the false eyelashes in favor of lash-lengthening mascara. Mascara can make lashes appear fuller and sculpted without the hassle of lash glue. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lash is made with a blend of long and short nylon and rayon fibers to boost lash volume from every angle. The precision brush makes it a cinch to apply and you can enjoy clump-free lashes that enhance the smokey eye effect even further.

Content by Sabah Karimi.