Easy Steps for the Perfect Smoky Eye

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create an easy, simple, and wearable smoky eye. In a few short steps, and with the right products, a sexy smoky look is easily attainable.

Eva Mendes rocking the smoky eye look (iStockphoto)
Eva Mendes rocking the smoky eye look (iStockphoto)



By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

All the brushes I use in this tutorial are from Sigma (Mrs. Bunny Essential Kit). You will need a base color that is close to the color of your skin, grey/taupe shadow, shimmery white shadow and a dark charcoal or black shadow. I like to use Too Faced's Romantic Eye Palette, which contains all these colors in an easily accessible and color-coordinated format.

Step 1:
Always start out by applying an eye shadow base to the eye. I use Too Faced's Eyeshadow Insurance, which prevents the shadows from creasing and increases their longevity and wear.

Watch my tutorial on how to create the perfect smoky eye:

Step 2:
Continue by using the color closest to your natural skin tone, and apply this as a base on your eyelid up to your brow bone with a fluffy blending brush. This step makes blending easier.

Step 3:
Apply the grey/taupe color on your eyelid but not past the crease. Build up the color with a flat shader brush. Using tapping (instead of sweeping) motions with your brush will reduce fallout from the shadow.

Step 4:
Apply the shimmery white color to the inner corners of your eyes with a pencil brush. Adding a light shimmery color to your inner tear duct area opens up your eyes and makes them look brighter and bigger.

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Step 5:

Apply a dark charcoal or matte black color to the outer corners of your eyes with an angled eye shadow brush. You want to create a sideways V-shape with the dark color in order to contour your eyes and give them some added definition. Apply a little bit of dark color at a time in order to be able to blend out the color easily.

Step 6:
Use a fluffy brush to blend out the edges of the eye shadow. You want the colors to blend seamlessly away before hitting the brow bone area.

Step 7:
To finish off the eye shadow look, take an angled liner brush and smudge the taupe and black shadows on the lower lash line right under the lashes.

Step 8:
Lastly, apply your favorite pencil or liquid liner on your top lash line and finish off with mascara. I use MAKE UP FOR EVER's Aqua Liner in 13 and Maybelline's Illegal Lengths Fiber Extension Mascara.
To finish off the overall look I use the Balm's Frat Boy Blush and Tarte's LipSurgence™ lip luster in Adored.

See more of Charleen's beauty tutorials on her YouTube channel


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