The Smokey Eye

There are many different ways to create this sultry look…see my favorites below.

Jennifer Lawrence, Bronze Goddess

Jennifer looks like a Bond girl with
copper hues.

Emma Stone, Play Up the Hue

Emma enhances her green eyes with blue
and silver colors.

Jennifer Lopez, Taupe Beauty

JLo keeps it neutral with as taupes.

Kim Kardashian, Over the Top

Kim K uses black matte shadows
to create a daring and mysterious look. 

The 'smokey eye' is probably one of the easiest makeup looks to do...just remember to keep it simple. 

This look can be appropriate for all types of occasions and it even transcends seasons and years. For a day-to-day look, I suggest MAC Satin Taupe (lid) and Omega (crease) with MAC Teddy eyeliner. 

My Tips & Tricks

**Different eye shapes need different application*


- When creating a smokey eye, it’s so important to prime the eye in order to keep the smoldering colors to stay put. Use a primer like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion or Benefit’s Stay Don't Stray Primer.

- Darker colors go on the lid. Then gradually fade up to the crease with a lighter, complementary color.

- Shimmery/glittery shadows should ONLY remain on the lid while matte shadows be applied to the crease.


- Don't be afraid to apply shadow to your lower lash line to really smoke it out. See the images above for good examples. 

- Eyeliner is not always necessary to create smokey eyes.

- The blackest black mascara always finishes the look. 

Here are smokey eye tutorials from one of my favorite YouTube gurus, Pixiwoo. If the link doesn't work, search "smokey eye pixiwoo" on YouTube.

Add Contouring to Your Arsenal

Bronzing and contouring are essential steps included in my daily makeup routine. Obviously, application differs when achieving a desired look. I step it up a notch when going out in the evening.

What are benefits of contouring? Contouring creates shadows in order to create the illusion that your face is thinner/more angular.

In the picture below, you can see the different areas on the face that are important to contour.  (I use photos of Kim Kardashian’s makeup in order to showcase different effects because her makeup is dramatic.)

Kim K's Contoured Faced

The most important advice when contouring is to blend, blend and blend some more.

See the difference below:

Left is not contoured, while right is contoured and highlighted.

I suggest contouring novices to use a bronzing/highlighting kit, such as Too Faced’s The Bronze and the Beautiful ($38 at Sephora.com) The kit includes three sets of instructions to contour/bronze/highlight the face for different looks. 

Too Faced The Bronze and the Beautiful, $38 at Sephora.com

Contouring gone wrong:

Lindsay's Cheeks :(

Nicki's Nose :(