Easy Smokey Makeup Tutorial

Whether you've got a big concert or a fancy gala to attend, creating a smokey eye can add a bit of sophisticated drama to your look. Choose colors that compliment your skin tone, or stick with the traditional gray and black. There are many variations of the look, so choose the one you like the best.

Choose your colors. Any color can be used to create a smokey eye, although you will need at least three shades of a similar hue. The classic smokey eye is created with black or gray, but bronze and brown are also commonly used.

Use the right supplies. Although it may be quick and easy to choose the first three complementary shades of eyeshadow you find with a sponge applicator, the perfect smokey eye is created using the right supplies.

Apply your face makeup. Before you put on your smokey eye, you should create your neutral palette. Apply concealer under your eyes and on any dark or red spots, and then apply a powder foundation over the top to set it.

Apply your highlighter. Your highlighter is the lightest of your three eyeshadow shades. Using your eyeshadow brush, dab it on the inside corner of your eyelid on both your upper and lower lids. Sweep it directly under your eyebrows as well, from the beginning to the end of your brows.

Put on your medium shade. Take your middle eyeshadow shade and sweep it over your entire eyelid. Be sure to blend it at the inside corners with your highlighter, so that there isn’t a harsh divide between the two colors. Apply it upwards only to the natural crease on your lid, not all the way to the highlighter underneath your brows.

Begin adding your darkest color. Begin at the outside corner of your eyes, and sweep in a ‘C’ shape from the about halfway inwards (from the outside of your face) on the lash line, back up and around to about halfway inwards on the crease of your eyelid.

Blend your shadows. Clean your eyeshadow brush with makeup brush cleaner, face wash, or shampoo and water. Dry your brush on a clean towel or rag by sweeping it quickly back and forth across the fabric. Then, use your brush to blend the colors together.

Add your eyeliner. If you want a smooth cat-eye look, bring your eyeliner from the inside corner lash line toward the end of your eyebrow. End it in a tapered line slightly before the edge of your eyeshadow (where the darkest part meets your un-shadowed skin). For a smudgy look, draw a thick line across the top of your lash line, and then use your fingertip or a small eyeshadow brush to smudge and blur the line.

Add your mascara. Carefully apply your mascara, wiggling your brush between your lashes to help define them. Add no more than two coats to avoid clumps and an unnatural appearance. Apply a single coat to your bottom lashes to define them without giving yourself raccoon-eyes.