How To Do A Smokey Eye With Tips From The Eyeshadow Pad

Few makeup looks are as timeless and dramatic as the classic smokey eye. Whether you’re going for a bold and sultry night-out look or a soft, smudged effect for everyday wear, mastering the smokey eye is a game-changer for your beauty regimen. The secret? Lots of blending, choosing the right shades, and picking long-lasting eyeshadows. 

While it may seem intimidating, getting that perfect smudged, sultry effect is easier than you think. You can even recreate a smokey eye using colorful eye makeup from your favorite palettes. Ready to master it? Let’s break it down in this smokey eye makeup tutorial.

5 Steps to the Perfect Smokey Eye Look

Step 1: Prep and Prime

Learning how to do a smokey eye begins with a clean canvas that’s primed and prepped. Apply an eyeshadow base or a dab of concealer to even out any hyperpigmentation around your eyelids and help your eyeshadow stay put. If you have oily lids, set the primer with a bit of translucent powder to prevent creasing.

Step 2: Lay Down the Base Shade

Start with a neutral transition shade from a warm neutral eyeshadow palette—ideally a soft brown or taupe—and buff it into your crease with a fluffy blending brush. This helps create a seamless gradient between the darker and the lighter shades, making it easier to blend and creating an effortless look.

Step 3: Smoke It Out with Darker Shades

It’s finally time to learn how to do the main step of a smokey eye. Pick up some dark brown or black long-lasting eyeshadow on your brush and apply it to the outer corners of your eyes, blending into the crease. For some extra drama, smudge some of the dark eyeshadow along the outer edges of your lower lash line using a smaller brush. Then all that’s left to do is blend, blend, blend—because harsh lines are a smokey eye’s worst enemy! 

Step 4: Intensify with Eyeliner

You can stop here or go a few steps further to create more intensity through your look. Darken your upper lash line with black or dark brown eyeliner, then use a smudging brush or cotton swab to soften the edges with a light hand. For an even bolder smokey eye, learn how to line the waterline for extra depth.

Step 5: Highlight and Finish

Finish off your smokey eye look by applying a shimmery or matte highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes. Add some highlighter under the brow bone as well, to add dimension. A few coats of volumizing mascara or false lashes will be the perfect final touch.

Bonus Tips: How to Do a Smokey Eye

Take this smokey eye makeup tutorial further with a few key tips. Use a mix of matte and shimmer shades for added depth. Remember to blend with a clean brush to soften any harsh lines at every stage. We also recommend keeping the rest of your makeup simple—a nude lip pairs beautifully with bold eyes.

With the right technique and tools, you can learn how to do a smokey eye and wear this sultry, smoldering look effortlessly. So grab your brushes, start blending, and get ready to turn heads!