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It's a timeless look, the LBD of your makeup repertoire. Yes, we're talking about the ubiquitous smoky eye, and since we don't expect our love of this sultry, smoldering look to fizzle out any time soon, we figured that we may as well learn to execute it well (and we mean, like, really well). We asked some of our makeup artist friends for their tricks to nailing it every single time. Some of the tips were expected (use a fluffy brush to blend), while others were literally eye-opening (pat a small amount of shimmer in the center of each lid to make your eyes appear larger). But perhaps the most important thing that we learned from the experts is to have a little fun with it and make the look our own — and here is exactly how they suggest doing that.
1. Don't try to make it perfect.
It seems oxymoronic, given the whole point of this story, right? But it turns out, adopting a more effortless approach is — somewhat ironically — what will make a smoky eye look so good. "It's OK if you haven't mastered your brush technique, or can't draw liner on completely straight. You don't have to worry about everything being perfect," says makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor. After all, everything is going to get smudgy and blended together in the end.
2. Use the right brush.
It really does make all the difference. "You want a soft brush that can apply and move product very lightly so that the layer of color isn't too dense," explains makeup artist and author of Lazy Perfection: The Art of Looking Great Without Really Trying Jenny Patinkin. "A smoky eye should have that ethereal, floaty look. Heavy color application will make it look like soot, not smoke." She suggests a small, flat brush with fluffy bristles to help diffuse and blend the product.
3. Go monochromatic.
If you feel like using multiple colors, knock yourself out, but playing with just one makes for a fresh and modern take on the standard smoky eye (not to mention is much easier to do). Dust it all over your lids, then go back in and add an extra layer just on the outer corners. "This creates that same swirly, smoky effect that you'd get if you were to use two or three different shades," says Patinkin, who loves implementing this technique with bronze shadow. Finish with some smudgy black liner along your top lash line and you're good to go. Yes, it's that easy.
4. Choose the right liner.
Speaking of liner, pencils tend to work best for creating the soft and smudgy lines a smoky eye calls for. Sotomayor recommends twist-up pencils specifically; they're slightly softer (Read: Better for blending) than their traditional counterparts, and the tip is always the same size, so you'll get the same result every time, he says.
5. Think beyond black and gray.
To the point of color, don't be afraid to mix it up. While yes, a traditional smoky eye uses blacks and grays, there are no rules. Whether you're going monochrome or using multiple shades, step out of that boring old box. "Anything goes these days. Use whatever colors make you feel great when you put them on," says Patinkin. (She's currently loving rich burgundy tones, FYI.) Sotomayor points out that you can also change up the liner shade, opting for a rich jewel tone (think a deep plum or emerald green) for an unexpected flash of color.
6. Add a touch of shimmer.
Smoky eyes don't necessarily have the most eye-opening effects, so if you're concerned about your eyes appearing smaller or recessed, try this trick: Dab a tiny dot of champagne-hued shimmer (shadow or highlighter works) directly above each iris. "Every time you blink, that shimmer will reflect light ever so slightly and create a subtle brightening effect," says Patinkin.
For more eye makeup tips and tricks, keep reading:
- 11 Brown Eyeliners That Look Amazing on Every Eye Color
- How-To: Get the Metallic Smoky Eye Trending at the Golden Globes
- How to Blend Eye Shadow Like a Pro Makeup Artist
Speaking of smoky eyes, take a look at how this colorful version comes together in a matter of minutes:
