HOW TO DO A SMOKEY EYE
Whether you’re heading out on a date, catching up with the girls, or attending a special event, knowing how to do smokey eyemakeup is a skill every beauty enthusiast should have in their arsenal. Instantly elevating any outfit, a smokey eye is a versatile technique you can customise to suit any vibe — from soft and mysterious to bold and dramatic.
But where to start? Which tools do you actually need, and is black eyeshadow the only option? Fear not. At Cult Beauty, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to do smokey eye makeup that could rival even the slickest TikTok tutorials.
In This Article
HOW TO DO A SMOKEY EYE
Before you even touch a shadow, think about your complexion and the overall finish you’re after. Traditionally, a smokey eye pairs beautifully with a matte base — think 90s supermodel vibes — but don’t let that limit you. Prefer a dewy finish? Simply do your base after your eyes to keep the glow intact. Now that we know the starting point, let’s dive into how to do smokey eye makeup.
1. PRIME YOUR LIDS
Before you dab and swipe on any shadow, the most important step in this makeup look is to prep and prime your lids. A good eyeshadow primer ensures your look lasts all day without creasing or fading. If your lids have any discolouration, go for a colour-correcting primer. No primer? A dab of concealer works just as well.
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2. STAR AT YOUR CREASE
Take a mid-tone shade from your favourite eyeshadow palette and sweep it into your crease using back-and-forth motions. This creates a gradient base that makes blending your darker shades much easier.
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3. PICK YOUR DARKEST SHADE
Grab your deepest shadow (think: black, charcoal, navy, or dark brown) and apply to the outer corner and along your lash line. Keeping as close to your lashes as possible, gently blend upwards towards your crease and outwards towards your temples.
Pro Tip: Don’t take it too high — leave the space under your brows clean when mastering how to do smokey eye makeup.
4. BLEND, BLEND, BLEND
This is the secret ingredient. Use a fluffy brush to diffuse any harsh edges, alternating brushes if you like, until everything looks seamless. The smoother the gradient, the more effortlessly smoky your eyes will appear.
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5. ADD DEPTH AND DIMENSION
Once you’re happy with the shape of your eyeshadow placement and your eyeshadows are all blended together, use an eyeliner pencil to apply a thin line along both your upper and lower lash lines. Working quickly, smudge everything out to diffuse the look and apply a dark eyeshadow to set it in place. This is what gives a true smokey sign off.
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6. ADD SOME SPARKLE
If you want to soften your smokey eye or add a little drama, apply glitter or sparkles to either the inner corner or the centre of your eyelids to make your eyes pop. Choose a shade that complements the mid-tones you’ve used for a subtle halo effect.
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7. LAYER ON MASCARA
No smoky eye is complete without mascara. Apply generously to both top and bottom lashes. For those who love drama, a pair of false lashes will elevate the look even further.
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HOW TO DO A SIMPLE SMOKEY EYE MAKEUP LOOK
Tight on time or craving something less intense? Here’s a quick version of smokey eye makeup that’s effortless yet polished.
Similar in finish, but much quicker to achieve, this smokey eye look calls on just three makeup products and a couple of tools.
1.Sweep a mid-toned hue across your entire lid and up into your crease.
2.Using a large fluffy eyeshadow brush, layer a dark brown eyeshadow across your lids, extending outwards for a subtle wing.
3.Blend everything out, softening the edges and removing any harsh lines.
4.Using a lighter shade, apply to your inner corners and blend into the middle of your lids to create a soft, gradient effect of colour.
5.Using whatever dark pigment is left on your fluffy eyeshadow brush, smudge this onto your lower lash line for balance and dimension.
6.Finish with two-three coats of your favourite mascara.
SMOKEY EYE FAQs
What are the biggest smokey eye mistakes?
There are a few ways you can make mistakes when learning how to do a smokey eye. The biggest is not blending correctly and relying solely on a black eyeshadow. A true smoky eye relies on a gradient of shades, otherwise it can appear flat or heavy. Always finish with eyeliner and mascara to pull the look together.
What is the traditional smokey eye look?
A traditional smokey eye look is typically dark, sultry and dramatic. Blacks, charcoals and deep grey eyeshadows are usually applied closest to the lash line and then blended out with medium and lighter shades. Smudging eyeliner on the top and bottom lash lines and layering mascara finish this iconic look.
How to smudge eyeliner for smokey eyes?
The best way to smudge an eyeliner is to use either a kohl or eyeliner pencil. These glide along your lash line and are easily blended out. Begin by applying your eyeliner as close to your lash line as possible, then using an angled makeup brush, gently blend upwards to soften the edges of your line. To set everything in place, layer a dark eyeshadow on to lock in that smoked-out effect.
And just like that, you’ve mastered how to do smokey eye makeup. Grab your favourite palette, your best brushes, and experiment — from soft and mysterious to bold and statement-making, the possibilities are endless.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
