100+ Smokey Eyes Tutorials: Practical Examples, Photos and Looks to Copy

Welcome to the smokey eyes tutorial that will guide you, step by step, in creating one of the most iconic and beloved eye makeups of all time. The “smudged makeup” enhances the look, giving it a seductive and mysterious allure, ideal for a romantic date, a special event or simply to feel more confident in yourself on any occasion.

In this article, you will discover all the secrets and fundamental steps to create the smokey eyes perfect, from choosing the best products to the flawless blending technique. We will also talk about how to adapt your make-up to the shape of your eyes, the color variations (from traditional black to brown, from gray to purple) and the tricks to keep the result fresh and intense for longer. Prepare your brushes, eyeshadows and your favorite palettes: let's start our journey towards the perfect smokey eyes right away!

What is smokey eyes makeup?

Lo smokey eyes it's a technique make-up which aims to create a shaded and “smoky” effect around the eyes, mainly based on the use of dark eyeshadows and gradual blending between different tones. The aim is to intensify the gaze, giving depth and a touch of sensuality.

• You generally start with a dark color (black, brown, gray, etc.) for the eyelid and blend towards the crease with transition or lighter shades, creating a gradual transition.
• The final effect is a dramatic and sophisticated look, which can be customized according to tastes and needs.

Why Learn a Smokey Eyes Tutorial

Why spend time on a smokey eyes tutorial? Here are some good reasons:

1. Flexibility: smokey eyes adapt to multiple contexts, from everyday looks (soft version) to more elegant evenings, simply by varying intensity and colors.
2. Enhances every type of eye: small, large, almond-shaped, hooded… with the right tricks, it gives depth to every eye shape.
3. Scenic effect: when you want a magnetic and sophisticated look, smoky makeup remains a must.
4. Creativeness: is a make-up base that can be embellished with glitter, graphic eyeliners, false eyelashes and much more.

Necessary materials and products

Eye primer and concealer

• First: essential for preparing the eyelid and making the eyeshadow adhere better, preventing smudges and build-up in the creases.
• Corrector: helps to even out and illuminate the eye area, masking dark circles and discoloration.

Eyeshadow Palette (Dark Colors and Transition Tones)

• Dark eyeshadows: black, anthracite grey, dark brown, midnight blue, depending on the desired look.
• Intermediate colors (transition shades): light browns, taupes, medium grays to blend the dark color with the skin.
• Light shades (beige, cream, ivory) or shimmer for highlights.

Essential brushes for smoky makeup

1. Blending brush (blending brush): soft and slightly rounded bristles.
2. Flat brush: to apply dark eyeshadow on the mobile eyelid.
3. Pen brush (pencil brush): useful for blending the lower rim and fine details.

Eyeliner and black pencil

• kohl pencil: ideal for defining the inner rim and creating dark bases to blend.
• Liquid or gel eyeliner: if you want a touch more definition.

Mascara and false eyelashes (optional)

• Volumizing mascara: enhances the look, essential to complete eye makeup.
• Fake eyelashes: recommended if you want a more dramatic, “runway” look.

Base preparation: how to get even skin

Cleanse and moisturize

• Skincare: before any makeup, cleanse your face well with a cleanser suitable for your skin type. Then apply a light moisturizer, paying particular attention to the eye area.

Apply foundation and concealer

1. Foundation: choose a formula that suits your complexion, capable of evening out and correcting any imperfections.
2. Eye concealer: It is important to cover dark circles and redness, especially if you want your smokey eyes to stand out without imperfections.

Apply powder or setting powder

• Face powder: sets foundation and concealer, preventing shine.
• Spray fixer: useful for improving the overall duration of make-up and ensuring it lasts throughout the day or evening.

1: Eye primer and corrections

1. Apply primer over the entire eyelid, reaching up to the eyebrow arch.
2. Correct any discolorations with a light concealer, spreading it evenly.

2: Create the base with a light or neutral eyeshadow

1. Select a light eyeshadow (e.g. cream, beige or light peach) and apply it on the mobile eyelid.
2. Function: this base helps to blend the subsequent dark colors better and to avoid stains.

3: Apply dark eyeshadow on the mobile eyelid

1. Dark eyeshadow (black, brown or grey): using a flat brush, dab the eyeshadow onto the mobile eyelid, without going beyond the crease.
2. Avoid blending at this stage: focus on even color deposit.

4: Blend with a transition color

1. Select a medium brown or medium gray (transition tone).
2. With a blending brush, connect the area where the dark eyeshadow ends with the crease, making circular and back-and-forth movements.
3. Target: create a gradual transition between the dark color and the skin, eliminating lines of demarcation.

5: Intensify the outer corner

1. Add an even darker color (matte black or very intense brown) in the outer corner, drawing a sort of inverted “V”.
2. Blend: using a pen brush, create a blended effect towards the crease, blending the colours.

6: Define the lower rhyme

1. Black pencil or dark eyeshadow: pass it along the lower lash line, blending with a small brush or a cotton swab.
2. Create continuity between the upper and lower shade, especially in the outer corner.

7: Add eyeliner (optional)

1. Liquid or gel eyeliner: Draw a thin line along your upper lash line if you want more definition.
2. Codina: for a more decisive look, create a winged eyeliner that matches the dark shade.

8: Highlight the inner corner and brow bone

1. Light or shimmer eyeshadow: apply a bright shade in the inner corner (tear duct) to “open up” the eyes.
2. Superciliary arch: with a light matte eyeshadow or a light highlighter, delicately blend under the eyebrow.

9: Mascara and false eyelashes (if desired)

1. Volumizing mascara: apply at least two coats on the upper lashes and a light one on the lower lashes.
2. Fake eyelashes: if you want a “dramatic” look, position them and blend them with your natural lashes using an eyelash curler.

10: Final finishing touches

1. Cleaning: Remove any eyeshadow fallout with a fan brush or a cotton swab soaked in makeup remover.
2. Edit: if necessary, go over the concealer or powder again.
3. Fixing spray: spray on a fixing spray, and voilà, yours smokey eyes it's ready!

Smokey Eyes Tones and Variations

La technique It remains the same, but the colors can change, creating different looks.

Black or grey smokey eyes

• Classic and dramatic: ideal for important evenings or parties.
• Paddles: matte black, dark grey, anthracite, shimmery silver tips.

Smokey eyes brown

• Softer and more natural: excellent for those who fear black being too heavy or want daytime makeup.
• Key colors: chocolate brown, medium brown, sand, gold and bronze for highlights.

Colorful smokey eyes (purple, green, blue)

• Creativity and originality: eggplant purple, forest green, midnight blue.
• National: blend lighter tones of the same color family or hints of gray to facilitate blending.

Natural smokey eyes (daytime effect)

• Soft Drinks: use of nude shades (beige, taupe, light brown).
• Office look: less aggressive, but still defines the look in an elegant way.

Smokey eyes shimmer or glitter

• Special events: use of metallic eyeshadows, glitter, luminous pigments.
• Please note:: use the glitter carefully to avoid it falling all over your face.

How to Adapt Smoky Eye Makeup to Different Eye Shapes

Small eyes and drooping eyelids

• Use dark colors with caution: prefer the shade on the outer part and a lighter touch on the mobile eyelid.
• To avoid to darken the lower inner rim too much, so as not to further shrink the eye.

Large, protruding eyes

• You can dare with a dark eyeshadow on most of the eyelid.
• Black pencil in the internal rhyme to visually “reduce” the eye if it is too large.

Almond-shaped and hooded eyes

• Focus on crease definition: open the shade just above the crease to create depth.
• Evita too thick eyeliner lines that can cover the already barely visible eyelid.

Eyes close together or far apart

• Close-set eyes: lighten the inner corner and darken the outer corner to visually distance.
• Eyes set wide apart: darken the inner part of the eye slightly (not too much) and blend the outer corner well without extending too much.

Combinations with other make-up products

Lipsticks and glosses: how to choose them

• Intense smokey eyes: better nude lips, pink or delicate gloss for a perfect balance.
• Soft smokey eyes: you can dare with a red or dark lipstick, if the eye makeup it's not too loaded.

Blush and contouring: balance the face

• Blush: choose one in natural shades (peach, dusty pink) to add a little color without competing with the eyes.
• contouring: highlight the cheekbones and lightly define the contours of the face for a sophisticated effect.

Highlighter and face powders

• Illuminating: apply it on the high cheekbones, Cupid's bow and the tip of the nose, if you like.
• Face powder: light to set everything, especially if you have combination or oily skin.

Smokey eyes for different occasions

Soft day look

• Light or brown eyeshadows low saturation, light nuances.
• Matte finish or satin, with a discreet light point.
• For those who work: great for appearing well-groomed but not overly made up.

Intense evening makeup

• Black or dark brown smokey eyes with the addition of shimmer eyeshadow in the center of the eyelid.
• Black pencil or eyeliner to further outline.
• Fake eyelashes: if you want extra impact.

Make-up for ceremonies and weddings

• Neutral or romantic colors (taupe, antique pink, sweet brown) for a refined look.
• Long duration: make sure you use high-quality, waterproof products, given the length of the event.

More smokey eye makeup ideas and tutorials to copy

Tips and secrets for a lasting smokey eye

• Quality primer: already said, but fundamental.
• Cream eyeshadow as a base: for example, a black cream eyeshadow, before the powder one, for a more intense and long-lasting colour.
• Layer: better to apply several light passes than one generous amount at a time.
• Concealer or tape under the eye: useful for marking the external corner and collecting residues during application.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Clean lines: a smokey eye makeup must be blended, with no visible border lines.
• Dark color everywhere: if you don't blend properly, you risk the "eyesore" effect.
• Neglect your eyebrows: a defined look requires well-groomed and well-combed eyebrows.
• Don't adapt the technique to the shape of the eye: following a standard tutorial and not customizing can lead to an inharmonious result.
• Forget the mascara: the eyelashes must be evident so as not to make the eye appear “dull”.

Tables and summary diagrams

Comparison table: products and finishes

Quick diagram of the step by step tutorial

1. Eye primer
2. Light eyeshadow base
3. Dark eyeshadow on the mobile eyelid
4. Transition color blended into the crease
5. External corner intensification
6. Lower lash line definition
7. Eyeliner (optional)
8. Inner corner highlighter
9. Mascara and false eyelashes
10. Final corrections and fixing

Case study: Alessia's transformation with a brown smokey eye

Profile: Alessia, 34, hazel eyes and pale skin, wants a sophisticated look for a gala dinner. She decides to try a brown smokey eyes tutorial because she finds black a little too “strong”.

1. Preparation: cleansing and hydrating, concealer on dark circles.
2. Base: Alessia applies a medium brown eyeshadow on the entire eyelid, then a dark brown on the mobile part.
3. Shade: with a caramel-colored eyeshadow, blend the edges and the crease.
4. Lower definition: a dark brown pencil along the rim, then blended lightly.
5. Light point: a touch of golden eyeshadow in the inner corner and in the center of the mobile eyelid.
6. Outcome: elegant makeup, which highlights the color of her eyes and gives her a sophisticated look. Alessia receives many compliments and feels at ease during the entire dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions about Smokey Eyes Tutorial (FAQ)

Conclusions

Make a smokey eyes It may seem complex at first glance, but by carefully following the steps of this smokey eyes tutorial and with a little practice, you will get amazing results. The key is the shade, the heart of this eye makeup: the harmony of colors and the gradual transition between dark and lighter shades make the look deep and bewitching.

Remember that smokey eyes are extremely versatile: with the right color choices, they can be declined in a delicate daytime look or transformed into a decisive and seductive evening make-up. Experiment with different shades and finishes (matte, shimmer, glitter), customizing your style based on your needs and personality. And don't forget to balance the rest of your make-up, from lips to contouring, for a harmonious and complete look.

Now that you know all the secrets and tricks, all that's left to do is grab your brushes, equip yourself with your favorite eyeshadows and try your hand at it. Good luck and… have fun with your next smokey eyes!

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