Like LBDs, black pumps or a string of pearls, the smouldering smokey eye makeup is one classic look you can never go wrong with. To make things even better, it involves a quick and easy makeup routine and can add to any ensemble you choose. Naturally, it’s the ultimate sultry look to try for year-end parties.
Whether you are dressing up in a sequined gown or dressing down in jeans and a blouse, this makeup move is bound to work towards achieving an effortless dramatic look. We give you 5 sexy smokey eye styles to try this holiday season that ranges from black to teal and will definitely bail you out of a beauty crunch!
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The Black Smokey Eye
This is one of those smokey eye styles that can prove to be a little hard to master as there is a fine line between fabulously dark eyes and panda-like black streaks. As this look is extremely dramatic, reserve this for a fancy party.
What You Will Need: Black eye-shadow, a matte light brown eyeshadow, an illuminating shimmery eyeshadow, black kohl, eyelash curler, mascara and, brushes to blend the shadows.
Get Started:
Step 1: Begin with an eye primer, this will make your eyeshadow stay on longer and prevent creasing. Next, sweep on your black eyeshadow all over your lid. (You can even use a smudged kajal, but use as a last resort).
Step 2: Take a thin brush, and apply the same black eyeshadow along your lower lash line.
Step 3: Line your upper and lower lashes with black kohl, keeping the line thin as you don’t need to overdo it since the look is pretty dramatic.
Step 4: Take some light brown eyeshadow on your brush and blend it into the outer edges of your black colour. Also, sweep some brown eyeshadow along your lower lash line, blending it into the black.
Step 5: Highlight your brow bone with your shimmery eyeshadow and also dab some on in the inner corners of your eyes for a mesmerising dewy effect.
Step 6: Curl your lashes and apply black mascara for finishing touches.
POPxo Recommends: L’Oréal Monos Eternal Black Eyeshadow, M.A.C eyeshadow in Soft Brown, Makeup Revolution Highlight Eyeshadow and Lakme Absolute Kohl
POPxo Tip: Remember to do your eyes first and then apply the rest of your make-up, in case any eyeshadow falls onto your cheeks.
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The Smokey Brown Eye
This is the perfect look for someone who doesn’t want to go all out with black but still wants to try the smokey eye make-up. We love pairing a brown smokey eye with our desi wear for the ultimate wedding look.
What you will need: Matte brown eyeshadow or a palette that has a variety of shades in brown, a shimmery eyeshadow in ivory, a brown liquid liner, eyelash curler, mascara and brushes to apply and blend the shadows.
Get Started:
Step 1: Start with an eyeshadow primer from lashes to brows – it prevents colour from smudging or creasing. You can also apply a concealer to act as a primer. Line your entire eye with a brown liner.
Step 2: Line your upper lash line and lower waterline with black kajal. Using a thin angular brush swipe on your black eyeshadow on your waterline and blend it.
Step 3: Sweep on your brown shadow across your lids and blend well with the brush.
Step 4: Use the black shadow from the middle of your upper lash line till the end of your eye and blend it upwards with the brush towards the crease.
Step 5: Blend thoroughly and use a golden highlighter in the corner of your eye and across your brow bone.
POPxo Recommends: The Urban Decay Naked Palette or the Oriflame Beauty Colour Pro Eye Shadow Trio, Smoky Brown, The Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Brown, Sponge Tip Applicator and The Revlon 3D Mascara
3. The Smokey Bronze Eye
This is the most popular smoky eye make-up and is a favourite among beauty bloggers and celebs for red carpet events. This is universally flattering on every skin tone and is the best smokey eye style for a date night, house party or even a ball.
What you will need: Eye primer, bronze eyeshadow, matte brown shadow, brushes, kajal, copper shadow and a shimmery shadow.
Step 1: Begin with an eye primer first. Then brush on your bronze eyeshadow across your lids from the lashes to the crease and blend the edges. Also, sweep on the colour along your lower lash line as well.
Step 2: Using a damp eyeliner brush, line the upper lashes with a brown eyeshadow and blend upward. Then, use the same brown shadow or a brown pencil to line the lower lashes.
Step 3: Take some black eyeshadow or kajal and line your eyes on top and below and smudge and blend using the same damp brush.
Step 4: Brush on a copper shadow, a few shades lighter than the bronze one, across the lid to soften the look and add some depth and dimension.
Step 5: Outline all the existing shadow with a matte brown shade – sweep your brush from the inner corner going all the way around the entire eye. This creates more depth and adds to the intensity of the look.
Step 6: Highlight the inner corner of your eye for contrast. You can go for a highlighter with a slight pink tinge; it looks much better on the Indian skin tone.
Step 7: Apply two coats of black mascara. The mascara is extremely important for this look as it increases the intensity and makes your eyes pop.
POPxo Tip: Eyeshadows stay longer when applied with a damp brush.
POPxo Recommends: L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Eye Palette Quad in Bronze and Coloressence Pearl Effect Plum Pink Eye Shadow Pencil
Image courtesy: blog.skinowl.com
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The Smokey Teal Eye
Extremely alluring and seductive, this teal smokey eye makeup is best suited for girls with brown eyes. The teal contrasts beautifully with the brown and is such a fun colour to add to your look.
What you will need: A teal eyeshadow, a teal kajal/liner
Step 1: After the eye primer, apply a white base to the centre of your lid. This white eyeshadow acts as a neutral canvas and will help achieve the brightest and richest pigment of colour on your lids. Don’t apply this on the inner and outer corners of your eyes as you’ll be applying a black base there. Smooth the base out with an eyeshadow brush.
Step 2: Brush on your bright shade of teal on top of the white base, using a gentle pressing motion (instead of sweeping) packing in the colour on the lid. Use a generous coat of colour if you really want it to stand out.
Step 3: Line the inner and outer corners of your peepers using a black liner and blend it in. Go over this with a matte black eyeshadow and blend this in as well. This will create a richer contrast between the black and the teal.
Step 4: Blend in any stark edges. Use some white eyeshadow along the brow bone and you can even sweep some on in the inner corners of your eyes to really make them stand out.
Step 5: Take this look up a notch with a volumising and lengthening mascara.
POPxo Tip: If you have hooded or deep set eyes you can add the colour above your crease so the colour will be visible.
POPxo Recommends: Lakmé Absolute Drama Stylist Shadow Crayon in White, Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder Eye Shadow – Cyber Teal (Metallic) and Colorbar Teal Just Smoky Kajal
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The Electric Purple Smokey Eye
This is by far the quirkiest and one of the most dramatic smokey eye styles. Because there are two stark colours used, reserve this look for a theme party or when you’re feeling extra bold and risqué.
What you will need: Violet eyeshadow, pink eyeshadow, silver eyeshadow, and black mascara.
Step 1: Start with an eye primer before sweeping on the violet eyeshadow and work the colour up till the crease. You can use a cream eyeshadow for this as it’ll last longer and give it a slight shimmery effect.
Step 2: Use a pink cream eyeshadow on the crease of the eye and blend it thoroughly with the violet colour. Use the same pink eyeshadow to line the waterline as well.
Step 3: Make sure everything is blended perfectly. Use a silvery shadow to highlight your brow bone and the inner corners of your eyes.
Step 4: Skip the liner since you have enough going on in the look, but if you really must then draw a thin line as close to your lash line as possible. Finish off with a couple of coats of mascara and watch as heads turn.
POPxo Recommends: Chambor Trio Eye Shadow Purple Fashion and NYX Single Silver Eye Shadow Silver
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Published on Dec 24, 2014