Even though the smoky eye has been around since the 1920s - stars of the silent film era such as Clara Bow and Louise Brooks can be credited with launching the look - it remains an enduring trend today.
But what is a smoky eye? And how do you achieve it?
The technique involves creating a blended, sultry eye look with a combination of eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. Typically, a darker color is applied to the lash line, changing to paler shades towards the brow bone.
Traditionally, a smoky eye - like the name suggests - was created using shades of pewter and charcoal. But today, any color can be used - including neutrals - to lend modern appeal. Nor is it just a go-to for formal evening events; a well-done smoky eye can look fresh and pretty for even the most casual outing.
What you need for a smoky eye makeup look
- Eyeshadow primer
- Eyeshadow palette of different shades in the same color family
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Brushes - flat, blending and pencil brush
How to get the perfect smoky eye.
- Prepare your eyelids by applying a primer to smoothen out the lids and make your look last longer.
- Sweep a transition shade - neutral shade that matches your skin tone - across the lids, which will help the darker colors blend well.
- Apply a matte eyeshadow that is a few tones darker than the transition shade along the eyelid crease and blend well with your blending brush.
- Take your main smoky color - it could be deep plum, burgundy, amethyst, moss green or classic black/grey - and with a flat eyeshadow brush cover the lid, enhancing the outer corners of the eye.
- Don’t forget to blend - with a smoky eye, it’s all about softening harsh lines; the different colors should fuse together seamlessly.
- A shimmery highlighter or pale eyeshadow should be applied to the inner corner to brighten and open up the look. You can also sweep a little under the brow bone.
- Apply a dark eyeliner to both the upper and lower lash lines, perhaps choosing to extend the liner outwards for a dramatic cat’s eye effect.
- Mascara is the finishing touch; curl your lashes, or add some easy fake lashes to set the whole look.
