How to Do a Smoky Eye With Nude Lips

A mirror and proper lighting are essential when applying makeup.

Makeup can enhance your appearance, but combining heavy eye makeup with a bright, obvious lipstick color can give you a clown-like, unnatural look. Pairing a dramatic, smoky eye with an understated nude lipstick will help you avoid this problem. This look, which is popular with celebrities and other style-setters, works well for both for formal and casual occasions. With the right tools and the correct application methods, you can sport this popular look, too.

Things You'll Need

• Eyelid primer or concealer
• Eyeshadow
• Eyeshadow brushes
• Eyeliner
• Cotton swabs
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara
• Lip primer
• Lipstick or lip gloss

Instructions

1. Apply eyelid primer over the entire surface between your upper eyelashes and eyebrows. Eyelid primer helps your eye makeup last longer and forms a smooth base for your eyeshadow and eyeliner. As an alternative to primer, you can use a liquid concealer that matches your skin tone.

2. Apply a light eyeshadow color with an eyeshadow brush. Distribute the color from your upper lash line all the way up to your eyebrows.

3. Dip an eyeshadow brush in a medium eyeshadow color. Swipe the eyeshadow on your upper eyelid, from the eyelashes up to the crease. Work from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner.

4. Trace over the crease of your eyelid with the darkest eyeshadow color. Start at the inner corner and work outward. Blend the color slightly above and below the crease to erase obvious color borders.

5. Line your upper eyelid with an eyeliner pencil. Lightly pull the skin next to your eye outward. Draw the line from the inner corner toward the outer corner of your eye. Stay as close as possible to your eyelashes. Follow the curve of your eye. Retrace over the line for a thicker application.

6. Apply eyeliner below your eye. Line the lower eyelid from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Connect the upper and lower eyeliner in the outer corner of your eye.

7. Swipe a cotton swab over your upper and lower eyeliner to smudge it and to create a smoky eye effect.

8. Open an eyelash curler and place your upper eyelashes between the clamps. Place the curler close to the roots of your eyelashes. Squeeze the clamps together for three seconds before releasing the hairs. Move the eyelash curler to the middle of your lashes. Curl the lashes again at this point.

9. Apply two coats of black mascara to your upper and lower eyelashes. Wait 30 seconds between coats, so the mascara can dry.

10. Prep your lips with lip primer to create a smooth base that helps your lipstick last longer. As an alternative, use a liquid concealer in the color of your skin.

11. Apply a nude lipstick color to your lips. Use a natural beige, brown, peach or pink hue. Use a nude lip gloss if you prefer a shiny lip.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose eyeshadow in black, gray or deep blue and purple hues, because these work well with smoky eyes.

• Always tap your eyeshadow brush lightly before applying the shade to your eyelids. This removes excess powder and prevents caking of your makeup.

• Exfoliate your lips to keep them smooth. Gently rub a wet washcloth over your lips, and apply lip balm to moisturize them.

References

• Bella Sugar: How to Create a Smoky Eye
• Become Gorgeous: Nude Vs Deep Red Lips Celebrity Style