How to Achieve Smoky Eyes

While sexy, smoky eyes might not be the best for working in an office building, the look can be sexy when you are ready to smoke things up at a bar or club at night. This dark-eyed look can bring men to their knees if done correctly, so read on for our best tips and tricks for how to achieve the perfect smoky eye.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Gather your colors. You'll need three shades that go from light to dark, but they do not have to be shades of gray or black—you can achieve this effect with purple, blue, green or just about any other color you choose.

2. Apply the highlight color to the brow bone and upper part of your lid.

3. Add a middle toned color from your lashes to your crease, and blend it in with your light tone where the two colors meet.

4. Apply the darkest color along your lashes and use your finger to smear it up.

5. Apply the darker color along your lower lashes as well, to complete the shadow part of your look.

6. Add a great mascara and eye liner to complete the sultry look.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colors that highlight your features to the fullest and prepare to be stared at all night long!
• Do not use this technique if your eyes are very small or deeply set, or you will hide them further.

[Esthetician08]

on 11/29/2007 Very good article! I'm an esthetician student and I've learned a "day" look but we havent hit smokey eyes yet... Thanks!

[Lindah]

on 10/19/2007 This is a good article. I am always trying to enhance my eyes and lips since on my face they seem to be best features.

[Vercetti]

on 10/1/2007 Here are a few more hints for people with "unusually" shaped eyes (from some magazine articles):
- If your lids are heavy, use a lighter color and make a "pear shape" from a little between the middle and center of the eye, sweeping out toward the edge and up. DO NOT extend beyond the outer edge or it will drag your eyes downward. This is obviously also true for those with eyes that ALREADY slant down.

I also read that for those with very dark eyes, they should avoid black or dark brown and go with purple or taupe. I agree.

another trick is NOT to use mascara at all, or pencil, but just eye-shadow, as it's softer-looking (also easier to smudge).

[tsikay]

on 8/22/2007 My friends commented that my new "smoky" eyes (used plum) look good (and, captivating - hahaha). thank you.

[weeokwan]

on 8/21/2007 Well, I tried it and it looked ridiculous! LOL! I guess it isn't the look for everybody or you have to get used to it. Thanks for the lesson though it was fun to try and maybe I'll get really daring one night and do it up!