Tutorial for a Brown, Smoky Eye

The smoky eye is a classic, sultry and dressed-up look.

A brown, smoky eye is a soft, sexy look achieved with eye makeup. It works well on people with brown eyes and brown or dark-colored hair. The look is best worn for a special evening event like a dance, a date or a performance. Toning down the drama of the look with less liner and mascara can make the smoky eye a more appropriate daytime look.

Things You'll Need

• Brown eye pencil
• Makeup brushes
• Light or neutral glittery eye shadow
• Medium- to dark-brown eye shadow
• Dark-brown eyeliner
• Charcoal or black eye shadow
• Mascara
• Eyelash curler, optional
• Pale blush
• Pale lip gloss

Instructions

1. Apply a thick line, using the brown eye pencil, from the outer corner of the eye above the lash line toward the inner corner of the eye. Apply this liberally. Smudge or blend the line with a brush or the tip of your finger. This neutral brown serves as a base for the rest of the look.

2. Apply a light or neutral-colored glittery eye shadow to the inner third of each eye, beginning at the tear duct near the bridge of the nose and moving toward the outer eye. Sweep the eye shadow brush in circles. Dab the tip of the brush into the crease of the eye and down the eyelid.

3. Apply a dark- to medium-brown eye shadow to the outer two-thirds of the eyelid, beginning at the outer edge of the lid, by the lashes, and moving into the crease of the eye. Blend with the base and the lighter color of eye shadow. Apply a small amount of the same dark- to medium-brown eye shadow below the bottom lash line with a thin brush, focusing the color on the outer corner of the eye.

4. Apply a dark-brown eyeliner to the upper and lower lash lines. On the upper lash line especially, blend well with the eye shadows.

5. Apply a very small amount of charcoal or black eye shadow to the crease of the eyelid, starting at the outer corner and sweeping in toward the center of the eyelid crease. Use this dark color sparingly. It creates a a dramatic look but can quickly overpower the rest of the makeup.

6. Finish the eyes by applying a dark-brown or black mascara. A thicker mascara creates a more sultry and dramatic look. Curl the eyelashes if you choose. Touch up and blend the makeup you've applied around your eye so there are no severe lines and the color lightens as it extends up to just below the brow bone. The darkest shadow should be in the crease of the eyelid.

7. Complete the look with a pale blush applied to the apples of the cheeks and a light, shimmery lip gloss.

Tips & Warnings

• A smoky brown eye is a soft, sultry look but can have a very dramatic effect. Keep the eye the focus of this look by applying additional makeup lightly. Give the skin a radiant look using a moisturizer with shimmer to it, and only apply a little blush in a very natural shade. Likewise, avoid lipstick; instead, opt for a neutral or pale pink lip gloss that shimmers but does not draw attention to the lips instead of the eyes.

References

• BellaSugar: How to Create a Smoky Eye
• Duchess Roz: Brown Smokey Eye Tutorial