A smokey eye is one of those timeless looks that delivers a sexy, smoldering effect worthy of an evening out on the town. There are a few techniques a PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST will always use to create the perfect smokey eye. Let’s take a look…
A smokey eye should be dramatic and bold. The secret to a great smokey eye is all about blending. When creating a smokey eye it is important to pair up light base colors with rich dark colors. For example, a gold base with a deep purple upper lid or a champagne base with a vivid green upper lid. Always remember to combine light bases with rich dark colors and blend until it looks flawless, and you are set.
The best smokey eye is one that uses three shades from the same colour family: a light base for the entire lid, a darker shade, and a deep shade. Assemble your shadows and use a coordinating dark eyeliner to get started. Follow these steps to get the perfect smokey eye every time.
- Prep the lid.
Brush the primer over the entire lid and let it dry. Many PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTS prefer brushing a cream concealer over the lid and setting it with powder.
- Apply eyeliner.
Apply dark eyeliner along the upper lash line, drawing the line thicker in the middle of the eye. Repeat on the lower lashes. After you finish, use a cotton swab or a small makeup brush to smudge the line.
- Apply the light base shade.
Sweep the light base over the lids up to the brow bone. A light, shimmery shadow works best.
- Blend in a medium shade.
Begin to blend in the darker colour on the bottom lid, about halfway across the eyelid. Blend the shadow upward and outward into the crease of the eye.
- Blend in the darkest shade.
Using a high-quality shadow brush, sweep the darkest shade into the outer corner of the eye. Remember to blend!
- Highlight and create contrast.
Create contrast by applying a small amount of medium shade over the brow bone. Continue to blend until you’ve achieved a flawless look.
- Finish with several coats of mascara.
Make sure to finish with several coats of mascara to ensure the lashes are dark and bold or apply false eyelashes for a dramatic look.
PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST tips and tricks
- Finish the smokey eye before applying foundation and concealer to avoid eye shadow dust from ruining your foundation.
- You can create the smokey eye with many different colour palettes but avoid blue shades—they can make your clients look like they have under-eye circles.
- To achieve a subtle, everyday smokey eye look, you can use shimmery brown shades.
- Keep your lips nude when creating a smokey eye, rather put the focus on the eyes, or the lips, but never both.
- Keep a good selection of colours from the same colour family in your makeup bag to create the look with ease.
- Use good-quality brushes if you want a professional look for your smokey eye. Make sure you have a flat shading brush, a mid-size shadow brush, and a fluffy blending brush on hand.
- Lighten up the look by adding a little shimmery white shadow to the inner corners of the eyes.
At Hydro International we offer PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTISTRY COURSES where you can learn the art of makeup application for different occasions and events. Why wait, start your career in PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTRY today!