From the catwalks of Paris to the red carpets in Hollywood, one makeup look stands above the rest as a classic – the timeless ‘smokey eye’. Long celebrated as a stunning look for any occasion, this beauty trend has been gracing smartly shaded eyes for decades.

1. Unlocking the Mystery of Smokey Eyes

Creating the Basics

• Choose a shade of eyeshadow for the inner third of the lid.
• For an extra smoldering effect, apply a darker shade of shadow to the upper and lower eyelashes.
• Smudge the darker and lighter shades together.

Smokey eyes, though mysterious, don’t have to be intimidating. The basics are easy to perfect with a few tips. Lucky for us, Smokey eyes have been made popular throughout the decades and the technique has stayed the same—so achieving this bold look is easier than ever before.

The most important part of creating Smokey eyes is the blending. To get the classic two-toned look, you’ll need to bring the light and dark eyeshadows together to make the intensity last. Start by choosing a light-colored shade of eyeshadow for the inner third of the lid. Gently sweep the eyeshadow to the outside corner of the eyelid and a bit up. For an extra smoldering effect, apply a darker shade of shadow to the upper and lower eyelashes. Gently smudge the darker and lighter shades together with a small flat brush or finger.

Finishing Touches

• Add kohl eyeliner.
• Define the brows with a soft brow pencil.
• Finish with lengthening mascara.

To define your eyes even more, add a bit of kohl eyeliner on the upper and lower eyelid. This will help frame the eyeshadow look and can be blended with a pencil brush. To complete the look, define your brows with a soft brow pencil. This will give the eyes a finishing touch to complete the mysterious look. Lastly, finish with some lengthening mascara for added volume and definition. This subtle hint of mascara will amplify your Smokey eyes look and make your peepers stand out even more.

2. Mastering the Techniques of Classic Smokey Eye Makeup

The classic Smokey Eye look is timeless, yet modern and extremely eye catching. It’s the ultimate go-to look for a sultry and glamorous effect. To get the perfect look, you need the right skills and a few well-chosen tools.

• Choose the Right Shade: Smokey Eye looks involve blending several shades to create a ‘smokey’ effect. Aim for an overall dark look, but with neutral shades so you don’t overwhelm your features. A great place to start is with two shades of browns, one slightly lighter than the other.
• Get the Right Tools: Your tools are key to creating a Smokey Eye that looks stunning. The best tools to use are a pencil brush, an eye shadow brush, and a blending brush. A small angled brush also comes in handy for more precise application along the lash line.
• Create the Look: Start by applying the lighter shade all over the eyelid and gradually blend in the darker shade along the creases. Use the pencil brush for more precision along the outer edge of your eye. Finish by applying an eyeliner pencil to the lash line and a little eye shadow just above it. This will create a more dramatic Smokey Eye effect.

3. Get to Know the History of the Iconic Smokey Eye Look

The famous smokey eye look was created in the 1960s and made its way to the runways of Paris shortly thereafter. The iconic makeup look was popularized by models and actresses of the time, with famous faces such as Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Cleopatra giving the smoky look their seal of approval. It was then that smokey eyes became must-have fashion statement.

This classic look is the perfect balance between glamorous and dramatic. The smokey eye look is not about color, rather the way you blend colors together on the eyes. Before modern makeup products were available, makeup artists had to rely on color theory to mix shadows into a smoky hue. This gave the illusion of dimension, making eyes look bigger and brighter.

When applying a smokey eye look, you must pay attention to the details. An even, flawless blend of colors is key for achieving the sought-after smoky effect. Begin by outlining the eyes with a dark eyeshadow color. With a brush, blend the dark color outward into a lighter pigment shade. As you blend, be careful not to create harsh lines. To finish the look, add a highlight near the brow bone with a shimmering ivory color.

Today, creating an iconic smokey eye look has never been easier. With modern makeup products and tools, anyone can create a show-stopping smoky eye in no time.

4. Tips for Creating a Perfect Smokey Eye Look

1. Start with a Neutral Shadow Base: When it comes to the perfect smokey eye look, there’s no such thing as too many colors. But, you should still start with a neutral base of either light taupe or warm ivory to provide a subtle foundation for layering and blending dark shadows later on.

2. Build Up Color: Use two or more shades for your smokey eye look, since one color alone may appear too flat on your eyelids. Start from lighter shades close to your lash line, gradually adding dark hues towards the outer corner of your eyes, blending the colors together as you go. And remember, the darker the shades are, the sexier your smokey eyes look will be.

3. Don’t Over-Do It: Keep an eye on your dark eyeliner, since it can quickly ruin your smokey eye look if it’s applied incorrectly. You want to line it close to your upper lash line and add slight smudges to the outer edges of your lower lash line — anything more than that, and your eyes will look too intense and heavy.

4. Balance It Out: Smokey eyes are supposed to be bold, but they don’t necessarily mean you should forgo the rest of your makeup altogether. Balance out the drama of your eye makeup with light and blended blush and a natural-looking lipstick shade. That way, you won’t look like you’ve put all your efforts into your eyes.

5. Letting the Smolder Begin – Finishing Touches for the Signature Smokey Eye Look

Finishing touches are essential for creating any stunning makeup look. To complete the signature smokey eye look, use the following tips to make a lasting impression.

• Curl your lashes: Using an eyelash curler, lightly curl the lashes to help bring the makeup look together.
• Define eyebrows: After applying eyeshadow, use an angled brush and a brow powder to shape and define the brows.
• Blend: Make sure to blend the eyeshadow right up to the brow bone to give a more intense, smoldering look.
• Highlight: Add a bit of light to the inner corners of the eyes using a shimmery eyeshadow.

Lastly, give your smoldering look that added impact with a coat or two of voluminous mascara. For the deepest, darkest effect, use a waterproof mascara to ensure that your look stays in place all day or night.

There you have it – with these finishing touches, you have achieved the signature smokey eye look! Throw on your favourite outfit and hit the party with confidence knowing that your makeup is statement-worthy.

Whether you’re attending a grand wedding or your best friend’s birthday, the smokey eye look is bound to make your classic beauty stand out. With practice, practice, and more practice, you can achieve this classic look with confidence. Get your makeup bags ready, and do the classic beauty smokey eye!