In the next installation of our practice makes perfect series our Head Makeup Artist Mel Barrese walks us through her natural eye makeup tips and tricks. As life returns to normal, it’s time to experiment with makeup again. This week is all about an all-time classic look: the easy smokey eye and how to take it from day to night.
There are so many different makeup styles when it comes to the eyes. From striking color to cut creases, it can sometimes be overwhelming to master all the eyeshadow techniques if you’ve spent the past few months sacrificing your makeup routine for extra zzz’s.
The following smokey eye tutorial goes back to basics, starting with a soft every-day look then building it up to create something more dramatic.
The smokey eye is all about blended eyeshadow with no harsh lines. For this look, you will need just two brushes and four products.
- Smudge Brush – A rounded, compact brush will allow you to apply the product precisely.
- Blender Brush – Designed for ultimate blending, this brush will create a flawless look.
If you are just getting back into the eyeshadow game, we recommend taking the below steps to learn how to do a smokey eye for anyone who might need the reminder.
LOOK ONE: NATURAL SMOKEY EYE
STEP ONE: EYESHADOW
The first step when creating an easy smokey eye look, whether natural or more dramatic, is to use our Colouring Eye Pencil in the shade Fidelity. This is a dark, chocolatey brown and acts as a base for your smokey eye look. Draw across your eyelid using small strokes as close to the root of the lash as possible. This application does not have to be neat, as you will be blending this out.
Use our Blender Brush to blend out the product by using circular backwards and forwards motions to soften the line and diffuse to create a base for your smokey eye look.
For under the eye area, you can apply as much or as little as you see fit, whether you are opting for a more natural look or taking it that step further. To give your eye more of a lift, use the Colouring Eye Pencil on the outer corner of the lower lash line, tracing all the way along the lashes to the inner corner. Use our Smudge Brush to blend out and soften.
Using the Elemental Artistry Palette for both the natural smokey eye and dramatic evening look. Pair our Blender Brush with the shade Tranio and place this shade into the crease, blending out backwards and forwards. Continue with this motion until seamlessly blended. How strong you want this to look is entirely up to you but remember to keep the crease as the darkest shading of color.
Then using the same Blender Brush, apply into the crease from the outer corner. Use the lighter shade Lear and blend together for a soft transition.
Next, apply the shade Eponine to the outer corner of the eye in circular motions, gradually moving toward the inner corner. This creates a bit of definition and gives the eye a lift. Then, take this underneath the eye and along the lash line where you previously used the Colouring Eye Pencil.