In 2015 I finally learned how to do eye makeup. I’ll admit it. Before last year, if I wore eye shadow I’d just wipe a quick color on and call it a day. No more! My eyes are my favorite feature, and as such it only makes sense to make them ‘pop’ a bit more with the help of eye shadow.
I’ll also admit that a smoky eye used to intimidate me. Multiple colors of eye shadow!? Layering of colors?! Blending?! So basically, what I’m trying to say is this: if I can learn how to do a smoky eye, you can too.
Plus it helps that I get paid to play with makeup, and I was determined to learn how to do a smoky eye. Fortunately one of my wonderful team mates and business partners informed me of a quick and easy way to do it, and now it’s my go-to on a regular basis!
Enough chatter. This is how I, a busy work-at-home mama, does a smoky eye. First, apply eye primer. No matter what eye shadow look you’re going for, this is a must. It helps keep the eye makeup in place all day long, and keeps it transfer free. Now on to the good stuff….
Step 1: Apply a base color
In addition to the primer, a base color can help guide you in creating a smoky eye look. It’s also another way of priming your eye lid for the rest of your eye shadow. In the video above, I’m using Younique’s mineral pigment in giddy. Apply it all over the lid but not past the crease.
Step 2: Use a light shimmery color
Next, accentuate the inner corner of your eye with a light shimmery color, such as flirty mineral pigment. I prefer to use a crease brush with a rounded point to apply as this helps me apply the shimmer only to the inner corner. (You can also apply the light color underneath your eyebrow as a highlight).
Step 3: Apply the darkest color to your outer corner
Next, its time to achieve the smoky eye effect! To do this, take your darkest eye shadow color (I typically prefer a matte, like enamored) and apply to outer corner as well as up into the crease. After you’ve done this, be sure to blend, blend, and blend. This will help it look like a natural, every day smoky eye.
Step 4 (optional): Add a pop of color
This last step is optional, but one I like to do, especially if my overall smoky eye isn’t too dark and bold already. To give an extra pop of color, apply a bright color (like regal mineral pigment) to the center of the lid. And then, you guessed it, blend again!
This is just one example of how to apply the mineral pigments and how to achieve an everyday and easy smoky eye look. (And the order of steps can change too!) Really when it comes to smoky eye shadow looks, the possibilities are endless; the only rule of thumb is to have a light corner for the inner eye and a dark color on the outer corner. Using this method you can use all sorts of eye shadows — from mineral pigments, to palettes, to even cream shadows — to create a beautiful smoky eye that really accentuates your gorgeous eyes.
And as with any makeup look, the more you practice? The better — and faster — you’ll be at applying it.
Want more ideas for some easy but fun smoky eye looks? Come join our Facebook beauty and confidence group.
