Eyeshadow

How to nail a smokey eye makeup like the pros with this step-by-step guide

Smokin'
Nail smokey eye makeup with this stepbystep  inspiration
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Try these eyeshadow brushes:

Sigma E25 Blending Makeup Brush
MAC 217S Blending Brush
ICONIC London Ultimate Brush Set
ZOEVA The Complete Brush Set

Try these eyeshadow palettes:

NARS Unrated Eyeshadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
Pat McGrath MTHRSHP Mega: Celestial Nirvana
By Beauty Bay Fiery 2.0 16 Colour Palette

How do you do smokey eye makeup?

  1. Start by applying a mid-tone eyeshadow all over the lid. Opt for greys, browns or heathers to create a subtle smokey base.
  2. Apply a liner along the lash line, making sure you're coating and depositing colour between the lashes to instantly enhance the eye. Choose a gel or glide-on formula like Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil, £18, Look Fantastic, for easy application. Just make sure you smoke it out with an eyeshadow brush before it sets, because once it does, it won't budge all night.
  3. Layer a dark-toned shadow like espresso, charcoal or smoke over the liner, blending halfway up the lid and into the lid shadow. Apply along the lower lash line by softly pressing the brush onto the root of the lower lashes. Then smudge out with fingers for a smokier finish.
  4. Add those all-important final touches with a mascara, like the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, layering three to four coats for a full lash effect.
  5. Finally, you can add a sparkle shadow with your finger to give it that real luxe finish. It's great for smoothing out the lid and giving that blend through the crease of the eye.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil

Sound too hard? There's a cheat's way too...

“A long-wear cream shadow and a long-wear gel eyeliner blended together is a quick and simple way to create a smokey eye with minimal products”, Amy says.

Simply apply the shadow all over the lid, blending it over and over towards the outer corner for the smokey effect. Then apply the gel eyeliner along the bottom lid and lash line, smudging it with a small eye brush.

If you want an intense evening smokey eye, Amy recommends using a dark cream shadow, or for a soft, daytime alternative, she recommends a shimmer cream shadow.

Not all smokey eye makeup is the same. Here's all the different ways worn by celebs…

Subtle Negative space

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Get the illusion of a negative space finish by elongating the darker eyeshadow along the cut crease so that the smokey-ness contours the lid. Laura Harrier makes a great case for it.

Olive toned smoke

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Use colour theory to work with hues on your smokey eyeshadow that compliment you hair. Bebe Rexa went for a fiery red hair that amps up her smokey eye makeup, giving it an olive looking reflection on the eyeshadow. So cute.

Coffee smoke

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Like Simone Ashley, opt for light brown and coffee shades for a more natural take on smokey eye makeup.

Rosé smoke

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Want more drama? Go for berries and reds. The right red can compliment dark eyes really well if applied correctly. Rosé in rose? Yes please.

Deep burned orange smoke

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Burned orange hues also bring out hazel eyes, so use it as a base for a pop of colour. Just look at Zoey Deutch – breathtaking.

Spotlight smokey eye

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To add this spotlight effect only had the darker shades of eyeshadow to the corners of the eyes. Don't forget the shimmer in the middle as seen on Brazilian pop star Anitta.

Latte smokey eye

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A smokey eye doesn't have to be dramatic. Keep the shades matte and close to one another for a bit of dimension and depth without going full smoke. Here is Hailey Bieber's take on latte makeup.

Berry Smoke

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Berry hues soften a smokey eye for that romantic date night eyeshadow finish. Opt for some sheer berry cloudy lips to seal the whole look together. Just look how cute Yara Shahidi looks.

Golden hour smoke

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There is nothing more timeless and universal as golden hour smokey eye makeup. Jas Tookes is proof. The sunset hues compliment any complexion perfectly, frames the face, adds dimension and brings attention to the eyes.

The pop of pink

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Why not add a pop of pink at the centre of the lid to brighten your smokey eye look, as seen on our Little Mermaid Halle Bailey.

Need more inspo? Keep scrolling: