The smokey eye look is done with shades of grey or charcoal or in blues or berries/purple and violet shades. You can keep your black eye liner and black mascara. For the evening you can darken with deeper blues, black (but not if you have a light skin tone) and grays, coupled with false eyelashes for added drama.
PREP FOR YOUR SMOKEY EYE with long-wear eye base or light shadow applied from the lashline to the browbone. In addition to neutralizing any redness or discoloration in your eyelids, this application will help your eye makeup last longer.
Now to get the look follow these steps:
Step 1. Line top and bottom lashes with cranberry, green or black depending on your eye color.
Step 2. Smudge and blend the line so the color smoothly transitions from the lashes.
Step 3. Layer an eye shadow of a contrasting or coordinating shade on top of the liner, blending up and out at the outer corner of the eye. (This part is tricky and if not done right will result in that dirty smudged look you hate). I suggest you look for a liner brush or a Q-tip to help you.
Step 4. Add a second layer of eye shadow in a lighter shade at the crease of the eye and blend up toward the eyebrow. Trend upward with the color and at an angle at the outer corner of your eye, like "Cat eyes" without as much drama.
Step 5. Add your Mascara for the final touch.
View our great color eyeshadow trios that will help with instant smoky eyes.