Mastering the smokey eye look takes practice...and a plan. With eye shadow palettes filled with colorful shades, it's way too easy to grab colors haphazardly and end up with a muddy mess.
Before starting your eye makeup, check out these tips. They'll save you time, help you avoid unnecessary cleanup, and leave you feeling confident and sexy in a flash.
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1. Jump start with a dark primer
You're probably tired of hearing this one, but attempting a smokey eye look without a good primer base is just asking for fallout and short wear time. Try applying a dark primer first, and you'll even save money by using less eye shadow.
You're probably tired of hearing this one, but attempting a smokey eye look without a good primer base is just asking for fallout and short wear time. Try applying a dark primer first, and you'll even save money by using less eye shadow.
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2. Do your eyes before you apply foundation
Celebrity makeup artists differ on this one, but smokey eye looks can lead to fallout and the resulting cleanup. To be on the safe side, complete your eye look, then remove any excess shadow from below your eyes. This will eliminate the afternoon raccoon look.
Celebrity makeup artists differ on this one, but smokey eye looks can lead to fallout and the resulting cleanup. To be on the safe side, complete your eye look, then remove any excess shadow from below your eyes. This will eliminate the afternoon raccoon look.
3. Go subtle or stunning
If you're new to the smokey eye look, or want to wear it to work without being sent home, stick with colors in the same family. Once you've mastered the look, you can introduce another deep shade (think brown and dark purple).
If you're new to the smokey eye look, or want to wear it to work without being sent home, stick with colors in the same family. Once you've mastered the look, you can introduce another deep shade (think brown and dark purple).
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4. One step smokey eye
Short on time but still want that smokey look? Simple. Draw a hashtag on your lid and blend in for a quick finished look. No one will ever know the difference.
Short on time but still want that smokey look? Simple. Draw a hashtag on your lid and blend in for a quick finished look. No one will ever know the difference.
Fierce League
5. Follow a shade pattern
Since most smokey eye looks require multiple colors, it's best to apply them from top to bottom, light to dark. Your darkest shade will be up against your liner (top and bottom lid), but a pop of light at the inner corners will keep the look balanced.
Since most smokey eye looks require multiple colors, it's best to apply them from top to bottom, light to dark. Your darkest shade will be up against your liner (top and bottom lid), but a pop of light at the inner corners will keep the look balanced.
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6. Go easy on the highlighter
With such a dramatic look, you may be tempted to lighten up your brow bone with a shimmery highlighter. Whatever you do, avoid this at all costs. Just a hint of light under your brow bone will pull the whole look together.
With such a dramatic look, you may be tempted to lighten up your brow bone with a shimmery highlighter. Whatever you do, avoid this at all costs. Just a hint of light under your brow bone will pull the whole look together.
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