How To Do Smokey Eyes Step By Step

Creating a captivating smokey eye makeup look is easier than you might think. Founder of KARYSHA Cosmetics, Karyna, with 10 years of experience as a makeup teacher, has prepared some pro tips for you. Follow this guide to achieve the perfect smokey eyeshadow step by step.

 Classic smokey eyes typically feature matte black or gray shades. We believe that with our incredibly beautiful pigments and glitters from KARYSHA Cosmetics, your makeup will be elevated to new heights! Adding our glitters can enhance your makeup by a thousand times—it's pure magic!

Here are some of the best eyeshadow color ideas. Smokey eyes look stunning with silver colors, and we offer collections like Shade #04 and Shade #11. You can create a variety of smokey eyes with different colors.

 For the best results, we'll use our Best Seller Smoky Eyes Glitter Shade #24, known for its radiant and beautiful finish.

What You'll Need For A Smokey Eye Makeup Look

Creating the perfect smokey eye requires the right tools and products. Whether you're going for a classic look or something more dramatic, having the essentials at hand will make all the difference. Before jumping into the step-by-step tutorial, make sure you’ve gathered everything you need. Below is a list of must-have items that will help you achieve a flawless, sultry smokey eye look.

Gather the following essentials:

• Transition shade (matte light brown)
• Dark shade (charcoal or black)
• Highlight shade (shimmery light color)
• KARYSHA Cosmetics Best Seller Smoky Eyes Glitter Shade #24
• KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer
• Eyeshadow brushes (blending, crease, and smudge brushes)
• Eyeliner (black or dark brown)
• Mascara
• Lashes and glue 

How To Apply Eyeshadow For A Smokey Look

Mastering the smokey eye starts with understanding the basics. To create a bold and captivating look, it's essential to layer your eyeshadows correctly and blend seamlessly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step to achieve that perfect smokey effect. Before we start, make sure to follow the steps below for a flawless application.

Step 1: Prep Your Eyes

Start by applying an eyeshadow primer to your eyelids. This ensures your eyeshadow stays put and looks vibrant all day. For the best results, use our GEL Primer, which provides a smooth base and enhances the longevity of your eyeshadow.

Step 2: Apply the Eyeliner Pencil And the Transition Shade

I have a favorite way of creating a smokey eye look: take an eyeliner pencil and apply it close to the upper and lower lash lines. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The main thing is to ensure there are no unlined areas at the base of the lashes.

Using a blending brush, apply a matte light brown shade to your crease. This transition shade helps blend the darker colors seamlessly.  

Take a crease brush and apply a dark shade, such as charcoal or black, to the outer corner of your eyelid and blend it into the crease. This will create depth and intensity. Smokey eyes typically involve deep shades, so an unlined lash line will be noticeable against the intense eye makeup and make the look appear unfinished. Additionally, defining the lash line with pencil makes the lashes look visually thicker. For a more dramatic effect, you can also line the waterline.

Step 3: Add the Gel Primer

Now, for the star of the show, apply a tiny amount of KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer. It will provide long-lasting makeup for the whole day! 

Step 4: Apply the Gel Primer

Lightly apply using finger/brush for subtle glow. Then use your finger or a brush to apply a thin, transparent layer across the entire eyelid.

Step 5: Add the Glitter Shade

Afterward, take our Best Seller Smoky Eyes Glitter Shade #24 

Step 6: Apply the Glitter Shade

Apply it to the center of your eyelid. Use a flat brush or your fingertip for a more concentrated application. This glittery shade adds a radiant and beautiful sparkle to your smokey eye look. 

Line your upper and lower lash lines with black or dark brown eyeliner. For a more dramatic look, you can smudge the eyeliner slightly with a smudge brush.

Step 7: Finish with Mascara and Lashes

Highlight the Inner Corner. Apply a shimmery light color, we are using KARYSHA Cosmetics Glitter Shade #11 to the inner corner of your eyes to brighten and open them up.

Apply several coats of mascara to your upper and lower lashes to complete the look. By the way, you can also emphasize and shape the eye using mascara. Direct the brush towards the outer corner while applying, or, alternatively, focus more on coating the middle lashes to achieve the desired effect. The final step will be to apply the lashes using a small amount of glue.

Consider Your Eye Shape

The smokey eyes technique typically creates an elongated shape, often referred to as a "cat eye," but it's important to adapt it to your individual features. For rounder eyes, it's best to extend the pigment significantly towards the temples, while for Asian eyes, a more rounded shape is preferable. Additionally, smokey eyes are ideal for correcting hooded eyelids; in this case, the eyeshadow should be applied slightly above the crease to visually lift it.

Why Do We Recommend to use KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer 

We recommend using KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer for several reasons. First, it creates the perfect base for your makeup, allowing eyeshadows to apply smoothly and stay in place all day long. Its gel texture provides a flawless finish and enhances color payoff, making the shades more vibrant and rich. Additionally, our primer prevents eyeshadow from creasing and fading, which is especially important for creating complex looks like smokey eyes. With KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer, your makeup will look flawless and last until the end of the day.

The smokey eyes technique is incredibly versatile

The smokey eyes technique is incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with a wide range of colors to suit different occasions, moods, and styles. While the classic smokey eye is typically associated with deep blacks and grays, there's no reason to limit yourself to these traditional shades. By incorporating different colors into your smokey eye look, you can create something truly unique and personalized.

For a modern twist, consider using jewel tones like deep purples, emerald greens, or rich blues. These colors can add depth and intensity to your eyes, making them pop in a way that traditional shades might not. Purple tones, for example, can enhance green or hazel eyes, while blues can make brown eyes appear warmer and more vibrant.

For a more natural or daytime look, you can opt for earth tones like warm browns, bronzes, and taupes. For the glitter part I recommend to use Glitter Shade #11. These shades still provide the smokey effect but in a softer, more subtle way that’s perfect for everyday wear. Brown smokey eyes can give a sultry yet understated appearance, making them a great choice for both casual and professional settings.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try metallics or glitters to add a glamorous edge to your smokey eyes. Shades like gold, silver, or rose gold can elevate your look, making it perfect for a night out or a special event. Adding a touch of shimmer to the center of the eyelid can also create a multidimensional effect that catches the light beautifully.

Another exciting approach is to mix and match colors for a gradient smokey eye. Start with a darker shade at the outer corners and gradually blend into a lighter or more vibrant color towards the inner corners. You can alway add a little bit of the magic and use our Glitter Shade #44.This technique not only adds depth but also allows you to play with contrasting colors that complement each other.

The key to mastering the smokey eyes technique with different colors is blending. Regardless of the shades you choose, seamless blending is essential to achieving that signature smokey effect. Using a good quality eyeshadow primer, like KARYSHA Cosmetics Gel Primer, can also help in intensifying the colors and ensuring they stay in place without creasing.

In summary, the smokey eyes technique is not confined to the classic black and gray palette. By experimenting with different colors, you can create a variety of looks that range from subtle and sophisticated to bold and dramatic. Whether you’re going for a natural look, something vibrant and fun, or a touch of glamour, the smokey eye can be adapted to reflect your personal style and make your eyes the focal point of your makeup.

Final Thoughts 

For me, the most important thing when creating a look is ensuring that even the most intense eye makeup enhances a woman's natural beauty. I can't stand it when the face is treated like a paint-by-numbers canvas, using a one-size-fits-all approach regardless of eye shape. No matter what kind of eye makeup I'm doing, I always carefully blend the edges and take the unique features of the face into account.

Learning how to apply smokey eyeshadow step by step can transform your makeup routine. With our Gel Primer and Best Seller Smoky Eyes Glitter Shade #24, you can achieve a radiant and beautiful smokey eye makeup look that’s perfect for any occasion.

Whether you're a beginner or a makeup pro, following these steps will help you create stunning smokey eyes effortlessly. You can always play with different Glitter Colors and still get amazing results!

By using the right products and techniques, you’ll master how to apply eyeshadow for a smokey look in no time. Practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Remember, the key to a flawless smokey eye is blending and building the intensity gradually. Enjoy creating your stunning smokey eye makeup look! Empower your beauty journey with KARYSHA Cosmetics!