No eye makeup look is sexier or more glamorous than a smoky eye. And the best part? It looks great on all eye shapes, eye colours and skin tones. The bad? The thought of creating a smoky eye makeup look by yourself can be worrisome if you don't know what you're doing. We roped in Bollywood makeup artist Bianca Louzado to give us a fool-proof, step-by-step guide for basic smoky eye makeup, that even the most make-up challenged can concur. Think of it as a basic, starter course to achieving smouldering, smoky eyes.
Smoky eye makeup Step 1: Clean up
Firstly, Louzado (who frequently works with Aditi Rao Hydari and Manushi Chhillar) recommends starting on a clean canvas. Cleanse your eye area thoroughly with an eye makeup remover to eliminate any previous eyeshadow or liner that may still be lingering. Try the Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water, since it's oil-free and won't leave any residue on the skin.
Smoky eye makeup Step 2: Prep your lids
Next, dry your eyelid with a clean tissue paper and follow up with an eye primer, like the Wet N Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer, to ensure that your eyeshadow will stay put throughout the day and into the night.
Smoky eye makeup Step 3: Line away
Now, tight line the eyelid with a black kohl pencil (Louzado loves and recommends the MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder). Using a blending brush, blend it along the upper lash line, in a slight upward direction. If you need a stronger smoky eye, she recommends making the eyeliner much thicker, and then blending out, for a bolder evening look, which doesn't require any extra skills.
Smoky eye makeup Step 4: Shadow time
Using any dull gold eyeshadow (try the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in Girls Night Out) and dense eyeshadow brush, apply the shadow over the smudged pencil line that you previously drew on, and blend upwards and outwards. Using any jet-black matte eyeshadow, like the Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow, lightly dab it over the gold shadow and blend again.
Smoky eye makeup Step 5: Don't forget the crease…
The key to any good eye makeup look is making sure your crease, the area where your eye socket ends, isn't forgotten. It creates a transition and helps bring out the smokiness, according to Louzado. So, using any brick-coloured eyeshadow (like the Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow in Chocolate) and a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply it into the crease area by using windscreen wiper motions (back and forth).
Smoky eye makeup Step 6: …Or the lower lid
Using the same black kohl pencil again, apply it onto the lower lash line and blend again. Use the same brick-coloured eyeshadow all along and under the blended black pencil area and blend again. Dust off any fallen shadow with a fan brush (a wide makeup brush that is spread out like a hand fan) or wipe off the under-eye area with an oil-free makeup remover.
Smoky eye makeup Step 7: Highlight on point
Using a mild highlighter (don't go too shimmery), like the TheBalm Betty Lou Manizer, apply it under the arch of the brow with a small eyeshadow brush, or your fingers if you don't have one.
Smoky eye makeup Step 8: Take it up a notch
Louzado's favourite part is adding even more drama to dark, sultry eye makeup by adding three layers of mascara and a set of false lashes. This will enhance the look, especially for an event or a night out.
