Effortless Smoky Eye Tutorial: Simple Steps for Stunning Eyes

Jeffrey Westbrook

Smoky Eyes Made Simple

Follow these steps to create mesmerizing eyes. (Find customized shades on the following slides.)

1. Swipe on an eye-shadow primer to keep your makeup looking fresh and to prevent shadow from creasing and migrating down your face (your late-night Instagram posts will thank you). Try Jouer Long-Wear Eye-Brightening Primer ($24, jouercosmetics.com), which contains chamomile extract to soothe skin.

2. With a flat brush, sweep shadow over your lid (shimmery finishes offer the most glam effect). Then, using a crease brush with tapered bristles, blend the shadow into your crease (slightly close your eyes to locate it) with a windshield-wiper motion. The key to pulling off smoky eyes is blending, so continue this motion until the color diffuses. If it's done correctly, you should see a sliver of shadow above your lid when your eyes are open. When the color is higher than your crease, it can look clownish. If you make a mistake, erase it using a dry cotton swab. Trace the same shadow along your lower lash line.

3. Skip eyeliner on your top and bottom lash lines, but apply a creamy black formula to your inner rims (aka the waterline).

4. Curl your lashes for 10 seconds. Brush on mascara, wiggling at your roots, then combing through. Touch up under your eyes with a dab of concealer.

Now, find the best shade for you.

Tom Corbett

Green Eyes = Purple Eye Shadow

Pro makeup artists say the secret to intensifying your eye color is to choose a shade that is opposite to it on the color wheel. The greater the contrast, the more flattering it is. Make green eyes pop with a wash of violet. The hue takes smoky eyes from sassy to sweet.

Your Go-To Color Guide:

• Eye Shadow: Cle de Peau la Beaute Celeste Eye Color Quad in Cosmic Aura ($80, barneys.com)
• Liner: Essence Gel Eye Pencil Waterproof in Black Blaze ($3, ulta.com)
• Mascara: Avon Big and Daring Volume Mascara in Blackest Black ($9, avon.com)

Tom Corbett

Blue Eyes = Champagne Eye Shadow

Blue eyes appear even more piercing when framed with shimmery champagne shadow. For a subtle update on the neutral look, coat just the tips of your lashes with a bold hunter green mascara (brush it over black). It will catch the light and some serious stares.

Your Go-To Color Guide:

• Eye Shadow: Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Shimmer Brick in Sandstone ($45, bobbibrowncosmetics.com)
• Liner: Giorgio Armani Beauty Eye & Brow Maestro in Jet Black ($34, giorgioarmanibeauty.com)
• Mascara: Laura Geller StyleLash Intense Lengthening Mascara in Black ($24, ulta.com) and Butter London Wink Mascara in British Racing Green ($20, butterlondon.com)

Tom Corbett

Brown Eyes = Green Eye Shadow

Bring out the honey-colored flecks in brown eyes with pearly green shades, like mint and forest green. You'll look festive (but not like a Christmas tree) and a little edgy and exotic.

Your Go-To Color Guide:

• Eye Shadow: Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow Trio in Jaded ($25, mineralfusion.com)
• Liner: Nyx Cosmetics Slide On Pencil in Jet Black ($8, nyxcosmetics.com)
• Mascara: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara in Blackest Black ($8, drugstores)

Tom Corbett

Hazel Eyes = Red Eye Shadow

Red shadow sounds so wrong, but it actually looks amazing on hazel eyes because it coaxes out the hints of green. Opt for rust or cranberry, then tone it down with a touch of copper.

Your Go-To Color Guide:

• Eye Shadow: Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in Trafalgar ($60,dior.com)
• Liner: Maybelline New York Master Kajal Eyeliner in Midnight Brown ($8, drugstores)
• Mascara: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara in Blackest Black ($22, urbandecay.com)