How to nail the smoky eye

Create a sultry, smoky stare in a few simple steps

marie claire Contributor / January 19 2017

A smoky eye is a classic makeup look that adds instant drama (particularly when paired with a LBD). Smudge your way to a sophisticated smoky haze in seconds with these pro tips.

1

Add definition

Apply a coat of mascara before eyeshadow and “then a second coat later on to remove any powder that has fallen onto the lashes,” explains Peter Philips, creative and image director of Christian Dior makeup.

2

Colour it in

Next, take a dark shade – be it black, bronze, plum or navy – and apply it along the upper and lower lash line.

3

Blend it out

Use a round brush or index finger to blend it all the way up to the crease of the eyelid.

4

Apply more colour

Then, take a lighter shade and blend in the edges.

5

Use some liner

To finish, makeup artist Elsa Morgan goes over the lash line with a kohl pencil before tapping a highlighting eyeshadow shade to the inner corner of the eye. The layered products set over time and look more rock’n’roll an hour after application.

Toolkit: 

Burberry Beauty Eye Colour in NickelSisley Phyto-Ombre Glow in Gold, Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in White Sand

Main image credit: Getty

Lucy is a beauty, fashion and health journalist, brand consultant and speaker from Sydney, known for her work across a broad array of platforms. Her work has been published in marie claire Australia (for which she was Beauty Director for 9 years), marie claire France, UK, Netherlands, US and China, Women’s Health and The Australia Women’s Weekly. As a journalist, Lucy has interviewed celebrities including Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Margot Robbie, Aerin Lauder and Miranda Kerr.