Smokey eyes are a popular make-up technique for the eyes, which everyone has certainly seen somewhere. The eye area is darkly framed with kohl and eye shadow, which creates an intense contrast to the eye. How intense this contrast becomes can be varied by choosing the eye shadow color. For the evening, you can go for particularly dark tones, primarily black. For the day or for a look that is not quite as conspicuous choose softer tones in gray, brown, green or blue, for example.

Since smokey eyes has been around for so long (since the 1920s), many variations have emerged from it. In the meantime, the look was already in vogue in bright colors or nuances with glitter particles. Because that’s what sets Smokey Eyes apart: They are very changeable.

What do you need to make up Smokey Eyes?

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You need less makeup for Smokey Eyes than you might think. Those who like to use make-up most likely already have all the necessary utensils in their make-up box. These are:

Eye shadow (ideally powder eye shadow)
Applicator or brush
Kohl pencil or eyeliner
Mascara in dark tones
Eye shadow base

How to do Smokey Eyes: Step-by-step instructions

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Step 1: degrease the upper eyelid. Ideally with a cotton ball and some micellar water.
Step 2: Apply eyeshadow base to the upper and lower eyelids.
Step 3: Apply light-colored eyeshadow to the upper eyelid and pull it almost under the eyebrow or blend in until there.
Step 4: Apply dark eyeshadow to the outer movable lid and the crease and blend towards the brow. In the end, the darkest areas should be on the outer edge of the eyelid and in the crease of the eyelid.
Step 5: Apply eyeliner close to the lash line.
Step 6: Apply eyeliner or some eyeshadow to the lower outer lash line and blend carefully. (Only experienced users should do this, however; beginners can skip this step for now.)
Step 7: Apply a lot of mascara to the eyelashes. If necessary, shape the eyelashes beforehand with an eyelash curler so that the eye is opened a little more. The smokey eyes are done!

Tips for eyeliner

When you draw the eyeliner for the smokey eyes is a matter of taste. Many find it easier to only apply the eyeliner at the end, some prefer to do this right at the beginning when there is no eyeshadow on the eyelid yet.
If you are inexperienced in drawing eyeliner or if you like it particularly wicked, you can also use a kohl. This is more forgiving of small slip-ups and is easy to blend (with a cotton swab or eyeshadow applicator). The eyeliner with a liquid eyeliner is more difficult to use, but lasts longer.

How to do a super quick smokey eyes

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It’s logical that you don’t always have the time and peace of mind to put on a detailed smokey eyes look. If you want a quick touch of smokey eyes, you can work with either a kajal or a dark eyeshadow.

That’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Apply the color of kohl or eyeshadow along the upper lash line and in the outer crease of the eyelid.
Step 2: From here, blend gently in all directions.
Step 3: If necessary, apply additional color to the outer edge of the eyelid and into the outer crease of the eyelid so that these areas are darker than the rest.
Step 4: Applying eyelashes: the quick smokey eyes are ready!

These mistakes should be avoided with Smokey Eyes

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Smokey eyes suit everyone. However, people with extremely light skin and/or extremely light irises should be careful not to use too dark colors. This can then quickly look too painted.
Attention with pronounced drooping eyelids or wrinkles: When choosing a product, you should make sure that it is waterproof. Otherwise, the color can quickly run and settle unsightly in the wrinkles. The use of an eye shadow base also helps to ensure that everything stays where it should be.
If you are not yet really confident with make-up, it is better to avoid applying eyeliner or eye shadow to the lower lash line at the beginning. If you don’t blend accurately and evenly here, the eyes can quickly look small and the entire make-up untidy.
Caution for sensitive skin! Since smoky eyes involve a lot of color, you should make sure to use products for sensitive skin if possible. Otherwise, allergic reactions such as itching and redness can quickly occur.

Which lipstick goes with smokey eyes?

“Emphasize either eyes or lips!” You have probably heard that before. That does not have to be that way. Especially for party make-up, you can confidently let it rip. Then the lips can shine in an intense tone (for example a bright red or a bright pink) with the eyes to compete with each other.

If you wear smokey eyes during the day, the occasion matters. In the office, lips in beautiful nude tones are certainly the more elegant combination. If you just fancy a striking day look, you can also choose a stronger lip color here. After all, the whole thing should be fun!