Bobbi Brown’s Tips for the Perfect Smoky Eye

Got your eyeshadow palette ready? Good. Here’s how to achieve the perfect a smokey eye, step by step.

1. 1. Prep: Clean, hydrated skin is the best base for makeup, and your eyes are no exception. Start by applying moisturizer or eye cream to the under-eye area. Next, use foundation or concealer and color corrector, if desired (save the rest of your face makeup for later).
2. 2. Base shadow: Use a light-color cream eye shadow or eyeshadow primer all over the lid, almost up to the brow, and at the bottom of the eye, using a pencil-shaped brush. This will help the rest of your eye makeup stay put.
3. 3. Color: For this Smoky eye look, you’ll want three different eyeshadow colors. You don’t necessarily have to use black eyeshadow: Try playing around with dark shades of taupe, purple, or brown eyeshadow. Start with your lighter eyeshadow shade, applying that from the lower lid up to the eye crease. Layer a dark shadow on top, following the natural eye shape, and then smudge a third, even darker shadow in the crease to add depth.
4. 4. Eyeliner: Use a black eye pencil or gel eyeliner (not liquid eyeliner—you’re going for the smudgy, Smoky look!) to line the upper lash line and lower lash line, bringing the two lines to meet at the outer corner of your eye. Add smokiness to the eyeliner by using your medium-dark eyeshadow and an angled brush, or by smudging the eyeliner with a shadow brush. Tightline the top and bottom waterlines with gel liner or a waterproof pencil.
5. 5. Mascara: Curl your eyelashes, then apply a few coats of black or dark brown volumizing mascara.
6. 6. Highlight and glitter: For added sparkle, dab a little highlighter near the inner corner of the eye. Press a little glitter onto the center of the eyelid, using your finger.

Whether you’re trying out smoky eye makeup for the first time or revamping an established look, try makeup artist Bobbi Brown’s tips to really make your eyes pop.

• For an involved eye makeup look the Smoky eye, you may want to start with eye makeup first before doing your complexion makeup in case any shadow fallout ruins your foundation or concealer.
• Always have multiple eye makeup brushes on hand for a smoky eye. Since you’re using multiple shades, each shade should have its own brush.
• Your smoky eye doesn’t have to be in tones of black, brown, or gray—try experimenting with different tones of pinks, gold, violet, or emerald for a pop of color on the eyes.
• If you’re using cream shadows, try blending with your fingers rather than using brushes.
  
• A shimmery or sparkly shadow on top of the lid adds a fun accent and a bit of dimension while diffusing any shadow underneath it that isn’t fully blended.
• Bobbi uses a dense, domed eyeshadow brush to deposit powder shadow onto the lid and into the crease. You can also blend with that brush.
• You can line your eyes with eyeliner or with your deepest shadow shade, but whatever you do, don’t forget a few coats of mascara (or false lashes) to really anchor the look.

Whether you already know a blush brush from a bronzer brush or are simply looking for tips on bringing glamour into your daily routine, navigating the beauty industry takes knowledge, skill, and practical experience. No one knows their way around a makeup bag better than Bobbi Brown, the makeup artist who built a career and a multi-million dollar brand with one simple philosophy: Be who you are. In Bobbi Brown’s MasterClass on Makeup and Beauty, learn how to do the perfect smoky eye, find the best makeup routine for the workplace, and hear Bobbi’s advice for aspiring makeup artists.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by masters, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.