How to create the perfect Smokey eye!
Khaki Smokey Eye.
Patrick Ta
As our diaries are finally filling up with social events that are face to face, we are getting used to wearing more makeup again! My most frequently asked question is how do I create a perfect Smokey eye? There is no right way to create a Smokey eye as everyone’s interpretation of a Smokey eye is totally different. But a traditional Smokey eye normally consists of a black grey and eyeshadows and black eyeliner. A Smokey eye however can be any colours you like as long as there is a difference in tone and the shadows are blended. A Smokey eye is a classic makeup look and in fact, you can tell what period in history it is just by looking at the style and application of the Smokey eye. A dark eye shadow and the sultry liner is always undeniably sexy.
The modern Smokey eye is much more sophisticated more subtle and more flattering to the everyday woman. Say goodbye to cool tones it’s all about a pop of colour for the smoky eye of 2021. Think rich plums, khakis and soft browns all beautifully blended.
My makeup style is soft blended eyeshadow and perfect glowy skin. Blending eyeshadows for me is the basis of creating the perfect Smokey eye. Blend blend blend is your friend as I used to tell my clients. Obviously the placement and colour choice is equally important but it does not look polished to me if eyeshadow colours are not blended, it takes time at first so you have to be patient.
Follow my step by step guide to the foolproof perfect smoky eye!
The Perfect Smokey Eye!
Step 1. Start by prepping the eye with a wash of colour with an eyeshadow lighter than your natural skin. With this Smokey look, I want to keep it monochromatic, by this I mean pick a colour and work with the different shades within that palette. For example, you could go with khaki and then use different tones of green and khaki to create the Smokey blended out eye.
Step 2. Next, use the same shade and apply more using a firm flat brush all over the whole eye and buff it into the crease. For more depth add a darker colour of the same tone to the crease and then blend backwards and forwards getting a beautiful airbrushed blown out look. Keep going until the colours have blended together and there are no harsh edges.
Step 3. Now to create the Smokey effect, take the same flat brush you guys know my favourite is the MAC 239 brush. Use a darker shadow and trace along your lash line, starting from the middle of the lid moving outwards into a wing. Smoke out the shadow towards but not up to the tail of your brow and then back into your socket line. Using the same shadow and a pencil brush or an angle brush line the lower lash line and then use a soft tapered brush to blend. To get it even more precise use a makeup wipe or an earbud in water and clean up the edges. I normally do the eyes first when creating this look.
Step 4. This next step will elevate your look into 2021. Add a shimmery shadow to the centre of the lid and the inner corner. This will make your eyes look bigger. I use my finger for the lid and then a pencil brush for the inner corner. If you want to go for even more dramatic add a thin liquid liner to lift and define the eye. I say thin as you don’t want the eyeliner to overtake all the good eyeshadow work you have created. I do normally go for black.
Step 5. Apply loads of mascara to lift and separate the lashes or apply a set of false lashes to enhance your eyes even further. And Voila Smokey eye 2021!
Bronze Smokey Eye
Nikki Makeup
Monochromatic Smokey Eye
By Patrick Ta