• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

5 More Smokin’ Smokey Eye Tips

October 29th, 2008 by Karen 29 Comments

Ladies, when it comes to smoldering smokey eyes, the secret sauce is in the blending. Dark eye makeup looks best when it’s blended really well, and nothing can steal smokey eye thunder like a patchy makeup job that draws attention away from your eyes and onto your makeup. Lawd knows I’ve rushed through my share of smokey eyes. Regrettably, there are few eye makeup looks that can so easily go awry.

But don’t be discouraged! Try one of these tips the next time you’re feelin’ smokey.

1. Fingers Are Built-In Brushes

If you’ve never tried a smokey eye using your fingers before, give it a try. Using fingers can even be easier than using a brush. Start by loading up your ring finger with black shadow. Dab over your lid. Follow the black up with a shimmery gray shadow, and blend with a finger. Add mascara and you’re done! Just be careful you don’t drag shadow out of the lid area or too far into the inner corner of the eye.

2. Use Liner Pencils as a Base for Eyeshadows

Color the entire lid with a dark pencil before applying a lighter coordinating shadow (not necessarily the same color) on top of it. It’s a quick way to add more depth than eyeshadows alone and looks amazing!

3. Black Eyeliner and Eye Gloss Mashup

For uber-easy smokey eyes, use a jet black eyeliner smudged out with a bit of eye gloss. You won’t get a look that lasts forever, but a little loose powder patted over the edges will help prevent smearing. NOTE: don’t rub those eyes!

4. Get to the Root of Things

When lining your waterline with black, cover every nook and cranny. Get as close to the root of the lash as possible, even going in between them, to add as much black to the look as possible. What you don’t want is some of your natural skin tone along the waterline showing through to sabotage all your hard work.

5. Dab a Dot for a Pop of Color

For a pop of color, apply a neutral shadow to the entire lid. Then, smudge a dot of brighter shadow in the center of the lid and thoroughly blend.

Happy Hump Day!

How’s your week coming along? I’ve had better, but we don’t get to choose our days. All we can do is choose how we deal with them.

Have you seen the new holiday palettes for Shu Uemura? They’re called mika shu, and I think they’re adorable! I’ll post thoughts and swatches very soon.

Hang in there this week. This kind of comes out of nowhere … but that’s the kind of week I’m having. I’ve got something big on my mind. Our family’s going through some stuff that I’ll be ready to share with you soon, but for now I just want to thank you all for brightening my days and sharing your time with me.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 More Smokin’ Smokey Eye Tips / Originally published October 29th, 2008

There are 29 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips/How To

Previous Post: MAC Infatuating Rose: 6 Ways to Wear the 6 Cool Eyes Palette
Next Post: MAC Red She Said Face of the Day: Navy Blue, Bronze and Brown Smokey Eye

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura B says

    October 29th, 2008 at 5:20 am

    I’ve been trying for a work approriate smokey eye for a while now, but I’m evening oriented and have a bit of a heavy hand…these tips are interesting and can’t wait to try them out. Also, your swatches are making me llemming the MAC holiday collection bigtime!

    Whatever it is that’s troubling you, I hope you and the family get through it unscathed. Know you’re loved and stay strong!

    Reply
  2. ParisB says

    October 29th, 2008 at 5:54 am

    These are some really great tips – I usually use my fingers but I gotta work on getting closer to the lashline. Hang in there Karen and hope things work out ok soon.

    Reply
  3. Almira says

    October 29th, 2008 at 6:02 am

    Thanks for these awesome tips, babe! I love the easy-to-follow advice you give. =3

    I know how you feel, with the rough week thing. I swear I’m inches from choking my family, room mate, and friends to death–all of them! But if it helps you, share when you’re ready =3 I am sure that all of your readers are ready to help!

    Almira´s last blog post..W: (dub-ya) Movie Review (I liked it, will you?)

    Reply
  4. Indian Girl says

    October 29th, 2008 at 6:10 am

    Yay ! Thanks for sharing my tip too !
    Have a great day, Karen !

    Indian Girl´s last blog post..Who tops your chart ?

    Reply
  5. hillary says

    October 29th, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Hi first time commenter. Long time reader.
    I am in mad love with the idea of a smoky eye lately. I am a natural red (auburn) head with light green eyes. So I have done the smoky eye with “colors” thing like they say but I don’t like it. I want the angelina jolie smoky eye. The I am too damn hot for this world smoky eye.
    The pic above is EXACTLY the colors I want. Could you please say what colors they are? Also any tips for the angie look?

    hillary´s last blog post..Pixi Eye Beauty Kit – Neutralizing Cover-Up Review

    Reply
  6. Violet says

    October 29th, 2008 at 7:30 am

    Thanks for these tips. Lots of great suggestions to try out! Sorry you are having a rough week. I hope things get better. Take care!

    Reply
  7. Katee says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am

    Excellent tips!!!!

    Katee´s last blog post..November is National Pomegranate Month: Essie and Pama Promotion

    Reply
  8. Dao says

    October 29th, 2008 at 9:11 am

    Interesting tips Karen, especially number 3 🙂 I hope everything is going well for you and challenges will make you stronger. Just remember to take care of yourself *hug*

    Dao´s last blog post..Sephora Brand The Lash Stash: Perfect for Mascara Addicts

    Reply
  9. gio says

    October 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am

    Thanks for sharing these great tips! 🙂

    I hope things will get better soon.

    gio´s last blog post..Inside Heidi Range makeup bag

    Reply
  10. Glosslizard says

    October 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Great smoky ideas!

    *sending virtual bouquet — lilies and dahlias* If you hang in there, I will too! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Bisi says

    October 29th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Thanks for all the tips Karen – I think I need to bookmark this entry. Or print it out. Or both!

    Whatever it is that is on your mind – hang in there. I am sure things will get better soon, and we’ll all be thinking about you and your family in the meantime!

    Reply
  12. Marisol says

    October 29th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    Great tip Karen. On Tuesday I went with a smokey eye that I saw on youtube and omg, I loved it. I used TF Shadow Insurance, MAC Hot Contrast, MAC All Girl pigment, MAC Shroom, MAC Feline e/l and DiorShow. I sooo loved this look. You gotta try it one day.

    Hang in there! We are all here for you.

    Marisol´s last blog post..Online Tarot Card reader

    Reply
  13. KK says

    October 29th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    girl, you are in my thoughts!
    keep your chin up!!
    xxoxo

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Hi Laura B.,

    Oh girlll, you gotta get some Red She Said! 😉

    And thank you for your words. Seriously, they mean a lot.

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Hi Paris B.,

    Thanks, sweets. 🙂 Big hugs to you…

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Almira,

    Awww, you’re welcome. I think October’s been a rough month for a lot of people. You hang in there… I will too. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Indian Girl,

    🙂 You have some great ones! I hope you had a good day, girlie.

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Hillary,

    That’s the Chanel Smoky Eye quad! Here are a few posts I did on it:

    Chanel Smoky Eye Quad Face of the Day

    Chanel Smoky Eye Quad swatches

    Reply
  19. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Violet,

    You’re welcome. 🙂 Hope you are having a good week… I’ll hang in there if you do.

    Reply
  20. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Katee,

    Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Dao,

    Thanks, hon. I’m trying to hang in there…

    Reply
  22. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Gio,

    🙂 You’re welcome. I hope so, too.

    Reply
  23. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Glosslizard,

    Awww… I love lilies. 🙂 (And Princess Lily, too).

    Reply
  24. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Bisi,

    Glad to hear that you like the tips! I always feel like there’s room to improve and grow when it comes to smokey eyes.

    And thank you for your words. They mean a lot!

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Marisol,

    Thank you. I’m trying to be strong… it’s hard when you’re tired and burnt out though.

    Gotta remind myself that it’ll be okay. 🙂

    I have a few of the products from your look! What did you put where? I gotta see if I have those shades… hmm, maybe I can dupe it!

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    October 29th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Hi KK,

    Thanks, sweetie. Hope you are doing well… it’s been a while since we’ve chatted. How have you been?

    Reply
  27. Marisol says

    October 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Let’s see if I can remember:

    TF Shadow Insurance all over the lid
    I used the marbled red/silvery side on the lid. Packed it on using Fix+.
    Then I used the black side and using the good ole windshield wiper motion I applied it on the crease and the outer part of my eye.
    Shroom as a brow highlight
    MAC All girl pigment on the inner 1/3 of my eye to give the look a bit of pop. Applied it wet again using Fix+. I put just enough to give it some pop but not to take away from the smokey eye.
    I lined my upper lashline, water line, lower lash line and tightlined with Feline khohl.
    Plenty of coats of DiorShow.

    Although it was a smokey eye, it wasn’t as dramatic as I thought it would be so I felt ok wearing during the day, I even got a compliment from a coworker.

    I got the idea of using that shadow duo from this YT tutorial but I added the pigment.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX7FYlkNHDs

    Marisol´s last blog post..Online Tarot Card reader

    Reply
  28. Anna says

    October 30th, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Hi Karen,

    Sorry to hear you’re having one of those weeks, hopefully whatever is playing on your mind will be sorted, stay strong, thinking of ya.

    I wanted to ask what shadows did you use that the picture in the picture above, its smoking and I want to recreate it !

    Thanks hun, big hug for ya ! x

    Reply
  29. Diva Style says

    November 13th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Hi Karen! I am relatively new to your blog, and I just saw this post. I dabble in makeup artistry, and I kept seeing all your tutorials where you were using liner, and I was like…why is she doing that, LOL….So, I was playing around in my makeup tonight and referencing your blog, and I was using the liner…and thought…wow…this does work. Then I found this particular entry of yours…Thanks so much! I wish there was a way I could upload my looks to show you! 🙂

    Diva Style´s last blog post..Makeup Mondays~

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

duri burgundy charade

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

be strong coffee mug youve got this

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 662

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 643

window bed balcony

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 23, 2021

briogeo at ulta

Briogeo Now at Ulta!

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.