Incorporating smoky eyeliner into your makeup look is the perfect way to accentuate your eyes. With just a single stroke and a touch of smudging, this timeless makeup technique will instantly turn your gaze into a smoldering masterpiece. Whether you're aiming for a sultry date night look or want to add a touch of drama to your everyday vibe, mastering the art of smoky eyeliner will undoubtedly amplify your eye makeup to new heights.
Regardless of skill level, ahead, our step-by-step tutorial will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to effortlessly achieve this mesmerizing eye look. From choosing the right tools and shades to expert advice on blending and defining, follow along below for the most essential tips and tricks that will make the process a breeze.
Meet the Expert
Jonet Williamson is a New York-based pro makeup artist and content creator. Her work has been featured in commercial campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Levi’s, L’Oréal, Shea Moisture, and more.
How to Do Smoky Eyeliner
Step 1: Prepare Your Canvas
Begin by prepping your eyelids with an eye primer. This essential step ensures long-lasting wear, prevents creasing, and provides a smooth base for your eyeshadows and eyeliner. “You want to start your eye makeup by applying an eyeshadow that matches your skin tone to your eyelids, and then go in with an eyeshadow or a bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your complexion in the crease of your eyelids,” says pro makeup artist Jonet Williamson. This will provide a soft and illuminated base for your smoky eyeliner.
Step 2: Apply Eyeliner to Your Upper Lash Line
For the quintessential smoky eyeliner look, opt for creamy kohl eyeliner. “We find that a creamy kohl liner like PAT McGRATH LABS PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil or MᐧAᐧC COSMETICS Eye Kohl is precise enough for you to define your lash line and creamy enough for you to easily smudge out your look,” says Williamson.
Start by lining your upper lash line, getting as close to your lash line as possible. Trace a thin line across your lash line, working from the outer corner of your eye and working your way to the inner corner. Pro tip: If you’re going for a cat-eye look and want a sharp feline wing, apply a strip of tape to the outer corner of your eye, following the angle of your lower lash line before applying your eyeliner.
Step 3: Smudge It Out
“Use a pencil eyeshadow brush like MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil to start smudging out the lash line,” explains Williamson. The blending brush on the opposite end of the eyeliner pencil works wonders for buffing your cream liner together for a super-defined, smoky finish.
Step 4: Intensify Your Look With Eyeshadow
Now for the fun part: It’s time to add intensity to your smoky eyeliner. First, gently smudge out your eyeliner using a smudging brush like ROEN BEAUTY Everything Eye Brush or a cotton swab. This softens the edges, creating a diffused and sultry look. “For added depth, apply a touch of the darkest eyeshadow shade on top of your liner,” says Williamson. Next, focus on creating a gradient effect by blending your eyeshadow with your eyeliner and gradually smoking out your liner towards the outer edges.
Step 5: Complete Your Look
Once you’ve defined and blended out your liner to perfection, finish off your smoky eyeliner look by curling your lashes and applying a volumizing mascara like CHARLOTTE TILBURY Full Fat Lashes Mascara.
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