The mysterious and delicious ‘smokey eye’ can be as simple or as complicated as you like…however, for this tutorial we’re keeping it fresh, easy and perfect for any skin color.

First and foremost the absolute one thing you should know is that ‘smokey eye’ is not a color, it’s a technique!

So many women go to the makeup counters and are horrified with the raccoon result of their ‘smokey eyes’ which is typically known for being black, grey and gold.

This tutorial will show you how to use the same technique with more subdued neutral colors.

These are the supplies you will need.

p.s. I suggest doing your eyes first so that if any falls you can clean it up with no mess!

1. Step one:

Use an eye primer to cover your entire lid (this will create a flawless palette for your shadow).

Apply from the base of your lashes to the brow, from inner corner of your eye to the outer edge.

I use a synthetic brush to apply this but your finger will just just as easily.

**remember, less is more! If you put too much of this on your eye it will result in chunks and creases.

Step 2:

Set the primer by applying a cream colored shadow to your entire eye lid with a fluffy loose brush.

The shadow should be the lightest color you apply with this look which you will mainly be able to see under the brow bone as a highlighter.

**don’t be afraid to pack this shadow on. Also, sometimes you can cheat and use your pressed face powder.

Step 3:

Using a tapered crease brush apply the ‘bridge’ shadow only to your crease using a standard windshield wiper motion back and forth.

The bridge color should be 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin color because it’s purpose is to create a ‘bridge’ (imagine that!!!!) of color that helps transition your lid color into your crease and brow color while preventing any harsh lines from showing up.

*this is one of my FAVORITE eye makeup tricks! I never do an eye without doing this!!!

Step 4:

Find your favorite neutral eye shadow, load up your smaller dense shadow brush and start pressing it into your eyelid.

Start at the lash line and work your way into the crease. I usually don’t suggest swiping your brush across the lid until you’ve pressed shadow across the entire lower lid first.

Blend into the ‘bridge’ color by using small circular motions. (think back to how you would erase something with a pencil in school…use that type of motion).

My favorite neutrals are…low/med shimmer, high pigment colors…brown, taupe, light brown, grey, plum-y grey).

Stay away from pink based browns because they end up looking really muddy BUT orange/red based browns end up looking the best on most women. Pink-y greys are absolutely beautiful on pretty much anyone and everyone!

Step 5:

Take a black or dark maroon eye shadow and apply it to your upper lash line with a smudge brush.

I typically won’t use a pencil because they’re made with wax and the warmer you get the more they smudge.

Yes, the shadow liner will stay in place as long as you used an eye primer.

Now take the smudge brush, dip it into the shadow you used on your eyelid and smudge it under your lower lashes. It’s a much softer look than an eyeliner pencil.

Step 6:

Take the same smudge brush you used in the last step and apply a cream shadow (I suggest black. Too many women are washed out and don’t know it) to the upper and lower water lines.

Practice makes perfect with this one!!!! Too many techniques to list…if you would like help on this leave a comment on the Destiny In Bloom Facebook page and I’ll try to help as much as I can.

*sometimes I skip step #5 and do this one…this makes your lashes look fuller and like you have a very teeeeeeensy amount of liner on already. Actual eyeliner is NOT alway a must!

Step 7:

NOW take your smudge brush and dip it in a super high shimmer white, cream or yellow and dap it on the inside corner of your eye.

This instantly brightens tired eyes!

Step 8:

Curl your lashes and apply mascara!!! Maybe even 2 coats

This may sound like so much to do but in reality once you practice you’ll be done in under 7 minutes (maybe closer to 5).

Hopefully this helped give that extra little “umph” to your already beautiful faces!!!

Always remember…HAVE FUN WITH IT!

About The Author

Heather Spivey

Heather Nycole Spivey's passion is to help women see their own beauty, help them feel beautiful and teach them how to accomplish it themselves. As a make-up artist and the owner of HeatherNycole.com she gets the opportunity to realize that passion often. Heather has done make-up for over 200 weddings, many different music video's, runway shows, independent films, ministries such as Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Jerry Savelle Ministries, and CFN Music, worked with brands like Integrity Music, NFL, Nike, Yum Foods and Nokia. Heather is the new wife of JD Spivey, a huge New Orleans Saints fan and cherishes time at home with her hubby and pups : Jaxson, an adorable Chihuahua, Izzie, a new sweet rescue Chihuahua and Gus an Aussie/Blue Heeler mix. (Yes he was named after the mouse in Cinderella!)