EYESHADOW 101

NATURAL SMOKEY EYE & SUBTLE SMOKEY EYE TIPS

• The smokey eye is a modern classic, with its roots in rock clubs and runways. It's a look that gives anyone who wears it chic, sexy attitude. A good smoky eye is universal and timeless. It doesn't care about your eye color or shape, how old you are or what the occasion is. There are multiple smokey eyes you can create, from the natural smokey eye or subtle smokey eye to the bold, black smokey eye. A natural smokey eye or subtle smokey eye uses light and medium-toned eye shadow shades and is great for daytime—think a day out shopping with the girls or weekend brunch. A dark smokey eye uses light, medium and dark eyeshadow shades and is made for date nights, nights at the club and formal weddings. Either way, you can't go wrong—both looks are smokin' hot! Ready to create a smokey eye? Scroll to get started.

• WHAT DO I NEED FOR A NATURAL SMOKEY EYE LOOK?

  There are infinite ways to create a smokey eye, but for a natural smokey eye, the recipe is a smudgy eyeliner, medium-toned eyeshadow, and mascara. And it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to do—seriously. The beauty of this look is there's no one cookie-cutter way to do a smoky eye. It's versatile and adaptable.

• HOW TO DO A NATURAL SMOKEY EYE STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR SHADE

  Start by choosing your eyeshadow shades. You can create a smokey eye look with any shade, be it black, brown, navy, even deep beige. It's more about the smokey, fading-of-eyeshadow effect than the actual color of the eyeshadow. Our Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette has a whole range of nude shades, which can be used to create an infinite array of subtle smokey eye looks!

• HOW TO DO A NATURAL SMOKEY EYE STEP 2: LINE LASH LINES

  A natural smokey eye or subtle smokey eye look doesn't require a ton of technique other than blending. Line top and bottom lashes with a dark eyeliner pencil, using a Q-tip to smudge and soften the line. Lining the lower lashes is essential to the look—otherwise all that eyeshadow on top looks unbalanced!

• HOW TO DO A NATURAL SMOKEY EYE STEP 3: APPLY SHADOW & BLEND

  Next, apply your eyeshadow, concentrating color right at the lash line. Brush color up and out for a seamless, faded effect. Most importantly: blend, blend, blend. A good smokey eye has no edges, whether you're keeping color confined to the lid and crease, or pulling color out towards brows and temples. Voila! You've created your smokey eye!