Smokey Eye for Brown Eyes

Brown eyes look fantastic surrounded by a smokey eye. A smokey eye creates sultry effect that can make you look even more beautiful. Smokey eyed makeup uses dark eye shadows and blending techniques to achieve the ideal smokey effect. It can really draw attention to the eyes and create dramatic definition. The easiest way to create the perfect smokey eye is to use a few different shades of color – dark, medium and light. This creates a dynamic, gradient effect instead of a flat block of color on the eyelid. Volumizing mascara and black eyeliner are the icing on the cake and can be the difference between an average smokey eye and a spectacular one.

Things you will need:

• Eye shadows
• Eye shadow brushes
• Black eye liner
• Black mascara
• Eyelid primer
• Concealer
• Eyelash curler
• A mirror

Choosing complementary colors

When choosing the color to best compliment your eye color, take a look at a color wheel. It’s basically a circle with different color sections that represent the relationship between colors. You probably remember learning about primary colors, secondary colors and tertiary colors in art class. But if not, here’s a crash course. Primary colors are red, blue and yellow. Secondary colors are the hues that you get when you mix primary colors – violet, green and orange. Tertiary colors are the colors in between secondary colors, such as red-orange, yellow-green, blue-violet, etc. Certain colors “complement” each other, which really means that they are opposites. Opposite colors make each other really stand out next to each other.

Brown eyes are considered a neutral color which means that they actually go with a ton of eye shadow colors. You have the most freedom to experiment with your color scheme. The key with brown eyes if finding colors that also look good with your hair color and skin tone. If you want to try bright colors teals and purples are two of the best for brown eyes. If you’d prefer a metallic, try silver – the cool tone contrasts really nicely with the warmth of brown eyes.

Prime the eyes

A makeup artist tip for the best smokey eyes is to prime the eyelid before any eye shadow is applied. There are primers specifically designed to smooth the surface of the eyelid and help the eye shadow adhere to the lid effectively. Your makeup will last longer, smudge less and won’t migrate into your eyelid’s creases. In addition to priming your eyelids, finish creating the perfect canvas by covering up any dark circles under your eyes with concealer. Tip: yellow based concealers cover up purple toned circles the best.

Outline the eyes

Once you’ve primed the surface of the eyelids and created a base, you can outline your eyes with eyeliner. Line both the top line and the bottom lash line for the best definition for a smokey eye. You can use whatever type of liner you prefer – pencil, liquid or gel. As long as it’s black and long-lasting, you’re good to go.

Highlight the eyes

Highlighting your eyes is the best way to create contrast and not have yourself looking like a raccoon. A highlight color is usually white or a light beige. It’s applied with a small brush under your eyebrows to highlight the brow bone. Add some of this same color to the inner corner of your eyes to brighten them up.

Accent the eyes

Your accent color is the main color of your entire smokey eye makeup look. For brown eyes, try a silver for a bold, metallic look. It will contrast beautifully with your eyes. Keeping your colors in grey scale is a classic smokey eye technique. Make sure the silver shade is dark enough to contrast with your highlight color, and light enough to contrast with your darkest color. Apply the accent color with an eye shadow brush from the highlighted inner corners to about ¾ up your eyelid.

Define the eyes

Give your eyes the extra definition they need by using a black eye shadow closest to your lash line and the outer corners of the eyes. Blend this color slightly with your accent color so there aren’t any obvious lines.

Blend your shadow

Use a medium toned color to blend your silver accent color with your white highlight color with a blending brush. This is what creates the smokey effect.

Showcase your lashes

Finish off your smokey eye by curling your lashes and applying a volumizing mascara. Use 1-2 coats for the most drama!