Quick Look: Basic Smoke

Posted by in EotD | 11 comments

The topic of smokey eyes has come up a lot lately, so I decided to share my basic go-to smokey look. I’ve done this on others, with various skin tones, eye shapes, colours and intensity levels because it’s so versatile.

At the core is a gradient, working from the deepest shade focused along the lash line and then blending it up and out.  The further away from the lash line you get, the lesser the intensity.  Technically you could do this with just one colour, but I find that using a few (black, grey, soft brown) makes blending less tedious.

What’s your favourite colour to create a smokey eye?

A simple colour gradiant; darkest at the lashes and fading out & up.

Face

  • MAC Eye Shadow / Suspicion
  • MAC Impeccable Brow Pencil / Black
  • MAC Brow Set / Mink

Eyes

  • Urban Decay Primer Potion / Original
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil / Midnight Cowboy (inner corner, brow bone), Zero (upper lash line, waterline)
  • Urban Decay Eye Shadow / Creep (lid), Gunmetal (crease), Buck (transition), Naked (highlight), Sin (inner inner corner, highlight)
  • L’Oreal Voluminous / Carbon Black

$2 Shipping On Any Purchase

11 Comments

  1. StealMyHeartLove / May 10, 2011

    Lovely smoky eye.
    StealMyHeartLove recently posted..7-05-11 Beauty Blog Link Love

  2. sherry blossom / May 10, 2011

    I have the urban decay naked palette and im so focused on using it for neutral looks that I didnt even think to do a complete smokey eye with it….awesome i love the simplicity of it and how perfect its applied!!!

    p.s. will you be at the makeup show NY…if so I’ll be filming and would love to do a quick testimonial/interview of you (maybe 1 or 2 questions)

    email me at sherryblossombeauty@gmail.com (drop the @gmail for my site)

    • Tamara / May 10, 2011

      Thanks so much. :] That’s part of the versatility of it, you can do so much despite it appearing so natural.

      Sadly I won’t be there, but I appreciate the interest. Have a great time, I look forward to your coverage of the event.

  3. FunnyFace Beauty / May 10, 2011

    This is soo pretty. What is the sparkle I see on the eyes (theres a little bit of iridescent glitter)?
    xx
    Alicia

    • Tamara / May 10, 2011

      Thanks Alicia. :]

      That’s the finish of Creep, it’s black with a glitter through.

  4. Nicole / May 18, 2011

    Love it!

  5. Tasha / May 31, 2011

    This is really chic! Love it, too!
    Mine has not quite gotten there as yet LOL :) I use Maybelline’s Expert Wear Charcoal Smokes quad. The Charcoal Smokes also has a blackest black selection with glitter, I guess kinda like the Creep you mentioned above.
    It is cool for now. But during summer I am thinking maybe I’ll invest in some M A C and try something different.

    • Tamara / June 2, 2011

      It just takes practice, but once you’ve got the technique down.. it’s so easy!

      If you know you want to invest in some MAC, call and make an appointment and have them show you a similar look and see what they recommend. :] If you want a black with sparkle, have a look at Black Tied eye shadow or Dark Soul Pigment.