How to pull off an epic smoky eye like the A-listers (just in time for the festive party season)
Alongside a red lip, a smoky eye is one of the most striking makeup looks you can master. The leather jacket of beauty, smoky eyes go with absolutely everything and can toughen up an otherwise unremarkable outfit.
Seductive, evening-ready and smokin' hot, you can't go far wrong with smouldering eyes, so it's worth getting on top of your technique, not least, because it's party season and if you can't sizzle with glammed-up blended-out eyeshadow now, then when?
Not only that, but it is the first party season we've had since 2019 (yes, two whole years) due to the pandemic and while we're still taking the best precautions to celebrate with our loved ones in the safest way, Christmas parties are back and so is our signature glam.
From dark black, to emerald, to subtle brown and bronze shades, a darker eye suits just about everyone. But one spot in particular is an ample source of inspiration – the red carpet. Celebs such as Adele, Kourtney Kardashian and Cynthia Erivo rock the look regularly.
It turns out, it's easier than you'd think – provided you're armed with a decent eyeshadow palette.
Creating it at home is also a lot easier than it may look, especially when you've got a step-by-step guide from a professional to refer back to throughout the process. Expert makeup artist Rachelle Grimes recommends using a minimum of three shades, "light, warm and dark". She also advocates having a play around with shades to find what you like. "Remember to compliment your eye shade – a smoky eye doesn't have to be greys and blacks. For instance, warm browns, oranges and golds can pop a blue and green eye," she says.
"Always start with an eye base! If you don't have one, a concealer all over the eye lid has the same effect," says Rachelle. "Also, I like to add a loose powder on top to create a matte base and ensure there's no creasing."
"There are different ways to do a smoky eye, but I like to use the dark shade first (winging it out at the edges to give a more feline shape), next blend the warmer shade through the centre and then add light shade last to highlight," says Rachelle. "For a really dark, impactful colour, apply the shadow by patting or pressing it onto your lid with your brush to build the drama," says Rachelle. Just make sure to blend. "The secret to a great smoky eye is if you can't see any lines from each colour. They should just perfectly blend," she says.
Finally, to add definition to the lashes, finish with a dark liner. "If you haven't had any practice with eye liner, apply a dark eyeshadow using a thin brush to create a liner - it's easier to erase if you make a mistake and is also a great option if you don't like a harsh liner".
Cracking those new years resolutions, early.
Now you're armed with all the tips you need, here's our fave celeb smoky eyes to give you inspiration.
Adele / InstagramAdele
It's no secret that Adele is the queen of eye make up - her eyeliner game stays strong. But another thing she has mastered is the smouldering smoky eye. We love this look on her, in fact, it may as well have been made for her.
Cynthia Erivo / InstagramCynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo is never afraid to experiment with her fashion and beauty looks, she loves a bright beat but also knows how to perfect a smoky eye. Teach us, Cynthia!
Kourtney Kardashian / InstagramKourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian has entered her rock girl era this year much of which can be credited to her fiery romance with Travis Barker. And while she and her sisters have long been fans of the smoky eye, we've noticed she's been loving a little more lately and frankly, we're taking notes.
Shay Mitchell
Lashings of black liner, framed with soft, smoky shadow is best teamed with poker-straight hair pulled back off the face, as instructed by Shay Mitchell at the Revolve Awards.
Getty ImagesJenna Dewan
Woah Jenna! This look is really make us want to go out out tonight. The sultry eye-makeup really pops when paired with a glossy nude pout - take note gals.
Getty ImagesOlivia Culpo
Queen of the feline flick Olivia Culpo decided to give her wing an edge, making her eye makeup a little darker and heavier then usual – looks perfect for a night out.
Rex FeaturesMaria Borges
Maria Borges brought the house down with this beauty look at the VS Fashion Show viewing party. Her smoky eye was kept chic but intense – oh, and we love her new hair colour.
REXNaomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell can give you a masterclass on smoky eyes. The super chose this bronze-hued makeup for an event, but her badass faux nose piercing stole the show.
Rex FeaturesWinnie Harlow
With her hair swept-back, Winnie's dark eye makeup took centre stage. The bronze-hued glittery eyes were complimented by sleek brows and a glossy pout.
Rex FeaturesGeorgia May Jagger
Woah! Georgia May Jagger looks absolutely stunning in dark makeup. Changing her signature red pout for black eyeshadow backstage of the Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2017 show, she was ready to strut and stun on the catwalk.
Getty ImagesKate Mara
Kate Mara looks like a total babe with her textured updo and sultry smoky eye makeup. Win, win.
Getty ImagesKeira Knightley
Keira is the queen of a good smoky eye and we love this one, simple and sophisticated.
Getty ImagesScarlett Johansson
We adore Scarlett Johnasson's take on the smoky eye. It's subtle yet shimmery and super sophisticated.
Rex FeaturesDiane Kruger
It's all about the subtle smoky for Diane Kruger, who literally could not look cooler with her new shorter 'do.
Rex FeaturesNaomie Harris
Naomie Harris pairs her smoky eyeshadow with a pared-down lip shade and straight locks. She looks stunning as ever!
Getty ImagesJenna Dewan
Jenna's gorgeous dark eyes are immediately softened by dewy, glowing skin and a nude lip, providing a strong femininity in this winning red carpet moment.
Rex FeaturesLily Collins
Lily Collins proves a smoky eye and red lip totally can work together. We're getting major vintage vibes from this look.
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly proves that a smoky eye doesn't have to be all out. We love her subtle silver accents - they really frame the eye, don't you think?
Getty ImagesNatalie Portman
Natalie Portman sports a seriously subtle smoky eye and we love it. The best part? Her nude lip, which compliments the eye makeup perfectly.
Getty ImagesChloë Grace Moretz
Chloe's golden eyeshadow is giving us serious makeup envy... look how it makes her eye colour pop.
Getty ImagesHailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld looks incredible with these dark shades, as they really make her brown eyes pop.
Olivia Palermo
How gorgeous is Olivia Palermo's bronze smoky eye? This is a great way to rock the trend subtly.
Getty ImagesAnna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick's gorgeous glittery eye paired with a glossy pink lip is what dreams are made of.
Getty ImagesJulianne Hough
Julianne Hough had a gorgeous glow recently, which she paired with some pretty smoky eyes and a nude glossy lip.
Getty ImagesLottie Moss
Lottie Moss looked absolutely amazing at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. She gave the classic smoky eye an edge with this subtle hint of silver.
Getty ImagesMischa Barton
Mischa Barton was also looking flawless at Cannes 2016. Her rose-hued lipstick especially caught our eye!
Getty ImagesKate Mara
Kate Mara shows us a smoky eye can be super wearable. We love her glittery bronze look, which is super cute alongside that grown-out pixie cut.
Rex FeaturesDemi Lovato
Demi Lovato looked like a total Goddess at a red carpet event recently. Just check out those stunning smoky eyes and nude/brown pout...
Getty ImagesChanel Iman
Chanel Iman showed off her smoky eye skills recently. We particularly love this blended-out, kohl-lined look she is coveting.
GettyAlessandra Ambrosio
Another star to rock a blue smoky eye, Alessandra Ambrosio looked sultry and sassy at the 2016 GRAMMY awards.
Getty ImagesGigi Hadid
Jumping on the blue bandwagon, Gigi Hadid showed smoky eyes look great with a little colour.
Getty ImagesNicole Richie
Nicole Richie is the master of smoky eyeshadow. She loves to rock a shimmering metallic look, and pares down the makeup with a subtle lip.
Getty ImagesLily Rose Depp
Guess what? There are more ways than one to wear a gorgeously dark smoky eye. Lily Rose Depp's metallic blue makeup offers a new take on a classic eyeshadow trend.
GettyKate Hudson
At the Golden Globes Awards 2016, Kate Hudson rocked a subtle but pretty bronze smoky eye and finished her look with some nude glossy lips.
GettyKirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst looked stunning at the Golden Globes 2016. We love her subtle rose-hued nude lip and dark smoked out eyes.
Getty ImagesNatalie Dormer
Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer combined her pretty sparkling smoky eyes with nude lips and some glossy blonde curls.
Getty ImagesDaisy Ridley
For Daisy Ridley's big moment at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens LA premiere, she opted for a classic beauty combination: pretty smoky eyes and some rose-hued nude lips.
Getty ImagesJulianne Moore
Julianne Moore always looks stunning, but she looked especially gorgeous on the red carpet with a sultry smoky eye and slightly tousled hair.
Getty ImagesRooney Mara
Rooney Mara experimented with moody dark eyeshadow recently, creating the perfect smoky eye. She combined the look with a flushed cheek and nude glossy lips.
Getty ImagesJenna Dewan
Jenna Dewan was all about the rimmed, smoky eyes at the Hollywood Film Awards. Doesn't the kohl make her eyes pop?
Getty ImagesCharli XCX
Charli XCX opted for a sophisticated look recently, including a dark dress and sultry smoky eyes to match.
Getty ImagesSandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock rocked a gorgeous updo at the Our Brand is Crisis premiere, and combined her hairstyle with subtle smoky makeup, complete with kohl-lined eyes.
GettySienna Miller
Wow. This incredible makeup look that Sienna Miller rocked with her blonde bob makes us wish we had her makeup artist on speed-dial.
Getty ImagesKendall Jenner
The ever-stunning Kendall Jenner totally schools us in dark eye makeup every time she rocks a smoky eye.
Getty ImagesGwen Stefani
Bleach blonde Gwen Stefani sported dark eyes AND a bold fuchsia lip. It shouldn't work, but somehow... it really does.
Getty ImagesKate Hudson
Kate Hudson looked fantastic at the 2015 GLAMOUR awards with her hair piled high and her eyes prettified with gold shimmering shadow.
Getty ImagesMila Kunis
Mila Kunis's favourite makeup look has to be the smoky eye, which looks great alongside a nude glossy lip and minimalistic face makeup.
Getty ImagesTaylor Swift
Singer Taylor Swift also loves a classic smoky eye, especially in more subtle brown and bronze tones.
Getty ImagesGigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid sure suits large lashes and bronzey-brown smoky hues. The stunning model paired her dark eyes with a glossy nude lip.
Rex FeaturesJessica Alba
Jessica Alba combines her side-swept straight hair with a gorgeous nude lip and black lined eyes.
Rex FeaturesJennifer Lopez
We'd be smiling too if our eye makeup was as incredible as Jennifer Lopez's.
Getty ImagesKiernan Shipka
Mad Men star Kiernan Shipka tied her hair up to fully show off her gorgeous smoky eyes. The star paired her makeup with a rosy lip... and totally pulled it off.
