Go Bold or Go Home: How to Create a Rockin’ Smoky Eye

Last weekend at our free monthly workshops in LA and NY, we showed our participants how to mix a smoky eye with bright, bold color. If you missed the workshop, don’t worry! We will break down the steps and show you how to create this bold look.

Okay, let’s get started!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Eye Colors: Highlight, Rockin’ Bold Color, Onyx
Travel Brush Kit: including brushes 210s, 300s, 310s, 330s, 800s, 810, and 710s
Black Eye Pencil

Highlights and shadows are two key elements for an eye treatment. Understand that the highlights pull an area forward, while shadows push areas back. There are a few common elements that apply to most eye shapes. The first is to keep the eye lifted on the outer corner. The second is to blend, blend, and blend! Unblended areas will leave the application looking hard and messy. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to combine basic smoky eye techniques with rockin’ bold colors.

Get this Look: Bold Smoky Eye

Begin with a highlight on the brow bone. Since we’re going bold, use a shimmer Eye Color two or more shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Lay the flat surface of the #330s Shadow Fluff Brush on the surface and sweep from the outer corner of the brow bone inward. Make sure to hug the base of the eyebrow with the edge of the brush. Load the #810 Smudger Brush with a rockin’ bold Eye Color and lay the brush on the outer corner of the crease. Brush forward using a windshield wiper motion. Then blend upward into the highlight to achieve a soft gradient of color from dark to light. Reload the #810 Smudger Brush to connect the outer corner of the eye and follow the lower lid all the way across to the tear duct. Use the #800s Crease Brush to soften the edges in the crease and lower lid. Dull the tip of the Black Eye Pencil on the back of your hand. Then color the entire lid directly from the tip of the pencil. Again, connect the outer corner with the Black Eye Pencil and follow the lower lash line clear across leaving the Eye Color on the lower lid visible. Wipe off the rockin’ bold color left on your #810 Smudger Brush and blend the Black Eye Pencil on the lid and lower lash line to even the tone. Blend upward to soften the edge in the crease with the #810 Smudger Brush. Set the pencil with the Onyx Eye Color and the #330s Shadow Fluff Brush. For more definition, line the inside of the top and lower waterline with the Black Eye Pencil. Finish this bold smoky eye with a couple of coats of Cream Mascara or Volumizing Mascara.