Day-to-Night Smoky Eye with 4 Colors

Last weekend at our free monthly workshops in LA and NY, we showed our participants how to revamp a simple day eye treatment into a sultry smoky eye with just a four-color palette. If you missed it, no problem! We will break down the steps again here.

Before you begin, choose a highlight, a transitioning color, one fun eye color and a shadow to utilize the maximum potential for this versatile look. When applying Eye Color, highlights are usually placed in areas that you want to pull forward. These areas are usually the brow bone, lid, and sometimes the inner corner of the eye. When choosing a highlight, look at the undertone, shade, and texture of your skin. Choose a highlight with the same undertone in a color two or more shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Use matte colors if your skin has texture. If you have textured skin but you love shimmer, mix a matte with a shimmer to create a demi-matte; it will be softer on the eye.

Use a transitioning Eye Color, also known as “the medium color,” as a base color in the crease of the eye and lower lash line before a shadow. For easy application, blend the transitioning color into the highlight to create a soft edge, and then effortlessly blend the shadow into the transitioning color. A quick dusting of a fun eye color on the eyelid or a wet application of a bold liner is all you need to create an element of surprise. Eye shadows are often used to correct eye shape and add definition. The Onyx Eye Color is the perfect shadow to deepen the crease, define the lash line and to create an amazing smoky eye.

Get This Look:

Day Look 1: For a quick application, apply the highlight or a fun Eye Color on the lid with the #330S Shadow Fluff Brush. Lightly sweep the Eye Color for a sheer application. If you prefer more intensity, stipple the product on the lid with the brush. Define the upper lash line with the Onyx Eye Color and the #210S Angle Liner Brush. Complete this look with Cream or Volumizing Mascara.

Day Look 2: To create dimension to the first day look, add the highlight to the brow bone with the #330S Shadow Fluff Brush. Use the transitioning color in the crease and blend up into the highlight of the brow bone with the #800S Crease Brush.

Smoky Eye for Day Look 1: With the Onyx Eye Color and the #810 Smudger Brush, deepen the outer corner of the top lid by lightly blending the Onyx into the existing color. From the outer color of the eye, follow the lower lash line and drag to the inner corner of the eye. Blend the lower lash line with the #800S Crease Brush without product; if the top lid needs more blending, use the #800S Crease Brush to soften the color. Finalize the look with another coat of Cream or Volumizing Mascara.

Smoky Eye for Day Look 2: For a dramatic smoky eye, apply the Onyx Eye Color over the existing color on the entire lid with the #330S Shadow Fluff Brush. Load the #810 Smudger Brush, connect the outer corner and follow the lower lash line. To execute the smoky eye, use the #800S Crease Brush to blend the Onyx into the crease and feather the lower lash line. Finish with another coat of Cream or Volumizing Mascara.