Easy Smokey Eye Makeup Ways to Get the Look

There are a certain set of looks every girl needs to have down pat by the time she’s 20-years-old or so. The red lip, the perfect “no makeup” makeup look, and the smokey eye are three of the key techniques we all need to know. While the red lip just takes finding the proper shade for you, and the “no makeup” makeup look can be nailed in under 10 minutes, the smokey eye requires some real time  and some real practice.

Just about once a weekend (if not more) we break out the smokey eye makeup look, and after enough smudges, smears, and straight up disasters, we’ve gotten the smokey eye down to a few easy techniques. Because we know you’ll benefit from an easy smokey eye, too, we’re breaking it down for you with three simple tutorials, below!

Cross-Hatched Technique:

All you need for this smokey eye is brown eyeliner and a Q-tip, or anything else that can do some serious smudging. Begin by applying the liner along your top lash line the way you would any other day. Then, draw one line from the corner of your lash line diagonally up to your crease. Just below that, draw another line perpendicular to the first, then draw a third in the same way. Next, draw three lines criss-crossing the first lines. When you’re done, you should have liner covering the outer half of your lid, from the lash line to the crease, in a winged out shape. Draw one final line from the outer corner midway through the bottom lash line. Finally, take your Q-tip (or another blending tool!) and blend the liner on the lid until it’s one smudged out look, blending the bottom line as well, and you’re set!

Pre-Set Palette Technique:

Part of what makes a smokey eye tough is not having the right tools all in one place. Luckily, there are a slew of palettes that make things easy for you, especially when it comes to the smokey eye in particular. Grab an eye palette with three distinct colors: One light (usually with a pearlized finish), one medium tone (usually a matte finish), and one deeper shade (either metallic or matte). Use the light color just under the brow bone and in the inner corner of the eye. Then, with the medium tone, use a sponge applicator to apply over the eyelid from lash line to crease. Next, take the deeper shade and apply in the crease and over the lash line, forming a sideways “V” shape with the wing at the outer corner. Finally, blend everything together with a blending shadow blush for a seamless finish.

Metallic Grunge Technique:

Grab your favorite metallic eyeshadow and a hint of lip balm for this grunge smokey eye. With your finger, apply the shadow from lash line to crease, using it more sparingly towards the inner corner and more generously towards the outer corner. Once you’re done, using another finger, apply just a bit of lip balm to the crease of your lid, essentially “greasing up” your lid for a grunge look. This also works to blend the eye makeup a bit more, giving it that true smokey effect. After that, apply two coats of your favorite black mascara and you’re all set!