Smoky Eye Makeup Tips
for olive or bronze skin tones
Makeup tips to help you create the smoky eye look plus the do's and don'ts when wearing
it. Bonus tip: Homemade eye primer
Create dreamy smoky eyes that are elegant, and powerfully hot to compliment your olive or bronze skin tone. Keep in mind that when wearing smoky eye-makeup, it is all about the eyes. Tone down the lipstick and blush; curl up the lashes, and then dramatize by adding a few faux individual lashes for sexiest eyes in the room. A pulled back sleek hairstyle is fashionable for evening; and besides, who wants to hide those lovely eyes when they are all dolled-up?
Application
- Even out the skin tone of the eyes with an application of eye primer over the entire eye area. If you don't have eye primer in your makeup bag, see our recipe below for homemade eye primer.
- Apply dark brown, plum, or dark violet eyeshadow into the crease of the eye, and slightly above.
- Use a matte eyeshadow color such as granite or kohl on the lid and up to the crease.
Brow Area - Brush light grey above the crease line to the eyebrow.
Upper Lash Line - Line the lashes with black gel eyeliner to define the shape of the eyes. Be sure to get your eyeliner between the roots of the lashes. If you find it is difficult to manipulate the liner between the lash roots, put small dots between the root of your lashes, and then run your eyeliner over the lash line.
Eyelashes - After curling the lashes, use a maximum volume, lash lengthening black or very dark brown mascara. To add more pop to the lashes, apply a few false lashes to your top outer lash line for a beautiful doe look.
If you don't care to wear false eyelashes, sweep your lashes with one of the many new long-lash micro-fiber mascaras.
Lower Lash - Some women like to line the lower lash with eyeshadow when creating their smokey eye look. This can be extremely difficult to do without looking like a racoon. However, pratice makes perfect. To apply color below the lower lash line, use the same brush that you used when you applied color to your lid, but without adding more product. Sweep the color that remains on the brush lightly across the lower lash line until you get the look you want. Finish by lining the lower lash with the same color of eyeliner that you used on your upper lashes.
Lipstick and Blush - When wearing the smoky eye look, lipstick and blush usually should take backstage. Use tan or neutral lipstick, with soft brown blush. But if you want to really stand out in a crowd, wear daring red lipstick topped with clear lipgloss.
Bonus Beauty Tips
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Blush and lipstick should always compliment each other.
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For sheer and even eyeshadow coverage, don't overload your eyeshadow brush. Wipe off any excess shadow with a tissue. It's always best to build-up your makeup, than it is to over apply on the first sweep.
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Never use the same brush for different colors. Each color needs its own brush, or you end up with the color of mud.
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An eye crease brush is a good investment for applying color in the crease of the eyelid; it will allow you to move color inside the crease with more precision than an eyeshadow brush. Use this brush in a back and forth sweeping motion, like a windshield wiper.
EZ Eye Primer Recipe
An important beauty secret of vibrant, long lasting, true to color eyeshadow is eye primer. It can be purchased, or you can make your own.
1. Mix 2 parts concealer to 1 part oil-free moisturizer. This can be blended on your hand for single use, or mixed and stored in a small jar for multiple uses.
2. Apply a thin coat to your clean, bare skin, and let dry. Now your eyes are ready for eyeshadow.
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Smoky Eye Makeup Tips
