A lot of people asked for a tutorial on smokey eyes, so that’s what I did for my first tutorial attempt. If the tutorial works out all right, and/or learn what I need to fix, I may make another tutorial for blending some bright colors together.
Skill Level: Beginner
You’re going to need the following supplies:
I’m using the following brushes: MAC 252, MAC 219, Philosophy Blending, Philosophy Shadow, and a craft store paint brush. I will be using the following products: mixing medium (water based), Silver pigment, Black Tied e/s, Say Yeah e/s, L’Oreal Ebony e/l, Maybelline Full ‘n Soft mascara, and Flash of Flesh l/g. The mixing medium I use is 3 parts water, 1 part glycerin (home made), but it is supposed to be the equivalent of MAC’s mixing medium available at stores. You could probably get away with using say Silver Ring e/s instead of Silver pigment, but you might need a base like Graphito paint or Bare Canvas might work for some people. Sharkskin s/s might be workable, too!
I took my craftstore paint brush, dipped it just a TINY bit into the mixing medium (you don’t want your brush to be too wet, just damp), and then dab on some Silver pigment. Press the brush flat against your lid, starting from the inside, and slowly making sweeping arches going just past your crease all the way to your outer corner. Go lightly when it’s above your crease, make it sort of heavy towards your lashline and fade as you get to your crease.
It should like the photo above.
And… like this one! See, the silver pigment comes a little above your lid.
Using my Philosophy shadow brush flat against my outer lid, I take Black Tied e/s and gently tap the color onto the lid.
It should get just a little darker on the outer lid. If the line is too harsh, gently fan the Black Tied e/s inwards towards the center of your lid with slow, sweeping strokes with the brush held sideways.
Using the same brush, take some more Black Tied e/s and gently press it into the middle of your crease. Slowly bring the brush from the middle to the left, and then middle to the right parts of your crease.
So now, your lid should look a little like the photo above.
I used the 252 brush to pick up Say Yeah e/s and pressing it flat against the area above my crease, sideways, on the outer portion, I slowly dragged the color across towards just above my inner crease. You want to apply the color similarly to how you applied the Silver pigment earlier. Bring it just to the brow bone. And, see, harsh line!
Using my Philosophy blending brush (sort of like a blush brush, but for your eyes!) and I’m pressing it against the harsh line and gently dragging color upwards so that the gray/black colors are gradually fading into the neutral color.
Then I go back to my Philosophy shadow brush and get some Say Yeah e/s on it and press it just above my crease to help soften that harsh line.
Using the 219 brush, I dip it into my Silver pigment (dry, not wet) and use it to brush a line of silver underneath my waterline.
See, now it’s coming together.
I’m applying my choice in black eyeliner, but whatever your preference will do just fine here.
Now, let’s go back to the Philosophy blending brush and pick up a little Black Tied e/s and tap it lightly against the outer edge of your waterline/just below it. Then carefully bring the Black Tied e/s a little under your lower lash line so that it helps create a gradient. Smudge it out a little towards the outer lid/corner of your eye, too.
And there you have it! The photos below are just my typical open/closed/side/full shots of tonight’s smokey eyes attempt.
Any questions or comments, PLEASE leave them. I’d love feedback on this as it’s my first time & it took awhile to do!
Great makeup! Love your site, and your MAC collection - I’m jealous!
Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear you think my makeup is great :) Oh, but trust me, my wallet is jealous of yours! It’s not so happy with my collection, LOL!
It looks beautiful! I love your tutorials. The detail you provide is so helpful. What order do you do your makeup? And how do you clean up the fallout when doing your eyes?
Thank you so much! I do eyes first, brows second, foundation, contour, blush, and then lips last.
I don’t get much fall out, actually :) I’ll dust it off with my fingers or else foundation helps cover any smidge of residue left!
hey christine!!!!….i must say…WOOOOOOOOW!!!…thnx for this tut or tuts!!..i love them!!!…hope 2 c more :) :) :) ..
Thanks, doll! I’ll try to make a new tut someday… ;)
This is an amazing tutorial!! Do you mostly use MAC? I tried to find the mixing medium you mentioned and the Melon, but the girl at MAC was quite clueless and didn’t know what I was talking about. :\
p.s. I would make the medium myself but uhm, I’m just not that talented.. something would go wrong! haha
WOW, you are certainly one talented lady! I just LOVE this smokey eye look and I’m already looking forward to my next formal evening (next month) to try it out. THANK YOU!
:-)
YAY! :D I hope you do use it for your formal & it goes spectacularly!
I used this tutorial for my best friends wedding. I love your smokey eye and I love ALL your tutorials. Mine didnt come out identical to yours because I had to supplement a couple brushes and pigments, but it came out wonderful thanks to you.
Hey there Stephani,
I am so happy to hear it! I’m so flattered you would choose one of my looks! I’m glad it turned out well for you :)
Thanks so much,
Christine
As old as this tutorial is, i’m wearing this look to the premiere of my school’s play ” American Idle” (not to be confused with the show) i’m not IN the play but i’m ushering and want to look good. i’m so excited!
Ohh, how exciting! I’m so glad I could help :) I hope you have/had fun!
This is one of the BEST tuts I have seen done for a smokey eye. And I have been into makeup
for years. You provided such good detail and pics. It was a pleasure and even gave me, a makeup veteran some extra tips! Thanks.
Thank you, Tee! I’m glad you found it useful, even as a veteran ;) I love sharing what I’ve learned through practice, because I feel like you could never learn too much!
Hi Christine,
Can you recommend a good MAC blush for a dark grey/silvery smokey eye like you did above?
Should the blush be more pinkish or peachy? My skintone is similiar to yours but with more yellow/olive undertones.
thanks!
Hi Meme! Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you - went on vacation! I would say a peachy blush would be great on olive tones because it will give it a slight flush, but not over the top. You could use a blush like Margin, which I absolutely adore for dressing up cheeks without overdoing it.
Hi, thanks sooo much for this great tutorial! The way you do your makeup is really nice. Btw, if you dont mind my asking, what ethnicity are you? Because my friend’s eyes are exactly like yours (such a pretty color!) and she’s half Burmese and half German. Keep up the good work :D
Hi Simi! Thank you! I’m half Vietnamese, quarter German, and a quarter Swiss. :)
Hi again Christine,
You are stunning and all of your tutorials are so helpful!! My question is what color eyeshadow can I use insead of Say Yeah? I can’t find this color anywhere and it is hard to see exactly what color it is.
Thanks,
Aimee
Thank you!
You can try out ANY highlighter color that works with your skintone. It’s really just a flesh toned shadow with shimmer.
Hi Christine,
I had a question about softwashed (asia excl.) and silver (original, not metal) pigments.
Is softwashed a true medium grey (without other duochromes/tones like softwashed grey - which is actually blue/purplish)
Is the original silver pigment a true smoky/dark gunmetal grey like in the tutorial above?
Thanks a lot!
Hey Meme!
Softwashed is EXTREMELY close to Silver pigment. They both look pretty much like the photos. Softwashed is a touch lighter, maybe, but they’re awfully close. No blue tint at all!
Hi, i really love this site. i’ve been looking for something like this for so long. i’m really greatful that u took the time to makeup yourself and put it online.
I’ll continue visiting this site and i’ll tell all my friends about it.
I really appreciate u for this.
Bye :)
Hi Alisha! It’s really my pleasure. And thanks for spreading the word!
Hi Christine :)
I want to tell that you are much better than MAC web site itself! Great job!!!AMAZING website.I learn from you every time I use this site(meaning…everyday),my makeup has become so enjoable and technicly better and so much more beautiful! Thank you,Christine!!!
I also have a question about smokey eye.Last Christmas I purchased MAC (6e/s)called Smokey Eyes:Malt,Vex,Satin Taupe,Club,Gentle Fume and Black Tied.
Can you acually tutor me how to smoke eyes using this partcular kit,please.
Brushes I do have(all by MAC)FYI - 213,211,231,252,266,and 129SE,239SE,219SE,266SE,316SE.
Thanks,
Madeleine(Ontario)
Hey Madeleine!
Oh, wow, what a compliment, thank you!!
For a super dark smokey eye, use Black Tied on the lid, Club in the crease, Vex or Satin Taupe above crease, and Malt on the brow bone. For a lighter one, try Club or Gentle Fume on the lid instead.
You can use the 239 to apply the entire look if you want!
Christine,
The silver pigment that you are using…is it the silver (metal) pigment that you get from the PRO store only?
Hey Desiree,
The silver pigment I use is not the metal version, it is a discontinued version. However, Silver Ring eyeshadow is a great duplicate of the pigment :)
I’m 22, and plain clueless when it comes to makeup. I really, really, appreciate that you’ve made this tutorial. I was raised by my father, so I am unaware how to do makeup. Blending, glitter, shimmer? Agh!! I used to pull out my hair because I could never figure out how women did their eye makeup. I think most women prefer to keep it a secret.
Anyhow, I’m saving your tutorials on my computer, and plan to study them religiously.
I’ll be telling my friends, but only the nice ones. Thank you.
Hey Vanessa! I am happy to be able to help you out :) I think there should be no beauty secrets! What’s the fun is hoarding them?
Thank you!
I just finished doing my eyeshadow using your tutorial and I loved the results! Thanks for posting this up!
I’m so happy it turned out well for you, Eileen! My pleasure :)
Fantastic!
Thanks, JoJo!
Fabulous!! That’s all I can say!!
Aww, thanks for the compliment Brenda!
It is gorgeous. You should start your own line of products. you could be the next bobbie brown!!
Thanks for the vote of confidence! Maybe someday :)
heya,love de site…man how technoligys heln us in soo many ways!!!jst wondern wat tips ye have under yer belt 4 tranny make up???like wats d best eye lashes 2 use etc????
tanx,
barra…
Thanks, Barra! I would probably suggest using extremely full, dramatic lashes, elongated cat eye liner, and make sure to put mascara on lower lashes!
Love this smokey look! Hope you can include tutorials on smokey eyes where you use colored eyeshadows like purples, blues, greens, and browns :)
Thanks, Janis! I’ll see what I can do :)
hi,
i’m writhing fr Nigeria, ’so glad i bumped into yr site. i’ll recommend it to my bestfriend. shes undergoing a training to become a makeup Artiste. i’m sure she’ll love it.
Thanks so much!!
Hey Yemi!
Thank you for the high praise, I hope your friend enjoys the site, too! :)
Hi~
I want to get that say yeah e/s.
I see it on MakeupAlley and on Ebay. Ebay has one for $30. Is this worth it or should I get something else similar for cheaper?
I have never swapped on makeup alley so I am not sure how that works. Will those people sell it?
How often do you use this e/s?
Thanks! Ive learned lots in the last few hrs!
Hey Lindsay!
DO NOT PAY $30!!! Oh my goodness, no way! Say Yeah is just a neutral color I picked as a highlighter - you can use numerous others from the permanent line like Grain or Ricepaper.
I stumbled upon your site while looking for the MAC website. I am a novice at applying eyeshadow but with your tutorials I won’t be for much longer. Your step-by- step approach was just what I needed to guide me along. I have learned more about application from reading your tutorials in one evening, than I did in going to bookstores and looking through make-up books. Thanks sooooo much your efforts are greatly appreciated Christine.
Hey Kenya! I’m so happy to learn that the tutorials will help you out. Just let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them!
Thanks!
Your tutorials are perfect!!!! Do you work fro MAC, if not, you really should……
Thanks, Schimone! Nope, I don’t work for MAC, but thank you for the compliment :)
Hi!! I just came across your site and its the best thing since sliced bread!! at twnety i really should have learnt to do my make up properly so thank god for you and your tutorials!!
now i can keep up with my friends who all have amazing make up!!
x
LOL, thanks Kerri!! I didn’t learn until I was 18, so you’re not behind at all!
I love this look! I used similar colors b/c I didn’t have all the ones you used, and it still came out great! I never knew how to do a smokey eye, and this really helped! I LOVE your tutorials and I hope you keep them coming… Thank you! :o)
Thanks, Donna! I’m happy it worked out for you!!
Love it! Your step by step picture helps alot. I love this look. Can’t wait for your next tutorials!!
Thanks, Kena! I hope to do another one soon!
So I bought the silver pigment from a Pro store a few days ago, but the warning on the insert says it is not to be used in the eye area, so I’m scared to use it. Should I ignore the warning? I mean, you haven’t had any adverse effects from using it in the eye area, right?
Thanks.
Hey Marissa! I think you might have purchased Silver metal pigment, which isn’t safe on the eye area I believe. The silver pigment I have is a regular one, which is safe on the eyes.
When it comes to the precautions, I generally follow them - there are a wide array of reasons why the precaution is there. This includes large glass particles as part of the formulation (which will really mess up your eyes with more long term use) or dyes that most consumers are allergic to. I know a lot of ladies throw caution to the wind and have had no problems. It’s really up to you, though.
Might I suggest using Silver Ring eyeshadow instead of Silver pigment, though, as an eye-safe alternative.
amazing
Thanks!
Hi! I just found your sight through the popsugar website and I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your site. I am terrible at doing any type of dark eyeshadow on myself and your website is something that I’ve always been searching for. Thank you for all of your helpful tips and tutorials. I am asian and have no lids whatsoever and I was wondering if you had any tips on how to apply this smokey look or any dark look without looking like a drag queen raccoon.
Hey Suzanne! How’d you see us on Popsugar?
I’m so glad that this tutorial is helpful you :) I hope you feel better about your makeup now that you know some new ways to apply it!
There is this site called popsugar.com and one of their tabs is for beauty. It’s called Bellasugar.com. It mentions that you have amazing eye shadow techniques on your website. =)
Ahh, great, thanks Suzanne!
As for tips… try building it up gradually, staying more on the lid or try creating a crease by darkening the area where there would be a crease.
Hey Christine,
Just want to say that I’m so glad I found your site! I’m 23 and JUST starting to get into makeup, and your tips have been very helpful in my “awakening.” Your wonderful in-depth, detailed tutorials are what’s missing in so many beauty magazines and books these days. And even though I don’t own the same brands or products as you, I can still learn the technique. Like this smokey eye… love it! I haven’t a seen a lot of tutorials that use Asian eyes, which have the distinction of not being very deep-set. You’re very talented, and your work is an inspiration. Can’t wait to see more! :)
Thanks, Tammy! I’m happy you’re enjoying your visit. :) I definitely agree that tutorials in magazines can often be too glossed over and hurriedly done to be much help to anyone who isn’t already a makeup expert.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL I LUV THE COLORS AND YOU’RE VERY TALENTED AT WHAT YOU DO. I AM SIXTEEN AND STARTING TO GET INTO THE MAKE UP THING. AND I BELIEVE IM DOING VERY WELL. I MEAN I GET COMPLIMENTS ALOT. I AM YOUNG SO I LIKE TO BE “YOUNG N FLASHHY” BUT I DO IT IN A VERY STYLISH WAY. THIS PAGE REALLY SHOWED ME SOMETHING THAT IS VERY “ME” THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Kell! I am so pleased that you are experimenting with makeup already!
Wow… this is wonderful. Please keep doing the tutorials. God Bless you for your talent!!!!
I am a cosmetologist and I am starting but I have discover my true call is make up, I enjoy it so much. Your tut has so much information, beautiful photos and so professionalism and yet you explain the steps so simple that makes it feel so easy and enjoyable.
You go girl.
Thanks, Ana! I will do my best to keep up the tutorial postings :) I have two more that I have planned but still need to do.
I just stumbled into this website and its Great!!! thanks much for the tutorial. Keep doing it iam sure lots of people out there are learning a greatdeal from you. You are good at your job keep up!!. Do you have anything on smokey eye with different colors like browns/bronze for a summer look.
Hey Rosie! I’m happy you found us! It’s my pleasure to help someone out :) If you go through my tutorials, you’ll see a brown smokey eye as well as a gold/bronzey one.
thank you so much for the tips it helps alot, i want to get into doing makeup more than doing hair, i’am currently a hairstylist and make-up is looking more and more appealing to me everyday. Don’t get me wrong i love hair and i’m good at what i do i just like make-up more now.
My pleasure, Silvia! I wish I could do hair, let’s teach each other, yeah? lol ;) I’m awful at doing anything to my hair.
Wow, you would have never guessed this was your first time doing a tutorial. It turned out amazing, and it lookes exactly like it did in the picture!
Thanks, Candice! :) I’m glad you liked it!
WOW! That looks amazing! I have deep blue/grey eyes and I find when I wear colors like that me eyes kinda get lost…what would be good alternate colors that I could use to really make my blue eyes pop?
Hi Tabby, I always like green with blue eyes! Even purples are good!
a round of applause for u….u hve explained it v.nicely..i m a beginner and i should say ur tutorial has made me understand v.well…Thanks a lot…for all your efforts and hardwork ..thank you.
Thanks Rahen! I’m so happy to hear it helped you out :D
Hey Christine… ok i’ve been trying the smokey eye look for a while and i never can seem to quite get it. I love the way you did it, it looks beautiful and i want mine to look exactly like that. So where can i purchase the silver pigment or something close to it and not be too pricey?
Hey Nikki! Instead of Silver Pigment, you could try Silver Ring eyeshadow, which is VERY close. Just make sure you use some sort of base like UDPP or L’Oreal Decrease.
Oh ok thank you, and do you know where i can purchase the Silver Ring eyeshadow, i’ve never even heard of it. Can i get it at a Sephora?
Silver Ring is by MAC Cosmetics, so you could get that at a location near you, go to http://www.maccosmetics.com to search for one.
Hey sorry i have another question lol… to make my own homemade mixing medium where can i purchase glycerin?? MAC doesnt have a mixing medium soo i guess i will have to be a bit crafty as well now lol
I found glycerin in the first aid aisle at my local drug store :)
MAC has it, but it’s only at a PRO store location (there are less than 10 in the US). You can call a PRO store and place a phone order, though, if one isn’t close by.
I’m so inspired by the way you do your make up it’s truely beautiful! I live in vegas and I was wondering if you know of a pro store located here or how can I find out
Aww, thank you so much, Diana!! There is a PRO store at the Forum Shops, actually :D