How to Do Smoky Eyeliner

Step 1: Prepare Your Canvas

Begin by prepping your eyelids with an eye primer. This essential step ensures long-lasting wear, prevents creasing, and provides a smooth base for your eyeshadows and eyeliner. “You want to start your eye makeup by applying an eyeshadow that matches your skin tone to your eyelids, and then go in with an eyeshadow or a bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your complexion in the crease of your eyelids,” says pro makeup artist Jonet Williamson. This will provide a soft and illuminated base for your smoky eyeliner.

Step 2: Apply Eyeliner to Your Upper Lash Line

For the quintessential smoky eyeliner look, opt for creamy kohl eyeliner. “We find that a creamy kohl liner like PAT McGRATH LABS PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil or MᐧAᐧC COSMETICS Eye Kohl is precise enough for you to define your lash line and creamy enough for you to easily smudge out your look,” says Williamson.

Start by lining your upper lash line, getting as close to your lash line as possible. Trace a thin line across your lash line, working from the outer corner of your eye and working your way to the inner corner. Pro tip: If you’re going for a cat-eye look and want a sharp feline wing, apply a strip of tape to the outer corner of your eye, following the angle of your lower lash line before applying your eyeliner.

Step 3: Smudge It Out

“Use a pencil eyeshadow brush like MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil to start smudging out the lash line,” explains Williamson. The blending brush on the opposite end of the eyeliner pencil works wonders for buffing your cream liner together for a super-defined, smoky finish.

Step 4: Intensify Your Look With Eyeshadow

Now for the fun part: It’s time to add intensity to your smoky eyeliner. First, gently smudge out your eyeliner using a smudging brush like ROEN BEAUTY Everything Eye Brush or a cotton swab. This softens the edges, creating a diffused and sultry look. “For added depth, apply a touch of the darkest eyeshadow shade on top of your liner,” says Williamson. Next, focus on creating a gradient effect by blending your eyeshadow with your eyeliner and gradually smoking out your liner towards the outer edges.

Step 5: Complete Your Look

Once you’ve defined and blended out your liner to perfection, finish off your smoky eyeliner look by curling your lashes and applying a volumizing mascara like CHARLOTTE TILBURY Full Fat Lashes Mascara.

Want more beginner-friendly makeup tutorials? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own beauty subscription. Already a member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!