22+ Alluring Smokey Eye Makeup Ideas

The smokey eye is a timeless makeup technique that exudes sophistication and allure. With the right blending techniques and color combinations, these ideas promise to enhance your eyes, adding depth and intensity for a captivating look.

Smokey Eye Advice

The smokey eye look is one of the most popular makeup styles, and for a good reason. It’s fairly easy to achieve and a classic way to look glamorous. However, there are a few tips that can make a smokey eye look even better.

• Remember that you don’t have to use intense colors like black to achieve a smokey eye. You can get the same look with other hues like brown, blue, purple, or even gold. If you’re just starting out with the smokey eye look, find a good nude palette, like this one from E.L.F., which will usually have everything you need to start practicing with slightly less intimidating colors.
• Before you apply any eyeshadow to your eyes, make sure you have a primer to prevent creasing and help the colors pop. In a pinch, concealer or foundation can do the trick, but if you really want your makeup to last hours, opt for a targeted product, like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion.
• While it’s possible to achieve a smokey eye with just a single brush, you’ll end up spending more time cleaning colors off the bristles between steps than actually applying your makeup. This set from E.L.F. has all the brushes you could possibly need to get a perfect smokey eye. If you want to work with what you already own, get a soft brush to pack on color in your outer corner, a fluffy brush to blend, and a thin brush to apply and smudge color along your lower lash line.
• When it comes to actually applying the color, you have 2 options, so choose which works best. After applying a light eyeshadow shade all over the lid as a base, you can start with the lightest colors in your smokey eye near the inner corner of your lid and slowly get darker as you work toward the outer corner. Alternatively, you can start at the outer corner with your darkest shade and work your way in. Just choose the method that’s easiest for you to blend.
• Don’t worry if you make a mistake while applying. Smokey looks are easy to blend, so you can usually hide any minor missteps. However, it’s still a good idea to have some makeup remover or some wipes, like these from The Face Shop, just in case you have to fix a more noticeable mistake.
• After applying all your shadow, consider spraying a light mist of setting spray, like this one from E.L.F., on your face to help your look last a little longer. Setting spray is especially useful for people with dry skin.
• To really tie your whole look together, remember to apply an even coat of mascara to your lashes. This one from Maybelline adds definition, volume, and curl, which help keep your eyes from getting overpowered by shadow.
• To balance out the intensity of your eye makeup, opt for a more subtle lip color. Light pinks or nudes are a great option. You can even opt for a simple gloss, like this one from NYX.

Smokey Eye Makeup Ideas

Night-Out Sparkle

A captivating classic black smokey eye with silver glitter accents in the inner corners, perfect for an unforgettable night out. The sparkle adds a hint of glamour to this timeless look.

Romantic Purple Haze

A rich deep purple smokey eye with a matte finish, beautifully complemented by a glossy mauve lip. This combination sets a romantic tone for an evening filled with elegance.

Statement Turquoise

A daring bold blue smokey eye, enhanced with a pop of turquoise along the lower lash line. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to make a striking fashion statement.

Autumnal Warmth

A warm copper smokey eye with gold shimmer, paired harmoniously with a terracotta lip. This look embodies the essence of autumn with its rich, earthy tones.

Luxurious Emerald

An emerald green smokey eye paired with black winged liner, offering a luxurious twist on the classic smokey eye. This look exudes sophistication and elegance.

Grey Scale Elegance

A seamless gradient of grey to black smokey eye, softened with a light pink lip for a look of balanced elegance. This style is perfect for achieving a sophisticated yet subtle allure.

Winter Burgundy

A blend of burgundy and black for a smokey eye that creates a sultry, inviting look ideal for winter events. This makeup style is both warm and intensely captivating.

Metallic Charcoal Edge

A charcoal and silver smokey eye that introduces a metallic edge to the traditional smokey makeup, perfect for those who appreciate a bit of flair.

Fresh Peach Twist

A traditional smokey eye with an innovative splash of peach in the crease, offering a fresh and vibrant take on the classic style. This look is refreshing and playful.

Neon Pink Contrast

A neon pink smokey eye with black blending into the outer V, paired with a soft pink lip for striking contrast. This look is bold and unapologetically fun.

Golden Hour Glow

A gold and brown smokey eye that provides a warm, shimmery finish, ideal for capturing the perfect golden hour photos. This makeup style radiates warmth and radiance.

Plum Ombre Elegance

An ombre smokey eye transitioning from deep plum to soft lavender, matched with a berry lip for a look of understated elegance. This style is enchantingly beautiful.

Gothic Glamour

A heavy black smokey eye paired with a glossy black lip for an edgy, gothic-inspired look. This bold makeup choice is both daring and dramatically chic.

Olive Elegance

An olive green and gold smokey eye complemented by a neutral lip, adding a touch of understated elegance. This look is sophisticated with a hint of glamour.

Fiery Passion

A red and black smokey eye creating a fiery, passionate look perfect for a night on the town. This makeup style is bold, intense, and utterly captivating.

Cool Navy Elegance

A smokey eye with silver highlights and deep navy blue, offering a cool-toned alternative for evening wear. This look is sleek, sophisticated, and perfect for any night event.

Chocolate Depth

A blend of chocolate browns with a pop of inner corner highlight for a smokey eye full of depth and intrigue. This look is rich and dimensional.

Starry Midnight Blue

A midnight blue smokey eye with a touch of silver glitter, creating a mesmerizing starry night effect. This look is captivating and enchanting.

Soft Natural Impact

A smokey eye using shades of taupe and beige, perfect for a soft, natural look that still makes an impact. This makeup style is effortlessly chic and universally flattering.

Mystical Ethereal Gradient

A smokey eye with a gradient from smoky quartz to crystal white, creating a mystical, ethereal look. This style is otherworldly and incredibly unique.

Edgy Sweetness

An intense black smokey eye softened with a touch of blush pink in the crease, balancing edgy and sweet. This look is a beautiful contrast of softness and intensity.

Teal Twist

A smokey eye featuring a subtle hint of teal blended with traditional black, adding a unique color twist. This look is modern, fresh, and unexpectedly vibrant.

Minimalist Modernity

A smokey eye in a monochromatic grey scale, from light grey to black, for a modern, minimalist look. This style is sleek, sophisticated, and perfectly understated.