Apply Dark Eye Makeup

Want to add extra oomph to your evening look? Dark, smokey eyes are beautiful and glamorous, but they can be tricky to do. This article will show you step-by-step how to apply dark eye makeup, perfect for any night out.

Steps

Applying Dark Eye Makeup

  1. Apply a matte, light brown eyeshadow to the crease of your eyelid. Use a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush with longer bristles to do this. This will give you that nice, soft base color.
    • If you have a darker skin tone, a light brown might be too light for you; opt for a shade that is 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone instead.
  2. Blend the eyeshadow upwards towards your eyebrow. The eyeshadow should be darkest along the crease, and faded to almost nothing as it goes towards your eyebrow.
  3. Apply a darker brown eyeshadow to the crease. Use a smaller brush with slightly shorter and stiffer bristles to do this. Focus the shadow inside the crease, as well as just above and below it. For this, you can use a somewhat sparkly eyeshadow.
  4. Blend the darker brown shade in. Start by blending most it downwards towards your lash line. Finish off by blending it upwards towards your eyebrow, just a little bit past the crease. Don't worry so much about getting the blending on the eyelid perfect, as you will be covering it up.
  5. Apply a black, gel eyeliner to your eyelid using a brush with short, stubby bristles. Start applying the eyeliner to the center of your eyelid, right along the lash line. Work your way to the corners, making the line thinner as you go. When you are done, you should have a half-circle shape halfway up your eyelid.
    • You can also use black eyeshadow, black kohl, or a black eyeliner pencil.
    • If you are having difficulties applying the makeup to your lash line, take a little mirror and hold it below your eyes, in the palm of your hand. Look down into the mirror, and carefully outline your upper lash line.
  6. Blend the black eyeliner up towards the crease using short, downward strokes. Do not blend it up too high, however. The black eyeliner will simply act as a base, so that you can get the darkest black possible.
    • Finish off your blending by running your brush along your eyelid, just below the crease. This will help soften any harsh edges.
  7. Dust black eyeshadow over the black eye makeup using your short, stubby brush. This will help set it, and prevent it from smudging. It will also help take away any shine. If you want, you can use a black eyeshadow with some shimmer in it.
  8. Go over the crease again with your darker brown eyeshadow. Use the same brush you used to apply it originally—the one with the stiffer bristles. Be sure to blend it up towards the brow bone. When you are done, you should have a sort of ombre effect on your eyelid, that starts black, and gradates to a lighter brown towards your brow bone.[1]

Adding Finishing Touches

  1. Consider tightlining your upper lashes. Use a black eyeliner with a felt tip or brush applicator to fill in the gap between your upper lashes and eyelid. This will help create a smoother transition, and blend everything together.
  2. Apply some false lashes for a touch of glamour. If you have not already, trim your false lashes down until they fit your eyelid. Apply a thin line of eyelash glue to the back strip of your falsies, and wait until the glue starts to turn tacky. Carefully apply the eyelash, and lower your eyes until it dries.
    • Most white glues will start to turn clear when they get tacky.
    • Consider holding your falsie in a U-shape between your fingers while you wait for the glue to turn tacky. This will give it a nice curved shape, and help it mold better against your eyelid.
    • Learning how to put on false lashes takes practice. Some people use special applicators or tweezers to put them on.
  3. Dust on some white eyeshadow to your brow bones and to the inner corners of your eyes. Use a brush with shorter, slightly stiffer bristles to do this. This will help open up your eyes, and make them appear wider, brighter, and more awake.
  4. Apply some eyeliner and eyeshadow to your lower lashes. This will give your eyes that darker, smokier effect. Begin by lining your lower eyelid with black liner. Dust on some dark brown eyeshadow using a brush with short, stubby bristles. Be sure to follow the outline of your lower eyelid. Blend everything together using a thin, crease brush.
  5. Consider applying some mascara to your bottom lashes. This will help balance your eyes out, and make them look less top heavy—especially if you are wearing very heavy false lashes.[1]
  6. Groom and shade your eyebrows. This will give your eyes that nice, clean look. Begin by combing your brows upwards with a "spoolie" brush. Fill in any gaps and sparse areas with an eyebrow pencil; use as light a touch as you can. Next, fill in your eyebrows using a pressed powder and an angled brush; use a softer touch towards the inner corners of your eyebrows. Finish off by combing through your brows with the spoolie brush.[2]
    • A spoolie brush looks a little bit like a mascara brush.
    • Use colors that closely match your eyebrows. If you have blond or very pale eyebrows, however, go a few shades darker. If you have black eyebrows, use a very dark brown or charcoal.
    • To set the look, comb some eyebrow gel over your eyebrows. You can also dust on some translucent setting powder instead.
  7. Finished.



Tips

  • Once you get the hang of the technique, consider using other colors instead of brown. For example, you could try light and dark purple.
  • This style is very dramatic, and might be more suitable for evening wear than daily wear.
  • Practice! With time, you'll find the look that best suits you and the techniques that best complement your eyes.
  • Always have q-tips and make-up remover on hand in case you goof or create a look that doesn't thrill you.

Things You'll Need

  • Matte, light brown eyeshadow
  • Dark brown eyeshadow
  • Black eyeshadow
  • White eyeshadow
  • Soft, fluffy, long-bristled eyeshadow brush
  • Long-bristled eyeshadow brush
  • Short, stubby eyeshadow brush
  • Crease eyeshadow brush
  • Gel eyeliner
  • Eyeliner
  • False eyelashes
  • Mascara

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5z34YEXFxU
  2. ↑ http://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/tips/g8496/how-to-define-eyebrows
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