SMOKY EYES: THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR AN INTENSE GAZE

From the simplest to the boldest, smoky eyes are the perfect evening makeup, but they can also work for a daytime look with matte shadows and more natural shades. Often seen as a complex makeup style, it relies on a few simple steps and well-chosen products. From eye care to the selection of brushes and shadows, this guide reveals all the secrets to achieving successful smoky eyes.

First and foremost, it's essential to care for the eye area with suitable treatments. Daily, a cream like the All About Eyes Rich balm from Clinique intensely hydrates this delicate area while reducing dark circles and puffiness. Need an express boost? Eye patches are the best allies. Those from Day+, enriched with collagen, target wrinkles and fine lines and provide better elasticity. 

Result: a fresh and radiant look, ready to showcase its best makeup! 

For the perfect smoky eyes, it all comes down to technique... and the choice of brushes makes all the difference. The essentials? A flat brush to apply the shadows precisely to different areas, like the one offered by Laura Mercier, as well as a blending brush like the Victoria Beckham, for a soft gradient.

Opt for soft and flexible bristles. And to maintain their quality with each use, it's recommended to clean them regularly.  

How to apply eyeshadows? Which shades to choose? Achieving a smoky eye is not just about applying a dark shadow all over the eyelid.

This makeup,as versatile as it is elegant, reinvents itself according to your desires and can be done with a variety of shades to change up the styles. During the day, opt for soft matte shades like brown or dusty pink for a naturally structured look. In the evening, play with glitter and deeper tones for a magnetic gaze like black, gray, or bold trendy shades like burgundy, blue, or olive green.

The key to a smoky eye is to choose three shadows in different intensities: a light, a medium, and a dark one, to achieve a striking gradient.

For long-lasting makeup throughout the day and a smooth finish, primer is essential. This base to apply over the entire eyelid helps conceal imperfections and enhances makeup wear. Perfect smoky eyes, even at the end of the night!

Start by applying a dark pencil along the lower lash line and in the waterline to define the eyes. Using the foam tip of the pencil or a flat brush, blend slightly from the inside out to avoid a harsh line. It's best to choose a creamy or soft pencil for easier application.

If you haven't applied a primer, start by applying a nude eyeshadow all over the eyelid for an even base. Then, choose a medium-intensity eyeshadow and apply it to the mobile eyelid using a flat brush, then blend outward with a soft-bristled brush.

Intensify your gaze once more with a pencil, this time just above the upper lashes and blend slightly.

Using a flat brush, apply the darkest eyeshadow along the lower and upper lash lines as well as in the outer crease of the eyelid. Blend well so that the shadows merge together and create a natural smoky effect. It's important to work the makeup in light layers: repeat the steps to increase intensity if desired.

To finish, add a touch of light with a matte or slightly pearlescent eyeshadow like the pencil Nars, in the inner corner of the eye and under the brow bone to brighten the gaze.

Some brands like Danessa Myricks, Lancôme and Victoria Beckham offer palettes with a gradient of shades that make this type of makeup easier.

To define the look, the eyebrows can be lightly brushed for more definition. Note: since smoky eyes are already an intense makeup, it's best not to overdo it to maintain a harmonious balance.

On the lashes, apply a volumizing mascara to lengthen your gaze, like the Hypnose Mascara from Lancôme. The final touch for captivating and deep eyes!

The secret to a successful smoky eye? Patience. With this makeup, it's all about balance. Take your time, blend the shadows gently, and play with the intensities as you go. By following this guide, you’re sure to achieve an intense and perfectly mastered look.