Makeup How To: Smoky Eye Made Easy

Ralph Anderson

Anyone can achieve this look in four simple steps. Our own Art Assistant, Betsy McCallen, models the smoky eye by Atlanta makeup artist Nyssa Green.

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Step 1

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Apply a dark shade of eye shadow to your entire lid (see color suggestions below), close to the lash line. Blend color upward to the crease.

Eye Makeup Color Guide
For hazel eyes: Brown and beige shadow with a black eyeliner
For blue eyes: Gray and white shadow with a navy eyeliner
For brown eyes: Navy and beige shadow with brown or black eyeliner
For green eyes: Green and gold shadow with dark brown eyeliner

Nyssa's No-Fail Makeup Tips

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Step 2

Ralph Anderson

Add a lighter shade of shadow under the eyebrow until it meets the darker shade. Blend the two shades together.

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Step 3

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Line the inside of the bottom rim of eyes with a pencil, and slightly smudge.

Tip: Metallic colors are perfect for holidays and make eyes pop!

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Step 4

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Use a thick, black pencil, often called kohl, and line the top eyelids to complete the smoky look. Finish with mascara.

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Finished Product

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Betsy’s coworkers oohed and aahed when they saw her, and she’s repeated the look on her own.

“Anyone can do a smoky eye—it’s not just for celebrities,” makeup artist Nyssa Green says. “A common mistake with eye makeup is to go too dark. I tell my clients to start with neutral shades, so you enhance the eye without overpowering it.

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Nyssa's No-Fail Makeup Tips

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Nyssa Green is the owner of The Green Room Agency For Image Development in Atlanta, which represents hair, makeup, and wardrobe artists who work on television and film stars. She’s won five Emmy Awards for her work, which has been featured on CNN, MTV, BET, and Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, among others.

Nyssa's Tips

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Smoky Eye Made Easy

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Finished Product

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Nyssa's No-Fail Makeup Tips

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Smoky Eye Made Easy

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Step 4

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Finished Product

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Nyssa's No-Fail Makeup Tips

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