How to: The sheer smokey eye

Sometimes a full-blown smokey eye is too much, or even difficult to attain with all of the messy dark colors. Maybe it’s not the most flattering for your eye or skin color. However, a sheer smokey eye can be a universal toned-down look that you create for a night out, or even a fun daytime event. Using darker colors than normal, but making them more sheer can have a beautiful smokey effect on the eyes, while not being too much.

First of all, make sure you are wearing an eyelid primer. This will ensure the colors you apply do not slip around or crease throughout the day. Since you will be wearing darker gray-toned colors, annoying creasing will be very visible without a primer.

Begin by putting a neutral brown transition shade in your crease using windshield wiper motions to evenly distribute it. This will make blending later easier. Next, add a matte light-medium gray tone to your lid in a “dome” shape, making sure the edges are blended and there are no harsh lines. Continue to build this color up until it gets to the intensity you are looking for.

Now for the fun part, add a shimmery silver/gray eyeshadow lightly to the center of your lids. This will add lots of dimension to your eyes and make them look bigger. Using your finger could be easiest for this since it provides the best pigmentation as opposed to a brush. Build it up as much as you like!

Depending on the intensity you desire, add some of the shimmery silver/gray color to your inner corners and lower lash line to tie the whole look together. As for eyeliner, it is totally optional. For a darker and more defined look, add a small black wing on the outer edge. If you want the look to be a little bit lighter, skip the eyeliner and add some smokey definition with a darker eyeshadow along the upper lash line. Finish off with a few coats of mascara and you have yourself a sexy sheer smokey eye.

Keep in mind that you can create this look with any shades you want. The eyeshadow world is your oyster. Warmer browns, dark greens or dark purples would also create a beautiful sheer smokey eye for any occasion. Happy blending!