Tips & Tricks for the Perfect, Not So Perfect Smokey Eye

Over the years, different techniques to achieve the smokey eye look have been born. It really all started with just grabbing a black eyeliner and developed into its own form of art. There’s a surplus of colors and tools that can be used to their advantage to achieve the look yourselves with only a few to name. Using dark colors can be tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, anyone can perfect a not so perfect, perfect smokey eye. A few tips to keep in mind when starting your smokey eye look is to keep the darkest color closest to your lash line, both top and bottom. This will give a clean look without making it seem like you had a wild night and forgot to take your eye makeup off. To keep it simple and sweet, a smokey eye is meant to look effortless. So pick your favorite 2-3 colors and let’s get this show started!
Step One: Get your hands on a smudge-free primer, this’ll ensure your shadow doesn’t budge and smear! We recommend grabbing our Rude Cosmetics vegan Prelude Eyeshadow Primer. This primer will prevent any creases, smears, and intensify shadows all-in-one.

Step Two: Blend, blend, blend! Make it easier on yourself by using the proper brushes. Deposit your crease shade with our Rude Silver Bullet Crease Brush. Easily blend and fan out your crease shade using our Rude Silver Bullet Blending Brush. Finish it off using our Rude Silver Bullet Packing Brush to pack the darkest shade onto your eyelid. Remember, it’s important to keep the darkest shade as close to your eyelid and feather out the rest!
Step Three: Use a warm neutral tone like brown to give depth and dimension to your eyes. Our Rude Cosmetics Rude Awakening - Book 5 eyeshadow palette from our book series is perfect with its selection of dark and neutral tones to choose from.
Step Four: Add on them layers! Layer the darkest shade you’re working with onto your lid, packing it until you get your desired look. Another technique you can use is smudging and eyeliner such as our Rude Eye Have A Secret Creamy Gel Liner. The creamy consistency of this pencil makes creating a soft edged smokey eye easier and it’s even waterproof!
Step Five: Finish off your sultry look with our Sultry Eyes Mascara. Adding the mascara will give that extra UNF and wow factor. Line your bottom waterline with a black eyeliner to accentuate and minimize your eye shape and size.
Now, if you don’t feel like Steps 1 and 2 are really your thing, instead of working with eyeshadow, you can most definitely substitute it with just eyeliner and blend! For this technique, try our Rude PeepShow Brow & Eyeliner Cream. Its soft formula makes it easy to blend out, but can be used to make sharp lines as well.
No matter what way you choose to find your perfect not so perfect smokey eye, the possibilities are endless! We wish you all the best on your journey to finding the smokey eye that suits you best and we can’t wait to see what you have to create. If you use any Rude products on your journey, make sure to let us know and tag us on Instagram @rudecosmetics! Be sure to follow us to get the latest on future Rude releases.