An Easy Step-By-Step Black Smokey Eye Tutorial

When it comes to statement makeup, a black smokey eye will always be a classic beauty staple. Since black is a neutral color that complements all skin tones and undertones, using this shade to create a moody eye look can be an easy win. Dark smokey eye makeup is perfect for a night out, a formal event, or a look where you want to bring some more intensity to your eyes. While a black smokey eye can work on just about anybody, it does require a careful technique to execute like a pro. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone. Ahead, we’ll explain how to do a smokey eye step-by-step and introduce you to a few of our best products for the job. Keep reading to learn how to nail your next night-out look. 

How To Do a Black Smokey Eye in 10 Steps

To create a black smokey eye, you’ll need a few products. Dark eye makeup is, of course, essential, but you’ll need more than just black eyeshadow. Grab a few other neutral tones, like gray, pewter, taupe, and silver—you’ll use these to smoke out your color. We also recommend picking up an eyeshadow primer to help keep your shadows in place. Finally, you’ll want black eyeliner, mascara, and highlighter to round out the look. Once you have the essentials assembled, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Prime your eyes

Starting with an eyeshadow primer is a smart idea for any eyeshadow look, but it’s especially important when you’re working with darker, more pigmented shadows. You want your eyeshadow to apply smoothly and evenly, and primer can help with that. Eyeshadow primers can also help prevent your shadow from smudging, fading, or creasing throughout the day. If you don’t have a dedicated shadow primer, reach for a full-coverage concealer like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage to prep your lids. The waterproof formula boasts a matte, full-coverage finish that lasts up to 24 hours, keeping your look locked in.

Step 2: Apply your base

In order to create an even canvas for your eyeshadow look, you’ll want to start with a nude eyeshadow base. Use a flat eyeshadow brush to pack the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Mix and Matte onto your lids, blending it up toward the brow bone. This method sets the eyeshadow primer you applied previously into place and creates a base layer for the eyeshadow look which will ultimately help the rest of your shadows blend together harmoniously. 

Step 3: Define your crease

While you likely typically begin most eye makeup looks by applying eyeshadow to your lid, here, we’re starting with the crease. Begin carving out your smokey eye by buffing a matte, skin-toned color—we like using a shade from the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer range—onto your crease, using a windshield wiper-like motion to blur any harsh lines. Extend the pigment slightly past the outer corner of your eye for a soft, smokey effect.

Step 4: Add a transition shade

Next, use a fluffy shadow brush to apply a transition eyeshadow shade just above your crease. For this, a lighter matte gray or taupe is ideal—the goal is to create a soft gradient of color between your dark crease and lighter brow bone (almost like an ombré). Blend it past the outer corner of your eye as you did with the crease shade to build on the slight winged-out effect.

Step 5: Darken your outer corners and lash line 

Finally, it’s time for the focal point of the look—the black eyeshadow. Use a small eyeshadow brush to pick up the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Noir Cest Noir. Buff the pigment onto the outer corner of your eye, creating a small triangle-like shape to start. Then, use a clean brush to blend the pigment upward and outward, connecting it with your mini shadow wing. 

Step 6: Smudge your lower lash line

Great dark smokey eye makeup is more than just eyeshadow on your upper eyelids—you’ll also need to bring your shadow along your lower lash line for an all-around smoked-out appearance. This step is key to achieving a balanced look. First, take a small eyeshadow brush and buff the charcoal shade along the entirety of your lower lash line. Then, add depth by blending the black eyeshadow to the outer two-thirds of your lower lash line.

Step 7: Pat shadow onto your lid

The next step is to apply your lid color. You can use any neutral-toned shadow you like here, but we think a metallic silver is the perfect complement to a classic black smokey eye look. 

Carefully glide the creamy L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Sticks Creamy Eyeshadow in Ice Sparkle onto your empty lid space, taking care not to apply it over your crease shade. When you’ve finished, use the fluffy brush you used for your crease and lightly blend the line where your lid, crease, and black outer corner shadows meet to create a seamless gradient. 

Editor’s note: At this point, you’re done with your shadow. Before moving on, use the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes to clean up any fallout and sharpen the line of your shadow wing. 

Step 8: Highlight your inner corner

Now that the smokey portion of the look is perfected, brighten things up a bit by highlighting the inner corners of your eyes. This is an important step when creating dark eye makeup looks because dark colors have the potential to make the eyes look a bit small and closed off. Adding a light shadow to the inner corners can help your eyes appear more open and vibrant. The abovementioned L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Ice Sparkle is a great option to add a little brightness to this area. You can also use a packing brush to pop the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Highlighter Longwear Powder in Icy Gold right near your tear ducts. 

Step 9: Line your eyes

While your shadow is complete, your black smokey eye isn’t quite done yet. To really nail the look, you’ll need to define your lash line. Start by tightlining your upper and lower lash line with a long-lasting black eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Intense Black. This will help ground your look and add a bit of dimension to your smokey eye. Then, use a black liquid eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Black, to draw a sharp wing along your upper lash line.

Step 10: Add mascara

One last step: mascara! A few coats of black mascara will help tie together your dramatic smokey eye. For voluminous, lengthened lashes, swipe the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Big Deal Washable Mascara in Blackest Black onto your upper lashes, adding an extra coat to the outer corners for a gorgeous, fanned-out effect. Once your mascara dries, you’ll be ready to go. 

Editor’s note: For extra staying power, close your eyes and mist your entire face with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, which helps lock makeup in place for up to 36 hours. 

Tips for a Perfect Black Smokey Eye

If you’ve never created a smokey eye before—or simply want to ensure you achieve a flawless application—here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind. 

Choose the right brushes

As is the case with many makeup looks, mastering a dark smokey eye often comes down to having the right tools for the job. For this look, you’ll need a few different brushes: A fluffy brush for your crease, a flat packing brush for your lid, and a small buffing brush for your outer corners and lash line. Consider keeping a second clean fluffy brush on hand to use to blend the shadows together for a seamless smokey effect.

Start with a light hand

Black eyeshadow can sometimes appear harsh, especially against fair complexions. To avoid overpowering your look, start with a light hand and lean on lighter shades—grays, silvers, and taupes—to build the majority of your look. You can then go in with black shadow to build intensity and add definition where it’s needed. 

Take your time blending 

We’ll admit, a smokey eye isn’t the quickest eyeshadow look to create. Don’t rush the process—you’ll likely end up with less-than-stellar results. In particular, take extra care when blending to ensure the separate colors meld together seamlessly without becoming flat or muddied. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment 

Our tutorial above paired black with silver and gray shades, but the beauty of a black smokey eye is that you can really let your creativity run wild, since black pairs well with every hue. Swap out the gray crease shades and silver lid for deep chocolatey browns for an earthier look, or use a bright hue on your lid in place of silver for an unexpected pop of color. 

Next Up: How To Create a Gorgeous Brown Smokey Eye

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris