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Home · Makeup

How To: Remix Your Smoky Eye

A sultry smoky eye is a classic look in beauty, and as with any age-old look, there's always a way to spice it up and make it fresh. We're seeing our favorite stars remix the smoky eye by adding colorful shadows and touches of metallic. Here are 10 ways to add some oomph to your next smoky eye look.

By Nicole Marie Melton · April 8, 2013October 28, 2020
01
Emerald Eyes

Cynthia Bailey of The Real Housewives of Atlanta attends the 2013 Bravo Upfront wearing dramatic deep teal winged eyeshadow, cinnamon blush and glossy mauve lips.

02
Get the Look: Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Stay On Shadow Paint

Swipe on a few coats of Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Stay On Shadow Paint for an emerald eyes look of your own.

$24, available at Nordstrom.

03
Double Duty

Jennifer Hudson attended an event for her new book wearing a shimmery silver-gray smoky eye and a big bold lip. The old rule of wearing either a dark eye or a bold lip no longer stands. The new rule? Do what makes you feel fab!

04
Get the Look: Maybelline’s Eye Studio Color Tatoo Eyeshadow

This silky, shimmery shadow is perfect for creating a subtle smoky eye to rock with a bold, red lip.


$7, available at ULTA.
05
High Definition

At the Emmy Awards, Rashida Jones looked drop-dead gorgeous in a highly defined smoky eye and jet black mascara. Adding sharp, precise lines to your smoky eye gives the traditional beauty look a fresh feel.

06
Get the Look: Stila Stay-All-Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

The thin marker-like tip on this liner makes it easy to draw on a super sharp line for a bold, dramatic smoky eye.

$20, available at Nordstrom.

07
Color Play

Ashanti arrived at the grand re-opening of the 40/40 club wearing a sexy, navy smoky eye with a winged tip. A splash of color such as blue, green or purple is a surefire way to upgrade your go-to smoky eye.

08
Get the Look: Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow

Try a winged, navy eye with this rich, deep navy shadow with a touch of shimmer.

$20, available at Urban Decay.

09
Perfect Pair

Christina Milian upped the ante on her smoky eye with a graduated light-to-dark eyeshadow look on her upper lids. Creating contour in the outer corner of the eye really adds a dose of drama to this look.

10
Get the Look: Lancome’s Color Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette

This compact palette has everything you need to create a perfect, graduated smoky eye.

$49, available at Lancome.

11
Shape Up

At Lord and Taylor’s event for Fashions Night Out, Solange Knowles looked amazing in thick, kohl-rimmed eyes. This look gives even more drama since there isn’t any smudginess in the eye area.

12
Get the Look: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

For an intense, opaque color that wont fade or smear, this eyeliner is your best bet.

$20, available at Nordstrom.

13
Perfectly Rimmed

Rachel Roy is famous for perfecting her trademark kohl-rimmed smoky eye look. What makes this look so crave-worthy is that the lines are not too defined but not super smudged either. Pair this eye with a neutral cheek and lip for an even more powerful punch.

14
Get the Look: Rachel Roy Day & Night Eye Shadow Palette

Rachel’s smoky eye became so famous that she created her own custom eye palette so fans could get the exact look at home.


$32, available at Macy’s.

15
Under the Radar

Tyra Banks remixed her smoky eye by darkening both her upper lid and lower lid. In order to avoid “racoon eyes,” opt for a dark gray shadow instead of black.

16
Get the Look: Make Up For Ever Kohl Pencil

We love this pencil because it can can be used for both defined and slightly smudged looks and it comes in a wide array of colors.

$17, available at Sephora.

17
Shimmer and Shine

Kerry Washington attened the ESPYS wearing a silvery-gray smoky eye with metallic shimmer. This type of smoky eye is perfect for a night out with the girls or a hot date with your beau. Just be careful not to overdo it with the glitter.

18
Get the Look: 5-Color Designer All-In-One Artistry Palette

This palette contains just the right mix of colors to create a gaze-worthy, shimmery smoky eye.

$59, available at Sephora.

19
Hard Metal

If you’re not ready to go bold in black, try a modified smoky eye using dark brown and bronze shadow instead. Michael Michelle pulled this look off perfectly when she arrived at “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” New York premiere.

20
Get the Look: Rimmel London Glam Eyes HD Eyeshadow

Get your metallic shadow fix with this highly pigmented palette that’s sure to create the perfect golden smoky eye.


$6, available at Ulta.

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