How To Actually Do A Smoky Eye In 2025
The classic smoky eye has been infused with a little something extra on runways and red carpets of late. Here, MALENA HARBERS shares three ways to create the look – but not as you’ve done it before
The eyeliner-only approach
With grunge and goth makeup making a resurgence on the fall/winter ’25 runways, it’s no wonder that a smudgy, smoky eye is a season essential. But this time around, the ’90s makeup throwback comes with a bit more polish, as seen at Rabanne, Marni and Chanel (with an added drawn-on, feathered effect). For a quick application with lasting impact, all you need is a black kohl eyeliner in one of the new long-wear formulas (our current favorites are Dior’s Diorshow On Stage Crayon, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner and Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock ’N’ Kohl).
Start by drawing along the top lash line – the beauty of this look is that there’s no need to be precise. Next, use an eyeshadow blending brush to smudge the color halfway up your lid. Follow suit on the bottom lash line – smudging horizontally along the line. A heavy helping of mascara, together with softly sculpted, radiant skin and a natural, full brow will keep the overall finish fresh and modern.
The single-color smudge
A matte black eyeshadow can often veer into outdated territory, so celebrity makeup artist Violette uses a cobalt-blue shade for a more youthful effect. “All you need are two fingers and one cotton bud,” she says. “I start by patting eyeshadow all over the lid using my ring finger. Then, I use my middle finger to smudge and blur the edge of the shadow [to avoid] obvious lines. I don’t care about it being a mess, either – I just take the cotton swab and clean up under the eye afterwards. The whole thing takes two minutes.” For more dramatic definition, look to Jenna Ortega’s beautiful baby blue iteration at this year’s Emmy Awards. Play copycat by keeping color to the top lid only and lining both top and bottom lash lines in a dramatic, smoked-out black.
If a bright pigment isn’t for you, you can still inject a little color using a neutral eye shadow instead. Makeup artist Sheika Daley, who works with Zendaya, opts for a hue that’s two or three shades darker than your natural skin tone. “I love a pinky nude. I’ll take it all over the eye and really blend it out, over the crease and almost up to the brow, so that it’s nearly invisible and gives a beautiful halo of color. Then I add a pop of shimmer on the center of lids, a black liner, and lashes to bring the drama in.”
The elevated evening twist
The pro secret to this take on the classic technique is about layering color. While the amateur approach is to go in with a single dark shade to create that smoked-out effect, the experts first apply a different hue or texture as a base layer underneath – choose from an on-trend metallic bronze or silvery glitter. This pop of color and contrasting texture not only intensifies the black, navy or indigo applied on top, but also makes it look three-dimensional, not flat. We love midnight shades of black, deep chocolate brown, amethyst and navy layered over a shimmering bronze for a truly glamorous and moody eye. Balance it with naturally dewy skin and a neutral lip to finish.
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