When applied correctly, dark eye makeup can transform your appearance and add a dramatic, edgy flair that is ideal for a special occasion or a night out. You’ve come to the right place if you want to become an expert at applying dark eye makeup. Everything you need to know to confidently achieve that smoky, seductive look will be covered in this guide.
Everything from priming your eyelids to putting on eyeshadow and liner will be covered. Whether your style is more modern and bold, or you want to go for a classic smoky eye, these step-by-step instructions will help you achieve a stunning effect that accentuates your natural beauty. You can wear dark eye makeup for any occasion or eye shape with a few key tips and techniques.
If you’re new to dark makeup, don’t worry. We will provide clear instructions for each step so you can follow along and try out various styles. After reading this tutorial, you’ll be an expert at applying dark eye makeup, giving you the self-assurance to rock any look you like.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Prep Your Skin | Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup. |
| 2. Apply Foundation | Use a foundation that matches your skin tone. Blend it evenly across your face for a flawless finish. |
| 3. Conceal Dark Circles | Apply a concealer under your eyes to cover dark circles and brighten the area. Blend it well. |
| 4. Define Your Brows | Fill in your brows with a pencil or powder that matches your natural color. This frames your eyes. |
| 5. Apply Eyeshadow Base | Use an eyeshadow primer on your eyelids to ensure the makeup stays in place and colors pop. |
| 6. Choose Dark Eyeshadow | Select a dark eyeshadow shade (like black, dark brown, or deep gray) and apply it on your eyelid. Blend it well to avoid harsh lines. |
| 7. Blend and Layer | Blend the dark eyeshadow with a slightly lighter shade in the crease for a smooth transition. Layer the color as needed. |
| 8. Apply Eyeliner | Line your upper lash line with a dark eyeliner pencil or liquid liner. Extend it slightly for a dramatic look. |
| 9. Add Mascara | Apply several coats of mascara to your upper and lower lashes to make your eyes stand out. |
| 10. Finish with Eyelash Curl | Use an eyelash curler to give your lashes an extra lift. This helps open up your eyes and complements the dark makeup. |
- Styles of dark makeup
- Step-by-step instructions
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Styles of dark makeup
Everyone is familiar with the common choices for evening eye makeup. Either these are smokey eyes with a smooth color shift from silvery-white at the inner corners to black at the outer ones, or they are a graphite haze that is carefully shaded to prevent the "panda effect" around the eye contour.
Makeup "oriental" can be identified by several signs. Firstly, it always includes arrows (necessarily with a long point at the outer corners of the eyes, which helps to "stretch" their shape) and contour lining, for which kohl is actively used. At the same time, the inner corners are also necessarily drawn with a pencil. Secondly, in oriental makeup, the emphasis is always on the lower eyelid. It is emphasized either with the same black eyeliner that draws the arrows, or with colored shadows or a pencil. It is not at all necessary to do too intense eye makeup in an oriental style, you can adapt this option – look for examples at the latest shows.
Everything that goes beyond the norm falls into this category: unconventional, trendy beauty solutions; liner experiments (you can use it to create makeup "under the eyebrow," for example); and shadows and their peculiar color combinations.
You’ve decided exactly how you want to use dark colors to draw attention to your eyes. You can start working and take things one step at a time.
The dramatic flair of dark eye makeup can completely change your appearance, but mastering the right techniques is necessary to get that flawless, bold finish. You will learn how to apply dark eye makeup with ease by following these easy, step-by-step instructions, which will guarantee that you achieve the desired intensity and depth without any hassle. You can achieve a confident eye look by following our tips on blending, layering, and applying makeup to create a smoky eye or a sleek, dark liner.
Step-by-step instructions
When applying makeup, makeup artists usually advise starting with the eyes. This is especially important when applying dark makeup because dark shadows have a tendency to crumble under the eyes and are difficult to remove without leaving dark streaks on the skin. Still, some find that the standard sequence of events is more convenient.
You can even out your skin tone first. To contrast with dark eyes, it should be both radiant and even. Therefore, mix in a dab of highlighter when you apply foundation. Steer clear of harsh contouring to avoid making the image appear overly "heavy" when combined with dark eyes. Use blush instead for making corrections.
Get ready for dark makeup application by priming your eyelids. You must first use a base, such as Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s Couture Eye Primer, which offers a 16-hour makeup wear guarantee.
Applying textures and shadows on top of the base is far more durable than leaving it bare. Additionally, makeup can roll and spread because the skin on the eyelids is particularly prone to oiliness.
Using a neutral base color is the next step. Cream or beige would work well for this. Spread it across the eyelids’ whole surface. Next, darken the area by filling in the crease and center area with medium-toned paints. Additionally, apply extremely dark hues—"bitter chocolate," "dark gray," and "coal black"—to the outer edges and eye contour. All of these colors can be found in palettes like NYX Professional Makeup’s Dream Catcher and Urban Decay’s Naked Smoky.
A well-applied coat of mascara and some black or dark brown arrows, depending on the "background," would complement the blurry shadows.
Bright lipstick on the lips is best avoided by people who draw so much attention to their eyes (though, for instance, in oriental makeup, this is not only acceptable but even encouraged). If you do apply anything on them, it should be a clear balm or bare lipstick.
Do you wear dark eye makeup frequently? Comment below and check out our range of dark-toned makeup products.
Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on applying eye makeup in darker tones.
With just a few key techniques, dark eye makeup can take your look from subtle to striking. Whether you want to add a bold touch to your everyday look or are going for a dramatic evening out, knowing the art of dark eye makeup can make all the difference. Start with a base that is well-prepared. Use primer to make sure the colors in your makeup stand out and stay in place.
In order to achieve depth and dimension, layering is necessary. To create a smooth gradient, start with a dark shade on your eyelid and work your way up to lighter shades. Remember to apply and blend eyeshadow precisely by using a high-quality brush. You can intensify the effect and give your eyes a more defined and intense look by using eyeliner.
Apply mascara or fake lashes to finish the appearance by adding length and volume. This last technique helps to draw attention to your dark eye makeup and enhance its allure. It takes practice to become perfect, so don’t give up if your first effort isn’t perfect. You’ll eventually discover the methods that are most effective for you and be able to create gorgeous dark eye makeup with ease.
