11 Steps to Fix Smoky Eye Makeup Mistakes

Smoky eyes are a classic makeup look. Whether you're using black, grey, shimmering silver, brown, or gold, smoky eye makeup remains a captivating style that can give you a striking and sharp gaze. However, achieving this makeup style isn't as simple as you might think. Issues like smudging, creasing, eyeshadow that's too light or too dark are common mistakes that can ruin the look you're aiming for. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix common smoky eye makeup mistakes.

Method 1: Prevent Smudging and Creasing.

Step 1: Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyelids before starting.

This is an often-skipped step, but it can make all the difference for your smoky eyes. Eyeshadow primer creates an even and smooth base for your eyeshadow. At the same time, primer also helps to eliminate imperfections on your skin, prevents makeup from creasing, and keeps your eyeshadow precisely in place.

You can purchase eyeshadow primer at a drugstore or your local cosmetics store. Gently dab it onto your eyelids with your fingertip. Make sure you evenly cover your entire eyelid and blend it up to your crease.

Step 2: Apply powder around your smoky eye makeup.

After you've applied primer and eyeshadow, there's one more step to keep your eyeshadow from moving. Use a small, fluffy brush to lightly dust your favorite setting powder around the entire area where you applied your smoky eye makeup. You can purchase setting powder at a drugstore or cosmetics store.

Step 3: Use a setting spray.

Setting spray helps to lock in and ensure your makeup stays put. When you apply smoky eye makeup with a primer and setting spray, your makeup is sure to stay put. Close your eyes, hold the spray bottle about an arm's length from your face, and mist it onto your face. Allow the spray to air dry naturally. This process will only take a few seconds.

Method 2: Prevent Eyeshadow Fallout from Smudging Your Makeup.

Step 1: Use an eye patch.

You may have seen these patches in drugstores or cosmetics stores. While they offer many benefits, such as reducing dark circles and puffiness, instead of using them before bed, try using eye patches when you apply smoky eye makeup.

Eyeshadow fallout and debris will fall onto these patches without smudging your face makeup. Once you've finished your smoky eye look, remove the patches. At the same time, you'll remove all the fallen eyeshadow. Additionally, the skin under your eyes will be soothed, plumped, and revitalized.

Step 2: Clean the skin under your eyes with makeup remover.

If you're having trouble with a lot of smudging when applying smoky eye makeup, you can clean up some of the smudged areas. Once you're happy with your eye makeup, dip a small cotton pad into specialized eye makeup remover. Then, gently wipe away any excess eyeshadow that has fallen onto the skin under your eyes and cheeks.

Step 3: Apply a bit of loose powder under your eyes to create a barrier.

Eyeshadow falling onto the under-eye area can create smudges, and you might need to completely remove and reapply your makeup to fix it. However, if you apply a bit of loose powder under your eyes before applying foundation, you'll be able to easily brush away any fallen eyeshadow.

Step 4: Apply foundation after eye makeup.

If you watch most beauty professionals' videos, they usually start by doing eye makeup first. Once their eyes are perfect, the professionals move on to face makeup. While it may seem like an odd order, it makes perfect sense to help you easily deal with eyeshadow fallout.

Instead of worrying about eyeshadow fallout smudging the area under your eyes, you can cover and fix this problem with your foundation and concealer. Perfect your smoky eyes, and then start applying your face products.

Method 3: Brighten Overly Dark Smoky Eyes.

Step 1: Start with a light, neutral eyeshadow base.

Before applying darker shades, apply a light, neutral eyeshadow all over your eyelid. This will help brighten your eyes and make it easier to blend other eyeshadow shades together. Choose an eyeshadow shade closest to your skin tone.

Step 2: Add a neutral eyeshadow color over the dark eyeshadow.

Sometimes, after completing a smoky eye look with dark eyeshadows and looking at yourself in the mirror again, you might find your eyes look too dark or bruised. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix this problem. The simplest method is probably to apply a layer of neutral eyeshadow over your dark eyeshadow.

This will help lighten the overly dark eyeshadow and make your look a little less harsh. If your eyeshadow still has rough lines, use a small blending brush and apply a little more eyeshadow to that area.

Step 3: Use cotton swabs for corrections.

Instead of completely washing your face, buy a bottle of makeup remover. You can usually find this product near the cotton pads section at your local drugstore or cosmetics store. Then, dip a cotton swab into the makeup remover and gently apply it to areas that appear a bit too dark. Unlike cotton pads, cotton swabs won't remove all the eyeshadow you've carefully applied.

Instead, it will absorb excess pigment and make the makeup on your eyelids look a little lighter. You can also use a clean, dome-shaped brush to correct any smudged areas, or you can try using a flat pressing brush to dab a little more eyeshadow and reapply any faded areas.

Step 4: Line your waterline with white eyeliner.

If you're worried that a dark smoky eye will make your eyes look sunken and dull, try this simple trick. Take a white eyeliner pencil and draw a thick line on your inner waterline. This is almost an optical illusion, making the whites of your eyes appear larger. This will instantly brighten your eyes and make your smoky eye makeup look softer.

Author: Alicia D'Angelo. Translator: Bich Ngoc.

Source: Wikihow. Copyright belongs to: Kallos Vietnam.

About the author Alicia D'Angelo

This article is co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo. Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty, and Pat McGrath Labs, as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn.

Her work has been featured on Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She holds a degree in Visual Communications from FIDM-Los Angeles.