4 dramatic dark eye makeup looks

Black eye makeup is durable and versatile, suitable for almost any style, from everyday looks to dramatic smoky eyes. Refer to the following article to easily learn some popular eye makeup styles, as well as how to create a fake black eye for stage makeup!

Method 1: Smoky Eye Makeup.

Step 1: Apply your darkest eyeshadow to the outer corner.

Take the darkest eyeshadow you want to use (black or dark grey) and blend it in an arch just above the crease, from the outer corner to the middle of the eyelid. Then, blend it along the lash line.

Step 2: Apply a lighter shade of eyeshadow to the center of your eyelid.

Apply a slightly lighter grey to the center of your eyelid and blend it with the darker shade at the corner using a small, soft brush.

Step 3: Line your upper and lower lash lines.

Use a black eyeliner pencil to carefully line your upper lash line, drawing from the inner corner to a point at the outer corner, as close to the lashes as possible. Then, do the same for your lower lash line and water line (the part of your lower lash line closest to your eyeball) by gently pulling down the skin under your eye.

Use gel or liquid liner for your upper lash line if you prefer, but only use a pencil on your waterline, as liquid liner can easily get into your eyeball from the waterline and cause irritation.

Step 4: Smudge the bottom liner.

Use a pointed smudge brush or your fingertip to gently smudge the liner on your lower lash line, creating the characteristic hazy look. You can also smudge the top liner if you wish. For more color under the eye, you can also dab grey eyeshadow with a stiff-bristled brush just below the liner.

Step 5: Use a light color for the inner corner.

Use a light silver, cream, or shimmery white eyeshadow or pencil to highlight the inner corner of the eye. Blend gently if needed to create a smooth and gradual transition from light to dark across your eyelid.

Step 6: Apply multiple coats of mascara.

Take a black lengthening mascara and apply it evenly to your upper and lower lashes, pulling the brush from root to tip and repeating.

Method 2: Achieve the Perfect Cat Eye.

Step 1: Choose a light or nude eyeshadow.

Apply a light eyeshadow shade to your eyelid to create contrast for the cat eye. You can use a slightly darker shade for the outer corner if desired.

Step 2: Use black eyeliner for your upper lash line.

Use eyeliner to draw small strokes on your upper lash line until you have a straight and even line. Start at the inner corner or just outside it and increase the thickness of the line as you draw further towards the outer corner.

Step 3: Draw the wing.

Draw a thin eyeliner line from the outside of your lower lash line to a small point past your eyelid, as far up and out as you like in the direction of your eyebrow tail. Then, draw a straight line connecting your eyelid smoothly to this point to create a triangle. Fill in this triangle with eyeliner to complete it.

You can use a piece of tape or the curve of a spoon to help guide the shape of the wing. Liquid or gel eyeliner works best for creating a sharp, clear line, but you can use a pencil eyeliner if it has a pointed tip.

Step 4: Apply more mascara.

Apply a few coats of black lengthening mascara to complete the look.

Method 3: Blending Black with Other Colors.

Step 1: Use black eyeshadow on the outer corners.

Apply black eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eye, blending upwards in an arc just above the lash line and down along the lashes.

Step 2: Add color to the eyelid.

Add a vibrant eyeshadow color like purple or blue to the eyelid, with the darker eyeshadow closer to your black eyeshadow and the lighter eyeshadow closer to the inner corner of the eye. Then, blend the lighter eyeshadow, darker eyeshadow, and black with a soft brush to create a smooth gradient similar to a normal smoky eye.

Step 3: Use black eyeliner.

Use a pencil, gel, or liquid black eyeliner to draw a smooth line on your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner, as close to the lashes as possible. You can line the lower lash line in the same way if you wish.

Step 4: Highlight the inner corner.

Use a light or white eyeshadow or highlighter on the inner corner of the eye to complete the base. You can also use a similar or lighter color for the inner corner of the eye.

Step 5: Finish with black mascara.

Apply mascara by moving the brush from root to tip, repeating several times.

Method 4: Creating a Dramatic Black Eye.

Step 1: Line your eyes with black.

Use a black eyeliner pencil or black eyeshadow and a brush to create a thick line above and below your eyes. Use your finger, a brush, or a cotton swab to smudge the line. Don't worry about the line being messy or uneven. In this case, the messier it looks, the better!

Step 2: Add black to your under-eye socket, brow bone, and nose.

Use the same eyeliner or black eyeshadow to draw from the inner corner of your eye down to your cheek, following the curve of your eye socket. Blend the eyeshadow, then use powder on your finger, a powder brush, or a pointed tip to add a bit of contour to the sides of your nose and outside your eyebrows.

Step 3: Add dark purple.

Use a dark burgundy eyeshadow and apply it in an arc just above the crease and extend it past the outer corner of your eye to your temple. Then, use the same burgundy color to apply over the bottom curve of your eyelid that you previously lined with black. Use a blood-red eyeshadow along your lower lash line and blend it downwards. Blend all the colors together for a more natural look.

Step 4: Finish with yellow.

Add a light yellow eyeshadow wherever you want to create swelling, for example: between the lower lash line and the under-eye socket makeup, above the eyebrow, or below the eye socket and on the cheekbone.

Step 5: Complete your makeup.

Author: Katya Gudaeva. Translator: Bich Ngoc.

Source: Wikihow. Copyright belongs to: Kallos Vietnam.

A Little About Author Katya Gudaeva

This article was co-authored by Katya Gudaeva. Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Founder of a Bridal Beauty Company based in Seattle, Washington.

She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and with companies like Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, Barneys New York, and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.