How to Achieve Perfect Smokey Eyes - Makeup Looks, Tips and Tricks for Women

The "smokey" eye look is one of the most popular looks in makeup history and when sone properly can look nothing but downright sexy. To create this look you only need a few tools and a bit of time, so let's get started!

- Petroleum jelly or makeup primer.

- At least 3 eyeshadows in different shades of the one colour. Blacks and greys work the best, while blue, green and purple tones may also be used.

- Dark kohl eyeliner. Once again black is the best but the effect can still be achieved with grey or even blue.

- A makeup brush set containing eyeshadow sponges, eyeshadow brushes of different sizes and a large blush or kabuki brush.

- Translucent dusting powder.

- A thick voluminising mascara, once again preferably in black.

The method for this is quite simple.

Before you start, you might like to use a primer or a small amount of petroleum jelly on the eyelids. This makes the effect last a lot longer.

1. Base colour.

Choose the medium colour out of your 3 eyeshadows and use it to cover the eyelid just up past the crease. Also use this shade to lightly add a bit of definition to the outer corner of your lower eyelid.

2. Highlight colour.

Blending well, use the lightest shade above the medium eyeshadow, up onto the brow bone. This will create a "highlighted" effect and define your eyes, as well as make them pop.

3. Shadow colour.

Using the darkest colour you have select it place it on the lowest parts of the upper lid, close to where you would put eyeliner.

4. Blend!

Blend these colours well so you can still see 3 shades if you look closely, but make sure they have a gradient effect.

Now you have your basic smokey eye makeup. You can leave it here if you're not looking for such dramatic makeup, or you can...

1. Futher highlighting.

Use your highlight colour to line the inner corner of your bottom eyelid (like in step 1 of the previous section).

2. 3-D Effects.

Make a 3D-effect by taking your lightest colour and then putting a "dot" of it on the outer corner of the upper eyelid where your base colour meets your shadow colour. Blend it so a small but not bold circle appears.

1. Line it!

Gently so as not to ruin the rest of your makeup, pull the upper eyelid taught and line with your kohl eyeliner pencil. For extra definition this can be blended upwards with a cotton bud or eyeshadow sponge. Eyeliner is not required on the bottom eyelid.

2. Mascara.

Apply your mascara by wiggling the wand at the base of the eyelashes so as to deposit as much formula as possible before sweeping it along the lashes. Repeat several times until you reach the desired thickness and length.

3.Translucent powder.

Top it all off with some translucent powder to help set the look and make it last longer. Close your eyes and dip your blush or kabuki brush into your powder, then tap the brush to let the excess powder fall. Very gently run the brush in circular motions around the top of your eyes, taking care not to smudge all your hard work.

By now you should have created a stunning smokey-eye effect that is sure to knock men to the ground! Blacks, greys and blues are not the only colours you can use so play around a bit and think outsize the square. You can always use a liquid eyeliner to draw fancy and intricate designs around your eyes for truly special occasions.