For the very first tutorial on this blog, I wanted to create a very simple smokey eye look. This natural and easy brown smokey eye is perfect for everyday wear, nights out, and beginners!

This tutorial only uses THREE shades of eyeshadow! Honestly, you could create this look with only two shades if you wanted to – it can’t get much simpler than that. If you don’t know much about eyeshadow, you can learn more here.

To create the smokey eye look you see above, I used The Jaclyn Hill Palette by Morphe. This is my FAVORITE palette (I used it on my wedding day!) because of its versatility and quality.

With this palette, I used these shades: a light brown/taupe, a medium warm-toned brown, and a deep brown.

As you can see, my palette is a little beat up in some places. That’s just because I love it so much and use it so much (and drop it so much, oops)! If you don’t have this palette, you can use whatever browns tones you own.

Tip: Switch this look up using all grays, purples, or blues!

Step 1: Prime Your Eyes

For this step you can use an eyeshadow primer or concealer. I use concealer.

Start off with a clean eyelid. Here, I already have my brow done.

Using a flat brush and concealer, I “carve out” the bottom line of your brow. This is totally optional. It gives a more intense look to your brow!

Put a thin layer of concealer (or eye primer) over the entire eyelid. This prepares your eyelid for eyeshadow and will help your makeup look better and last longer.

Step 2: Apply Lightest Shade

Some makeup artists like to start with the darkest shade and add lighter shades on top of it, but I find it is easiest to blend when you start with the lightest shade first.

Using the shade labeled “1” on the palette and a fluffy blending eyeshadow brush, put the shade just above your eye’s crease – at the top of your eye socket and below your brow bone, where your skin naturally folds.

Use windshield wiper motions, AKA going back and forth horizontally, to blend that color out.

Keep blending this color for at least 30 seconds, up to a few minutes. You want this color to gradually lighten as it gets close to your brow, so it looks seamless against your natural skin tone.

Note: People with a darker complexion than me should start out with a shade that matches or is slightly darker than their own skin tone!

Tip: If you don’t have a light enough color for this step, substitute your face powder instead! Use tinted pressed or loose powder to give a slight color to the eyelid and create a smooth surface for the next color to blend into.

Step 3: Apply Medium Shade

To begin, grab some of the medium brown shade (“2” on the palette) on another eyeshadow brush. I recommend using a brush that is more dense for this part.

Put that color on your eyelid, keeping it low towards your lash line. This part doesn’t have to look great, it can look messy and that is okay!

Step 4: Blend!

Use a CLEAN blending brush, and go over the two shades already on your eye. This will pick up some of the extra pigment and blend the two colors together as a nice gradient.

This is how my eye looked after about 1 full minute of blending:

It looks a lot better than when we slapped the color on, but still has a way to go!

Using the same blending brush, take small amounts of both shades (“1” & “2”) and put them in the crease of your eye where the two shades meet.

Continue blending, gradually adding more of both shades, until you are satisfied with the blend between the two colors!

Tip: When adding more eyeshadow, add very small amounts each time! It is harder to blend out darker colors than it is to blend out lighter colors, so be especially careful not to add too much of the darker color at once.

Tip 2: Tap the handle of your brush against your finger to knock off some of the eyeshadow if you pick up too much!

Note: This step could take a while! It’s okay to spend a few minutes blending it out.

Step 5: Add Darkest Shade

On the same dense eyeshadow brush you used to apply shade “2”, dip into shade “3” and place it right against your lash line.

Since dark shades are harder to blend out, I recommend only putting on a TINY bit at a time – don’t rush it and add too much eyeshadow. It will become frustrating to blend!

Using the same blending brush from the previous step, take small amounts of shade “2” and shade “3” to blend those colors together.

If you want a darker smokey eye, continue to add more dark brown (or even black!) until you reach the color you desire. I wanted a lighter smokey eye, so I stopped here!

Note: This step might also take a few minutes. Don’t worry! You’ve got this!

Step 6: Lower Lash Line

To bring the look together, add a bit of eyeshadow underneath your lower eyelashes. I like using a small angled brush for this.

Blend shades “1” and “2” to connect them with the eyeshadow on your eyelid.

Step 7: Eyeliner

A key element of a classic smokey eye is black eyeliner in the waterline and tightline.

For this, I am using a black kohl eyeliner pencil.

Tip: It helps to be close to a mirror for this step, being careful not to get eyeliner in your eye!

Step 8: Mascara (and Lashes!)

Curl your eyelashes. Using a black mascara, coat your upper eyelashes.

Putting mascara on your lower eyelashes is totally optional, but I think it helps complete the smokey look!

If you like wearing false lashes, pop on a pair of those too. These ones are pretty natural but make my eyes stand out!

Bonus Step: Use your favorite highlighter (or shade “*” marked on the palette!) on your brow bone under the tail of your brow & in the inner corner of your eye to really make your look pop!

You’re Done!

You now have easy brown smokey eyes – assuming you did all the steps on both eyes, and not just one like I show 😉

Bonus: Different ways to wear this look!

This simple eyeshadow is very versatile. You can wear it as everyday work makeup, a quick glam, or a darker going-out look!

To inspire you a little more, here’s three different lip products that totally change the vibes of this eye look:

1. Matte Nude
   

2. Pinky Gloss
   

3. Matte Black
   

As you can see, the color of lipstick you choose can totally change the feel of this eyeshadow – but just about everything will match it, too!

Have fun with this look, change it up, and let me know if you follow this tutorial!