Five common smoky eye makeup myths busted

Smoky eye makeup can be like a secret weapon in your makeup routine. When done correctly, it’ll leave you with a sultry stare that turns heads all night. But unflattering smoky eye looks will just make you appear like you really need a good night sleep.

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We spoke to Priceline Pharmacy Makeup Director, Sarah Laidlaw, to bust five of the most common smoky eye makeup myths and help us nail our smoky eye looks so we look sultry, not sleepy.   

Myth one: There’s only one smoky eye shape

If only the smoky eye was as simple as a one shape fits all approach. “If you have deep set eyes, the look can make you look on the sunken and gaunt side, and if you have very dark brown eyes the look can appear quite heavy if you go too dark with your shadow colour choices.” says Sarah. The trick is to know your features and work out how to enhance them, rather than copying what everyone else is doing. “It’s really important to create a shape that lifts your eyes rather than dragging them down and making you look tired,” explains Sarah. When done well and in a way that flatters your eye shape and colour, a smoky eye can look amazing on all eyes!

Myth two: You can just use your fingers

It’s tempting to just use your fingers to create a smoky eye, but just because the look is smudged doesn’t mean you don’t need the right tools to nail the look. A good quality brush will always get you a better result. “A good makeup brush will blend the shadows more effectively and deposit colour more efficiently,” says Sarah. Make sure you choose the right brush to make it easier to achieve the perfect shape for your smoky eye.

Myth three: Always apply your foundation after applying a smoky eye

It’s a common myth that you should always apply a smoky eye before your foundation, but according to Sarah, this really comes down to personal preference. “Some people apply their foundation after their eye makeup to make cleaning up any eyeshadow fallout that has dropped onto the cheeks easier,” she says. “For me, I prefer to apply foundation first as I think that if the skin looks amazing, I find I’m more discerning about how much eye makeup is really needed... or on the flipside, I can decide if I should push the look further.”

Myth four: A smoky eye can be any colour

After a few minutes scrolling on Instagram, you colour be convinced that a smoky eye can be any colour at all. But ask any makeup artist and they’ll tell you that’s definitely a myth. “A smoky eye is traditionally created using shades of grey, brown and black – the colours of smoke,” explains Sarah. Sure, you can use any colour you like in a smoky eye shape, but it’s technically not a real smoky eye. Sarah says that grey, brown and black will always best for smoky eyes.

Myth five: Always moisturise your eyelid before creating a smoky eye

You might think that you’re doing the right thing by prepping your eyelids with moisturiser before applying your eye makeup, but you might actually be shortening the lifespan of your makeup. “The eyelids are the oiliest part of the face, so a good start is to cleanse the eyelid and skip moisturiser on the area,” says Sarah. Instead, apply an eye primer to your eyelids to help to increase staying power.

What’s the easiest way to achieve a smouldering smoky eye look?

Now that we’ve busted the top five smoky eye myths, you’re probably ready to get your smoky eye on. For a quick and easy way to get the smoky eye look, Sarah suggests applying a wash of a grey or brown on the eyelid before smudging an eyeliner pencil along the top and bottom lash line. “This will give you that rock star/ morning after vibe,” she says. “Finish the look with curled lashes layered with a couple of coats of mascara and you’re done!” 

bh loves: Models Prefer Kohl Pencil, NYX Professional Makeup Love in Paris Shadow, Maybelline NY ExpertWear Quad, Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara

What do you think of these smoky eye myths? Do you like wearing a smoky eye?