The smokey eye look is a timeless and dramatic makeup technique that can be flattering for women of all ages, including those over 50. The key to achieving a beautiful smokey eye as a more mature woman lies in the application techniques, products, and shades that best complement your features. If you’re new to this eye makeup style or looking for tips that enhance your natural beauty, this beginner-level guide will walk you through step-by-step to create a stunning smokey eye.
1. Prepping the Eyes
Before diving into the makeup itself, proper preparation is crucial for long-lasting and smooth results.
Start with Skincare: As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier and more delicate. Begin by applying an eye cream to hydrate the skin around your eyes. This helps to prevent makeup from settling into fine lines and ensures a smooth surface. If you have puffiness or dark circles, use a cream that targets these issues. A well-moisturized eye area also helps eyeshadow adhere better and last longer.
Prime the Lids: Next, apply an eyeshadow primer on your eyelids. This step is essential for creating a base that helps eyeshadow stay in place throughout the day. It also evens out the skin tone on the eyelids, providing a smoother canvas for your smokey eye makeup. Use a primer that is lightweight and non-greasy, which will work well with mature skin.
2. Choosing the Right Colors
The smokey eye can be customized to suit your individual style and skin tone, but it’s important to choose colors that enhance your natural features, especially as we age. Dark shades can sometimes overwhelm the eye area, so the goal is to create a softer, more flattering effect.
Neutral Shades for a Soft Smokey Eye: For beginners, it’s recommended to start with neutral tones like soft browns, taupes, and warm bronzes. These shades are easier to blend and can create a natural-looking smokey eye. If you want a slightly more dramatic look, you can opt for charcoal or deep plum shades.
Avoid Too-Glossy or Too-Shimmery Eyeshadows: While shimmer can look beautiful, large glitter particles or highly reflective eyeshadows can emphasize fine lines around the eyes. Instead, opt for matte or satin finishes that provide a sophisticated and age-appropriate smokey eye effect.
Complement Your Eye Color: Brown eyes can benefit from shades like copper, bronze, or deep purples. Blue eyes pop with warm browns and oranges, while green eyes can be enhanced with shades like deep golds, bronze, and reddish hues.
3. Step-by-Step Application
Now that your eyes are prepped and you’ve selected your shades, it’s time to start applying the eyeshadow. Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating a soft smokey eye look.
Step 1: Apply a Light Base Shade
Start by applying a neutral, light-colored eyeshadow to your entire eyelid. Use a shade that matches your skin tone or is slightly lighter. This creates a soft base and allows for better blending when you add darker colors.
Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to sweep the light shade across your entire eyelid, from the lash line to just below the brow bone. This will help even out your eyelid color and give the smokey eye look a more natural transition between shades.
Step 2: Define the Crease
For a more defined look, it’s important to add depth to your crease. Choose a medium-toned shadow, such as a matte taupe or warm brown, and use a smaller, fluffy blending brush to apply the color to your crease.
Look straight ahead into the mirror and apply the shadow in a back-and-forth motion along the crease of your eyelid, just above the natural fold. Blend it gently, making sure the color isn’t too harsh or heavy. This step gives your eyes dimension and helps to create the depth characteristic of a smokey eye.
Step 3: Apply a Darker Shade to the Outer Corners
The hallmark of a smokey eye is the darkening of the outer corners of the eyes. Choose a darker shade, such as a deep brown, charcoal, or plum, and apply it to the outer corners of your eyes. Use a small, tapered brush to gently place the color on the outer V shape of the eye, starting from the lash line and blending upwards towards the crease.
When applying the darker shade, avoid placing it too far in the inner corner. The focus should be on the outer third of the eye to create that signature smokey effect. Blend the edges carefully to avoid any harsh lines.
Step 4: Blend, Blend, Blend
One of the most important aspects of a smokey eye is blending. As you build the darker shadows, make sure to blend each layer thoroughly so the transition between shades is smooth and seamless. Use a clean blending brush to soften any harsh edges, especially where the lighter and darker shadows meet.
Take your time blending to ensure the eyeshadow looks soft and not overly dramatic, particularly for mature eyes. The goal is a diffused, smoky look rather than sharp lines.
Step 5: Apply Eyeliner
Eyeliner is crucial for enhancing the smokey eye look, but the right technique can make a big difference, especially as we age. Choose a pencil liner in a dark brown or black color and apply it to the upper lash line. Use small, short strokes to apply the liner as close to the lashes as possible.
For a more intense look, you can also line your lower lash line with the same pencil, keeping the liner close to the waterline. Then, use a small brush to smudge the eyeliner gently, which adds to the smokey effect and softens any harsh lines.
Step 6: Add Mascara
To complete the smokey eye, apply a few coats of mascara to both your upper and lower lashes. Look for a lengthening and volumizing mascara to give your lashes more definition and make your eyes appear larger and more awake.
For women over 50, using a waterproof mascara can be a great option to prevent smudging throughout the day, especially if you have hooded eyelids or tend to experience smudging under the eyes.
4. Finishing Touches
After completing the eyes, take a moment to clean up any excess eyeshadow or eyeliner that may have fallen onto your face. Use a makeup wipe or cotton swab to remove any smudges.
To further enhance the look, you can add a subtle highlight to the inner corners of the eyes. This step opens up the eyes and adds brightness, which can be especially flattering for mature women. A light, shimmery shade or a pearlescent eyeshadow can be perfect for this.
5. Final Tips for a Beautiful Smokey Eye
- Keep it soft: If you’re new to smokey eyes, start with a more subtle look and build intensity gradually. It’s easier to add more shadow than to take it away!
- Use good brushes: Invest in high-quality makeup brushes that are designed for blending. A good blending brush can make all the difference in achieving a smooth, seamless smokey eye.
- Avoid too much product: Less is often more when it comes to smokey eyes on mature skin. Too much product can settle into fine lines. Apply in thin layers and build up slowly.
- Be mindful of the shape of your eyes: Tailor the shape and placement of your smokey eye to suit your eye shape. For example, if you have hooded eyes, concentrate the darkest shadow along the upper lash line to avoid closing the eyes off.
Conclusion
The smokey eye is a versatile and flattering makeup technique that, when done correctly, can accentuate the eyes beautifully, even for women over 50. By following these beginner-level techniques, choosing the right colors, and blending thoughtfully, you can achieve a soft, elegant smokey eye that enhances your natural beauty and helps you feel confident and stunning.
