How To: Smoldering Smoky Brown Eyes

Brown eyes can look smoldering with just a bit of smoked liner and shadow around them. Many brown-eyed celebrities claim it as their signature look. Read on for a couple of quick and easy versions of this popular look.

For eye makeup that lasts all day, always start by priming your lids. You can use a bit of foundation or concealer to even out the skin's appearance. For eyelids that are more prone to oiliness, try a special eyeshadow primer like Urban Decay Primer Potion (a daily staple for me), Too Faced Shadow Insurance, or L'Oreal DeCrease.

For an everyday version:

Apply a shimmery, light peach-gold highlighter to the brow bone. Line the upper lash line with a dark brown pencil or gel, and smudge it upward and out. Use a medium brown (preferably matte in finish) on the eyelid and up to the crease. Make sure your eyeshadow is well blended! Apply the brown eyeliner to the waterline. Smudge a bit of the medium brown shadow along the lower lash line, and then finish the look with dark brown or black mascara.

For a bit more drama:

Apply a shimmery peach-gold color right underneath the arches of the brows and blend downward toward the crease. Draw a medium-thickness line using your favorite dark brown or black (pencil or gel) eyeliner to the upper lash line and blend upwards for a smooth transition. Apply the same highlighter you used under the brows on the inner corners of the eyes to open them up. Pick up a bronze tone and pack it on the center of the eyelid, blending inward toward the inner corner highlight and outward toward the outer corners. Use a medium-dark plum or brown to define the outer corner of the eye and blend into the crease. Smudge some of the same shade very closely to the lower lash line. Follow with the bronze eyeshadow right underneath it to blend it out slightly. Line the waterline with black eyeliner. Finish off the look with a couple of coats of black mascara, and you're done with the eyes!

For even more drama, add some false eyelashes. Make sure you choose a pair that will not overpower the rest of your eye makeup! Don't worry about making everything super neat. Smoky eyes are sexy in that they're a bit messy and carefree. Pair the dark eyes with a quick application of peach or pink blush, and a matching light gloss.