Kriti Sanon's signature brown smoky eye is the epitome of effortless glam. It’s a versatile look that’s softer than traditional black, yet equally dramatic. Here’s how you can master the neutral shades behind this celebrity-favourite style.
Why Brown Is The New Black
The classic
black smoky eye can sometimes appear too harsh, especially for daytime events. A brown smoky eye, however, offers a softer, warmer alternative that is incredibly flattering for Indian skin tones. Shades of chocolate, bronze, and taupe enhance the natural warmth in the complexion, creating depth and dimension without overpowering the eyes. This look, often sported by Kriti Sanon on red carpets and in films, bridges the gap between everyday wear and evening elegance, making it a go-to for any occasion. It’s a timeless choice that adds a touch of sophistication and glamour.
Step 1: Prep and Prime Your Lids
The secret to a flawless, long-lasting eyeshadow look is a well-prepped base. Start by applying an eyeshadow primer to your clean eyelids. This creates a smooth canvas, prevents creasing, and helps the eyeshadow colours appear more vibrant. If you don't have a primer, a small amount of full-coverage concealer blended evenly across the lid works as an excellent substitute. Set the primer or concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder or a nude eyeshadow that matches your skin tone. This step ensures that the subsequent shades blend together seamlessly.
Step 2: Build Your Base Colour
To begin building the smoky effect, select a light, matte brown eyeshadow. Using a fluffy blending brush, sweep this colour all over your eyelid, from the lash line up to the crease. This initial layer acts as a transition shade and sets the foundation for the deeper colours to come. The key here is to apply the colour lightly and evenly, ensuring there are no harsh edges. This will make the blending process much easier in the following steps.
Step 3: Define the Crease and Outer Corner
Now, it's time to create depth. Choose a medium_toned matte brown, a few shades darker than your base. With a smaller, tapered blending brush, apply this shade into your crease, using gentle back_and_forth or circular motions. Concentrate the pigment on the outer third of your eye, forming a 'V' shape from the outer lash line up into the crease. This technique adds dimension and makes the eyes appear larger. Remember to blend thoroughly to avoid any harsh lines between the base and crease colours. Gradual layering is essential for a professional_looking finish.
Step 4:
Intensify and Smoke It Out
For the 'smoky' part of the look, you'll need the darkest shade. Pick a deep espresso or chocolate brown eyeshadow. You can also use a soft brown kohl or gel eyeliner. Using a dense pencil brush, apply this dark shade as close to your upper lash line as possible, then gently smudge and blend it upwards into the medium brown. Don't bring the dark colour up too high; keep it concentrated near the lashes to create intensity. For Kriti's signature look, also apply this dark brown shade along the lower lash line and smudge it out for a balanced, sultry effect.
Step 5:
Add a Touch of Shimmer
While Kriti often rocks a matte look, a touch of shimmer can elevate the brown smoky eye for a more festive occasion. Take a shimmery bronze, gold, or copper eyeshadow on your fingertip or a flat shader brush and press it onto the centre of your eyelid. This adds a beautiful pop of light that catches the eye. You can also add a tiny amount of a light, shimmery champagne or pale gold shade to the inner corners of your eyes and just below the arch of your eyebrow to highlight and brighten the entire look.
Step 6:
Finish with Liner and Mascara
No smoky eye is complete without defined lashes. To intensify the look, you can tightline your upper waterline with a black or dark brown kajal pencil. This makes your lash base appear thicker. Then, curl your eyelashes and apply two to three generous coats of a volumizing mascara to both your top and bottom lashes. Welldefined, luscious lashes are crucial to framing the eyes and completing the glamorous effect. For extra drama, feel free to add a pair of wispy false eyelashes.
