Kriti Sanon consistently turns heads with her elegant and sophisticated style, and her makeup is no exception. A signature part of her look is a soft yet glamorous brown smoky eye—a universally flattering choice that’s perfect for any occasion.
The Modern Classic: Why Brown?
The brown
smoky eye is the modern, more wearable cousin of the classic black. Where black can sometimes feel too harsh for daytime or for those with fairer skin tones, brown offers a softer, warmer alternative that still provides plenty of drama and definition. It’s a versatile look that can be dialled up for a glamorous evening out or kept subtle for a chic daytime event. Kriti Sanon often opts for this style, proving its power to enhance the eyes without overpowering the rest of her features. It’s a go-to for makeup artists and beginners alike because it complements all skin tones and eye colours. The key is in the seamless blending of chocolate, coffee, and bronze tones to create a warm, diffused effect.
Gather Your Everyday Toolkit
You don’t need a professional makeup artist’s kit to achieve this look. The beauty of a brown smoky eye is that it can be created with a few staple products that are likely already in your makeup bag. Before you start, gather your tools: an eyeshadow primer or concealer, at least two shades of brown eyeshadow (a medium matte and a darker one), a shimmery highlight shade (like champagne or light gold), a brown or black eyeliner pencil, a blending brush, and your favourite mascara. Having these items ready will make the entire process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 1: Create a Flawless Canvas
The secret to long-lasting, vibrant eyeshadow is all in the prep work. Start by applying a thin layer of eyeshadow primer across your entire eyelid, from the lash line up to the brow bone. If you don't have a primer, a dab of your everyday concealer works just as well. Blend it in with your finger or a brush. This step is crucial as it creates a smooth, even surface for the eyeshadow to adhere to, preventing it from creasing or fading throughout the day and ensuring the colours appear true and pigmented.
Step 2: Build the Base Shade
With your eyelids prepped, it's time to lay down the foundation of your smoky eye. Take a fluffy blending brush and pick up your medium-toned matte brown eyeshadow. Tap off any excess product to avoid fallout. Apply this shade all over your eyelid and into the crease, which is the natural fold of your eye. Use gentle, back-and-forth 'windshield wiper' motions to blend the colour seamlessly, diffusing any harsh lines. This initial layer of colour creates the main shape of the smoky eye and acts as a transition shade for the darker tones to come.
Step 3: Add Depth and Dimension
Now, for the 'smoky' part. Using a smaller, more densely packed brush, pick up your darkest brown eyeshadow. Focus this colour on the outer corner of your eye, creating a 'V' shape from the outer lash line up into the outer crease. This is where you build intensity. Gently blend the dark brown inwards, making sure it merges smoothly with the medium brown base shade you already applied. The goal is to create a seamless gradient from the darkest shade at the outer corner to the lighter shade towards the inner part of your lid. Keep blending until there are no obvious start or end points between the colours.
Step 4: Smudge and Define
To intensify the smoky effect, line your upper lash line with a brown or black eyeliner pencil. For a softer look, like Kriti’s, a chocolate brown pencil is ideal. Don't worry about making the line perfectly neat. Take a small smudger brush or even a cotton bud and gently smudge the eyeliner, blurring it into the dark eyeshadow at your lash line. Apply the same dark brown eyeshadow along your lower lash line using the smudger brush, connecting it at the outer corner. This step is essential for creating that hazy, smoked out look that defines a smoky eye.
Step 5: Highlight and Finish
To complete the look and add a touch of brightness, use your shimmery highlight shade. Apply a small amount to the inner corner of your eye and just below the arch of your eyebrow on the brow bone. This little touch makes your eyes appear more open and awake, adding a beautiful contrast to the deep, smoky colours. Finally, curl your eyelashes and apply a generous coat or two of your favourite mascara to both the top and bottom lashes. This will open up your eyes and tie the entire look together.
