Kriti Sanon's signature brown smoky eye is the epitome of versatile glamour. Softer than a classic black but just as impactful, this look is perfect for any evening occasion. Here’s how to master the technique for a flawless, blended finish.
Gather Your Arsenal
Before you
begin, assembling the right tools is crucial for achieving a seamless blend. You don’t need the most expensive products, but the right types of products will make all the difference. You will need: an eyeshadow primer or a full-coverage concealer, an eyeshadow palette with at least three shades of brown (a light taupe, a medium chocolate, and a dark espresso), a shimmery champagne or gold shadow for highlighting, a fluffy blending brush, a denser brush for packing on colour, a smudging brush, a brown or black kohl pencil, and your favourite mascara. False lashes are optional for added drama.
Step 1: Prep and Prime the Lids
A flawless smoky eye starts with a perfect canvas. Applying an eyeshadow primer is a non-negotiable step to prevent creasing and ensure your shadow colours pop and last all night. If you don't have a primer, a small amount of full-coverage concealer blended evenly across the eyelid works just as well. This creates a slightly tacky base that helps the eyeshadow powders adhere better, making blending smoother and the colours more vibrant. Set the primer or concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder or a nude eyeshadow that matches your skin tone.
Step 2: Build Your Transition Shade
The key to a professional-looking smoky eye is gradual dimension. Start with your lightest brown shade—think of a soft taupe or caramel—and a fluffy blending brush. Swirl the brush into the shadow, tap off any excess, and apply it to your crease using gentle, circular and windshield-wiper motions. This initial colour, known as the transition shade, creates a soft gradient and prevents any harsh lines from the darker colours you'll apply later. Build the colour slowly until you have a soft, diffused wash of brown in the crease.
Step 3: Add Depth with a Darker Brown
Now it’s time to add dimension. Take your medium to dark chocolate brown shadow on a denser eyeshadow brush. Pat this colour onto the outer third of your eyelid, forming a 'V' shape from the outer lash line up into the crease. Be careful not to bring this darker shade too far inward; it should be concentrated on the outer corner to create depth and an elongated effect. Once the colour is placed, take your fluffy blending brush again—with no extra product on it—and gently blend the edges where the dark and light browns meet. The goal is a seamless transition with no obvious start or end points.
Step 4 : Smoke Out the Lash Line
A true smoky eye involves both the upper and lower lids. Take your dark brown kohl pencil and run it along your upper lash line, getting as close to the roots of your lashes as possible. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Then, using a smudger brush or even a cotton swab, gently smudge the liner. You can apply a bit of your darkest brown eyeshadow over the smudged liner to intensify the effect and lock it in place. Repeat this on the lower lash line, applying the kohl pencil to the outer two/thirds and smudging it with the dark brown shadow for a balanced, smoky effect.
Step 5 : Highlight and Define
To prevent the smoky look from appearing flat or making your eyes look smaller, adding a touch of light is essential. Take your shimmery champagne or light gold eyeshadow on your finger or a small , flat brush . Press this onto the inner corner of your eye and onto the centre of your eyelid . This little pop of shimmer catches the light and adds a beautiful , eye - opening dimension . You can also apply a tiny amount to your brow bone , just under the arch of your eyebrow , to lift the entire eye area .
Step 6 : Finish with Lashes
No eye look is complete without beautifully defined lashes . If you like , you can add a thin line of liquid eyeliner for extra definition at the lash line . Then , curl your eyelashes to give them a lift before applying two to three generous coats of your favourite volumizing mascara . Wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes and pull through to the tips to build volume and length . For a truly glamorous , Kriti - inspired finish , consider applying a pair of wispy false eyelashes .
