A Smoky Eye Is Smoking Hot: How To Create The Look Men Can’t Resist post image

A Smoky Eye Is Smoking Hot: How To Create The Look Men Can’t Resist


I was never really one for heavy eye-makeup until my ex-boyfriend left me for some Megan Fox lookalike. In a bid to maybe gain back some confidence and feel sexy again, I started experimenting with the seductive smoky eye look….and mission accomplished!

I kid you not, every guy I talk to says something along the lines of: “I don’t know what it is you do to your eyes but there’s something about it that’s so hot.”

And there is actually a scientific reason for this! Women tend to be darker around their eyes than men, so playing up this contrast can actually make you appear more feminine. Studies conducted by Dr. Richard Russell, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Gettysburg College, have demonstrated that the darker your eyes are in relation to your skin tone, the more attractive you appear (the opposite is true for men).

I have tried countless products and techniques in order to master the art of the sexy smoky eye and am revealing all my tips to help you channel your inner smoldering seductress.

Step 1) Begin with a solid eye primer to make sure your makeup stays on. One of the biggest problems most women face when it comes to applying any kind of eye makeup is how to make it stay on. Without eye primer, your lids will get oily. Oily eyelids are a major turn off to men. In fact, no makeup looks better than oily eyelids with smeared makeup.

I recommend Urban Decay’s Primer Potion ($20) because it creates the perfect matte base that keeps your eye makeup in place all day and night.

Step 2: Line the Eyes. Start my lining the inside of your lower lid. This creates depth giving you that subtle yet unmistakably seductive stare. First make sure the pencil is sharpened for precise application. Stand or sit in front of a mirror. Make sure you are comfortable. Hold your eye open with two fingers. Take your other hand and use the pencil to apply eyeliner inside the the lower lid and apply it under the lash line as well (not too much though to keep from looking like a raccoon!). Then close your eye and like the upper lash line. For more precise application, close your eye and stretch the lid out a bit and then draw your line. My go-to pencil is Lancome’s Le Stylo Waterproof Eye Pencil ($27) because it goes on smooth and doesn’t smudge the way a lot of other pencils do.

Bonus Tip: Apply a drop of Visene onto your pencil before applying. The viscous quality of the drops makes eyeliner glide right on and helps it stay put.

Step 3: To make your eyes look bigger and brighter, take a white eye shadow and apply a tiny amount to your inner eye. Just dab a small amount right in the inner corner of your eye.  This makes your eyes look brighter, which means you look healthier.  Men are instinctively attracted to big, bright eyes. Step 4: Use a Liquid or Gel Liner for a More Dramatic Look. A liquid or gel linger allows you to create a thicker line, which has a more intense, dramatic effect. This is what gives Megan Fox (and many other drop dead gorgeous celebrities) that irresistible stare. You can use a liquid or gel alone, or layer it over the pencil. I recommend Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel Eyeliner ($24).  Or try Mac Fluidline ($16), which Angelina Jolie reportedly uses.

Bonus Tip: Make sure you use the right brush when applying your liner. Using the right brush will make or break how your look turns out. Look for a slanted brush that is thin to allow for precise application. With a thinner brush, you also have the option of applying as much or as little as you’d like. I recommend Bobbi Brown Ultrafine  Eye Liner Brush ($27).

Step 5: Pump Up the Lashes. Curling your lashes instantly wakes up your eyes and makes them appear larger. If you want to look extra seductive, apply fake lashes for a luscious look a la Megan Fox. megan fox smoky eye    Step 6: Load up on the mascara. Mascara is the final crucial step to bring the look home. Here is the secret for creating killer lashes with mascara. Open your eyes wide and apply it all across your lash line in very quick motions, just keep brushing the lashes with the wand over and over. Then dunk the wand back in the tube real fast (don’t give the first coat a chance to dry!), and apply another coat doing the same thing. Make sure to move quick and hit every part of your lash line. This technique avoids clumping because you’re brushing every single lash, lengthening and separating them in the process. Don’t worry about making a mess (which you will if you do this right), you can clean that up after. Your lashes will literally look longer and more luscious than you ever thought possible. I recommend Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Full Body Mascara ($27.50). It creates volume and length all in one brush and doesn’t clump or flake.

Step 7: Clean it Up. Take a Q-tip and wipe away any smudges using either makeup remover or Vaseline (it works wonders!). This step might seem simple or obvious, but you would be surprised at how many women simply don’t realize the difference it makes when you have a liquid eye makeup remover on hand. Pay special attention to the under-eye area which can get smudgy. After cleaning it up, apply a brightening under-eye concealer.

Step 8: To complete your look, throw on a neutral or nude lipstick and a clear gloss over it.  Let your eyes do all the talking by keeping the rest of your look minimal. The contrast between a smoky eye and nude lip is totally irresistible and has that naughty-but-nice vibe that men love. NARS is notorious for their seductive lipstick shades. Try their lipstick in Belle de Jour ($26) for the perfect sheer beige shade. Top it off with Nars Lip Gloss in Striptease($26) for a shimmery finish.

Now you’re ready to walk out of your house feeling sexy. Eye makeup is going to bring out your inner vixen, whether you like it or not. Questions? Comments? Leave them below! I love talking about eye makeup with fellow like-minded women. Or maybe you have specific products you love? Please share them.

Written by Sabrina Alexis

I’m Sabrina Alexis, the co-founder, and co-editor of A New Mode. I love writing relatable, insightful articles that help people understand relationship dynamics and how to get the love they want. I have a degree in psychology and have spent the last 10 years interviewing countless men and reading and studying as much as I can to better understand human psychology and how men operate. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Instagram.

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Jamie Herzlinger

Thank you so much for sharing your secrets! I have been trying to master the smokey eye as I also agree it pairs great with a nude lip!
Love, Jamie Herzlinger

Reply August 26, 2014, 1:26 pm

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