How To Get The Perfect Smokey Eye For New Year’s Eve

From subtle to dramatic, smokey eye makeup is a true statement look that looks good on everyone. However, it's also one of the most intimidating eye looks to achieve, as although meant to look rebellious, smudged, and effortless, executing it flawlessly requires a lot of finesse if you want to avoid looking like a hot mess.

But don't worry – with this foolproof guide, you'll be able to create the perfect smokey eye for your New Year's Eve party in no time! All you need is a few eyeshadow colors of your choice, a couple of fluffy brushes, and some patience. So grab your makeup kit, and let's get started!

Prep with an Eyeshadow Primer

Prepping with only concealer is usually enough for regular makeup; however, since New Year's Eve is an occasion that entails celebrating until the early morning hours, you'll want to make sure your eye makeup stays in place no matter what! That's why you need to use an eyeshadow primer beforehand to ensure your makeup lasts all night long instead of letting you down halfway through the party. Begin by applying a light layer of the primer all over your eyelids and blending it out with a dense concealer brush.

Product To Try: Urban Decay – Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original, $25

Apply Concealer over the Eyelids

Next, to secure your eye makeup in place, apply a light layer of concealer over your eyelids. This will even out your skin tone and hide imperfections like dark circles and redness, as well as provide a smooth, even base for the eyeshadow.

Product To Try: KVD Beauty – Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer, $28

Set the Eyes with Powder

Finally, before moving on to the exciting part, you must set your eyelids with a loose powder. This way, your eyeshadow won't get muddy, cakey, or settle into the lines when applied.

Grab a translucent setting powder and a fluffy eyeshadow brush and pack a heavier layer of product onto your eyelids. Avoid using a large powder brush because these are not as precise when it comes to smaller areas, and they might remove some of the concealer and primer you applied beforehand and leave you with an uneven application. Additionally, the finish of the powder is entirely your choice, but using a product with a velvety finish rather than matte will give your eyes that natural, glowing look instead of a flat, powdered effect.

Product To Try: Tatcha – The Silk Powder, $48

Apply a Base Eyeshadow

Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply a neutral shade as a base all over your lid, crease, and, depending on your eye shape, up to the brow bone. Whether creating a subtle smokey eye or a more dramatic one, you can choose shades like beige, taupe, carob, or warm brown. This will create definition and accentuate your eyes. Blend your base eyeshadow until you get a seamless finish, and then you can move on to the next step of your smokey eye.

Product To Try: Smashbox – Eyeshadow Trio, $23

Follow Up with a Crease Eyeshadow

The next part is adding a sharper dimension to the crease by applying a darker eyeshadow shade. This is when you can opt for those darker browns like chocolate or coffee, dark greys like charcoal or slate, plums, and purples if you want something a bit more dramatic, or black if you're going for an intense smokey eye. 

Using the same brush as earlier, blend this color into the crease of your eyes and up to the brow bone, then buff it out for a smokey finish. Depending on your eye shape, you can create a round look by concentrating the color on the crease and towards the brow bone, or gently blending it outwards for a more elongated shape.

Product To Try: Hourglass – Curator Eyeshadow Singles, $29

Smoke Out with a Top Eyeshadow

The final step is to smoke out the eyes by applying a black or dark grey shade, which will add intensity to your eye makeup. You can apply this shade all over your eyelid for a more dramatic look or only in the outer corner for a softer smokey eye. Then, using a small fluffy brush, blend out the shade until you get the desired effect and there are no harsh lines.

Optionally, you can also add a bit of luxe and pizazz to your look by applying a metallic eyeshadow, which can be in any color from gold, green, blue, grey, or purple, purely depending on your preference, the outfit that you will be wearing, or the type of party that you are going to.

Product To Try: Pat McGrath – Subliminal Eyeshadow Palette, $128

Apply Eyeliner

Once you're done with the eyeshadows, it's time to add some more smoke to your look by picking up a creamy eyeliner and lining your upper and lower lash lines and water lines for that sultry, seductive effect. To create a soft and seamless finish, you can smudge out the eyeliner with a small, dense brush by pulling some of the pigment toward the outer corner of the eye.

Product To Try: Urban Decay – 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil, $23

Finish with Mascara

Finally, to complete your smokey eye look, curl your eyelashes and apply two or more coats of mascara. You can choose any mascara depending on the effect you're going for, from lengthening to volumizing ones; however, what's important is for it to be waterproof. You don't want to have your eye makeup running down your face in the middle of a New Year's Eve party!

Product To Try: Hourglass – Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara, $29

Closing Thoughts

Now that your perfect smokey eye is finished, you'll be ready to rock the night away! Whether you'll be celebrating with your closest family members or going out with friends, this look will make you feel confident and glamorous and will most definitely add a bit of sparkle to your New Year's Eve.

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