How to achieve the smoky eye look

With the arrival of Urban Decay in Debenhams, they recently held a make-up masterclass to show how to achieve a smoky eye using their new Naked Smoky palette and we went along to see how it’s done.

Prime your lids – To help keep eyeshadow in place, use a primer on your lids for a smoother application, more vibrant colour and to prevent creasing. Urban Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer Potions (£16) come in three shades and also in a travel size (£8), you only need a small amount so this product really will last you a long time.

Build your eye-shadow – When creating a smoky look it is important to slowly build the colour to achieve the shade you want, smoky eyes isn’t just about using shades of black. Using the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette (£38), apply the shade Dagger on to middle section of your eyelid across to the outer edge with a flat eyeshadow brush, patting the shadow on to build the colour to a shade you are happy with. With a clean eyeshadow brush apply the shade Armor to the inner corner of your eye up to the middle of the eyelid. Build on top of the middle section where you put Dagger with the shade Smolder, and also take this colour underneath the eye along the lower lash line using the smoky smudger side of the double-ended brush included with the palette.

It’s all about blending – Using the tapered crease end of the applicator brush blend the colours together using small circular movements, this will create the smoky look you are aiming for. With an angled brush take the shade Black Market and create a V shape on the outer edge / crease of your eyelid, you can keep building this if you want to make it darker. Again use the tapered crease brush  and buff this colour into your crease using small circular motions to blend it all together.

Define your eyes – To create definition and for the ultimate smoky look, eye liner is a must. Use the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye-Pencil (£15.50) in the shade Black Velvet along the waterline (just above the lower lash line) from one corner of the eye to the other.  Use Ink for Eyes precision eye pen (£15.50) and draw a smooth line along the top lash line from the inner corner to the outer edge of your eye, add a wing or flick using the precision pen applicator.

Mascara is a must – To finish off the smoky look and create dramatic dark lashes first use the Subversion Lash Primer (£15.50), it conditions and primes lashes helping them appear thicker and fuller, don’t be put off by its white appearance as your mascara will mask this when applied after. Follow with the best selling Perversion mascara (£17.50) which is the blackest of blacks, apply one coat to one eye and then move on to the next eye before going back to other to build up the mascara, apply on top and bottom lashes. Use Naked Concealer (£17.50) to tidy up any fall out from the eye shadow or to neaten up edges, and your look is complete!

How to achieve the smoky eye look the Urban Decay way

To get your hands on the new Naked Smoky palette or to book in for a smoky eye make-over of your own (cost of make-over redeemable on purchases on the day), visit the Urban Decay counter at Debenhams, The Rock.