Reader Request Week: Easy Brown Smokey Eye Using 1 Drugstore Shadow

I had a lot of requests for this one! A smokey eye is just...sexy. I adore wearing this for a night out, and I seem to wear it a lot during summer. I love how it's brown, making it a little more wearable; uses one shadow that's $3; and it's easy. It is! Here we go:

is it summer yet?

Ok, the trick to a smokey eye is to create an ombre effect--you want it lightest at the crease and darkest at the lash line. While I'm doing my eyes lightest to darkest, feel free to work in reverse. I'm using the $3 Wet N Wild shadow trio in On Cloud Nine. I'm using only the matte brown shade. Seriously, pick this up!

Mega Length mascara $3, shadow trio $3, lipstick $3

1. Apply eyelid primer on the lid and underneath your bottom lashes to make sure your shadow stays.

2. Using a fluffy brush, sweep a very light layer of brown from upper lash line to crease.

3. Dip a flat shader brush into the brown and pat the color onto the lid only--not the crease.

4. With the fluffy brush, and using small circular motions, blend the light brown crease and the dark brown together at the crease. The blend up a little past the crease. Again, it should be lightest at the top.

5. Add a drop of water or saline solution to your flat brush and dip into the brown. This intensified dark brown shade will be applied in the outer corner and slighted dragged onto the upper lash line. Use the fluffy brush to softly blend out any harsh lines.

6. Use a pencil brush and smudge the brown along the lower lash line.

7. Add a brown or black liner to the water and tight lines. 

8. Add several coats of mascara after curling lashes.

9. Finish with a pink-nude lipstick/gloss. 

TIPS:

• To make this a black smokey eye, use black on the lid and brown (or a coppery brown) in the crease.
• Instead of using the wet brown shadow, feel free to use a matte black instead.
• I added a little of my DIY Lip Butter onto my lips and lids for extra shine.
• For that summer glow, add bronzer and highlighter.