The Matte Brown Smokey Eye – It’s Possible!

By Sheila

A while back, someone asked if it was possible to do a smokey brown eye.  But, of course! Here’s my take on the smokey look using brown eyeshadows, and I really challenged myself with this one because I used matte shadows, and I am usually such a sucker for the glitter!

The colors I used are all by MAC. From left to right, I used –

Embark as the darker “smoke” color in the crease, applied with MAC’s #217 brush.

Cork, a medium brown for the lid, applied with MAC’s #242 brush.

Vanilla, for the browbone, applied with MAC’s #239 brush.

Step 1: I strayed away from MAC at this point and used Urban Decay’s Original Primer Potion, a great matte primer.

Using my flat brush, I applied the medium brown shade all over the lid with a patting motion, making sure to take the color OVER my crease, and blending in the edges.

Step 2: To smoke out my eyes, I used a dark brown and applied it using one of my basic shadow techniques, creating a “greater than” side at the sides of my eyes and then taking the shadow underneath my lower lids.

Blend, blend, blend!!!

Blend some more!

Seriously, get your blend on! 

Step 3: The basic look is finished by applying an ivory shadow under the brow bones and in the inner corner of the lid.

Step 4: I applied my liner and mascara as usual, then decided that I just HAD to incorporate a little shimmer somewhere. HAD TO. Using MAC’s Powerhouse, a really pretty shimmery gold liner, I lined the waterline of my lower lid. I’m so glad I took this extra step, because it really made my eyes pop! Love it!

So, there you have it !  Throw on a nude lip and some subtle cheeks, and you’re set!

If you have brown eyes and are hestitant about using brown shadows, I say it’s worth experimenting with. If you do have brown eyes really want to make your eyes stand out, use browns with a tad bit of red in them, like MAC’s Folie… it’s amazing what that can do to enhance the eyes!

What are some of your favorite brown eyeshadows?