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When most people think of the term "smoky eye," they call to mind images of kohl-rimmed lids, stark gray and black eyeshadow, and graphic shapes. Theyre not wrong. After all, smoky and sooty are basically synonyms, and bold interpretations of the look litter social media and red carpet events. Google "smoky eye tutorial" and youll see that most are dark, glamorous, and edgy. Rarely, though, will you find one on the softer side of the smoke.
Instead of the traditional grungy and charred vibe of what we will, from here on out, refer to as Instagram smoky eyes, these soft looks give off a subdued and romantic feel. No matter what shade of eyeshadow theyre created with, the final result is silky and diffused—like a tendril of smoke rising from a lit match. While less dramatic than others you might be used to seeing, these looks are just as impactful.
Dont believe us? Keep scrolling to see eight celebrities who have flawlessly pulled off the subtle smoky eye look—plus a tutorial on how to replicate a subtle smoky eye makeup look at home. After seeing them, youll be reaching for your favorite eyeshadow palette and blending brush. Theyre that good.
Smudged
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Let us start with Hailey Beibers Met Gala look. Her bubblegum pink hair and high-end flower crown were the obvious standouts, but we couldnt help noticing her diffused smoky brown eyeshadow. Its subtle rosy undertone and smoked-out edges gave the look an ethereal effect.
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Naked3 Palette
$54.00
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Beibers look can easily be re-created using Urban Decays Naked 3 Palette, which includes many more rosy pink tones than the original does. Combine the shades Darkside and Factory, which are two brick-brown shades, with Nooner, a shimmery taupe-pink, for a similar rosy brown effect. Pairing it with pink hair isnt compulsory, but its definitely encouraged.
Copper
Rihannas smoky eyeshadow is faint, shimmery, and perfect. She kept this one looking 90s rocker chic by combining it with a blunt bob, layered necklaces, and a nude lip.
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The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
$13.00
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To us, this looks like something that could be re-created using Maybellines original The Nudes palette. It includes 12 pressed powders, ranging from beige to onyx black. Thanks to a combination of satin and matte finishes, you can achieve the same shimmery result.
Classic
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Ciara proved that black and gray shades dont have to be bold and graphic. If blended out with a fluffy brush, they lend definition and shape to the eyes without overtaking the entire makeup look. If you look closely, youll notice her lower lash line was rimmed in shimmery gold shadow, which kept her eyes looking big, bright, and fresh. We love it—especially with the nude lip.
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Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette in Suede
$32.00
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To replicate Ciaras soft charcoal smoky eye look, try using Nars Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette in Suede, which has six total gorgeous metallic and matte shades. For this look in particular, use a combination of the shimmery beige/gray shade and a bit of the onyx shade on the lower right. Then, add a bit of the shimmery copper shade along the lower lash line for extra dimension and shine. Voilà.
Orange-Hued
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Kim Kardashian West is something of a subtle-smoky-eye devotee. Shes known for wearing soft and diffused shadows, especially in neutral shades such as this orange-brown color combination that she wore to the CFDA Awards in New York City.
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Naked Petite Heat Palette
$28.00
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This is almost identical to a look weve created using Urban Decays Naked Petite Heat Palette, which is a miniature-size version of the brands original 12-shade palette. We used the orange shade, called Wild Thing, to get a similar ochre brown effect.
Bold and Blue
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Looking for some color inspo but dont want to go overboard? Kerry Washingtons red carpet look may be your answer. Though the teal shade is intense and boldly drawn out underneath her lower lash line, you can easily make the look subtle by not packing on the color so heavily.
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Eyeshadow Palette 5
$48.00
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Try using Natasha Deannas teal-hued eyeshadow palette to recreate the look. Dust the matte all over your lid for a light wash of color or pair it with a shimmery pop in the center of the lid.
Taupe
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Barely-there eyeshadow will never go out of style—just take heed from Lupita Nyongo who paired a dusting of taupe shadow with a vivid rose-colored lip and a soft cat eye. The look had a definite effortless French-girl vibe to it, no? Cest chic.
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Expertwear Monos Eyeshadow in Cool Cocoa
$5.00
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Use a mauve-toned eyeshadow single such as this one from Maybelline for a similar French girl–approved no-makeup makeup look. Its a shade that can be worn every single day and for every situation.
Light Pink
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Like West, Elizabeth Olsen has worn many subtle smoky eye looks in her lifetime. This one was so good that we had to include her in this roundup twice for it. The pink shade made her green eyes pop. No wonder makeup artists recommend green-eyed people invest in pink shades.
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Pressed Eyeshadow in Siren
$30.00
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This shimmery pink shadow comes recommended by makeup artist Ashley Rebecca. "The pink really brightens green eyes and can sometimes bring out hidden tones of gold which are so beautiful," she says. We agree. Please excuse us while we stock up on pink and red eyeshadow. Even those of us who dont have green eyes want in on the warm tones.
Burgundy With Cat Eye
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Yeah, were not off the warm-tone eyeshadow bandwagon yet. Next up, were crushing on burgundy eyeshadow, which looks incredible when smoked out into a soft cat-eye shape. Take it from Gigi Hadid, who attended a Sports Illustrated launch event wearing it.
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Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette Mauve
$27.00
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Hadids eyes were all about the shimmer, which is why we recommend using this Huda Beauty palette that includes a variety of pink and red tones in striking metallic finishes. Just remember to blend, blend, blend. Even though its a bold color, the trick is to keep it looking soft and diffused, not bold and graphic.
How to Get the Look
To achieve a subtle smoky eye makeup look at home, take the following steps:
First, apply an eyeshadow primer over your entire lid, to ensure your finished look wont run or crease (this is crucial when using darker tones, like those in a smoky eye.)Next, apply a neutral shade as a base, all over the lid and crease.Apply a shade darker than the base but lighter than the "smoke" (i.e. the darkest shade youll use) to the outer corners and crease of your eyes.Now add the darker shade, applying it to the upper lid, above the lashes, and blending out and up with a brush.Finish with mascara.