Holiday Beauty: Brown Smokey Eye Tutorial

Craving chocolate? I always am. The following is a tutorial for brown, smokey eyes—but you could also call this look “hot chocolate eyes,” or, if you’re really feeling fancy, “haute chocolate eyes” works, too. I like to pair any smokey look with a soft, neutral lip. I realize that I’ve used mostly Tarte products for this tutorial, and I had no intention of excluding other beloved natural makeup brands. (Alima Pure and Josie Maran make incredible eye shadows that I urge you to check out!) It just so happens that I use the NeutralEyes palette almost every day, and I’ve come to trust Tarte’s mascaras.

Products used:

Eye shadows:

NeutralEyes Volume II by Tarte

Eyeliner:

Amazon Clay Waterproof Liner by Tarte

Pencil Liner by Jane Iredale

Mascara:

Ligths Camera Flashes Statement Mascara by Tarte

Step 1: Create a base for your shadow and liner by sweeping a pale, neutral matte shadow over the entire lid. I’m using “matte buttercream” from the Tarte palette.

Step 1

Step 2: Create the first layer of color. Sweep a medium brown over your moving eyelid, making sure to blend it into the crease as well. I’m using “shimmering hazel” from the Tarte palette.

Step 2

Step 3: For the second layer of color, blend a dark chocolate onto the outer third of your moving eyelid. With blend the leftover shadow on your brush into the crease of your eyelid. I’m using “matte espresso” from the Tarte palette.

Step 3

Step 4: Get smoky. Using an even deeper brown—or black—shadow, smudge color along the lash line, blending it into the underlying layers of shadow. For added definition, use a black liquid or gel liner to line your upper lash line. Be sure to work this liner into the lash line to give your eyelashes some added umph. I’m using Tarte’s Amazon clay liner in black. This waterproof, gel liner can be a bit tricky to spread, but when applied carefully, it makes eyes smolder.

Step 4

Step 5: Line your bottom lash line with brown eyeliner and gently smudge with your fingertip. For extra smoke, pat your medium brown shade under the line you’ve just created. I used Jane Iredale’s pencil liner in black/brown.

Step 5

Step 6: Using your finger, dab a shimmering, pearly shade under your eyebrow to highlight your brown bone. I’m using “shimmering whisper pink” from the Tarte palette.

Step 6

Step 7: Curl lashes and apply two thick coats of your favorite mascara. I’m using “Lights Camera Flashes” by Tarte—an intense, not-joking-around mascara—perfect for dramatic looks like this one. My one complaint about this mascara is that it’s very difficult to remove. For that reason, I save it for times when I’m craving some serious eyelashes.