How to Do Mod Smokey Eyeshadow that’s DIY Beauty Goals
Follow these tips for channelling ‘60s icon Edie Sedgwick with mod smokey eyeshadow that’s a cool-girl mix of dark eyeshadow and larger-than-life lashes.
With lots of black shadow, eyeliner and coats of mascara, rocking this look will give you an ingenue-meets-party girl vibe. Try your own modern take on the classic with these helpful makeup tips and a step-by-step tutorial with Montreal beauty influencer Lucie Rhéaume Gonzalez of @lucierheaume.
Choosing eyeshadow for your eye colour
If you want to copy Sedgwick’s iconic mod smokey eyeshadow exactly, you’ll need shades of grey and black shadow. But if you’d rather customize it based on your eye colour, you’ll need to look for shadows in shades from the opposite side of the colour wheel to enhance your eyes by offering contrast. The best eyeshadow for blue eyes sits somewhere on the brown/rust/salmon spectrum, since orange is a complementary colour to blue. If you have green eyes, look for shadows that have red undertones—think purples or golds with a reddish cast. Finally, the best eyeshadow for brown eyes varies depending on the flecks in your irises. For example, if you have gold flecks, try green or navy eyeshadow.
How to apply eyeshadow: dos and don’ts
- DO use brushes: In many cases, you can use your fingers to apply and blend your shadows. But for mod smokey eyeshadow, brushes give you the precision you need. You’ll want to have a few different brushes on hand, such as a large shadow brush for your light base colour, a blending brush for softening your base, a precision brush for packing on your dark shade and a blending tip brush for smoking out your dark eyeshadow.
- DO pat, DON’T swipe: When it comes to packing on pigment, you want to pat the shadow onto your eyelid instead of dragging it from side to side. Patting will allow you to deposit more shadow in one spot, which means you’ll have more vibrant pigmentation. Once you’ve patted the shadow in, you can swipe a blending brush across your lid to soften and blend.
- DON’T apply foundation before eye makeup: Complete your smokey eyeshadow application before foundation and concealer so you can deal with shadow fallout. Once you’ve finished your shadow, liner and mascara, remove any smudges or dropped pigment with a cotton swab soaked in makeup remover and then move on to the rest of your makeup.
Your smokey eyeshadow tool kit
- Eyeshadow: Choose an eyeshadow palette that has a variety of light and dark shades or customize your colour choices with a pair of single shadows: one light and one dark. For that signature Sedgwick look, go for L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Mono in Argentic, a shimmery light grey, and L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Mono in Noir C’est Noir, a deeply pigmented matte black. Each mono eyeshadow has gel-to-powder technology for velvety texture and rich colour that lasts all day. You can even apply it with your fingers if you’re on the go.
- Eyeliner: To create the definition required for this makeup look, you’ll need an eyeliner pencil with long-wearing colour in intense black. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Black, which glides on easily, lasts for up to 24 hours and can even be used on the waterline. It comes in five shades besides black if you’re looking to change things up: brown, grey, nude, purple and cobalt blue.
- Mascara: It wouldn’t be Sedgwick’s mod smokey eyeshadow without a few generous coats of mascara on the lashes. L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara is the ideal formula because it builds dramatic, separated lashes that are up to five times their natural thickness. Plus, it won’t clump, flake or smudge and will protect and condition your lashes with Panthenol and Ceramide-R. Use the darkest shade, Blackest Black, for mega drama and definition. (Black and Black Brown are also available.)
Step-by-step: Mod smokey eye makeup
Step 1: Take a light-coloured eyeshadow like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Mono in Argentic and sweep it across the eyelid.
Step 2: Blend to soften.
Step 3: With L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Black, line the bottom lash line, avoiding the waterline. Blend the liner with an unused brush.
Step 4: Smudge a darker colour eyeshadow, like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Mono in Noir C’est Noir, into the bottom lash line and blend.
Step 5: Extend the line upwards toward the outer edge of the crease.
Expert tip: Look forward into the mirror as you connect the line and draw the crease with the darker colour.
Step 6: On the upper lid, start at the outer end of the dark shadow and bring it along the crease. Blend to create the smokey effect.
Step 7: Line the upper lid with the pencil eyeliner.
Step 8: Apply L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black to the upper and lower lashes.
You’re finally ready to kick it, “It girl”-style.
