As a beauty editor, I see makeup trends everywhere. Whether it’s IRL, on social media or on the red carpet. However, as journalists, there are some trends that we see rising through Google data. These are the trends that people are actively searching for each day, and are really reflective of what people are after—whether it’s a trending new beauty product or a makeup look.
It turns out, that everyone is searching for natural smokey eye makeup right now. In fact, searches for the makeup look at are 4,500% right now. While it’s nothing new, it’s nothing short of timeless. A brown smokey eye or wing is one of the most versatile yet simple makeup looks. In black or grey, the colours can look too intense outside of evening, but brown and neutral tones instantly make it wearable. Plus, it can take you from work through to dinner and beyond, and it’s a makeup look I see all the time on the red carpet, and just about on every single celebrity makeup artist’s Instagram. And team Who What Wear are seeing it all over their FYP on TikTok as well.
If you’re looking to perfect your natural smokey eye makeup look, then scroll ahead for some makeup inspiration and the best eye makeup products to achieve the look.
This soft-diffused eyeshadow look makes Sofia Richie Grainge’s eyes pop.
ICYMI, Pati Dubroff was behind Sofia Richie Grainge’s wedding day makeup look, and she’s collaborated with Beauty Pie on this very wearable eyeshadow quad that is full of versatile shades.
I’m here for Zendaya ever-so-subtle smoked brown eye makeup, which features a smokey wing that enhances her almond-shaped eyes beautifully.
To recreate the look, take a long-wearing eyeliner pencil and sketch out a wing on the outer edge of each eyes. You don’t want any harsh lines (it should almost look like a shadow) so use a small eye shadow brush to softly diffuse the pigment.
An angled eyeliner brush like this is ideal for creating soft wings. You could also use it with eyeshadow for the same effect.
Celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo does soft, natural smokey eye makeup so well. In this case with Lily James, the look is more intense for evening, but it still uses those soft brown hues for a more subtle take on a traditional black smokey eye.
Matte eyeshadows are ideal for creating a soft smokey eye. This eyeshadow quad has various brown tones which work well layered together for a contoured eye look or worn alone for something more simple.
The key to achieving this look is all in the blending—as achieved with this brown smokey eye on Bella Hadid. If you haven’t already, invest in a set of eye makeup brushes with varying shapes and sizes. The right tools will make creating eye makeup looks all the more easier.
This set has a flat eyeshadow brush for applying colour to the lid, a fluffier brush for diffusing and blending, an angled brush for lining the eyes and winging out shadow and a domed brush, which is best for applying eyeshadow into the crease of your lid for definition.
How dreamy is this natural smokey eye makeup look on Laura Harrier? Cream eyeshadow sticks make it easy to apply along the lash lines, blend and go in 5-minutes flat.
This cream shadow stick set has every neutral shade you could want, with both matte and shimmer tones.
If you find that black mascara is too harsh, try brown. It’s a small tweak but can make all the difference if you want to dial down the intensity of your eye makeup while still giving your lashes definition.
YSL’s much-loved Lash Clash mascara now comes in brown, which delivers the same fanned-out effect as the original.
I love this natural-looking brown smokey eye look that makes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s eyes smoulder. Add definition with a creamy, cool-toned brown pencil to the crease of your lid to define your eyes.
Makeup artists swear by this eyeshadow contouring pencil, which creates natural definition without looking heavy.
