Sultry, smokey eyes can add instant glamour and sex appeal to your style, and draw attention to your peepers. This dramatic look is commonly seen among models and celebrities, and although these types of folks often have makeup artists helping them with their faces, you can achieve this look at home with just a bit of practice. This guide will show you everything you need to learn how to apply smokey eye makeup.

Before you get started with your smokey eye look, you will need to decide on a color scheme. Darker eyes are complemented by green, blue, purple and charcoal shadows. Light eyes are brought out by bronze, mauve and brown shades. http://www.covergirl.com/makeup-tips/eye-makeup-tips/eyeshadow-tips/ If you're wearing a brightly colored outfit, you may want to choose darker eye colors for contrast, and vice versa. For a classic look, stick with blacks and grays, or if you are going for something more festive use jewel tones and shimmer. Even with a traditional, black-themed smokey eye, you can add a touch of silver for emphasis.

Keep in mind that no rules are set in stone when it comes to choosing colors for your eyes. Ultimately, you should pick the shades that make you feel good about your look, and project the overall image you are striving for. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Makeup-Skincare-1434/Eye-shadow.htm

• Foundation in your skin tone
• Undereye concealer
• Applicator sponges (or you may use your fingers if you prefer)
• 2 eyeshadows in the same color, one light and one dark
• Eyeliner
• Eye makeup brushes
• An eyelash curler
• Mascara
• Cotton swabs

Applying foundation to the entire area around the eyes will help your makeup go on more smoothly, and it will also help ensure that the eyeshadow lasts as long as possible by providing a base to prevent absorption into the skin. You can use a special eyeshadow primer if you wish, but your regular foundation will also work. Apply undereye concealer beneath your lower lids to cover up any bags, lines or dark spots. Once you have applied the base, you may move on to the eyeliner and color.

The type of foundation you use as your base is up to you, but keep in mind that the higher quality the base, the smoother and more long-lasting your eye makeup will ultimately be. Some women swear by mineral makeup, such as Bare Minerals by Bare Esscentuals or Neutrogena Mineral Sheers.http://allwomenstalk.com/tips-on-smokey-eye-look/ If you do use mineral makeup, begin with a light moisturizer to ensure an even coat.

You will need to line both your upper and lower lids for the smokey eye effect. First, trace along your upper lash line with an eyeliner. Then move down to the lower lid, and do the same. If you are using a liquid eyeliner, you may draw small dots along the rim of the lower lids, and then smudge with your finger or a blending tool or cotton swab. You can also apply a shadow on the bottom lash line for more highly smudged effect. No matter what type of liner you use, you will need to do at least some smudging--this is a trademark of the smokey eye look.

If your eyes are small and you wish to make them appear larger, don't line the entire eye--instead, begin at the center and work to the outer edge. If your eyes are already big, go ahead and line the entire rims. http://allwomenstalk.com/tips-on-smokey-eye-look/

Use black, brown or gray eyeliner for a more classic look, or a brown or jewel-toned liner or shadow for a brighter, more festive effect.

Using a brush, cover your entire upper eyelids with a lighter eyeshadow, working up into the crease. Blend the color upwards and outwards, extending from your lash line all the way up to your brow bone. Once the light shadow has been laid out as a base, you may begin adding your darker shade. Cover the entire lid area with the dark eyeshadow, stopping just before the crease. Once the color has been laid out, blend the tones so that there are no distinct lines between the two shades. http://www.covergirl.com/makeup-tips/eye-makeup-tips/smoky-eye-makeup/

Once your liner and eyeshadow look the way you want them, it's time to move on your eyelashes. First, use your eyelash curler to open up your eyes and give the appearance of alertness. Here's how to correctly use the curler:http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Tools/Tools/expert-tools-eyelash-curler.htm

1. Place your top lashes between the curler pads
2. Set pads at the base of the lash line, making sure they are not on the skin
3. Use your thumb to slowly push the lever and close the curler
4. Keep the curler pads pressed together for a few seconds
5. Release

Once your lashes are curled, apply a coat of mascara. Once that has dried, apply one more coat to finish off the look.

Once you are satisfied with the look, it's time to perform some finishing touches. First, make sure that both eyes match each other. If they don't look symmetrical, perform the necessary touch-ups to make sure that the makeup looks the same on each eye. Then, use a cotton swab to blend any hard lines or uneven edges. You may complete the look by running a brow brush along your eyebrows and darkening with an eyebrow pencil if desired.