Black smokey eyes are such a classic. Full of sex appeal and confidence. They flatter any eye color and compexion. But they can also look dramatically... bad, when not done properly. How to get it right? There are three secrets to amazing black smokey eyes.

Secret One is keeping it as dark as possible right next to the lashline. Essential tools for this are: a soft black eye pencil and a high quality black eyeshadow. You use them to keep the area closest to the eye as dark as possible. The further out you go the less intense the black is. 

Secret Two is getting the shape of your smokey eye right. There are smokey eyes that are close to the lashline, there are extended ones that reach out almost to the temple, there are cat-eyed winged ones. And so many more! Let your eye shape guide you and  always keep it perky and up at the outer eye corner.

Secret Three is blending. Blending means making the edge of the smokey eye soft and gradual. It is the most important skill. Learn all about it with my detailed illustrated ebook about smokey eyes which has a special chapter about blending. And practice! Don't smudge and blend precisely.

And last but not least: touchups. Carry cotton buds in your cosmetics purse and tidy up specks of eyeshadow and eye pencil throughout the day or night. That will keep your eye makeup clasy and presentable.

Yes, black smokey require some effort and learning but they are so worth it! If you want some great advice, read more here about black smokey eyes. Meanwhile, stay sultry!