Published: 22 March 2026 · 5 min read · Luxe Glow UK Editors
The smokey eye is the little black dress of makeup — classic, flattering, and always appropriate. It also has a reputation for being hard to get right. It is not. Below is the exact method our Cheltenham makeup team use, broken into seven clear steps, with every product available at Luxe Glow UK.
What you will need
Everything in this tutorial costs less than £40 together. Free UK delivery kicks in at £25.
- Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Definer in 001 Intense Black — £4.99 · your base liner and smudger
- Collection Eyes Uncovered Palette — Urban Jungle — £4.99 · matte transition + shimmer lid + deep outer corner
- Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner — £5.49 · tight-line the upper lashes
- L'Oreal Air Volume 30H Mascara — £12.99 · finish with maximum volume
- Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer — 213 In The Nude — £4.99 · optional inner-corner highlight
Step 1: Prep the lid
Start with clean, moisturised skin. Apply a thin layer of concealer or primer across the lid to neutralise any discoloration — this helps shadows grip and stay crease-free. The Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer does the job brilliantly.
Step 2: Lay down a matte transition shade
Your workhorse palette for this look.
With a fluffy blending brush, sweep a matte mid-brown shade through the crease in windscreen-wiper motions. This creates depth without any harsh edges. Keep the colour just above the crease — you will build darker shades into this base.
Step 3: Pack a rich shimmer onto the lid
Using a flat shader brush or your fingertip (more pigment payoff), press a deep bronze or copper shimmer onto the mobile lid. Stop just below the crease.
Step 4: Deepen the outer corner
Dip a small pencil brush into the deepest matte shade in your palette. Tap off excess, then apply in a small "V" shape at the outer corner, connecting it up into the crease. Less is more — build gradually.
Step 5: Tight-line and smudge
Run the Scandaleyes kohl along the upper waterline and into the lash line. Use the built-in smudger to drag the line slightly into the lid, creating that signature soft, smoky edge. Follow along the lower lash line too, about halfway in from the outer corner.
Step 6: Add a crisp liquid flick (optional)
For extra drama, draw a short wing with the Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner. Keep it subtle — the smokey eye is already doing the heavy lifting.
Step 7: Mascara and highlight
Two coats at the base, pulling through to the tips.
Two coats of the Air Volume 30H mascara anchor the look. Optionally, tap a shimmery nude pencil like the In The Nude eye definer into the inner corner for an instant wide-awake effect.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting too dark. Always build in layers — it is easier to add than to lift.
- Skipping the transition. That mid-tone matte is what stops the dark shades looking blocky.
- Neglecting the lower lash line. A smoky eye without a smudged lower liner loses its depth.
Finish the look
Keep the rest of the face clean and luminous — a nude or peach lipstick balances a statement eye. Try the L'Oreal Color Riche Glow Paradise in 244 Apricot Desire for a dewy counterweight to the drama above.
Ready to get started? Shop the full kit under Eyes and Lips, with free UK delivery on orders over £25.