The New Smoky Eye Rules

STARTING WITH: THERE REALLY AREN'T ANY. SO FORGET THAT NINE-STEP PROCESS WE ONCE LAID OUT FOR YOU-SORRY ABOUT THAT-AND PUT ONE OF THESE NEW IDEAS INTO PRACTICE. (TWO STEPS, TOPS.)

- Cotton Codinha 

1 Keep It Monochrome

Sure, vivid yellow, orange, magenta, or green may not be the usual smoky-eye color scheme, but brush a saturated hue across lids and diffuse it up through your crease, and you’ve got a modern spin on the classic. Try your own version of Kenzo’s fall 2019 look (above) in a beach-friendly shade, like Make Up For Ever Artist Color High Impact Eye Shadow in Orange (top) or Caí Para Mi Liquid Eyeshadow in Lava (bottom).

The technique is imperfect, and that’s the point: It gives cream shadow gradation and texture for a built-in smoky effect, says makeup artist Daniel Martin, who likes Nyx Vivid Brights Crème Colours (1). Take a cue from French actress Pom Klementieff (2) and try magenta from lash line to brow bone, or smudge orange over the outer third of the lids, like we saw at the Prada resort 2020 show (3). (Run a fluffy brush over the edges if they could use a little more smolder.)

2 Paint With Your Fingers