HOW TO DO A SMOKEY EYE, ACCORDING TO A PRO MUA

The smokey eye is one of the most iconic makeup looks of all time. It's a go-to for party girls and celebrities alike, proving its timelessness and versatility. And like most trends, it's evolved with time. From sultry 1920s flapper origins to grungey 00s-era Kate Moss and the soft brown tones favoured by 2020s It girls like Kylie Jenner, everyone loves a smokey eye. But like most things, it can be tricky to achieve if you don't know how – so we asked a pro. ASOS Makeup Artist, Isabelle Wilson, knows the science behind it, so she showed us how to achieve the perfect smokey eye makeup look. Scroll for the step-by-step, as modelled by ASOS Insider Aneesa.

First thing's first, carve out your brow with a concealer (Isabelle used the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer) and then apply it to the rest of your eyelid. This will provide a smooth base for the smokey brown eyeshadow look, and will help with any hyperpigmentation you'd like to conceal. Top tip: use a concealer in a lighter shade than your skintone for this step – the tonal contrast between your eyeshadow and brow bone will result in a more striking look.

Pull a warm eyeshadow shade across your lid, directing it in an up-and-out motion using the top of your ear as a guide. Don’t worry if you lack the perfect shade – ‘if you don’t have a warm eyeshadow in your kit, using a bronzer works just as well,’ says Isabelle. She used the MAC Mineralise Natural Skin Finish in shade Dark Deep, but be sure to adjust according to your skin tone.

Line your lashes with an espresso-coloured pencil (not a pen, they're too harsh!) to add dimension to the look. ‘I follow the waterline and use a dense, fluffy brush to create a natural, smoked-out liner – accentuating the silhouette I already created.' Layer a darker eyeshadow over your liner for extra depth, and smoke out the outer corner with a bronzer to marry the colours together. ‘Bronze shades are trending right now,’ says Isabelle. ‘Check your undertone to get your perfect match – pink undertones suit cooler tones, while warm undertones look best with golden colours.’

‘Sometimes I love to elevate my smokey eye with a little shimmer. Just pat some onto your finger and sweep it across the lid.’ Urban Decay’s Moondust Mono Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy adds glamour to a more natural smokey eye makeup look.

‘Classic’ usually refers to black smokey eyes, popularised in the 1920s and adopted by grunge and gothic subcultures in the 90s. In the 1920s, concentrated black kohl eyeliners were applied generously across the lash line, then smudged into the eyelid using either a brush or your fingers. This look became famous for how sultry it made the eyes look.

Pencil and kohl eyeliners are the most convenient ways to achieve a smokey eye. Just buff them in the same up-and-out motion as Isabelle to achieve the ‘smokey’ effect. If you lack a creamy liner, eyeshadow is your best bet. They’re buildable and offer more dimension than liners. Try diffusing black kohl liner onto your eyelid, then use a dense brush and brown eyeshadow closer to your brow bone and temples.