Love At First Smokey Eye

The Perfect Valentine's Day Eye Shadow Look

I’m sure most of us have our calendars marked for February 14. Whether you’re heading out for a fancy dinner or keeping it low-key at home, here’s an easy guide to a smokey eye look that doesn’t leave you looking like Courtney Love from the ‘90’s.

Smokey eyes don’t have to be complicated. A lot of people think you need expert blending skills, but honestly, that’s way too much effort for most. The good news is a smokey eye doesn’t have to cover your whole lid—it can stay closer to the lash line, which is especially great for smaller eyes. Your eye shape and personal style should guide how you apply it.

First things first—pick your shadow colors. You’ll want three or four shades. For this look, I started with a dark brown shadow, blending it all over the lid. Then, take your next shade, which should be a bit darker, adding some depth to the outer lid and crease. I added a lighter third shade to the inner corner of the eye to break it up. If you want to add extra highlight, you can use a shade that has some shimmer.

For liner, use a pencil or gel to define your top and bottom lash line, then smudge it out with a brush or your finger for a softer look. Finish with a black voluminizing mascara. To keep the focus on your eyes, pair the look with a nude lip and a dusty pink blush.

And don’t forget—keep a Q-tip and a clean brush nearby for touch-ups. Wiping mistakes with your finger usually just makes things worse. Or, make life easier and do your eyes first, so you can clean up any fallout with a non-oil makeup remover. The Jones Road Micellar Water is perfect for clean ups.

As for the face, I tend to keep it more natural with a smokey eye. But feel free to adjust to your preference. Happy V Day. Let me know if you have any other look requests for the holiday.