A smoky eye is one of the most iconic makeup looks—it’s bold, alluring, and can add a touch of glamour to any occasion. From classic black to playful shades, this look never goes out of style and is a celebrity favorite for red carpets, photoshoots, and everyday chic.
The beauty of the smoky eye lies in its versatility: you can rock it in neutral tones or play with vibrant hues to add your personal twist. To inspire your next eye makeup adventure, we’ve rounded up 17 of the best smoky eye looks, as worn by some of our favorite celebrities.
Get ready to be wowed by these bold, sultry, and jaw-dropping ideas.
1. Destiny’s Child
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Kelly Rowland has always known how to captivate an audience—and her smoky eye makeup is no exception. Even when wearing a stunning gold metallic bustier, her smoky eye takes center stage, commanding attention.
2. Shades of Gray
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A smoky eye doesn't always need deep shades. Kaya Scodelario proves that with a touch of gray, her blue eyes pop beautifully, showing that smoky eyes can be soft and understated.
3. Wings of Desire
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Sophia Wilde's smoky eye makeup is sultry and seductive, especially with the dramatic winged liner. The soft “your-lips-but-better” lipstick balances out the eye, keeping the look sophisticated.
4. Metallic Moment
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Go for a metallic finish, like Natasha Poonawalla. Her shimmering smoky eyes pair perfectly with her glitzy dress, making it a flawless match of makeup and style.
5. Down With Brown
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Whitney Peak sports a gorgeous smoky eye, starting with black along the lashline, then blending into a warm brown. The subtle makeup on the rest of her face allows her eyes to steal the show.
6. Fine Line
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Yara Shahidi gives her smoky eye a twist with a graphic liner. Copper eyeshadow and a softly smoked-out bottom lash line enhance the drama and add a touch of warmth to the look.
7. Lash Out
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A smoky eye doesn’t always need to be dark. Ariana DeBose shows how to keep things light and romantic with taupe tones, finishing off the look with voluminous lashes that add extra drama.
8. Chocolate Kiss
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Christina Ricci’s makeup draws attention to her gorgeous brown eyes. Her shimmery brown shades are a great match for her festive fashion, adding depth and warmth to her look.
9. Lavender Fields
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Lavender may seem like an unexpected choice for a smoky eye, but Bel Powley pulls it off beautifully. Paired with a matching outfit, it creates a fresh and monochromatic look that’s eye-catching and unique.
10. Lower Lift
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Sometimes, it’s the lower lid that gets all the love. Hanan Abdullahi goes all out with a heavy liner smudged into the lower lash line for a bold and dramatic smoky eye.
11. Think Pink
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Rowan Blanchard combines her edgy "Brat" outfit with a playful pink smoky eye. The variety of pink shades she uses shows how versatile and trendy this color can be for smoky eye looks.
12. Taupe That
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Lori Harvey proves that taupe can be just as striking as other bold shades. Her multiple shades of taupe, with a subtle blush and shimmering lips, creates a refined yet powerful smoky look.
13. Pretty in Pink
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Precious Lee nails a soft yet sultry smoky eye by pairing it with pink eyeshadow. The overall look is sweet, and the typically bold smoky eye becomes soft and elegant.
14. Fade Into You
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Hailey Bieber gives the smoky eye a soft, ethereal spin with a faded approach. The result is a romantic, dreamy take on the classic look, perfect for everyday wear or a night out.
15. Moore Please
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Demi Moore keeps it simple with a gray smoky eye. The classic, understated approach enhances her eyes while leaving the rest of her makeup natural and fresh.
16. Crown Jewels
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Regina King takes smoky eye makeup to another level with jewel-toned inspiration. Her winged eyeliner, complemented by golden textures in her dress, makes for a striking and regal look.
17. Winging It
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Gabrielle Union pulls off a strong winged eyeliner, taking it up a notch by adding a smoky eye that elevates her dramatic makeup look. The nude lip complements the bold eyes, creating a balanced and fierce look.
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