How to Do a Metallic Smokey Eye

Who doesn’t love a good smoky eye? The way all the matte, satin, and shimmer shades blend together can truly be a work of art. But we know a way to take this eye makeup look to the next level—with metallic eye shadow. Try switching up your go-to smoky shadow look by sporting a gold smokey eye—or a silver one, or a bronze one, or a champagne one. Really, any metallic shade can make for the perfect high-shine beauty look. Ahead we’re sharing how to blend four different metallic smoky eye looks, starting with a metallic gold smokey eye.

EYE MAKEUP LOOK #1: GOLD SMOKEY EYE

Ready to fully embrace the metallic smoky eye? We can’t think of a look more luxe than this metallic gold smokey eye.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Crown Gold

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Bottomless Java

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black

L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara, Lasting Volume

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: PRIME YOUR LIDS

You know the drill! Prime your lids, let them dry, and move on to the next step.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR BASE COLOR

Use the doe-foot applicator of your liquid eyeshadow and swipe the gold hue onto your lids. Blend the color with a fluffy eyeshadow brush, ensuring your entire lid is covered. Extend it up on the outer corner of your lids to give your smoky eye shadow something to blend into in the next step.

STEP 3: SMOKE IT UP

Use a tapered crease brush to coat your crease in a metallic brown shade. After applying the shadow, use a fluffy blending brush to blend it all out for a smoked out lid look.

STEP 4: APPLY EYELINER

To give your metallic statement eye a little extra drama, trace black liquid eyeliner along your upper lash line. Follow the same shape of your smoky eye, extending your eyeliner up and out into a slight cat eye.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH MASCARA

Since we love the drama, skip out on your classic mascara and reach for a waterproof formula that’ll give your lashes an instant eye-opening effect. Voila!

EYE MAKEUP LOOK #2: SILVER SMOKEY EYE

If you never wear gold tones—aka you’re all about silver jewelry and accessories—a metallic silver smokey eye will serve you well.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Silver Sky

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Sultry Smoke

L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof in Greige

L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: PRIME YOUR LIDS

You know what to do—smooth on an eye primer to prep your lids.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR BASE COLOR

Using a flat eyeshadow brush, pack your metallic silver eyeshadow onto your lids. Then use a fluffy brush to bring the color into your crease for a seamless blend.

STEP 3: SMOKE IT UP

Apply a dark gray shimmery shadow in your crease, making sure to blend well for a flawless transition between shades.

STEP 4: APPLY EYELINER

To really amp up the silver vibes, opt for a gray eyeliner instead of the traditional black. Line your upper lash line, creating a small wing at the end.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH MASCARA

Sweep on a few coats of a volumizing and lengthening mascara to complete your silver smokey eye. Talk about eye-catching!

EYE MAKEUP LOOK #3: CHAMPAGNE SMOKEY EYE

If you love the sound of metallic makeup but you’re not ready to embrace a fully bold beauty look, your best bet is to embrace a metallic champagne smoky eye.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Crystal Shine

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Bronzed Taupe

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: PRIME YOUR LIDS

Whenever you want to create an eye shadow look that lasts, it’s important to start by priming your eyelids—especially when it comes to high-impact metallic shades. Simply blend a dot of primer onto each lid and then move on to the next step.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR BASE COLOR

To lay down the base of your eyeshadow look, start with your champagne shade. Use a fluffy eye shadow brush to apply product from your lash line to just past your crease. By starting with your lightest shadow, you’ll give your deeper shadows something to blend with so that you won’t end up with a muddy metallic eye look.

STEP 3: SMOKE IT UP

Next, use a tapered crease brush to apply a bronze shade in your crease. Once you’ve applied it, go back to your fluffy brush and use it to blend your colors together ever so slightly so that there’s a nice gradient on your lid.

STEP 4: PRIME YOUR LASHES

Yep, we’re skipping eyeliner with this one. That’s because a soft metallic smokey eye can prove to be a wonderful daytime lid look. So, you can move straight to enhancing your lashes, with the first step being a quick priming session with a lash primer. A few quick swipes will set your lashes up for success to look their longest and most curled.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH MASCARA

Top off your primer with a quick coat or two of mascara, and have fun showing off your subtle metallic smoky eye.

EYE MAKEUP LOOK #4: BRONZE SMOKEY EYE

Lastly, if you want to really darken things up, this is the metallic smoky eye for you.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Bronze Light

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Noir Cest Noir

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Black

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Deep Burgundy

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: PRIME YOUR LIDS

Dab and blend primer onto your lids, and then start on the next step.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR BASE COLOR

For this step, the fluffier the brush, the better, as you don’t want to apply your bronze shadow too heavily. As with any dark eye shadow, it can become very muddy, very quick. First, apply it with a light hand using the liquid shadow's doe-foot applicator. Then blend, blend, blend, and extend it from your lash line to just beyond your crease.

STEP 3: SMOKE IT UP

Next, pop the top off of your black eyeshadow and layer it into your crease, blending until there’s a seamless transition between colors.

STEP 4: APPLY EYELINER

To really smoke things up, trace your lash lines with a waterproof black eyeliner pencil. Using a sponge-tipped brush, gently buff out the color for a smoky finish that continues to add definition to your metallic smoky eye.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH MASCARA

Since your lid look is relatively dark, add a little color into the mix with a few swipes of a deep burgundy mascara that will help you fall in love with your sultry beauty look.

Love these smoky eye makeup ideas? To get a better idea of how to perfectly blend your look to life, check out our article on The Perfect Smokey Eye for Every Eye Shape.