I’ve tried to accomplish the smokey eye look for what feels like centuries now, however each time I slapped on the teeniest tiniest bit of black eye shadow coupled with some eyeliner, I’ve ended up looking like an actual churail from the most gruesome horror movie you can think of.

This is what I’ve looked like when I didn’t know how to do the most perfect smokey eye

With a lil bit of this…

I couldn’t even take a selfie because of how traumatized I was when I happened to glance in the mirror.

After months of research, dedication and multiple episodes of trial and error (and a whole lotta YouTube videos), I’ve finally found the perfectly constructed hack to create the ultimate smokey eye look.

First, you’ll need these products.

1. Maybelline’s primer.

For Rs 799/-, it’s available at any beauty store that stocks international makeup brands.

2. Urban Decay Naked Smokey Palette.

Price: Rs 9999/- aprox.

3. NYC Liquid Eye Liner

Price: Rs 799/- aprox.

4. Morphe Bullet Crease Brush

Price: Rs 925/-

5. Elf Gel Cream Black Eyeliner

Price: Rs 650/-

6. Maybelline Colossal Mascara

Price: Rs 599/- aprox.

And now, tutorial time – here’s how to do a smokey eye in 10 simple steps:

1. Apply two pieces of tape on either side of your eyes to keep the edges clean since you’re working with a dark look.

2. Apply the primer to the eyelids and surrounding area.

3. Pick thirteen from the Naked palette and take your Morphe bullet crease brush. Apply around the outer part of the eyelid, brushing it back and forth to the edge of the tape.

4. Next apply the elf cream eyeliner around the lower part of the eyelid, leaving ample room to blend it out.

5. Pick Black Market from the Naked Palette and with the crease brush and start dabbing from the middle and blend it out.

6. Next pick Dirty Sweet from the palette and with a clean crease brush, start blending around the black.

7. Get Radar and blend it below the eyebrow to add a transition. I always like to dab a bit of Dagger too around the base of my eyelids to add some glorious shimmer.

8. Take off the tape and grab your NYC liquid eyeliner! Apply as normal around the edge formed from the tape too.

9. Curl them eyelashes, and add some of my fave Colossal mascara!

10. Follow up with your usual makeup routine for your face, and you ARE GOOD TO GO LADIES!

Cover image via: Amanda Ensing / YouTube