Dark As Night - Tips On How To Achieve a Matte Black Eye Look

Dark As Night 

Tips On How To Achieve a Matte Black Eye Look

One of the looks I receive the most questions on is how I achieve a matte black smokey eye without looking like a raccoon or having it look patchy on the lids. I believe after years of wanting to be a goth girl and through trial and error I have learned tips and tricks throughout the years in order to make a gorgeous matte black eyeshadow look that lasts all day long without needing touch ups. I feel this look is something anybody can do, and that you don't need a specific eye shape in order to achieve this without it closing up the eyes. I hope you find these tips and tricks to be useful!

xoxo

Kitten

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LethalKitten's Guide to a Matte Black Smokey Eye

If you want a beautiful black smokey eye to last all day, you will need to use a primer!

Let's be honest, a lot of people try to go without using an eyeshadow primer. I know a lot of people feel that if the eyeshadows are super pigmented or are from high end brands that they don't need to worry about priming the eyes. However, this is a misconception due to a primer not only allowing your eyeshadow to last longer, but it also helps smooth out the eyelids and create a great base for the following products I will mention later. With matte eyelid colors they will show every flaw in your eyelid, and priming them will help tremendously with this! This is definitely something I highly suggest using!

Start with adding your crease colors before adding your eyelid colors in order to help with the blending process later!

Blending is key with this look, and black eyeshadow is one of the most difficult shades to blend out on it's own. If we create our crease transitions before applying the black shadow later, it will make everything easier to blend! I suggest sticking with light gray, taupe, and medium brown shades inside the crease. You could also add wine shadows such as MAC Sketch or Sigma Elysees into the crease (which is something I do normally). MAC Sketch also will help the transition from black to medium grays go smoother since it's a darker shadow with dark brown under tones. This will also create a softer look!

To get the best pigmentation out of your eyeshadows use a base!

I know it's going to sound like I use too many products but trust me here, this will up your smokey eye game. After you create you apply your crease shades apply a black gel eyeliner with a shader brush onto the eyelid as a sticky base. This will allow for the matte shadow to apply better to the eyelid and to also make them appear darker and more rich in pigment. I personally use the Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner on my lids since it's very easy to blend out. 

The higher the quality matte black eyeshadow, the better the results.

I'll be honest, it's extremely hard to find a rich matte black eyeshadow at the drugstore that is not patchy in application and is black and not gray. I would highly recommend to purchase a great quality matte black eyeshadow like Sugarpill's Bulletproof in order to create this look. However, it's not an essential, but I find that the pricey black eyeshadows are dark as night and apply smoothly in application. If you are unable to spend the extra money, just do with what you've got!

When applying the product pack it onto the lid and avoid using swiping motions!

Black eyeshadow is extremely tricky, especially when it's matte black. To get the best results that are even in pigmentation I recommend using a flat shader brush and packing the color ontop of the base that you applied before. If you use sweeping motions you will disturb the eyeshadow and it could result in patchiness. This process takes a little bit, so just be patient!

The seamless transition is all what we have left!

The most tedious part to me is once you apply the matte black eyeshadow and have to blend it in order to create a beautiful transition that is well blended. This is why we made the crease transition earlier so that we make it easier to blend now. At this point you will want to go in with your matte black eyeshadow on a small fluffy brush and apply it into the crease. By doing this you may disturb the pigmentation and you may have to repack the matte black on with the shader brush like we did before. If you are having problems making the black less patchy in the crease, go between MAC Sketch (or any other wine shade) and with the transitional shades you used earlier. This is a step that will take a long time so just be patient. I promise it will turn out!

I hope all these steps helped you achieve a perfect matte black smokey eye

x

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Products Used

Face:

Too Faced Primed and Poreless

Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation - 42

Coty Airspun Powder - Extra Coverage Translucent

Inglot HD Sculpting Powder - 505 (Contour)

ELF Studio Blush - Mellow Mauve

Tarte Energy Noir Paltte - Crystal Spark (Highlight)

Urban Decay All Nighter 

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner - Black

Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Palette - Lazarus, Samael, Solas, Saleos, Liberatus

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette -Champagne Truffle 

Tarte Energy Noir Palette -Crystal Spark

Sugarpill - Tako, Bulletproof

Sigma - Elysees

Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliner - 77

Physicians Formula Eye Boosting Pen - Blackest Black

NARS Audacious Mascara

Kiss Lash Adhesive

Ardell Lashes - Demi Wispies 120

Brows:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow - Taupe

Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Palette - Solas, Saleos

Lips:

Dose of Colors - Stone

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