It’s the season of silly, sexy fun, isn’t it? Right now, it's high time we're whipping out or favourite shimmers, sequins and smokey eyes and embracing a bulging calendar. I’ve already been invited to three parties this month and there's still 9 days til the big day! This does means that my makeup looks repertoire is being stretched to its limit and while I have rocked a few red lip looks and a winged eyeliner, for me, the most party-season-makeup vibe is a well-executed smokey eye. It separates a day look from nighttime energy and while I feel like a red lip can be a day to night thing, a smoky eye is firmly in the dim lights-and-fizz category.
For such a statement look, it’s so important to know your complementary colours for the biggest impact. Don’t get us wrong, there is no bad shade combo as long as you feel happy and confident, but if you pair the right colour combos, based on colour theory, your eyes will look even more sultry and sparkly.
One person that just knows how to pick the best smoky eyeshadow palette for your eye colour is none other than makeup artist extraordinaire and Vieve brand founder, Jamie Genevieve. "A smokey eye doesn’t have to be black or heavy,' she says, "It’s really about blending and tone, and choosing shades that complement your eye colour and building depth gradually always gives a more modern, wearable finish." Here, she gives us the lowdown on the colour combos to pick for your eyes to shine the brightest…
Best smokey eye palettes for… blue eyes
Jamie says, "Blue eyes really come alive when you lean into warmth. Think bronze, copper, soft golds and warm browns - they create the most beautiful contrast and make blue eyes look brighter instantly."
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Boutons Eyeshadow Palette
Charlotte Tilbury LUXURY PALETTE in Queen of Glow
Best smokey eye palettes for… brown eyes
Jamie says, "Brown eyes are incredibly versatile, and honestly, they suit almost everything. For a smokey eye, I love rich chocolate browns, deep plums, bronzes and even touches of gold or khaki. You can go much deeper and smokier without it feeling overpowering, which makes brown eyes perfect for more dramatic looks."
Kiko Milano Cult Colours Eyeshadow Palette 02
Vieve The Ninetease Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge 18W Eyeshadow Palette
Best smokey eye palettes for… hazel eyes
Jamie says, "Hazel eyes are all about bringing out the different tones within them. Greens, bronzes and warm coppers really enhance the green flecks, while plums and soft aubergines pull through the warmth. A smokey eye with depth and warmth tends to make hazel eyes look more multi-dimensional."
Lisa Eldridge Sorcery Eyeshadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Embers Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe Refill - Cocoa Refill
Best smokey eye palettes for… green eyes
For green eyes, anything with a red or purple undertone is magic. Think plums, berries, aubergines and warm browns - they intensify the green beautifully. Even a softly smoked bronze with a hint of warmth can make green eyes look incredibly vibrant.
Morphe Naughty Eyeshadow Palette
17. Eye Shadow Palette 020 Pinks
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
