Five-Step Smudged Eyeliner Tutorial for Soft Drama
While we might love the look of sophisticated glamour and crisp winged eyeliner, sometimes we’re in the mood to experiment with makeup looks and embrace something a little less refined. Smudged eyeliner is the perfect blend of carefree mystique, making a striking statement without the full intensity of traditional smokey eye makeup. When it comes to recreating this grunge-inspired spin on eye makeup, a little technique can go a long way. So, we’ve consulted Lancôme makeup experts for a step-by-step guide on how to do a smudged eyeliner look for subtle drama.
The revival of the smudged eyeliner look
Beauty trends are wonderfully cyclical – and we largely have 2000s nostalgia to thank for the re-emergence of smudged eyeliner. This dishevelled makeup aesthetic plays on the concept of slept-in, day-old makeup, without the consequences of actually sleeping in your makeup. Smudged eyeliner is being described as an iteration of ‘indie sleaze’, which has roots in the 2010s and champions a touch of ‘chaos’ in makeup and fashion looks.
From red carpets to runaways to everyday looks, Lancôme Australia's Beauty Director, Lara Srokowski, shares her thoughts on the growing popularity of smudged eyeliner.
How to smudge your eyeliner
So, how do you smudge eyeliner? Before diving into our step-by-step tutorial, it’s important to start with the right tools. To achieve the smudged eyeliner look, you’ll need the following products in your makeup kit:
- Eye primer and setting spray – this will help give your smudged eyeliner the staying power it needs
- A kohl or gel eyeliner – avoid liquid eyeliner for smudge looks since they have a tendency to peel when smudged
- Eyeliner smudge brush – this is going to give you that messy blurred effect (using your finger to rub can cause discomfort around the delicate skin of the eye)
- Eyeshadow – this should closely match your eyeliner
- Mascara – to add the final dramatic flair to your eye makeup look
Step 1: Prep the eye area
An eye primer is the perfect way to prep your eyes before going in with any eyeliner. This will give you a smooth canvas to work with and ensure longer lasting smudged eyeliner. Opt for a transparent primer or one that’s a close match to your skin tone. Let your primer settle into the skin for a couple of minutes.
Step 2: Line your upper and lower lash line
Now that your eyes are prepped, take your Crayon Khôl and apply eyeliner along the length of your upper lash line as close to your lashes as possible. Remember, there’s no need to be completely precise, here! You can start with a thin line and build it up if you want more thickness.
Next, apply eyeliner to your lower lash line, staying close to your lashes. Keep in mind that liner around the entire eye can make it look smaller, so if you have naturally small eyes, just focus on lining the outer third or two thirds of your lower lash line. Once you’re done, connect the upper and lower lash lines at the outer corner of the eye.
Step 3: Smudge out your eyeliner
With your lines in place, it’s now time to smudge them out. As we acknowledged above, you can use your finger to lightly smudge but too much friction and pulling might be uncomfortable around the eyes. Instead, opt for a smudge brush to create your smudged eyeliner effect.
- Use the small, straight end of Sleek Bland No. 14 Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Brush to lightly smudge your eyeliner into your upper lash line to cover visible skin.
- Next, buff this line outward to build your ideal shape.
- Repeat these two steps on your lower lash line.
- To avoid the ‘panda eye’ look, try not to veer out too far from the upper and lower lash line when smudging.
Step 4: Use eyeshadow over the top
Next, you can take the angled end of your Sleek Bland No. 14 Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Brush to apply an eyeshadow shade that resembles the colour of your eyeliner. Not only will this subtly deepen the intensity of your smudged eyeliner, but it will also help seal your lines and improve longevity.
Step 5: Apply mascara, then set your makeup
Now, we can focus on the lashes to amp up the soft drama of your smudged eyeliner look. Coat your lashes with our Hypnôse Volumising & Non-Clumping Mascara to sculpt and separate each lash for eye-catching volume. Since grunge makeup leans into heavy mascara, don’t be afraid to apply a couple of coats. Finish with a mist of Fix It Forget It Spray to lock in your final look.
Makeup to complement smudged eyeliner
Since smudged eyeliner is the centrepiece of your makeup, we suggest completing your finished look with products and colours that don’t pull focus. This means ditching the contour and heavy blush in favour of something softer like a subtle pink flush or a light bronze tone for the high points of the face. We’re also big fans of pairing a nude lip colour with smudged eyeliner to embody the soft grunge makeup aesthetic. In keeping with the ‘soft grunge’ motif, opt for a matte formula like L'absolu Rouge Intimatte Lipstick that has a neutral tint.
If you find that your lipstick just doesn’t have the same staying power as your smudged eyeliner, discover how to apply long-lasting lipstick.