Featured image: A makeup eyeshadow palette is open on a wooden surface. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
This winter, our makeup demands a little more drama. We (and other beauty industry experts) predict the metallic smokey eye look will be trending this upcoming holiday season. And with all the frosted makeup going viral right now? We’re willing to bet we’re on the right track. Eyeshadow by itself can seem intimidating to many makeup rookies, and a smokey eye is even more so—even to the seasoned pros among us. That’s why we asked J. Brandon Correa, celebrity makeup artist and Senior Manager of Artistry for YSL Beauty, for help on how to master this trendy, tricky makeup look. “What I love about a metallic smokey eye is that you get the depth and sensuality of a classic smoke, but the reflection keeps it from feeling heavy,” he told E!. “That little bit of light makes the eye feel dimensional, like jewelry for the face.”
Key Steps to Apply the Look
Creating a metallic smokey eye involves a few essential steps, each with specific tools and techniques. The process begins with a clean, well-prepped eyelid and builds layer by layer to ensure a seamless, professional finish.
- Start with a creamy black eyeliner. Apply a black creamy eyeliner along the upper and lower lash lines. Correa recommends YSL Lines Liberated 24H Waterproof Eyeliner for its smooth glide and long wear. The creamy formula allows for easy blending, reducing the risk of harsh lines or visible strokes. The angled brush on the pencil helps to smudge the liner seamlessly, creating a soft, smoky base that transitions naturally into the eyeshadow.
- Blend with a cool-toned eyeshadow palette. Use a soft, cool-toned palette with both matte and metallic shades. Correa suggests YSL’s Couture Mini Clutch palette, particularly shade #700 Over Noir. This shade provides a deep, neutral base that blends well with cooler metallics. The palette includes four shades—matte, satin, metallic, and shimmer—allowing for a layered effect without overwhelming the eye. The soft texture of the shadows ensures they blend effortlessly into the skin, creating a natural gradient.
- Press and blend the metallic shade. Use a flat eyeshadow brush to press the metallic shade onto the liner and gently blend it over the lid. This technique ensures the metallic doesn’t appear as a sharp, isolated highlight, but rather integrates into the smoke base. The flat brush helps to spread the pigment evenly, avoiding patchiness or uneven coverage.
- Add a shimmer to the center. Use your index finger to press a metallic topper shade onto the center of the lid for a subtle shine. This step adds a touch of dimension without drawing attention away from the overall look. The fingertip application allows for precise placement and a natural, organic feel, avoiding the artificiality of a heavily applied glitter.
- Finish with mascara. Apply a volumizing black mascara to both upper and lower lashes. Correa recommends YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Noir. The double-conical brush design helps to lift and separate lashes, while the formula includes nourishing iris extract to condition and strengthen the lashes over time.
What Makes This Look Modern?
Correa emphasizes that this year’s trend favors cool, lived-in tones over flashy, frosted effects. The shift is not just aesthetic—it reflects a deeper cultural shift in beauty standards.
He notes a preference for colors like pewter, gunmetal, smokey taupes, and softened silver. “I think we will be seeing cooler smokey eyes; I love pewter, gunmetal, smokey taupes, and softened silver, but not in that icy, super-frosted way we’ve seen before,” Correa told E!. “Think more lived-in and diffused with flashes of metallic rather than a perfectly foiled lid.”
This approach prioritizes realism and texture over perfection. The look is designed to feel natural and diffused, with subtle metallic accents that catch light in a way that mimics real-world reflections—like a polished metal surface in soft daylight.
Adding Color Without Overpowering
While the base is metallic, Correa suggests adding muted plums and navy for subtle contrast. “Especially muted plums and navy,” he explained. “The metallic catches your attention, but the haze around it is what makes it feel modern.”
These colors serve as a bridge between the base and the surrounding skin tone. A muted plum, for instance, can add warmth without overpowering the cool base, while navy introduces depth without sacrificing the look’s elegance. The key is balance—using color not to dominate, but to enhance the natural contours of the eye.
Application Tips for Beginners
Even with the right products, technique matters. Correa advises starting small and building up gradually. “I will add small strokes of liner and blend until I reach the desired intensity,” he said. “[Rather than] loading the eye up and then trying to blend.”
He recommends using a translucent setting powder to blur edges and prevent muddy appearances. Using a tiny amount of All Hours Hyper Blur powder on a clean fluffy brush and lightly buffing the bottom edge of the smoke creates a gradual fade. This ensures there’s a clear transition from deepest at the lash line to near-transparent at the outer edge. Without this fade, the eye can appear flat or muddy, losing the dimension that defines the look.
- Use a tiny amount of All Hours Hyper Blur powder on a clean fluffy brush.
- Lightly buff the bottom edge of the smoke to create a gradual fade.
- Ensure there’s a clear transition from deep at the lash line to near-transparent at the outer edge.
Beginners may struggle with blending, especially when transitioning between matte and metallic shades. The key is patience—layering the pigment slowly allows for more control and a more natural result.
Recommended Products
Correa highlights a few key products for achieving the look.
- YSL Lines Liberated 24H Waterproof Eyeliner – Features an ultra-creamy formula with a brush for seamless blending. Ideal for those seeking a long-wear, transfer-proof line that glides on smoothly.
- YSL Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette – Includes four shades with matte, satin, metallic, and shimmer finishes. The soft texture and cohesive color range make it easy to mix and match for a variety of looks.
- YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara – Offers deep black volume with a double-conical brush and iris extract. The formula nourishes lashes and provides lasting volume without clumping.
- YSL All Hours Hyper Blur Loose Setting Powder – Contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and micro-pigments to diffuse the skin for a blurred, soft-matte finish. Helps prevent the look from appearing harsh or over-saturated.
Alternatives include NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick, ColourPop Silver Lining Eyeshadow Palette, and Natasha Denona’s 15-shade palette. These options offer similar performance at more accessible price points, making the look attainable for a wider audience.
Source: E! Insider Shop
Product recommendations are based on expert interviews and editorial research. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publication.
