This Thanksgiving, let your makeup speak louder than your outfit. A well-done smokey eye look can effortlessly tie your entire look together. It adds confidence that carries you from the first bite of turkey to the last slice of pie. Let your eyes do all the talking this holiday season!
Ready to Slay? This Smokey Eye Look Elevates Any Thanksgiving Outfit!
Thanksgiving glam just hits differently when your eyeshadow game is on point. Think sultry bronze, spicy pumpkin hues, and deep cranberry shades that make every outfit pop. This tutorial contains all the inspo you need to slay this holiday season.
Start with the Perfect Base
Prep your canvas first if you want to achieve a flawless smokey eye look. Creating a smooth foundation ensures your earthy tones pop and your makeup stays intact for hours. This is especially important because Thanksgiving often involves extended celebrations. Between mingling with guests and savoring post-dinner desserts, your makeup must endure the festivities.
Steps for a Solid Base:
- Apply a thin layer of eyeshadow primer to help the colors adhere and remain vibrant.
- Even out any discoloration on your lids by sweeping on a neutral-toned base shade.
- Lightly dust translucent powder over the lids to set everything and prevent creasing.
By taking these steps, you’ll make blending easier and ensure your look remains polished throughout the day.
Build That Earthy, Smokey Goodness
After laying down the base, it’s time to bring out those warm, fall-inspired hues. The beauty of an earthy smokey-eye look lies in its ability to transition from understated to bold. It all depends on how you blend your shades. Combining tones like deep browns, sienna oranges, and radiant golds creates the perfect balance. Together, these shades create a look that’s both inviting and mesmerizing.
The Technique:
- Outer Corners: Start by packing a deep chocolate brown or rich auburn into the outer V of your eye. This step adds depth to your look and sets the stage for your smokey effect.
- Crease: Next, blend a warm terracotta or pumpkin spice orange into the crease. This helps create a seamless transition and brings a pop of autumn color to the look.
- Lid: Once your crease is blended to perfection, swipe a golden or bronze shimmer across the center of your lid. This adds dimension and ensures your eyes catch the light with every glance.
- Lower Lash Line: To tie the look together, smudge a mix of cranberry and brown shadow along your lower lash line. Adding this detail gives your smokey eye a cohesive, dramatic finish.
Pro Tip: For the best results, use a clean, fluffy brush to soften the edges. Smooth transitions between shades are key to mastering this look.
Add Subtle Glam with Glitter 
Because Thanksgiving is celebratory and intimate, adding a hint of glitter can elevate your smokey eye look to something truly striking. Subtle sparkle enhances the earthy tones while keeping the overall look refined. However, it’s important to apply glitter strategically. That way, it complements your shadow without overshadowing it.
To start, dab a bit of glitter glue over the center of your lid. This ensures the glitter stays put throughout the day. Once the glue is tacky, gently pat on fine glitter in shades like gold, champagne, or copper. The transition from shimmer to glitter will add a festive flair while maintaining the warm, grounded aesthetic.
Pairing the Look with Your Outfit
While your smokey eye does a lot of the talking, it’s essential to coordinate your makeup with your outfit for a polished and harmonious look. The versatility of earthy tones makes it easy to pair this eye look with almost any autumn wardrobe.
- Burnt Orange Sweater Dress + Golden Smokey Eye: The golden shimmer on your lids will complement the warmth of an orange dress, creating a stunning fall-inspired look.
- Plaid Blazer and Jeans + Cranberry Smokey Eye: This pairing is perfect for a casual gathering. It blends relaxed and chic effortlessly, making it ideal for laid-back Thanksgiving vibes.
- Deep Green Velvet Dress + Brown and Bronze Smokey Eye: Earthy browns paired with metallic bronze beautifully enhance the richness of green velvet. Together, they create a luxurious, polished aesthetic.
When styling these combos, keep your lips neutral with shades like soft peach or warm nude. This ensures your smokey eye remains the centerpiece of your look.
Set It, and Forget It!
Once your smokey eye masterpiece is complete, you’ll want it to last through the evening’s festivities. Setting your makeup properly is essential for its longevity, especially since Thanksgiving celebrations often involve a mix of eating, laughing, and maybe even dancing.
To lock everything in place, mist your face with a setting spray. This step not only keeps your look intact but also adds a natural finish. By doing so, your makeup will stay flawless, leaving your skin looking refreshed all evening. With this final step, you can confidently transition from day to night without worrying about touch-ups.
Be the Holiday Highlight
Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to let your creativity shine while celebrating everything you’re grateful for. Whether you prefer subtle and understated or daring and dramatic, a warm smokey eye look is the ultimate way to channel autumn vibes and elevate your look. By blending earthy tones with shimmering accents, you’ll create a makeup look that’s as memorable as the holiday itself. So, grab your brushes and get ready to dazzle your loved ones!
FAQs
- What is a smokey eye, and why is it popular for Thanksgiving?
A smokey eye is a makeup look that blends darker and lighter shades for a gradient effect. It’s popular for Thanksgiving because it mirrors the season’s earthy tones and creates a sophisticated, versatile look. - What colors should I use for a warm, earthy smokey eye?
For a Thanksgiving-inspired smokey eye, use shades like deep brown, terracotta, burnt orange, cranberry, bronze, and gold. These colors evoke the beauty of autumn. - Do I need special tools to create a smokey eye?
Not necessarily. While blending brushes help achieve a seamless look, you can also use your fingers for applying shimmers or a cotton swab for smudging the lower lash line. - How can I make my eyeshadow last all day?
Start with an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing. Set the shadows with translucent powder and finish your look with a setting spray for long-lasting wear. - Can I wear a smokey eye with glasses?
Absolutely! To make your eyes pop behind glasses, focus on defining your lash line and enhancing the crease with warm tones. Avoid overly dark shadows that may look heavy under the lenses. - How do I choose the right shimmer or glitter for my look?
Choose metallics like bronze, gold, or champagne for a festive touch. Make sure the glitter complements your eyeshadow shades and use fine particles for a subtle, elegant sparkle. - Should I pair a bold lip with a smokey eye?
It’s best to keep the lips neutral if your eye makeup is bold. Opt for warm nude, soft peach, or light pink tones to let your smokey eye shine. - What’s the easiest way to blend eyeshadow for beginners?
Start with a small amount of product and use a fluffy brush to blend in circular motions. Build up the intensity gradually to avoid harsh lines or over-applying shadow. - How do I match my smokey eye to my Thanksgiving outfit?
Pull shades from your outfit into your eyeshadow. For example, pair a burnt orange dress with golden hues or a green outfit with bronze and brown tones. - Can I create a smokey eye without using dark colors?
Yes! You can achieve a softer smokey eye by using lighter shades like taupe, peach, and champagne. Blend these hues to maintain the gradient effect without making it too intense.
Craving more fall-themed beauty inspiration? Head to this link for more step-by-step guides to create your best Thanksgiving makeup yet!