Smokey eyes are all the rage these days. This look is perfect for an evening on the town, and it is much easier to accomplish than you might think. In short, the key is proper blending.

The first step in the smokey eye is to prepare your eyelid for the makeup you are about to apply. Since the smokey eye look involves blending colors, having shadow melt into your lid as your day goes along can really kill your look. To keep your lids free of the oils that can cause that to happen, apply an eye primer to the lid before you begin.

The next step is to apply the liner. Black, brown or gray liner works best for the smokey eye. Apply the liner in a thin line across your lid from the outside to the inside. The thinner the line is while still being seen, the better. You can also apply eyeliner to the inside of your bottom lid, albeit carefully. A liner pencil works best for this.

Next, start with your base color. Your base color will be the lightest one. A bone colored shadow is best for those who are just starting out in the world of smokey eyes. Apply the shadow from your lid to your brow bone.

From here, you can begin to get more dramatic. Select a darker color, such as a gray or deep brown. Use an eyeshadow brush and blend the color upward, starting at the liner you applied. Make sure to blend so that the eyeliner blends into the shadow.

Do this to both eyes. Double check to ensure hat both eyes match one another. From here, apply a nice voluminous or lengthening mascara for the final touch.

Here's a tip to keep in mind: doing brightly colored, dramatic lips is a no-no when you are wearing the smokey eye look. This can make you look too made up. To combat this effect, apply a light colored or clear gloss and keep your lips as natural looking as possible.