Category: Makeup

The internet did it again. Latte Makeup has a relative and is called “Naked Smoky Eye”. This trend has inspired us to embrace beauty in its simplest and most elegant form from a more effortless alternative.

Unlike the traditional smoky eye, which is often complicated and dark, this trend focuses on using warm brown and matte tones. You can achieve this look by using cream or powder shadows and applying them gently, with radiant skin and lips in deep tones. Below, get all the details on this eye look and how to incorporate it into your summer-to-fall routine.

The Trend

Instead of a super-blended, sculpted eye like those you spent hours learning on YouTube circa 2016, the naked smoky eye is much more low-key. It’s a wash of warm brown color across the entire lid, something you could easily do in just three minutes but make it look like you spent all night perfecting the color. TikTok user Zoe Kim Kenealy calls it the clean girl’s smoky eye, and we’ve seen it on faves like Hailey Bieber, Elizabeth Olsenand, and Rachel Zegler, in recent weeks. The naked smoky eye and the latte eye do share a lot of the same beauty DNA, as it’s all about lighter, more diffused brown shades versus the more traditional heavy, dark smoky eye, but when it comes to the naked smoky eye, think matte brown, not shimmery bronze. 

In terms of beauty, we are coming out of an exciting time where we’ve seen a lot of experimentation with colors and very bold makeup choices, and in the way of this beauty renaissance, we are seeing progress on soft smokey eyes, says celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, who works with stars like Lucy Hale, Jenna Ortega, and Gabrielle Union. Latte makeup has been at the forefront because it’s universally flattering. Not to mention easy! You could whip up the perfect naked smoky eye with just a few shades and your fingers.

Achieve the Naked Smokey Eye in the easiest way

Vincent Oquendo, a celebrity makeup artist, with his experience, has perfected his technique making it accessible to anyone. He leaves us step by step to achieve the “Naked Smokey Eye” and be your next autumn look without complications.

How to Get the Look

The Naked Smokey Eye is all about simplicity. It’s about looking like you tried but didn’t spend hours in front of the mirror creating this subtle flattering eye look. Oquendo recommends using Tula’s Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer under the eyebrow bone to enhance the eye before proceeding to apply the shadow. In addition to correcting imperfections, it also brightens the skin, providing a radiant finish. To have this smokey eye of brown tones, already having your eyelid prepared, with your brush fix an intermediate brown tone in the line of the eyelashes and blur towards the basin. Then, apply a darker shade to the outer end of the lashes and blend into the basin with Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette. But if you prefer cream over powder, using your fingers, or a brush, apply Chanel Ombré Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow all over the eyelid. Also, the iconic Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadows would be perfect under the lower lashes. 

Once you’ve prepped the eye, grab your shadows and brushes (if you prefer) and get to blending. “Start at your lash line with a mid-tone brown and blend that up to your crease, and then apply your darker brown on your outer lash line and smudge up towards your crease,” advises Oquendo. Once the eye is sculpted and smoked out to perfection, he likes to add a handful of Lashify individual lashes for extra definition and volume. They offer a natural and customizable look, allowing you to achieve the desired level of drama.

Since you want skin with a natural finish, use Tula’s Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint to create a radiant, even complexion. In addition to providing flawless coverage, this foundation contains SPF to protect the skin. Crown with an extremely subdued blush. What differentiates the “Naked Smokey Eye” from the “Latte Makeup” is that it does not use the same tone of shadows on the lips, on the contrary, it uses lipstick in a gorgeous deep red or seductive rose lip, which will give you an effect of drama and seduction, which accompanies the rest of the makeup very well. Try Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Duchess for added autumn drama. Then pull a lightweight sweater over your summer slip dress and get comfy, because the naked smokey eye was practically invented for intimate dinners and cozy nights.