Images: Imaxtree
Summer is all about lightening up. We shed heavy layers for breezier silhouettes like almost-maxi skirts and Bermuda shorts. And we lighten our hair colors to suit the season. Our makeup bags also go through some reshuffling. It’s out with the heavy foundations and powders and in with the tinted sunscreens and oil-controlling primers. This season we’ve decided to rock smoky eyes straight through summer, but with a twist.
Smoky eyes are versatile, but there’s so much more to the look than sooty black eyeshadow. But all that dark shadow isn’t really representative of the season or the best look in muggy temperatures that can cause makeup meltdowns. It’s time to lighten up smoky eyes by making use of the gorgeous eyeshadow palettes we already have.
Ahead, 13 fresh smoky eye looks that aren’t too heavy for summer.
15 Ways to Lighten Up Smoky Eyes for Summer
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Electric Eyes
Is a smoky eye still a smoky eye if there's no black? Why not? This rule-bending look has lemon eyeshadow "smoked out" by white and a touch of slate gray.
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Baby Blues
Who needs gray eyeshadow to create a smoky eye? Note the way the pastel shades blend under the eyes and extend beyond the outer corners.
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Soft and Smoky
Take a light-handed approach when it comes to application and color selection. This understated pink and purple look will highlight any eye color. And it won't turn into a messy raccoon eye situation.
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Summer Sunset
Take a whimsical approach with a sunset-inspired smoky eye. Break away from the usual gradient by applying darker shades on the inner corners and outer edges. Adjust the shape of the finished look depending on your comfort level.
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Yellow There
Nothing energizes sooty eyeshadow quite like a dab of yellow shadow on the inner parts of your eyes. Feeling intimidated? Start off with golden yellows and build up to canary yellow.
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Red-y for a Change
Can't quit black? We're not asking you to. Instead, brighten up that traditional sooty eye with red eyeshadow and metallic gold accents on the inner corners.
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Hot Highlight
Go ahead and keep gray and black shadows in play as long as you brighten them up. Metallic silver and green inner corners work wonders.
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Flip It
You may think adding light eyeliner to a smoky eye look will ruin the sultry effect. That's not the case with this hot pink eyeshadow with almost-white liner. The contrasting flick lightens up saturated shadows, but is still hot.
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For All Occasions
Introducing the summer smoky eye you can wear anywhere. Make full use of your neutral eyeshadow palettes by swiping on peach tones around your eyes with your fingers.
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So Soft
This muted pink eyeshadow with soft gray eyeliner equals a smoky eye that works in daylight. Wear pink blush on the apples of your cheeks to complement the soft shadow.
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Fearless Flick
Go long by adding a pop of hot pink to an exaggerated black flick.
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Green Gaze
Jewel tones, especially in metallic finishes, pair beautifully with black and gray shadows. The pigmented colors hold their own and don't end up muddy.
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New Neutral
This isn't another neutral smoky eye thanks to the russet shadows and the emphasis on the outer corners of the eyes. Try an eye gloss on the center of your lids to replicate the effect.
