7 Steps to a Sultry Smoky Eye For Sizzling Summer Nights

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With the dog days of Summer right around the corner, the temperatures are rising to new torrid heights at night. Dewy skin is sexy for a spicy date night, but you know what's even more alluring? Glistening dark eyes. We tapped Stila Global Director of Education Sarah Lucero to show us how to get the ultimate in seductive stares with this sultry smoky eye. We guarantee you that the humidity isn't going to be the only thing making you and your date hot and bothered after the following steps below . . .

Step 1
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 1

To get this look with high wattage shine, Lucero started with Stila Magnificent Metals Eyeliner in Metallic Black Tanzanite ($25). First, she added a drop or two of the accompanying Stay All Day Liquid Eye Primer into the mixing tray and swirled in a glob of the purple shadow with the flat square side of the Stila Magnificent Metals Dual-Ended Eyeliner Applicator #36 ($18). For a simpler one-step option, try Lancôme Color Design Infinité 24H in Endless Purple ($25).

Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

The result after this step should be a sparkly eye gloss.

Step 2
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 2

Dab some of the product off on your hand to get it evenly distributed onto your brush. In this case, you can use your hand as an artist's palette.

Step 3
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 3

Plop the purple shadow down along the upper lash line (it doesn't have to be neat!). Then use your pinkie finger to smudge it all over the lid. "Your pinkie is the smallest of your fingers, which makes it the most precise for a little area like the eyelid," said Lucero. Feel free to clean up around the eye with a cotton swab if needed.

Step 4
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 4

Smudge a scant amount of the same color underneath the eye with a small eye shadow brush, like the smaller end of the Stila #30 Double-Ended Shadow Brush ($32) or the M.A.C 228 Mini Shader Brush ($18).

Step 5
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 5

Blend out the shadow and diffuse the color upwards using a clean fluffy brush, like the opposite fluffier side of the Stila #30 brush or the Make Up For Ever 236 Large Precision Blender Brush ($31).

Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

. . . And press the white gold shade onto the center of the eye with a finger to serve as a colorful iridescent top coat. "Put your finger in the liquid primer, tap your eyelid, dip the finger into Pixie Dust, and tap the color on top of the lid," suggested Lucero. "The primer will be tacky by the time you go back in with the shadow, which makes it act like the perfect fly trap for the color."

Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

"It looks like you put a chandelier on your eye with the addition of the Pixie Dust," she continued. "It gives a fish scale/mermaid effect to the eye."

Step 7
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Step 7

Finally, finish the eyes with multiple coats of black mascara. Lucero recommended Stila Glamoureyes Mascara ($22) "for lush lashes." "The creamy formula also makes it good for layering extra coats throughout the day," she added. We also can't get enough of Ardency Inn Punker Unrivaled Volume & Curl Lash Wax ($40).

Final Look
Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Final Look

Pair your stare with a matte beige lip to keep the focus on those sparkly lids.

Photos by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Now that's what we call a true representation of "starry eyes!"