If you’ve always been a fan of the smoky eye look, then you’ll be happy to know that the smoke color and its related shades are all the rage this season. Surprisingly, there are a number of smoke shades out there, making it possible to create your own unique makeup palette to flatter the rest of your look, whether you’re headed out to a fancy dinner or a night out on the town.

When most people think of “smoke” in terms of makeup colors, they often think about the smoky eye look, which mainly uses shades of black and dark gray eye shadows to create a smoldering, sultry appearance. But with the smoke eye trend, there is more to pulling off this color than just making your eyes look dramatic. Included in the smoke family of colors are charcoals, smoky gray, silvers, soft pewter and even metallic shades. This leaves the options completely open for mixing and matching shades with your favorite outfit.

Gray eye shadows are perfect for bringing something different to the table when it comes to makeup looks and colors. While some may see gray as boring, the latest trend has revamped the gray/smoke family. While black and charcoal colors alone can be overly dramatic and dare we say “Goth,” gray is like the happy medium that has just the right touch of color and the ability to subtly make an impact. Smoky gray eye color is ideal for the cold weather season and with the touch of warm blush, you can create a smoldering look without looking too overly done.

Want to add a touch of shimmer to your eyes this season? Then opt for a soft pewter shade, which contains a bit of shine and blends easily, regardless of your skin tone. Additionally, working with soft pewter makes it easier to correct any application mistakes. You can even gradually build up the color so you get just the right amount. The beauty of soft pewter is that it can make eyes of any color stand out in a crowd and looks great on women of any age.

Just as you would use charcoal/black eye shadow colors and dark grays in the traditional smoky eye, you can also create a gray version of the smoky eye. The benefit of the gray smoky eye is that unlike the regular smoky eye, this makeup look can be worn just about anywhere. When attempting this look, choose the right kind of gray color to sport. For daytime, sport a sheer wash of gray without a lot of shimmer, while a rich, pigmented gray shade will do just fine for evening wear (you can add shimmer for the evening look to add a touch of drama and glamour). To add the finishing touch to your gray smoky eye, line your upper lashes with black or charcoal gray liner and add 1-2 coats of mascara.

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