Aubergine smoky eyes

Before and after

Compare the placement and contrast, then use the steps below to try the idea.

AI illustrations of a fictional model, not photographs of a product test. Use them as a colour and placement reference; your result will vary.

What you need

An aubergine eye shadow, a small dense shader brush and a separate clean blending brush. Start with one main shadow before adding extra colours.

Keep your usual base routine. This tutorial focuses on the eyes. The mobile lid means the part of your eyelid that moves when you blink; find it with your eye gently closed, then check the placement looking straight ahead.

The technique, up close

AI placement examples. The pictures illustrate the two key movements; follow the written steps and the directions on your own products.

1. Map the visible lidLook ahead before applying shadow. Note how much mobile lid you can see and keep the darkest area within it.
2. Press instead of sweepingLoad a small dense brush lightly and press aubergine over the outer half of the mobile lid. Build in thin layers.
3. Deepen close to the lashesAdd the same shade near the upper lash line. Do not put powder on the waterline.
4. Blend only the boundaryUse a clean fluffy brush with very small circles along the upper edge. Keep the darkest centre in place.
5. Balance the lower edgeIf desired, put brush residue under the outer lower lashes. Stop before the inner corner and leave the rest of the face quiet.

When to stop

The deepest plum stays near the lashes and outer lid, with a softer upper boundary. The brow bone stays clear, so you can still see where the colour ends.

If it goes too far

If blending has removed the depth, press a small amount of aubergine back near the upper lashes. Use the clean brush only along the upper boundary this time.

A mistake to avoid

Repeatedly blending through the whole coloured area removes the depth. Keep the clean brush at the boundary.

Make it work for your day

A lighter version

Keep the aubergine on the outer third of the upper lid and skip the lower lashes.

Finish the rest of the face

Use a sheer nude or muted mauve lip and a restrained amount of blush. Add mascara if you want more lash definition after the shadow is finished.

Adapt the colour and placement

Choose a plum depth that remains visible on your skin. For a lighter daytime version, keep the colour only on the outer third and skip the lower lash line.

Products to consider

Check your own makeup first. A product you already own in the right colour and labelled for the intended area may be enough.

• KIKO High Pigment Eyeshadow: 44 Satin Eggplant

  An aubergine-family option for the main lid colour. The satin finish can catch more light than a fully matte smoke.

  Shade reference: the US brand site showed a maintenance page during our latest check. If shopping is unavailable, use an eye shadow you own in a similar colour and finish.

  View the brand’s product details

These are editorial links to brand pages, not affiliate links. Product names and shade descriptions were reviewed against accessible brand information on October 31, 2026. Live stock has not been checked. Tressaly has not physically tested these products. AI images are not product swatches. Stock, regional availability and ingredients may change.

The community starting point

The plum tutorial supplies the colour-family inspiration. This version simplifies the eye to one main shade and a clean blending brush.

Read the original discussion: My plum autumn makeup with a very amateurish step by step.

Sources reviewed October 31, 2026. These are selected public discussions, not a platform-wide trend ranking. We link the creators’ work; their photos are not reproduced here.