Let me be real with you for a second—if there’s one makeup look that has absolutely dominated the beauty space for what feels like forever, it’s the smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube. I am referring to that smoky, smeared, just-too-mixed look in the eyes that makes you think you could do a red carpet walk or at least dramatically stare out of the window in a music video. And honestly? It has been the last classroom of this legendary technique, YouTube.
It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to master that art of blending it or simply find out why your smokey eye always turns out like you have been punched instead of being glamed up, there is a tutorial to that. It is a complete flood with creators deconstructing each and every step, product, and brushstroke. However, here is where the interesting part lies—not all smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube are created equal, and definitely not all creators approach it the same way.
The Godmother of Smokey Eyes: NikkieTutorials
Provided that you have spent over five minutes browsing the beauty section of YouTube, you must have stumbled across Nikkie Tutorials, which was a YouTube creator known as Nikkie de Jager. This Dutch make up artist has been doing face since 2008, and her smokey eye game? Absolutely unmatched.
What makes Nikkie’s smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube stand out is her ” philosophy of power of makeup” she is not subtle or understated. Her videos are usually dramatic and full-coverage with smokey eyes that would literally render traffic halts. She takes you on a tour of everything, primer to setting spray, and uses mostly high-end products, but throws in a drugstore find here and there.
Millions of people have seen her most popular smokey eye video, and it is well worthy of it, frankly speaking. The woman knows how to blend as she was born with a fluffy brush in her hand. She is also so articulate as to why she does some of the techniques which makes learning without her exercising more difficult than just watching someone mute shadow around.
The most positive thing about Nikkie is that she does not gatekeep. She will inform you about which specific products she is utilizing, the reasons she chose them, and what you can use when you are looking to skip expenses. Additionally, her character is truly entertaining, she is not trying to be what she is not, which in 2025, is strangely natural.
The Accessible Queen: Tati Westbrook
Now, if we’re talking about someone who made smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube accessible to literally everyone, we must mention Tati Westbrook. Her lover or complicated feelings about prior drama (we all know 2019), it is impossible to deny that the technical ability of Tati is transfigurant.
In her style of smokey eyes, she does not follow Nikkie, who prefers more wearable and softer versions, which you could even wear to brunch without seeming that you are going to a nightclub at 2 AM. Her instructions are very thorough, almost masterclass. She will take time to elaborate on undertones, color theory and why some colors are more applicable on a particular type of the eye.
The quality of production at Tati is also insane. The camera of her videos is 4K, the light is ideal, and you can observe each and every detail of the application. This is essential in such situations as you are attempting to learn a technique as subtle as the smokey eye where the distinction between gorgeous and muddy mess is literally a few millimeters of fuse.
She usually shoots in her natural daylight, this makes the viewers observe what the makeup really appears like in the real world and not when the ring lights appear. For someone trying to replicate a smokey eye tutorial showing on YouTube at home with regular bathroom lighting, this is incredibly helpful.
The Technique Master: Wayne Goss
This is where the interesting part comes in, since Wayne Goss is not a typical beauty influencer. He is an experienced makeup artist who has been in the industry decades, and his smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube are basically cheat codes for anyone struggling with the technique.
The difference with Wayne is that he pays nearly no attention to products as far as technique is concerned. Of course, he will be talking about what he is using, but his videos are essentially an opportunity to learn how to hold a brush, where to place color and why some techniques are more effective than others. His smokey eye tutorials take an average of ten minutes which in the modern era of 30-minute getting-ready tutorials seems like a blessing.
Wayne is very European and editorial- he is not instagram makeup or too-filtered appearance. His smokey eyes are also smoother, more softened, more refined, more frankly, more civilized. In the event that you are beyond the super intense, cut out crease, situation and you desire something that appears costly and well-bred, Wayne is your man.
He does not do the whole hey guys either. energetic intro thing. He simply gets to the point, and that I personally like. There are also occasions when you may desire to know how to do your makeup without parasocial relationship accrual.
The Drugstore Hero: Robert Welsh
Can we talk about Robert Welsh for a second? This UK-based makeup artist has absolutely exploded on YouTube, and his smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube are some of the most watched in recent years. The beauty of Robert is his dedication to proving people that you do not have to spend money on a $200 eyeshadow palette to make a beautiful smokey eye.
His videos will see him apply products that are all from the drugstore, busting the myth that professional results can only be attained through spending a lot of money on makeup. He will literally draw the same smokey eye effect on two occasions, using luxurious products and cheap alternatives to these products and it is almost exactly similar.
Robert is also comical in his honesty. He will inform you that something does not work, that a product is garbage or a method is simply too complex. He does not need to sell you anything or work with the brands that can give him PR packages, just wants to make people apply their makeup better.
His style of teaching is quite evident and systematic. He describes the eye anatomy, demonstrates how to draw the position where colors are to be applied depending on the eye shape, and also demonstrates tricks in real-time without increasing the video speed. This makes his smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube some of the easiest to follow, especially for beginners.
The Artistic Innovator: Hindash
If you want to see smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube that push boundaries and challenge what a smokey eye can even be, you need to watch Hindash. This Dubai-based makeup artist is not afraid to treat makeup like a fine art, and his smokey eye techniques are on another level.
Hindash does not simply do your generic black and grey smokey eye. He will include burgundies, navies, emerald green and make gradients which appear to be drawn by someone using a brush with the accuracy of a Renaissance master. Even when you are not even thinking of reproducing the look yourself, his tutorials are hypnotising to view.
What is intriguing with his methodology is that he discusses extensively about placement of color and how to achieve three-dimensionality with the use of light and shadow. His smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube are basically lessons in understanding how the light strikes on the face and how to play around with that using makeup. It is not merely putting in here dark colour, it is about making real art.
His videos are also beautiful in terms of quality production. Shot in in-beautiful natural light with close-up shots in which you can make out all the details, viewing his tutorials is like watching a meditation video but with makeup nerds.
What Makes These Tutorials So Addictive
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube. Perhaps it is the aspect of transformation, it is always intriguing to see a person transforming into a fully glammed person. Or perhaps it is the ASMR-style nature of sweeps and strokes of brushes over skin and the color fading into the other ones perfectly.
However, I believe that the most important aspect that makes people keep returning is the fact that you can also be like that. These masters of illusion can make it appear believable as though all you need to do is purchase the appropriate products and practice the method enough times and you will be able to master it. And honestly? That’s partially true. It is the practice and the correct equipment that really makes the difference between a bad smokey eye and a good one.
The Future of Smokey Eye Content in 2025 and Beyond
As we move further into 2025, smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube are evolving. We are also seeing more creators paying attention to adaptive styling of various eye shapes, tutorials that specifically target hooded eye shape or monolids, and more inclusive content recognizing that some people do not have a face that is built in the same way.
It has also seen an enormous transition to sustainable and clean beauty items, with most of the tutorials showing the discussion on ingredient list, cruelty-free brands, and more responsible consumption. Promoting any and every product simply because the brand sent it is gradually fading away and creators are becoming more discerning and truthful.
The short form of content is altering the game as well. While long-form smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube still dominate, we can already see an even greater number of creators reusing their work in YouTube Shorts, and methods can become even more accessible and easier to consume by those who simply need the recap.
Virtual try-on technology and AR filters are also beginning to feature in the game. Other designers are also demonstrating the smoky eye as it would appear on your very face, and it is actually brilliant and is saving so much time and product wastage.
Why These Tutorials Matter
At the end of the day, smokey eye tutorials showing on YouTube represent something bigger than just makeup. They are all about making knowledge of beauty more democratic and accessible to those who could pay high prices to hire professional make-up artists or classes at high prices. At this point, not only can anyone with internet access learn free of charge but also learn under the tutelage of literal professionals.
These artists have made their careers on the teaching of people to do their makeup, and in the process, they have made a society of individuals who honor one another, exchange tips, and applaud the success of each other. The comments area of these videos is dominated by individuals demonstrating their effort, seeking help, and actually interacting with the video.
Be it seeing NikkieTutorials to be dramatic, technical instruction with Wayne Goss, budget with Robert Welsh, or Hindash art making you can simply sit back and watch, there’s a smokey eye tutorial showing on YouTube out there for everyone. And that’s pretty beautiful.
Mandy is a Dutch digital dash(aka nerd) running many platforms, including this one. She is a Dutch entrepreneur and writer but is also active in English. Branding and creating is what she does best. Next to that she works parttime as a social health worker/health care worker, guiding people to live their fullest and helping people with their problems. The combination is good for her and gives her the feeling she is giving back to society. After having a rough start back in 2015 she is back here again and want to travel more and meet need people (soulmates). She likes working and being busy is a blessing. Next to that she is spiritual and believes in karma. .