8 makeup palettes you need to create the perfect smoky eye

Evening soirees and festive events are a great excuse to rock the smoky eye. Keep all other eyes on you with high-intensity blacks and greys – or spice things up with a jolt of colour.

If you love the classics, Chanel Architectonic may be just the palette for you. Inspired by cityscapes, and alternating between matte and subtle shimmers, this colour harmony includes matte midnight blue, cement grey and shimmery mirror grey.

Available at Chanel beauty counters.

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Evening soirees and festive events are a great excuse to rock the smoky eye. Keep all other eyes on you with high-intensity blacks and greys – or spice things up with a jolt of colour.

For a more electrifying look, the Shu Uemura Murakami Cosmic Blossom Eye & Cheek Palette in Cosmicool draws you to layer vibrant blue, purple and shimmer 
over darker colours for more oomph.

$98, from Shu Uemura counters.

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Arriving at the Sunday Christmas brunch looking overdone is never a good thing. These neutral-toned palettes are the epitome of effortless beauty.

L’Oreal Color Riche La Palette Nude Beige packs together satin, matte and lustrous shades that help make Asian eyes appear deeper set in no time.

$29.90, from Watsons, Guardian, Sasa and selected Fairprice supermarkets and department stores.

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Arriving at the Sunday Christmas brunch looking overdone is never a good thing. These neutral-toned palettes are the epitome of effortless beauty.

The 12 buttery matte shades in the Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Palette are neutral enough for everything from cool skin tones to olive complexions and darker skin. Besides daywear shades, there are edgier neutrals such as Extra Bitter, a lovely burnt orange, and Lethal, reddish brown matte.

$83, from Sephora stores.

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Like the little black dress, the smoky eye in softer shades can still be timelessly sexy and mysterious. 

Add a touch of violet with Lunasol Feathery Smoky Eyes in 04 Smoky Violet (far right). Its enigmatic dusk-inspired hues are perfect for nights out. Just as great, from the left: 01 Smoky Beige, 02 Smoky Monotone and 03 Smoky Charcoal.

$77, from Kanebo counters at Takashimaya D.S., OG People’s Park, OG Orchard Point and OG Albert Complex.

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Like the little black dress, the smoky eye in softer shades can still be timelessly sexy and mysterious. 

With delicate shades of rose, ballerina pink and satin, the M.A.C Holiday Eye Compact in Nutcracker Sweet Cool is perfect if you’re trying out smoky eyes for the first time and want something more subtle.  

$105, from M.A.C counters.

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When done correctly, with the lighter shade on the lids and the dark shade in the outer corners, this look can draw attention to your eyes – and what you have to say. Just add some colour to soften the effect.

If you’re after something simple and wearable, this Sarah Moon for Nars Look Closer Eyeshadow Palette has these soft universally flattering shades that act as an excellent base for your evening eye makeup as well.

$65 from Tangs at Tang Plaza and Robinsons The Heeren.

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When done correctly, with the lighter shade on the lids and the dark shade in the outer corners, this look can draw attention to your eyes – and what you have to say. Just add some colour to soften the effect.

You can count on the Laura Mercier Double Impact Eye Colour Collection to give your smoky eye a professional, work-appropriate finish. These nine matte and three soft-shimmer eyeshadows are subtle and sophisticated.

$90, from Sephora stores.

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