Warm Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial: Fiery Copper Eyeshadow Look
Want to create a gorgeous warm smokey eye? This easy step-by-step makeup tutorial uses the Urban Decay Naked Heat eyeshadow palette to create a sultry copper, bronze, and burgundy eye look that’s perfect for date nights, special occasions, and everyday glam.
If there’s one makeup look I will NEVER get tired of, it’s a good smokey eye. There’s just something about beautifully blended eyeshadow that can take your makeup from cute and casual to full-on glam in minutes. And while I love a classic black or brown smokey eye, warm-toned eyeshadow has a special place in my heart. Think rich copper, burnt orange, warm browns, and a little shimmer. SO pretty! Today I’m sharing one of my favourite warm smokey eye makeup tutorials, featuring the gorgeous Urban Decay Naked Heat eyeshadow palette. This fiery eye makeup look is surprisingly easy to recreate, even if you’re not a makeup pro. Whether you’re getting ready for a date night, wedding, girls’ night out, or simply want to experiment with a new eyeshadow look, this step-by-step tutorial will help you achieve a beautifully blended, sultry finish.
Shop This Fiery Fall Smokey Eye Look:
Why I Love the Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette
I’ve shared a few smokey eye makeup looks on the blog over the years, including this fall-inspired smokey eye tutorial and my peachy smokey eye makeup look. But when Urban Decay originally sent me the Urban Decay Naked Heat eyeshadow palette, I knew I HAD to create something with it. I immediately fell in love with the warm, fiery colour story. The palette features 12 amber-inspired neutral shades, including rich browns, burnt oranges, copper tones, and deep reddish hues. I especially love how the lighter transition shades work with the deeper colours to create a dimensional smokey eye. The combination of matte and shimmer finishes makes it easy to build everything from a soft daytime look to dramatic evening makeup. My favourite part? You don’t need to use every shade in the palette to create something beautiful. Just a few well-blended colours can completely transform your eye makeup.
How to Create a Warm Smokey Eye: Step-by-Step Tutorial
If you’ve ever been intimidated by smokey eye makeup, don’t worry! The secret is building colour gradually and blending between each step. You want the darkest colours concentrated around the outer corners and lash line, with softer shades creating a seamless transition toward your brow bone. Here’s exactly how I created this copper and burgundy smokey eye using the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette.
Step 1: Prep Your Eyelids for Eyeshadow
Before applying eyeshadow, I like to start with a smooth, even base. For this look, I originally used my favourite full coverage foundation to even out the colour on my eyelids. This helped create a more uniform canvas before applying the warmer eyeshadow shades. If you have oily eyelids or find that your eyeshadow tends to crease, a dedicated eyeshadow primer may work better for you. The goal is to create a base that helps your eyeshadow apply evenly and stay in place. Once your base is ready, you’re officially one step closer to the perfect smokey eye!
Step 2: Highlight the Inner Corners and Brow Bone
Next, I applied the shade Ounce to the inner corners of my eyes and just underneath my brows. This soft, light shade adds a subtle highlight and helps brighten the eye area. I love this trick because it creates contrast with the darker colours we’ll be applying later. A little highlight in the inner corners can also make the eyes appear more awake, especially when you’re working with dramatic smokey eyeshadow.
Step 3: Apply a Warm Peach Transition Shade
Now it’s time to start building the colour! I applied the gorgeous peach-toned shade Sauced across my eyelids to create a warm base. This shade is relatively close to my natural skin tone, making it a great starting point for the deeper copper and burgundy colours. When creating a warm smokey eye, using a softer transition shade helps prevent harsh lines and makes blending the darker eyeshadows much easier. I recommend applying a small amount at first and gradually building the intensity until you’re happy with the result.
Step 4: Blend Warm Brown Eyeshadow Into the Crease
This is where the smokey eye really starts coming together! I mixed the shades He Devil and Cayenne to create a beautiful warm brown and reddish-orange combination. Using a fluffy blending brush, I worked the colours into the crease of my eyelids, concentrating on the outer half of each eye. I also applied a small amount along my lower lash line to connect the upper and lower eye makeup. My biggest tip? Blend, blend, and then blend some more! Taking a little extra time here makes a HUGE difference in the finished look. Use gentle back-and-forth motions and build the colour slowly for a softer, more seamless effect.
Step 5: Deepen the Outer Corners With Burgundy Eyeshadow
Ready to add a little drama? I blended the shades En Fuego and Ashes into the outer corners of my eyelids to create depth and dimension. These darker burgundy and plum tones are what give this makeup look its sultry, smokey finish. I concentrated the colour on the outer third of my eyelids and gently blended it into the warmer crease shades. I also added a little of the darker colour to the outer portion of my lower lash line. The key is keeping the deepest shades toward the outside of the eyes rather than covering the entire lid. This creates a beautiful gradient and helps the eye makeup look more balanced.
Step 6: Add Shimmer With Copper Eyeshadow
And now for my FAVOURITE part: the shimmer! To give this smokey eye its signature fiery finish, I applied the shade Scorched to the centre of my eyelids. This gorgeous copper-toned shimmer catches the light beautifully and adds so much dimension to the look. I love how it contrasts with the deeper burgundy shades on the outer corners. For more intense colour payoff, you can gently press a shimmer eyeshadow onto the lid using a clean fingertip or a flat eyeshadow brush. Just be careful not to blend away all the shimmer when softening the edges. The finished effect is a warm, glowing eye look that feels glamorous without being overly complicated.
Step 7: Finish With Winged Eyeliner and Mascara
No dramatic smokey eye is complete without a little eyeliner and mascara! To finish this look, I created a wing using this black liquid liner. I absolutely loved the formula when I originally tried it, and the adorable feline-inspired packaging was a bonus. A thin wing helps define the upper lash line and adds a little extra drama without covering up all that beautiful eyeshadow. Finally, I applied this mascara to make my lashes look longer and fuller. One of my favourite things about this mascara is the large brush, which helps coat the lashes for a more dramatic finish. And just like that, your warm copper smokey eye is complete!
Tips for Creating the Perfect Smokey Eye for Beginners
If you’re new to smokey eye makeup, the most important thing to remember is that blending takes practice. Start with lighter shades and gradually build toward the darker colours instead of applying too much pigment at once. A fluffy blending brush is your best friend when it comes to softening harsh edges, while a smaller brush can help you apply colour more precisely along the lash line. I also recommend doing your eye makeup before your foundation if you’re working with dark or highly pigmented eyeshadows. That way, you can easily clean up any fallout without disturbing the rest of your makeup. And don’t worry if both eyes don’t look perfectly identical right away. Makeup is supposed to be fun, and a little practice goes a long way!
How to Make a Warm Smokey Eye Last All Night
Whether you’re wearing this look for a wedding, date night, or girls’ night out, you’ll probably want your eyeshadow to stay looking fresh for hours. One of the easiest ways to improve wear time is to start with an eyeshadow primer, especially if your eyelids tend to get oily. Apply thin layers of eyeshadow and blend between each one rather than packing on too much product at once. If you’re using shimmer, gently pressing it onto the eyelid can help create a more intense finish. I also recommend choosing a mascara and eyeliner that work well with your eyes and won’t smudge throughout the day. With the right prep and application techniques, you can create a warm smokey eye that looks polished from the first photo to the last!
