If there’s one beauty trend that will never get old it’s the smokey eye. Just because we may never get sick of the look, doesn’t mean a little refresh isn’t in order from time to time. Our favorite twist on the classic choice? A jewel-toned smokey eye. Professional makeup artist Elyse Reneau gave us her guide to smoking out vibrant eye shadow like a pro.

Create a Clean Slate

When wearing dramatic eye shadow, defined eyebrows are a must. Reneau tweezed away a few strays and filled in the brows with a brow pencil. Try Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil or Dior Powder Brow Pencil. Also important before the shadow application begins: priming and concealing the eye area.

Build up the Color

Reneau used NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to “give it a bright base” and keep the look from getting too heavy. She blended out the creamy white color with a brush before adding the jewel-toned shadow. On the eyelids, Reneau chose L’Oréal Colour Riche Eye Shadow in Stacked Heels and added a bold punch with a fuchsia shade from the Neon Skirt shadow quad.

MDC Tip: Don't trust yourself to smoke it out with eye shadows on your own? Maybelline Master Smoky LongWearing Shadow-Pencils are an easy, two-step, one-product solution. Build up and blend out a jewel-toned look with Smoldering Violet or Emerald Fury.

Intensify the Eyes

To anchor the intensity on the lids, Reneau opted for a swipe of black liquid eyeliner on the top lash line. For the bottom lash line, it was all about getting that high pigment color. Reneau used a bright lip liner here, but we love rich hues of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils (try Woodstock to recreate this look). Finish with a few coats of black mascara on curled eyelashes.

Expert Tip: Use a wet sponge to clean up any fallen shadow, before moving on to your face makeup. And use the dry end of the sponge to blend out the bottom eyeliner.

What color eye shadow do you typically use for your smokey eye? Share your go-to shades below.

Photos: Dan Wolner for Makeup.com