If you're looking for smoky eye inspiration, you've come to the right place. There's a new make-up trend that looks set to sky-rocket in 2023 and a prime example just came courtesy of Olivia Wilde and her make-up artist Jo Baker. It's called 'greased lids' and it's the new grungy cool-girl way to do your eye make-up this party season and beyond. Read on the find out more.
What Are Greased Lids?
Greased lids are a grungy take on a smoky eye look, coined in part by celebrity make-up artist Jo Baker. Jo took to Instagram recently to share an iteration of the make-up look that she applied to Olivia's lids, noting that 'adding a dab of grease to the middle of Olivia’s lids brings that editorial vibe to this look.' By grease, Jo means any make-up buy - usually clear - that you can use to add a slick of oil-like shine, think a lip balm, a skin balm or a lip gloss. Stick glosses work best because they stay put.
How To Recreate The Look IRL
Start out with with a soft black kohl pencil and build it up across your lash line before making a quick grab for an eyeshadow brush and blending it out. Be fast about it, kohl is very bendable but only for a matter of seconds before it sets. Concentrate on the inner and outer corners of your eyes, taking any kohl residue right up through your sockets and diffuse towards your brow arch. Blend across your lower lash line too, before lining both waterlines. You'll end up with an area all-but devoid of kohl towards the centre of your eyelid, and that's where you add your grease. Unlike glossy lids which were all the rage a couple of years ago, less is more when it comes to applying your gloss.
It's not a precise look, it's all about being imperfect, which makes it pretty fuss-free compared to the graphic liner affairs that often grace the red carpet.
Main image: Instagram @missjobaker
Shop: The Greased Lid Essentials You Need To Recreate The Look At Home
Shop: Greased Lids Smoky Eye Essentials
1 of 5VIEVE Shimmer Eye Wand in Silver Mink
For your easiest ever smoky eye, these shadow sticks are perfect. They're ultra creamy and blendable, giving you a perfect eye look in just one sweep.
2 of 5NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Long Lasting Liner Stick in Pitch Black
A great smoky eye needs a great kohl liner. This one from NYX is one of our all-time favourites. It's ultra soft and blends like a dream but will stay put once applied.
3 of 5Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Onyx
These glitter shadows from Victoria Beckham Beauty are 10/10. The densely-packed glitter gives the illusion of a wet-look gloss without actually adding any balm. In just one quick sweep, your eyes look like they're dripping in diamonds. Love.
4 of 5Relove by Revolution Gloss Up Eye Gloss
For an editorial-like finish, this eye gloss is perfect. You only need a tiny amount and it'll last all night long. It's not sticky either which is the dream.
5 of 5Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow Mono Moondust
If you're a bit scared of adding gloss, you can get the same effect with this glitter shadow from Urban Decay. It's almost transparent on the eyes – which allows for a wet-look finish. Perfect.