I have always liked the look of a smokey eye, but creating one myself felt intimidating. Getting black kajal to blend without looking too harsh, choosing the right eyeshadow shades and making both eyes look balanced can be tricky when you are still learning makeup. I wanted an easy way to achieve that softly defined, slightly smudged eye look without spending too much time on it.
After looking for recommendations online, I bought two products: the RENEE Fearless Eyeshadow Palette and Lakmé 9-5 Eyeconic Smokey Kajal. I wanted to see whether they could help me create a soft smokey eye without needing professional makeup skills or a long list of products.
Both turned out to be useful additions to my makeup routine. What worked particularly well was using the kajal as the dark base and blending it with brown and black eyeshadow. As someone with naturally big eyes who does not particularly enjoy applying kajal on the waterline, this combination gave me another way to define my eyes.
Here is how I used the two products and what I liked about them.
1. Lakmé 9-5 Eyeconic Smokey Kajal: For a softer, smudged black look
I bought this kajal because I wanted something that would be easier to smudge than a regular kajal. When creating a smokey eye, a sharply defined black line is not always the effect you want. The idea is to soften the edges and create a gradient that looks diffused rather than drawn on.
This product worked well for that purpose. Unlike the regular kajals I have used, I found it easy to smudge and blend, which helped me create a soft, shaded black effect without much effort.
What I liked about it
The biggest advantage for me was its blendability. I could apply the black kajal along my upper lash line and soften it before moving on to eyeshadow. This created the base for the smokey look without leaving me with a stark, graphic line.
I also liked that I did not have to apply kajal directly to my waterline to make my eyes look defined. I have big eyes, and I personally find that kajal on the waterline does not always give me the look I want. Blending the product along the lash line instead helped me achieve a more diffused finish.
The product is marketed as having darker pigmentation, a waterproof and smudge-proof formula, and long wear. My main takeaway from using it for this look, however, was how easily I could soften the black line while applying my makeup.
How I used it for my smokey eye
I started by applying the kajal close to my upper lash line. Rather than leaving it as a crisp black line, I gently blended the edges to create a soft base. I then used the RENEE eyeshadow palette to diffuse the black further.
My verdict: If you like a shaded black eye look but find traditional kajal too sharp, this is worth considering for its easy-to-smudge finish. If you prefer precise eyeliner or a crisp, graphic wing, a product designed to create sharp lines may suit you better.
2. RENEE Fearless Eyeshadow Palette: A beginner-friendly way to blend a smokey eye
The RENEE Fearless Eyeshadow Palette was a pleasant surprise. As someone who is still learning how to work with eyeshadow, I wanted a palette that would help me build colour gradually and blend shades together without making the process complicated.
For this particular look, I did not need to use every shade in the palette. I focused on the dark brown and black shades to create depth and soften the kajal.
What I liked about it
For me, the palette's biggest benefit was having shades that I could use together to build a smokey effect. Black alone can look harsh when applied in a thick line, especially if the edges are not blended well. Adding brown helped soften the transition between the black kajal and the rest of my eye makeup.
I first used the dark brown eyeshadow to blend around the black kajal. This helped diffuse the darker pigment and made the look feel softer. I then used the black eyeshadow to merge the colours, creating a more seamless finish.
The result was a soft smokey eye that felt achievable even without advanced blending techniques. I did not need to create an elaborate cut crease or use several complicated shades. Working with two eyeshadow colours and the kajal was enough for the look I wanted.
The palette is marketed as featuring matte and shimmer finishes, vibrant pigmentation and a silky texture. For my beginner-friendly smokey eye, the dark brown and black shades were the most useful.
How I used the RENEE palette
My application was simple:
- Apply the Lakmé kajal along the upper lash line.
- Gently smudge the black line while keeping the colour close to the lashes.
- Take a small amount of dark brown eyeshadow and blend it around the black to soften the edges.
- Use the black eyeshadow to merge the shades and build the intensity gradually.
- Blend any visible harsh edges until the colours look diffused.
The trick is to start with a little product and build it up slowly. It is much easier to add intensity than to correct an overly dark or uneven application.
My verdict: I found this palette particularly useful for experimenting with a smokey eye without feeling overwhelmed. If you are a beginner, you do not need to use every shade at once. Start with a simple combination, practise blending and add more colour only when needed.
How I created a soft smokey eye with just two products
What made these products work well together was the way I used them, rather than applying both randomly. The Lakmé kajal created the black base, while the RENEE palette helped soften and blend it.
Here is why I liked this combination:
- The kajal created definition: Applying it along the upper lash line gave me the darker base I wanted.
- Brown eyeshadow softened the black: It helped create a gradual transition instead of a harsh black line.
- Black eyeshadow brought the look together: Blending it with the kajal made the dark areas look more cohesive.
- I could skip waterline kajal: This was especially useful for me because I prefer defining my big eyes without necessarily lining the inner waterline.
You can keep the rest of your makeup simple with a natural base, lightly defined brows and a nude or pink lip colour. For an evening look, you could add mascara and a little shimmer on the inner corners, but these are optional additions rather than requirements for a soft smokey eye.
Are the Lakmé Smokey Kajal and RENEE Fearless Palette worth buying?
For the particular look I wanted, I was happy with this combination. I bought both products after seeing recommendations online, and they helped me create a soft smokey eye without making the process feel too complicated.
The Lakmé kajal was the product I appreciated most for its easy-to-smudge finish, while the RENEE palette helped me blend the black into a softer brown-and-black gradient. Together, they gave me a simple technique I could repeat without needing a professional makeup artist.
I would recommend considering this combination if you are a beginner, enjoy soft glam makeup or want an alternative to applying kajal directly on the waterline. If you prefer sharp eyeliner, very minimal eye makeup or a highly precise graphic look, your needs may be different.
My biggest takeaway is that a smokey eye does not have to involve a dozen products or complicated techniques. Starting with a blendable kajal, adding brown eyeshadow to soften the edges and using black shadow to build intensity can be enough to create a wearable version of the look.
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