Anyone have tricks to perfect the smokey eye? I hear it's easy but i just cannot get the technique down. Help!

Get a smooth gliding pencil eyeliner...line the top and bottom lids - close to the lashes...then dab (don't rub) your finger along the line. Then take some black or brown eyeshadow and go over the line you just dabbed. Then dab again. Voila, smokey eye :)

When applying makeup you always want to be sure to blend! And depending on how intense you want your smokey eye to be, blend more or less. I hope that helps ^-^.

Have good tools. Example? I absolutely adore Laura Mercier's smudge brush (can be found online at sephora for $24). I like more than Cargo's specialized smudge brush. And blend blend blend. Make sure to blend well with other shadows and brushes. Also, smokey eye can be achieved w/ funkier colors (not just grays/ browns) but also plums and purples, blues, and greens.

how do you get the smokey eye look without looking like a racoon or that you have dark circles under your eyes?

I think part of it is to not make it too circular. :D

I like having a slight cat-eye, so angle it a bit upwards at the upper/outer corner lash line. But seriously... bored at home one night? Try it! Try different colors, try different tools, try different shadows and layering combinations. No one will see. :) Take some photos and look at them later.

I agree- practice, practice, practice! You might consider watching a DVD of a makeup artist giving a step-by-step tutorial?

Mischo Beauty
http://www.mischobeauty.com/

I would agree- blending and practice are the keys! There are a lot of makeup books with step-by-step instructions- try Kevyn Aucoin's "Making Faces" or Sam Fine's "ine Beauty"...

Mischo Beauty
http://www.mischobeauty.com/