Brown eyes might be the most common eye color, but what they lack in uniqueness they make up for in versatility. The color brown is created by mixing all of the primary colors, which means that you can use any hue (and their respective complementary color) to enhance the tones in brown eyes. In other words, brown eyes work well with any color. From soft neutrals to vibrant pops of color, brown-eyed babes have an endless array of eyeshadow colors and looks to choose from. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect eye makeup look to make your brown eyes stand out, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re searching for the perfect everyday makeup or want to rock a statement look, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve rounded up the 17 best eyeshadow looks to make your beautiful brown eyes pop!
Frosted Blue
Blue is one of the best eyeshadow colors for brown eyes. To understand why, here’s a bit of color theory: Blue and orange sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, making them complementary colors. This means that they create a strong contrast that enhances (as opposed to clashes with) one another. Because brown is essentially a darker version of orange, blue eyeshadow complements the orange undertones in brown eyes in a way that makes them pop.
Bright shades like baby blue and cobalt can bring out the radiance of brown eyes, while deeper blues, such as navy and royal blue, intensify dark brown eyes. Want to make your eyes sparkle? Blend a dark blue eyeshadow into your crease, then pop a shimmery shade onto the center of your lids. Pair this look with a soft pink blush and lipstick for a colorful daytime makeup look.
Matte Grey
Grey and brown are neutrals with opposing undertones. Though they might not sound like a good match, the cool tones in grey eyeshadow create a beautiful contrast that amplifies the color of warm brown eyes. You can use a combination of grey hues to create a soft smokey eye or use it as an all-over lid color as pictured above. Highlight the inner corners to brighten your eyes, then intensify your gaze by applying black eyeliner on the upper lash line and lower waterline. Finish with mascara and a pair of false lashes if you’re feeling extra glam.
Gold
Gold might seem too opulent for an everyday makeup look, but it’s surprisingly wearable. There are many ways to wear gold eyeshadow without going over-the-top glam. When applied sheerly, this gorgeous metallic shade can enhance the natural brightness of brown eyes. Try sweeping a sheer wash of gold over lightly contoured eyelids, then pair it with rosy pink lips and cheeks.
Purple
Purple is a universally flattering color that looks good on any skin tone and eye color. What makes purple eyeshadow an excellent option for brown-eyed beauties is that it complements the yellow-orange tones in brown eyes. You can apply one shade of purple eyeshadow over your lids or use different shades to recreate this smokey eye makeup look. Combine matte and shimmer eyeshadows for a multidimensional effect.
Bronze
Metallic eyeshadows have a subtle shimmer that makes brown eyes sparkle. What makes bronze such a great choice is that it has an earthiness that brings out the beauty of brown eyes. This metallic brown color also deepens the eyes in a way that’s sultry yet natural. Sweep a dark neutral color into the crease and lower lash line, then pat a shimmery bronze shadow onto the center of your eyelid. Highlight the inner corners of your eyes, then apply a few coats of your favorite mascara to complete the look.
Green
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Green might not be the first color you’d pick for a makeup look, but this hue (and all of its beautiful variations) are a must-have for any brown-eyed beauty. Dark shades like emerald and forest green complement the red undertones in dark brown eyes, creating a richness that can make your eyes pop in the most stunning way. Those with light brown eyes can opt for softer shades, such as olive or sage. Try using green eyeshadow to create this smokey winged eyeliner look, then pair it with your favorite nude lipstick for a sultry pop of color.
Matte Brown
Contrary to popular belief, matching your eyeshadow to your eye color doesn’t dull them out. In fact, the choosing right shade of brown can intensify the earthy tones in your iris. Warm browns with red or orange undertones (think: terracotta or chocolate) can enhance the richness of brown eyes. Moreover, you can create contrast by choosing a shade that opposes your eye color. For example, light brown shades can make dark eyes pop, whereas dark browns enhance lighter brown eyes.
Recreate this smokey cat-eye look by applying brown eyeshadow along the upper lash line. Use the edge of your eyeshadow brush to sweep the pigment from the outer corner of your eye up toward the tip of your brow. Buff out the edges of the shadow with a fluffy brush to soften the look and create a smokey effect. Lengthen your lashes with brown mascara if you want to rock a monochromatic makeup look.
Lavender
With such a wide and eclectic variety of purples, brown-eyed beauties have a ton of options when it comes to purple eyeshadow looks. Lighter shades, such as lavender and lilac, create a soft pop of color that can enhance brown eyes in a delicate way. You can use a combination of purples and pinks to give it a more natural feel. Pair it with nude lips and peach blush for a romantic daytime makeup look.
Burgundy
Burgundy might seem like a difficult eyeshadow color to pull off, but it has strong brown tones that register almost like a neutral, especially on dark skin tones. This deep reddish-purple shade captures the natural richness of dark brown eyes in a way that brings out their beauty. Sweep a burgundy eyeshadow all over your lids and lower lash line, applying more layers as needed to build up the pigmentation to your liking. Give this look an editorial twist by applying gloss over the eyeshadow.
Orange
Warm brown eyes have a strong orange undertone that can be enhanced with orange eyeshadow. Though bold, this vibrant eyeshadow color is flattering on any skin tone and works all year round. Bright orange shades are perfect for spring and summer makeup looks, while muted shades such as rust and burnt orange work better for the fall and winter months. You can create this single-color eyeshadow look by applying an orange shadow on the upper lid and crease, then blending it out until diffused.
Plum
Plum is one of the best purple shades for brown eyes. Dark, sultry, and a little bit dramatic, this deep purple eyeshadow is perfect for creating smokey eyes with a hint of color. It’s a great alternative to black eyeshadow, which can be too severe on pale skin. Blend a plum shadow onto your eyelid and lower lash line, then use dark neutral shades to deepen the crease. Define the waterline with black eyeliner, then coat the upper and lower lashes with your favorite mascara.
Silver
While it might seem counterintuitive, silver is one of the best colors to make brown eyes pop. This cool-toned metallic shade creates a nice contrast that brings out the rich brown color in your iris. Though it’s often associated with Y2K makeup trends, this shimmery shadow exudes modern glam when paired with a classic smokey eye or bold winged eyeliner look.
Yellow
Yellow eyeshadow can bring out the golden flecks in light brown eyes, creating a vibrant pop of color that’s perfect for the spring and summer months. Blend a bright yellow eyeshadow all over your eyelids, then deepen the outer corners with a darker shade to create a subtle gradient. Apply black liner and mascara to add more definition to your eyes.
Peach
Peach eyeshadow brings out the natural beauty of brown eyes. This beautiful blend of pink and orange tones is perfect for everyday makeup looks, but it can also be combined with brown shades for a more dramatic effect. Blend a medium brown eyeshadow along the crease and deepen the outer corner with a darker shade. Sweep a peachy shadow on your lids and lower lash line. Use a peach-colored pencil liner to define the waterline, then highlight the inner corners to brighten your eyes.
Champagne
Out of all the metallics, champagne is probably the easiest to wear. It has soft warm tones that make it more subtle than silver or gold eyeshadow. Because it doesn’t lean too warm or cool, it looks gorgeous on any skin tone. This shimmery shadow works almost like a neutral and can be used to add a bit of sparkle to make your brown eyes pop. Use it to brighten the inner corners or apply it all over your eyelid for a sheer wash of color.
Hot Pink
Pink is a universally flattering color that looks good on any skin tone and eye color. While soft pinks are great for natural makeup looks, brown-eyed babes can get away with more saturated shades like hot pink or magenta. These vibrant shades can make a statement while bringing out the warmth of medium-brown eyes. Use the edge of your eyeshadow brush to sweep pink eyeshadow along the upper and lower lash line.
Black
Out of all the colors in your eyeshadow palette, black is undeniably the most dramatic. But don’t be intimidated by this dark shade because it’s one of the best eyeshadow colors for brown eyes. This versatile shade can be used to create anything from a sharp cat eye to a classic smokey eye.
Apply black liner on the upper and lower lash line and carefully smudge it out. Sweep the black shadow over the liner to set, then drag it out from the outer corners to create a winged effect. Blend the upper edges to smoke it out, then complete the look with a few coats of mascara. Black eyeshadow is known to enhance dark circles, but this can easily be covered up with a bit of concealer.
source https://degreesofvanity.com/the-best-eyeshadow-looks-for-brown-eyes/
