Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes: 4 Colors to Enhance Brown Eyes

Eyeshadows are available in all colors of the rainbow, so finding the right color palette for your eye color may require time and patience. As a general rule of thumb, select options on the color wheel—a circle diagram illustrating the relationships between different colors—that oppose your eye color to create a pleasing visual contrast.

Brown is a neutral color, so it’s not on the color wheel, meaning that brown eyes can pair with virtually any eyeshadow color on the market. However, some colors—such as purple, grey, and gold—make brown eyes pop.

Brown eyes can handle a variety of makeup colors, but the following shades serve to enhance their natural beauty:

1. 1. Gold shades: Gold eyeshadow with brown eyes is a winning combination. Most brown eyes have flecks of golden or yellow pigments, especially when they hit the sunlight. Brown eyes also tend to have a natural sparkle, so gold eyeshadows, such as copper, bronze, rose gold, and shimmery yellow, enhance their golden tones. Use gold eyeshadow for a casual lunch date or sultry evening look. Add a darker shimmer to the crease of your eyelids to dramatize the look.
2. 2. Grey hues: Grey is a pleasing contrast to brown, so pairing cool metallic shades with your naturally warm brown eyes will amplify their color. For a classic smoky eye, use a dark grey eyeshadow and blend it with neutral browns. Use a shimmering silver eyeshadow or eyeliner pencil to highlight your eyes further.
3. 3. Matte browns: While it seems counterintuitive, matte brown eyeshadow intensifies brown eyes. To create contrast, choose shades of brown that oppose your eye color. For example, use light brown eyeshadows to make dark brown eyes pop.
4. 4. Purples: Purple eyeshadow comes in various shades, from soft lavender to striking violet, making them a versatile eye makeup option. Purple is a stark contrast to brown eyes, allowing the eye color to stand out against the makeup. For daytime looks, stick to lighter shades of purple and use darker shades for evening. Use purple eyeshadow to create a smoky eye look by smudging purple and black eyeshadow in the outer corners of your eyes.

Before selecting an eyeshadow palette for your brown eyes, consider the following factors:

1. 1. Eye color: Different eyeshadow colors can alter the appearance of your eye color. Thus, you should consider the shade of your brown eyes when selecting eyeshadow colors. Darker brown eyes pair with warmer tones, as these colors brighten the eyes. On the other hand, lighter brown eyes can handle dark eyeshadow colors.
2. 2. Undertone: Skin tone refers to your skin color, and the undertone is the shade within that color, just below your skin’s surface. There are three types of undertones: warm, cold, and neutral. For skin tones with a cooler hue, choose a taupe or ivory eyeshadow as a blend base. For warmer skin tones, use pink or brown shades, such as mauve or beige. Neutral skin tones can play around with a combination of these colors to create a look that appears most natural. Learn how to identify your skin’s undertone.
3. 3. Hair color: Hair color is another factor to consider when selecting a makeup palette. For instance, brown eyes may blend in with darker hair colors, so consider using warmer eyeshadows to make your eyes pop. For lighter hair colors, use cooler eyeshadow tones to complement the natural brightness of your hair.

Whether you have dark or light brown eyes, this shimmery gold look will make your eyes pop. To create this glam eye makeup look, you’ll need a matte beige, medium brown, and shimmering gold eyeshadow:

1. 1. Prep: Prep the eye area with eye cream, concealer, and eyeshadow primer. Your lightest shadow will act as an eye primer. Use a dedicated eye shadow primer to ensure your makeup stays on all day, or if you’re worried about it sticking to any fine lines or dry skin.
2. 2. Apply: Using an eyeshadow brush, start with a beige base, apply the eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes, and work your way toward the middle of your eyelid. Follow the beige with the medium brown, brushing the eyeshadow along the outer portions of your eyelids. Adding the lighter beige to your inner eye and the medium brown to your outer eye will create depth, making your eyes stand out.
3. 3. Blend: Blend the two shades in the middle portion of your eye to create a uniform transition between the two colors. Next, add the gold shimmer eyeshadow to the outer portions of your eyelid up toward your brow bone for a slight highlight. For a more dramatic and bold look, use your eyeshadow brush to create a line of gold across your lower lash line.
4. 4. Liner application: Follow the bottom line of your eyes with eyeliner to highlight the natural shape of your eyes.
5. 5. Finishing touches: You can also add other finishing touches to your eye makeup look. A dot of shimmery highlighter at the inner corner of the eyes, carefully applied winged eyeliner or cat eye (use liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner) to the outer corner, or a coat of mascara can make the eyes pop.
6. 6. Set: Spray a gentle makeup setting spray to prevent your eye makeup from wearing off throughout the day.

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