The 5 Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes
We don't believe in prescriptive beauty or "rules" around these parts. But when it comes to playing up your eye color, some color wheel basics actually are pretty helpful. Take the color brown: When paired with the best eyeshadow shades for brown eyes, you can bring out depth and dimension like whoa. We tapped makeup artist Vanessa Ungaro of Lauren + Vanessa to share which eye makeup colors bring out the most stunning facets in every range of brown. Read on to find the best makeup shades for your eye color. (And pssst...in case you're curious or somehow landed here accidentally, we also tracked down the five best makeup colors for blue eyes and ditto for green.)
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WireImage1/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Warm Rust Eyeshadow
The trick to enhancing brown eyes is to first identify which pigments yours comprise. "One of the best kept secrets by makeup artists is that smudging a warm brown eye shadow with coppery undertones onto the lash line will bring out green and gold flashes in brown eyes," Ungaro says. The hints of red in the shadow will contrast with any green or gold, making them look extra dramatic. For an even stronger look, Ungaro recommends following the eyeshadow with jet black liner on the waterline to add depth.
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2/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Warm Rust Eyeshadow
This velvety shadow comes in a color-coordinated palette, so you can play around with each shade of brown with every makeup application.
L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shadow Quad in Because I'm Worth It, $7, drugstore.com
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3/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Warm Rust Eyeshadow
This deeply pigmented shadow has flecks of shimmer in it for an even more luminous effect.
Nars Shimmer Eyeshadow in Lola Lola, $25, narscosmetics.com
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4/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Warm Rust Eyeshadow
With a soft, matte finish, this eyeshadow's red undertone can make any shade of brown eyes pop.
Clinique All About Shadow Single in Chocolate Covered Cherry, $16, clinique.com
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Getty Images5/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Purple Eyeshadow
"All shades of purple, from eggplant to lavender, work on brown eyes because it brings out the truest brown color in your irises," says Ungaro. That's not all, the soft contrast of purple can make the whites of your eyes appear brighter, making you look more awake.
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Dior6/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Purple Eyeshadow
Sweep the center shade along your lid, the bottom left purple along the crease, and the bottom right plum at the corners and lower lash line to make your eyes pop.
Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow palette in Victoire, $62, dior.com
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Make Up For Ever7/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Purple Eyeshadow
It looks bold in the pan, but this eye shadow can be easily blended into a less pigmented color, so you can choose the intensity you prefer.
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow in Eggplant, $21, makeupforever.com
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Chanel8/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Purple Eyeshadow
Apply dry or use a dampened brush to make this eyeshadow appear brighter against your skin.
Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Pulsion, $30, chanel.com
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Getty Images9/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Deep Bronze Eyeliner
Bronze is one of the most versatile shades when it comes to eye makeup, but Ungaro says it looks especially dazzling on brown eyes without coming across too severe. "Smudge a dark bronze liner around your eye from the top lash line to the bottom one for a deep, sultry effect," she says. For an even prettier outcome, try a bronze liner with a bit of shimmer in it—you'll be surprised at how this warm shade can change your whole look.
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Lancome10/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Deep Bronze Eyeliner
This 2-in-1 Lancôme eyeliner has a foam-tipped end to easily smudge your eye makeup for a more lived-in look.
Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Bronze Riche, $27, lancome-usa.com
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Tarte11/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Deep Bronze Eyeliner
Up the intensity of bronze liner by pairing it with a coordinating cream shadow.
Tarte Double Duty Beauty The Eye Architect Double Ended Liner and Shadow in Bronze, $24, ulta.com
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Stila12/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Deep Bronze Eyeliner
This cult-favorite eyeliner glides on easily and stays put for hours, making it perfect for lining your waterline.
Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Lionfish, $22, ulta.com
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13/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Metallic Teal Eyeliner
For a high impact contrast against eyes that fall toward the darker end of the color spectrum, Ungaro recommends using a metallic teal eyeliner. "Applying a teal eyeliner onto the lower waterline of your eyes with a few coats of black mascara give brown eyes a dramatic look," she explains. Just make sure to avoid these seven eyeliner mistakes the next time you give it a try.
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14/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Metallic Teal Eyeliner
Love Nyong'o's look? Good news. This is the exact eyeliner she wore in the previous photo. It's liquid formula and sleek foam-tipped applicator make it easier to get a super-precise line.
Lancome Artliner 24H Liquid Liner in Turquoise, $31, lancome-usa.com
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Urban Decay15/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Metallic Teal Eyeliner
As the name of this eyeliner suggests, you can wear it all day—and night—without the fear of a makeup meltdown.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Junkie, $20, urbandecay.com
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COVERGIRL16/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Metallic Teal Eyeliner
Wear a pop of it along your upper lash line, or blend it along your lid using the smudger tip for a bolder look.
CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner in Jade, $5, covergirl.com
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Getty17/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Golden Cream Shadows
"Light bronze really brings out the sparkle in brown eyes, especially if they have golden tones," says Ungaro. By using a bronze or champagne color with yellow undertones, you'll bring out even the slightest the hint of hazel in brown eyes, making them appear more vibrant.
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MAC18/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Golden Cream Shadows
We love MAC Paint Pots because they're beyond easy to apply. Use your fingers to swipe them over your lid, an eyeshadow brush to layer them with other shadows, or an angled liner brush to wear it just along your waterline.
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Indianwood, $22, maccosmetics.com
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Charlotte Tilbury19/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Golden Cream Shadows
The name says it all. Once this amber-gold formula coats your eyelids, you're left with a high-shine payoff that illuminates the whole eye area.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes That Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow in Bette, $32, charlottetilbury.com
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Wander Beauty20/21The Best Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes: Golden Cream Shadows
The easy-to-maneuver applicator wand lets you apply this cream shadow as an all-over eye color or an eyeliner, depending on your mood.
Wander Beauty Exquisite Eye Liquid Shadow in Bronze, $26, wanderbeauty.com
