How to Get Your Makeup to Enhance Your Eye Color
If you’ve ever wondered how to brighten your eyes with your makeup, this article is for you.
We’ll be covering everything from the best eyeshadow for blue eyes to the best eyeliner for green or brown eyes and how to make your eyes pop.
We always like to emphasize that when it comes to makeup, there are no rules. Makeup should be an expression of who you are and how you feel on any given day. That being said, there are certain tips and tricks that will enhance our beautiful natural features.
Your eyes are the window to your soul. They’re often the first thing that anyone will notice about you. So, when it comes to makeup, what can you do to enhance your natural eye color and make it sing?
Don’t match your eyeshadow to your eye color
There’s a common myth circulating the globe that matching your eye color to your makeup is the way to go (i.e., wearing blue eyeshadow with blue eyes, or green eyeliner with green eyes, brown mascara with brown eyes.)
But in fact, the opposite is true when it comes to making your eyes pop. Blue makeup doesn’t enhance your blue eyes; it will make them appear less blue and striking and lead to them disappearing into your face.
The same is true for all eye colors—it’s best to avoid matching your makeup to your eye color if you want to draw attention to your eyes.
But what if you have blue eyes, and you love your blue makeup?
If you can’t bear the thought of completely swapping out your favorite color yet, try switching to a different shade—for example, a pastel blue eyeshadow, a turquoise eyeliner, or a midnight blue mascara.
The color wheel is your friend
You may have briefly checked out a basic version of the color wheel while you were doing an art class at school. But if you haven’t taken a look in awhile, it’s time to get reacquainted with it.
Colors that are side by side on the wheel are known as analogous colors, while colors opposite each other are known as complementary colors.
To make your eyes pop, you want to choose shades that are opposite (or close to opposite) your natural eye color.
However, it’s important to note that most people’s irises are not just one color. There are usually different flecks and hues within that one color.
For example, you might have hazel eyes with hints of honey in them. You might have green eyes with hints of teal or mustard. Take a close look at your eyes in both the daylight and at night.
And when it comes to makeup, the color wheel should be used as a starting guide, but not taken literally. There are so many shades and tones of each color, all of which will show up differently depending on your eye color and skin tone.
The best approach is to try different colors out and see what works for you and what you like most.
Blue eyes
Keep it simple
Blue eyes on their own can be really bright and striking, which is why you want to try and not over-do your makeup. This can leave your eyes and skin looking washed out.
The best approach? Keep it simple. Less is more.
Eyeshadow
The best eyeshadow for blue eyes is anything with an orange base. That means warm copper, gold, apricots, peaches and brown tones. The warmth in these colors will help make your eyes pop and stand out, and highlight any warmer flecks in your eyes.
Purple is another shade that can be quite striking with blue eyes. All shades from lavender through to plum can work to help your eyes appear even bluer and brighter.
Highlight
Subtle highlighting around your eyes can help frame them without the need for eyeliner. It can also prevent them from looking too icy.
Apply a highlighter across your brow bone (just under the brow), as well as the inner corners of your eyes. Opt for a shimmery highlighter rather than a glittery one to keep this look subtle. Neutral and champagne shades will work best.
Liner
Keep your eyeliner minimal and apply it in a thin line. You can also keep your liner to your upper lash line and skip the lower lash line because blue eyes are strong enough to not disappear into your face. This can actually leave them looking bigger and brighter!
Grey eyes
Which color is most prominent in your eyes?
Grey eyes can contain many flecks of color including green, gold, blue and brown tones.
The first step for you is to decide which color is most prominent in your eyes. You can then pick complementary colors accordingly.
Winning colors
To enhance the green in your eyes, choose shades with pink undertones like rich plums and purples. To enhance the blue, go for shades with orange or peach undertones.
Green eyes
Don’t head for red
You’d be right in thinking that red is opposite green on the color wheel. But red is a difficult shade of eyeshadow to pull off. The tones will usually end up making you look sickly. The best eyeshadow for green eyes is within the red spectrum, but opt for reddish browns or plum shades, or even pink.
These tones will help make your green eyes the star of the show.
Soft blush on the cheeks
Add some subtle, soft blush on the apple of your cheeks in a pinky shade. This is a gorgeous feminine look for both work and play.
Liner
The best eyeliner for green eyes is something in a copper or violet shade. But if you prefer a more classic look, black goes with everything and is a staple for creating both simple and more dramatic makeup looks.
A swoosh of liner and a plain, glossy lid is a simple but sexy look.
Let your green eyes do the talking
If you really want your green eyes to stand out, keep everything else natural. Think voluminous lush lashes (try this mascara), glowing cheeks, and a glossy lip. Gorgeous!
Hazel eyes
Green or brown?
Did you know there’s no such thing as pure hazel eyes?
You’re likely to have a mix of tones and flecks in your eyes, ranging from shades of brown to green.
Depending on which color you want to accentuate, you can mix up your makeup accordingly.
To bring out the green, follow what green-eyed girls do and go for red and purple-toned eye makeup. To enhance the brown, opt for blue or copper tones.
Want more drama?
If you’re looking for a bolder look, try a smokey eye, a mix of dark metallic and coppery green tones.
Liner
For a natural look, use brown eyeliner to give your hazel eyes a little more oomph. And for a more radiant, glowing look, try a gold liner.
Brown eyes
Concealer is your friend
Did you know that dark circles can steal attention away from your beautiful, brown eyes?
Before you do anything, find the right concealer for your skin tone and spot it lightly under your eyes as needed. This is a crucial step before you go any further.
Brown eyes suit almost any eye makeup color!
Great news, you can get away with wearing almost any color you like!
If you want to make your brown eyes pop, then contrast is key. Think baby blues, turquoise, and metallic greens. Pink is also a great contrasting color to brown.
But as a general rule, you have free reign here to try out all the colors of the rainbow!
Metallics are a must
Shimmery shades will create a lovely striking contrast against your brown eyes and make them glow. Reserve metallic eyeshadow or liner for those special occasions when you want to make a serious impact.
Don’t overlook the neutrals
Neutrals might seem boring from the outset, but they can create a really sexy, effortless look while also bringing out the natural color of your eyes.
Plus, you can’t ever go wrong with a nude color with brown eyes. Think neutral eye shadows, some brown bronzer, or even a nude lip.
Liner
Classic brown and black eyeliners will always work against your brown eyes. But if you’re looking for an extra-special look, try a blue or purple eyeliner. Most eye colors can’t pull this off, but you can!
Complete the look with mascara for extra volume
Mascara is a must regardless of your eye color. Brown can work well for blue eyes, but black will suit every eye color. Apply some lash primer, one or two coats of classic French mascara, and get ready for your eyes to pop!
Getting your makeup to enhance your eye color is all about knowing which colors suit you and which ones to steer clear of. So get experimenting and try out these tips today!