The Best Eyeshadow Colors for Brown Eyes

For you brown eye babes out there, I wanted to share some tips on what eyeshadow colors look best on you.  To be honest, since brown is a neutral color, almost any color will make them pop.  The trick is finding which colors look best with your hair and skin color as well.  Generally, teals and purples look best on brown eyes but as you can see below, the other colors can work too.

Here are some pictures of each eyeshadow color on brown eyes so you can experiment on yourself to find YOUR best eyeshadow color.  Makeup after all is an art, not a science, so anything goes :)

PURPLE EYESHADOW:

Purple is the most universally flattering eyeshadow color to wear (other than neutrals) because it goes well with any hair, eye, or skin color.  Purple is especially great for brown eye babes as it is a contrasting color on the color wheel, so it makes the eyes pop!  I find the best purples are blueish tinted ones as it contrasts the warmth of the brown.

To recreate this look using Makeup Geek eyeshadows use Mandarine and Sensuous on the upper outer crease. Blending them into Wisteria on the lid and using Sensuous again on the outer lashline.  On the inner corner use Shimma Shimma and blend it upward into the inner crease meeting Mercury.  Beaches and Creamis used to blend out any harsh lines and as a highlight just under the brow bone.

BLUE EYESHADOW:

Blue eyeshadow can be tricky to pull off (hello 80’s!), but if you wear a royal blue along the lashline, it looks amazing on blue eyes.  The coolness of the blue contrasts the warm brown, while also making the whites of your eyes appear brighter.

To recreate this look use Makeup Geek’s Shimma Shimma to add some extra shine by the tear duct.  On the inner corner, using Peach Smoothie, blend into Moondust in the crease.  On the center of the lid, Mermaid is blended out into Neptune in the outer corner.  On the lower lashline Shimma Shimma, Peach Smoothie and Moondust are used.  To line the eye, use Makeup Geek’s Gel Liner, Electric.  Beaches and Cream is used just under the brow bone as a highlight, and to blend out any harsh lines.

YELLOW/ORANGE EYESHADOW:

If you have hazel eyes instead of dark brown, wearing gold eyeshadow can bring out the yellow tint in your eyes.  For this fact, gold isn’t my favorite color to wear, but it can still look nice if I pair it with a dark purple or navy blue.  The best golds for brown eyes are more bronze tinted or even copper.

Gold Digger is used on the inner corner.  On the lid is Creme Brûlée, blended into Glamorous and Cocoa Bear in the crease.  Use Bitten, Glamorous and Cocoa Bear on the outer v.  Glamorous is used to line the lower lashline.  Line the waterline in Makeup Geek’s Gel Liner in Mobster. Beaches and Cream is used just under the brow bone as a highlight, and to blend out any harsh lines.

SILVER EYESHADOW:

Because silver is such a cool toned color, it provides a beautiful contrast against the warmth of brown eyes.  Any silver color looks amazing- platinum, metallic silver, or even gunmetal.   Just be careful wearing silver under the lower lashline if you have dark circles under your eyes, as this can enhance them slightly.

To recreate this Silver look using Makeup Geek products use Mercury on the lid blending outwards into Corruptin the crease and also on the outer v.  On the lower lashline, blend from the outer corner using Cinderella.  Beaches and Cream is used just under the brow bone as a highlight, and to blend out any harsh lines. To line the waterlines, use Makeup Geek’s Gel Liner, Immortal.

BROWN/NEUTRAL EYESHADOW:

Brown eyeshadow is my least favorite color to wear as it blends in so much with my brown eyes.  But no one wants to wear bright purple makeup every day to work!   The solution: wear a bit of purple, teal, or even green just under the lower lashline or in the waterline to make your eyes pop a bit.  This little splash of color is just enough for daytime without being over the top.

To recreate this look, use Makeup Geek’s Latte and Mocha in the crease and outer v.  On the upper outer crease use Cocoa Bear, blending it out into Beaches and Cream just under the brow bone.  Also using Cocoa Bear on the center of the lid, blending it to the inner corner where a little bit of Shimma Shimma is used.  To line the eyes use Makeup Geek’s Gel Liner in Immortal.

GREEN EYESHADOW:

Green is another eyeshadow color that looks amazing on brown eyes.  If you have hazel eyes, it makes them appear more green.  My absolute favorite green though is teal green- anytime I wear this color, my eyes really stand out and look vibrant!

To recreate this look using using Makeup Geek’s products use Shimma Shimma in the inner corner by the tear duct.  On the lid use Pixie Dust, and blend into the crease using Twilight.  Using Corrupt on the outer v and Mermaid on the lower lashline and Beaches and Cream under the brow bone. Use the gel liner in Immortal to create a soft winged liner on the top of the eye to complete the look.

Here’s some final tips for brown eyes:

• To make your eye color pop, wear purple or teal as these are contrasting colors to brown
• Silvers and blues can look beautiful too, but be careful wearing them under the lower lashline as they can enhance any dark circles under your eyes
• Brown eyeshadow tends to blend in with brown eyes, so wear more of a silver-brown (think taupe) or even peach.

Which eyeshadow color is your favorite?  Do you notice your brown eyes “pop” more with certain colors?

Please check out TONS of other ideas for brown eyes in the Makeup Geek Idea Gallery!

I hope you all have fun with your makeup!  Tell me below some things you notice work well with your eye color, and share pictures if you can :)  A special thanks goes out to Joanna for sharing her beautiful makeup pictures!!

xoxo,
Marlena

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