The Best Shades Of Eyeshadow for Dark Brown Eyes

While brown eyes can sometimes feel a bit less exciting than the elusive blue or green-eyed gaze, it’s the most popular eye color. What many fail to recognize is that brown eyes come in a variety of hues, including chestnut, mocha and deep brown. And with the right shade of eyeshadow, you can easily play up your brown eyes to be just as striking as the alternatives. 

Whether it’s for the many holiday parties you RSVPed to or your efforts to upgrade your makeup routine for the new year, a complementary shade of eyeshadow for your brown eyes can instantly take your makeup look to the next level. From blazing copper to cool blue tones, there’s no shortage of options for light to dark brown eyes. Read on to discover five of the best shades of eyeshadow to charm your brown orbs. 

Purple

Also known as the color of royalty — purple is elite when it comes to favorable eyeshadow colors for dark eyes. From lavender to eggplant, any shade of purple eyeshadow will help to highlight your natural brown irises and brighten the whites of your eyes. Here are a few violet eyeshadow formulas to help you put the look to the test.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in Purple Priority

This eyeshadow features a rich, powerful purple color in a velvety formula that is both fade-resistant and waterproof. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Aubergine to create an attention-grabbing smokey eye in flattering purple tones. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eyeshadow in Violet Amour

This eyeshadow quad packs a purple punch in a petite package. With a mix of matte and shimmery finishes, the violet tones are specially curated to complement each other and your brown eye color.

Editor’s tip: To turn your eyeshadow into eyeliner, take a pointed liner brush and spray it with setting spray before dipping into your eyeshadow. The moisture of the setting spray will give your powder eyeshadow a creamy texture, allowing it to glide across your lid.

 

Gold

Gold is a rich, glamorous shade that is known for bringing out the warm undertones in brown eyes. This luxurious color ranges in hues like bronze, pale gold and yellow gold so there’s no lack of options when it comes to finding one that best suits your preferences. Below, is our favorite shimmering gold eyeshadows to enhance your brown eyes.

 

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine

This gorgeous metallic gold eyeshadow illuminates your eyes and allows you to create a truly gilded look. The creamy-pressed powder formula has a rich, buildable gold color and can also be applied with a wet brush for a more dramatic, foiled finish.

L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow Makeup in Crown Gold

This high-impact, high-shimmer liquid eyeshadow is a bright and beautiful shade of yellow gold. In one stroke, your eyes can glow with luminous gold pigments and a long-lasting, crease-resistant, transfer-proof eyeshadow formula.

Brown

One of the best ways to complement your eyes is to match your eyeshadow to your eye color — think of it as a new spin on monochromatic makeup. While there’s something to be said for creating contrast with eyeshadow and brown eyes, neutral brown eyeshadows look equally as gorgeous. Plus, brown eyeshadows pair well with just about everything, making them a perfect shade to wear for work, a date night or anything else that may be on your agenda. Discover our favorite variety of brown eyeshadow to add to your collection.

 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Cafe Au Lait

This gorgeous shade of rich chocolate brown is the perfect match for your dreamy dark brown eyes. This eyeshadow’s vibrant color, velvety texture and matte finish make for a beautiful eye paint and when paired with a slightly lighter, shimmery brown like Pain Au Chocolat, the two create an even more stunning eye makeup look.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eyeshadow in Boudoir Charme

This sophisticated eyeshadow palette contains four shades of brown that range from cream to coffee. It also has all the shades you need for creating a brown smokey eye or a dimensional cut crease. 

Editor’s tip: Pair your brown eyes and shadows with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim, a waterproof gel liner with a built-in smudge to create the perfect smokey eye look.

 

Copper

Warm tone metallics like gold and copper help to bring out the dimension and richness in brown eyes. Whether you slather copper pigment all-over your lid or save it for a pop of color on the lower lash line, it’s going to draw attention to your mahogany eyes in the best way. Here are our favorite shades of copper eyeshadow to indulge your brown eyes with.

 

L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Copper

This fiery copper eyeshadow is infused with shimmer to create a long-wearing, luminous lid for your striking brown eyes. Play up the intensity of the color and use your finger to lightly pack the shimmer onto your lid. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Haute Hazel

For a wash of copper color, this eyeshadow palette is packed with four different shades — the light copper hue with shimmer being our favorite. If metallic eyeshadow feels out of your comfort zone, use a fluffy brush to lightly blend the powder onto your lid. You’ll still get the stunning copper glow to flatter your cocoa eyes but the fluffy bristles will tone down the metallic finish.

Blue

Blue eye makeup isn’t reserved for just those with blue eyes. In fact, the contrast of a dark blue hue with brown eyes creates a gorgeous display of color that undeniably plays up your features. From royal blue to eye-catching turquoise, here are our favorite shades of blue eyeshadow to play up your brown irises.  

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Grand Bleu

This beautiful, deep royal blue eyeshadow is sure to make your brown eyes pop. The vibrant azure hue is saturated with flecks of shimmer that catch the light for a subtle twinkle. Plus, the gel-to-powder formula makes for easy, pigmented application with a single swipe of your finger. But, you can also reach for a fluffy eyeshadow brush if you’re after a more subdued wash of color pigment.

 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eyeshadow in Avant Garde Azure

For a symphony of blue, grab this palette made up of varying shades of navy blue, turquoise and teal. Spotlight your brown eyes with one of the shades or dive into all of them for a stunning display of complementary colors. 

Next: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Doe Eyes Makeup

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer. Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Katy Andrascik, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Model: Juli Deng