Which Is Better: Brown Mascara or Black Mascara?

Most of us can agree that no makeup look is truly complete without a few swipes of our trusty mascara. Black mascara is often regarded as the standard color of choice, but there’s another neutral option equally as versatile and just as impactful: brown mascara.

These two shades may appear similar at a distance, but each lends your look a different vibe when you get up close and personal. If you’re unsure where you stand on the brown mascara vs. black beauty debate, we’re here to lay down all the eye-opening info you need to make your choice. Keep scrolling to discover whether you should go for a brown or black mascara and if there’s really a better time to use one over the other.

Should You Choose Brown or Black Mascara?

While both black and brown mascara can complement any eye makeup beautifully, the difference between the two lies in how bold or dramatic you want your overall look to be. Since the color is so saturated, black mascara can help you make a statement with your eyelashes. A true brown mascara, on the other hand, will still emphasize your lashes, but the effect will be softer since the color isn’t as dark (this subtlety is, in our opinion, one of the biggest benefits of brown mascara).

When in doubt, your features can play a role in helping you choose between brown vs. black mascara. First, consider your skin tone and hair color, as these characteristics may help you identify which hue is more flattering for you.

• Fairer skin tones or lighter hair colors: People with light skin and blonde, red, or gray hair may want to reach for brown mascara vs. black options. Black mascara can look stark when contrasted against your fairer features (though this is often ideal for more glam looks).
• Deeper skin tones or darker hair colors: Those with deeper skin tones or brunette to black hair colors should opt for black mascara when they want to emphasize their lashes, and brown mascara if they’re after definition without an obviously “made up” look.

Eye color can be another deciding factor. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• Brown eyes: Brown mascara on brown eyes creates a gorgeous, monochromatic chocolatey effect, while black mascara adds a more glam finish.
• Green eyes: Brown is often the best mascara color for green eyes because the earth-toned hue can pick up the equally earthy tones in your eyes. For more of a striking contrast, black is the way to go.
• Blue eyes: Brown mascara on blue eyes is a combo that works exceptionally well since these two shades are complementary—when paired together, each helps the other stand out. Black is universal, though, so you can’t go wrong if you want to embrace a bolder look.
• Hazel eyes: Since hazel tends to embody a variety of colors, try both black and brown mascara to see which flatters your complexion best. You can also base your final choice on the look you intend to create (more on that below).

When to wear brown mascara

There are a few situations in which brown mascara is generally preferable to black. These include: 

• For natural-looking makeup: If you're going for a no-makeup makeup look, brown mascara provides a softer, more natural look than ultra-pigmented black shades. This hue is also great if you're wearing minimal face makeup but still want your lashes to pop.

• Daytime: Because its softer in color, brown mascara is versatile and works well for both casual and professional settings. It offers definition without the saturation of black (which some say is more suited for evening or formal events). If you have dark hair or eyes, you can use a black-brown mascara for a soft, natural-looking finish.

• For subtle definition: One of the benefits of brown mascara is that it has the ability to enhance lashes without looking too dramatic. While black mascara is hard to miss, a brown color looks subtle yet still draws attention to the eyes.

• To enhance lighter features: While makeup, in general, all comes down to personal preference, brown mascara works exceptionally well on those with fair skin, blonde or light brown hair, and light eyes. This is because black can appear overpowering on someone with these features, whereas brown is more complementary.

When to wear black mascara

Black mascara can be a great option for certain situations, including: 

• For dramatic or glam makeup: If you still can’t kick the internal black vs. brown mascara discourse, consider where you plan to wear your makeup and the effect you want to create with it. If this is a no-makeup makeup or soft girl vibe, keeping things subtle with brown mascara may be the best option. If this is a full glam occasion or an evening look, black mascara is like the makeup version of a little black dress: classic. In this case, black mascara will help you achieve intense definition and impact.
• To enhance your eyes: Because of black mascara's dark, strong pigment, using it will help accentuate your eye shape and create the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes. It'll also draw attention to the eyes, which can be ideal especially if you're sporting an in-depth eyeshadow look.
• For special events: Special occasions and photography call for black mascara, primarily because it's more likely to deliver more defined lashes that'll show up in photos. Black mascara compensates for the reduced contrast of a camera by making the eyes appear more dramatic and expressive.
• If you have darker features:While anyone can wear black mascara, the deep, pigmented hue is a great everyday option for those with darker hair or skin tones. It’ll mesh well with your features to create gorgeous-looking definition suitable for night or day.

How To Wear Black and Brown Mascara

If you’re still on the fence between brown vs. black mascara, there are a few middle grounds you can consider trying. One route you can go is mascara cocktailing, which lets you experiment with both shades. This technique typically involves layering different formulas of mascaras together (like volumizing with lifting or lengthening with curling) until you reach your desired finish, but you can also partake in this application method by pairing different colored mascara, too. For a twist on cocktailing, try applying black mascara on your outer lashes and brown mascara on the inner lashes. The gradient effect creates a cat-eyed look by putting the focus on the outer corners of your eyes. Or, make your eyes appear larger by applying black mascara on the top lashes and brown mascara on the bottom ones to mimic a ‘60s doll-like aesthetic.

You could also try reaching for a black-brown mascara. These deep brown hues read more espresso than chocolate, and make for a great middle ground for those torn between the two neutral shades. 

Regardless of your makeup vision, one common mascara application mistake can make or break your look: pulling your wand straight up through your lashes. Instead, you’ll want to gently wiggle your wand horizontally from side to side as you brush it upwards. This motion helps add maximum length, volume, and lift to your eye fringe for the most impactful results.

Now that you know the differences between brown vs. black mascara and have some ideas on when to use them, you can start shopping around. Ahead, we’re breaking down our favorite black and brown picks from L’Oréal Paris to add to your makeup lineup.

Our Favorite Brown and Black Mascaras To Try

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara

Available in: Latte Brown, Black Brown, Black, Mystic Black, and Blackest Black 

For volume and length, get to work with this clump-resistant and smudge-resistant mascara. The power lies in the wavy brush that coats and catches every hair for dense, fuller-looking lashes. Plus, the new caring formula, which contains floral oil, helps lashes feel conditioned and soft to the touch.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara

Available in Black, Blackest Black, and Black Brown

Enjoy corner-to-corner volume with this long-lasting mascara. The multi-level bristle brush is formulated to evenly coat every lash in mascara, so you’ll get a fanned-out look with soft, full lashes. Plus, it's washable, meaning it'll resist smudging, clumping, and flaking for up to 24 hours—all while still being easy to wash off at the end of the day (or night).

L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara

Available in Blackest Black, Black, and Black Brown

If you’re looking for a brown or black mascara that will lengthen, lift, and curl your eyelashes, this one's for you. The lengthening mascara offers instant lift, volume, and up to +5MM of visible length for up to 36 hours. Its patented double hook brush separates and coats each lash with the ceramide-infused formula.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara

Available in eight shades, including Blackest Black, Carbon Black, Black, and Black Brown

Give your lashes lift and mega volume with this iconic mascara. The clump-resistant formula thickens every lash, building them up to five times their natural thickness. On top of this, the ceramide-infused formula keeps lashes feeling supple and soft to the touch. Opt for the brown or black mascara color for a natural look, or choose from one of the vivid shades for a colorful mascara look that stands out.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Mascara

Available in Blackest Black, Black, and Black Brown

Subtlety has a time and place, but so does boldness. This mascara delivers the latter, offering a show-stopping lash effect worthy of a superstar. On one side of the mascara is a volumizing primer, while the other features a super-extending mascara containing a fiber-rich formula. Swipe it on anytime you want to feel extra glam—or simply to enjoy super-volumized lashes.

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

Available in Blackest Black, Black, and Black Brown

You may not actually have a million lashes lining your eyes, but this mascara is a good stand-in. The Millionizer Brush is uniquely designed to amplify and separate lashes from corner to corner while building breathtaking volume. It features a built-in Clean Sweep Wiping System to remove clumps and the perfect amount of mascara for an ultra-volumized clean lash look.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Washable Mascara

Available in Black and Brown

You’ve heard of balm-in-gloss and even balm-in-lipstick, but we’re willing to bet you haven’t heard of a balm mascara—until now, that is. This caring mascara features a vegan formula with 99% natural-origin ingredients. The buildable formula volumizes, lifts, lengthens, and separates, creating up to 7x fuller lashes with a full, healthy feel. Choose the dark brown mascara for a soft look or opt for the black mascara for a bolder effect.

Next Up: 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Mascara

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris