12 Brown Eyeshadow Looks That Are Anything But Boring

There’s something about a well-executed brown eyeshadow look that screams sophistication. While colorful eye makeup can certainly be fun to experiment with when you want to stand out, brown eyeshadow is timeless—not to mention, incredibly versatile. Whether you opt to play up the drama with a brown smokey eye or subtly enhance your eye color with a matte brown eyeshadow, there are endless ways to incorporate this earthy hue into your makeup routine. Plus, the neutral color can skew warmer or cooler, making it a great pick for all skin tones and undertones.

If you’re new to neutrals or are not sure how to apply brown eyeshadow and make it pop, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re sharing 12 brown eyeshadow ideas we love for busy mornings, nights out, and every situation in between.

What Eye Colors Suit Brown Eyeshadow?

Brown is a true neutral—and as a neutral, it looks great with every eye color. If you want to make your eyes pop, select a shade that helps bring out the natural pigment in your irises. Warm brown hues like terracotta and maple can help accentuate the cooler tones in blue and green eyes. Richer golden browns and bronzes, meanwhile, are incredibly flattering for those with brown eyes. 

You can also pick your shade (or shades) based on your desired end result. If you’re looking for a natural brown eyeshadow look that you can wear to school or work, we suggest sticking with subtler hues, like taupe or beige. Deeper shades, such as chocolate and espresso, can create a more dramatic statement, making them perfect for nighttime. 

Of course, at the end of the day, there’s no wrong choice. You should always feel free to wear whatever color—or colors—make you feel most confident. 

What Lipstick Goes With Brown Eyeshadow?

Nearly every lipstick color can complement a brown eyeshadow makeup look. When picking a lip color, consider what you’re hoping to achieve. Bright hues like reds and punchy corals make a statement and can turn a simple brown eyeshadow look into a total show-stopper. Vampy burgundies, plums, and berries, meanwhile, create a more glamorous effect (especially if your shadow is shimmery).

If you’re not sure which lipstick shade to choose, consider opting for a neutral shade, like a soft mauve or pinky nude. These versatile hues are timeless, flattering, and pair well with both light and dark brown eyeshadow looks.

12 Brown Eyeshadow Looks, From Natural to Sultry

1. Daytime brown smokey eye

The smokey eye is often thought of as a nighttime makeup look, but by swapping out the standard black hues for soft browns, you can easily make it work for daytime. To create this flattering look, snag the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette and an eyeshadow brush. Sweep one of the palette’s lighter brown shades over your lid, blending the color past your crease. Then, pat a darker brown hue onto your outer corner, buffing well to create a soft, diffused effect. Swipe the same dark brown shade along your lower lash line, then complete the look with a coat or two of dark brown mascara.

2. Shimmery brown cut crease

Although a cut crease may look intricate, the standout look is actually pretty simple to achieve. Start by applying a dark brown eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte-Ison Avenue, to your crease, blending the pigment upward (toward your brows). Then, use concealer to “carve” out your lid space—you want the line between your lid and crease to be super sharp. Once the concealer dries, apply a light, shimmery eyeshadow, such as L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Little Beige Dress, to the entirety of your lid, taking care not to blend it with the crease shade. Finish the look with black eyeliner and a few coats of your favorite mascara. 

3. Subtle cat eye

Pairing neutral eyeshadow with soft winged liner makes for a chic and understated look that easily transitions from day to night. To create this easy brown eyeshadow look, sweep a matte nude eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Alluring Rose, onto your lid. Blend the pigment with your finger, then trace your upper lash line with a brown liquid or pencil eyeliner. When you get to your outer corner, flick the liner out slightly—the subtle wing will help “open” up your eyes for an ultra-flattering end result. 

4. Grungy ‘90s eyeshadow 

This ‘90s-inspired grungy eyeshadow look is equal parts cool and glam—and because it’s meant to look a little messy, it’s super easy to achieve. Start by sweeping a shimmery dark brown eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Quartz Fume, over your entire upper lid. Then, apply the same shadow to your lower lash line, buffing it out for a smudgy, lived-in feel. Once you’re satisfied with your brown eyeshadow, define your upper and lower waterlines with a long-lasting brown or black eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Brown. If you need a refresher on the how-to, check out our article How To Do Waterline Eyeliner Like a Pro.

5. Matte brown eye

If you tend to favor simpler eye makeup looks, a matte brown eye may be right up your alley. To create this chic yet pared-back look, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Bliss. Swipe the creamy color onto your lids, then use your finger to blur out the edges for a soft, diffused feel. Define your upper and lower lash lines with the eyeliner of your choice, then add a coat of dark brown mascara to complete the look. We love the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara in Black-Brown.

6. Barely-there brown shadow

You may be surprised by how flattering nearly-invisible eyeshadow can be. This no-makeup makeup look utilizes a brown eyeshadow only a shade or two darker than your skin tone to subtly enhance your eyes without overpowering your features. For a glowy, fresh-faced finish, we suggest opting for a neutral brown shadow with just a hint of shimmer, such as the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Bronze.

7. Bronze siren eye

You can create glam eye makeup with brown eyeshadow by pairing the earthy neutral hue with a smokey wing and plenty of amber shimmer. To start, sweep the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Amber Rush onto your lids, blending the color just slightly past your crease. Use a clean eyeshadow brush to buff the same shade along your lower lash line, blending it well for a sultry, smokey effect.

Next, use an eyeliner brush to create a soft wing with a black eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Noir Cest Noir. Define both your upper and lower waterline with brown eyeliner, then add mascara (and more shimmer, if desired). 

8. Brown shadow and graphic liner

If you want to level up your go-to brown eyeshadow look, consider swapping your traditional wing for graphic eyeliner. All you need to create this bold look is your favorite mid-toned brown eyeshadow and a long-lasting liquid eyeliner. For the latter, we love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner, because it boasts an ultra-thin tip ideal for creating clean, precise lines. 

9. Brown ombré eyeshadow

Ombré is a technique that involves blending several different hues together to create a seamless gradient effect. You can do it with any color eyeshadow, but we love how soft browns and golds lend this bold look a softer feel. To create it, snag the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette, which contains 12 color-coordinating shades for cohesive eye makeup looks. Apply a champagne shade to the inner third of your eyelid, a medium-toned brown to the center of your lid, and a deep brown to the outer corner of your eye. Smoke out the outer corner to create a shadow wing, then use a clean brush to blend each shade together slightly. Done properly, it should appear as if the lighter shade at your inner corner slowly transitions to a dark brown hue at your outer corner. 

10. Brown and blue eye makeup

Brown can be bold—and this playful look, featuring an electric blue waterline, is proof. Start by applying a warm-toned shimmery brown eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Amber Sparkle, to your upper lid. Use your finger to tap the pigment upward so it just barely touches the bottom of your brow. Next, swipe a slightly darker eyeshadow—like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Abyss—along your lower lash line. After smudging it out slightly, define your lower waterline with a vivid blue eyeliner for a subtle pop of color. If you need a recommendation, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Turquoise.

11. Bronzy lids and cheeks 

Channel summertime—even in the dead of winter—by pairing shimmery brown lids with bronzed cheeks and a glossy nude lip. To create this beachy look, we recommend snagging a shimmery shadow in a shade close to your natural skin tone. Swipe it onto your lids, then line your upper lash line with a soft brown eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim. Add a swipe of brown mascara to define your lashes, then complete the look by dusting bronzer along the bridge of your nose, hairline, and onto both cheekbones.

12. Dark brown smokey eye

For a night-out look, it’s hard to beat a dark, sultry, smokey eye. To create this glam look, we suggest reaching for at least two shadows: one dark brown shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Cafe Au Lait, and a slightly lighter shimmer shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Bronzed Taupe. Apply the former to your lid, using a brush to blend the color upward and outward to visually enlarge your eyes. Then, buff the shimmer shade onto your crease and brow bone. Blend the line where the two shades meet well to complete the smokey effect, then complete the look with black waterline eyeliner and plenty of black mascara. For an ultra-full lash look, try the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara in Blackest Black.

Next Up: How To Do a Soft and Light Makeup Look for Day

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris