How To Wear Brown Liquid Eyeliner, Plus 11 Looks To Try

Brown eyeliner is often hailed as a softer alternative to the classic black, perfect for no-makeup makeup and soft everyday makeup looks. And while that’s certainly true in many cases, brown liquid eyeliner is far more versatile than it gets credit for. Like the traditional onyx hue, brown eyeliner can be used to create a bold cat eye, frame a shimmery smokey eye, or take center stage in a bold graphic eye makeup look. Plus, its neutral tone pairs well with just about every eyeshadow color you can imagine (though it’s particularly well-matched with warm hues like gold, bronze, and burgundy). If you need proof of the power of brown liquid eyeliner, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re revealing some of the most notable benefits of this flexible makeup bag staple and sharing a look at 11 brown eyeliner looks we love—and think you will, too.

What Are the Benefits of Using Brown Liquid Eyeliner?

There are several reasons why you may want to reach for a brown liquid liner instead of your classic black. Here are a few noteworthy benefits of brown liner:

1. Adds soft definition: Like black eyeliner, brown liquid eyeliner can help define your eyes—but the end result is subtler than jet-black liner. That makes it a great pick for those times when you want a slightly softer take on your go-to cat eye or wing.
2. It’s extremely versatile: Brown liner works well around the clock. While the earthy hue is soft enough to feel appropriate for laid-back daytime situations, it also packs plenty of punch for more dramatic nighttime looks.
3. There are several shades to choose from: Brown isn’t one color—there are plenty of shades within the family, from soft tawny hues to mushroom browns and deep, rich espresso tones.
4. Brown flatters all eye colors: If you’re looking for an eyeliner that complements your eye color, it’s hard to go wrong with brown. It’s one of the best eyeliner colors for brown eyes, particularly if you’re after a natural look. But the shade’s warm undertone is incredibly flattering on blue and green eyes, too—it helps bring out the natural coolness in these eye colors for ultra-flattering contrast.
5. It pairs well with every complexion: Pure black eyeliner can sometimes feel harsh against very fair complexions. Brown eyeliner provides the same level of definition as black liner, but without as much sharp contrast. This rich, dark hue makes it well-suited for those with fair skin and complements deeper skin tones beautifully, too.

How To Apply Brown Liquid Eyeliner

If you’ve never applied liquid eyeliner before, it can feel a little intimidating. In reality, it’s pretty straightforward—you just have to follow a few simple steps to nail your application.

Choose the right formula

Liquid eyeliner typically comes in one of two formats: brush-tip or felt-tip. While both have their merits, we find that a felt-tip variety is easier to work with if you’re new to liquid liner. Look for one with a thin tip, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown. The 0.4mm felt tip allows for an ultra-precise application so you can draw your lines as thin (or as thick) as you’d like. Plus, the no-skip formula glides on easily and wears for up to 30 hours without smudging or transferring.

Prep your eyes

After selecting your liner, prep your lids with an eye makeup primer to help ensure a smooth, even application. If you don’t have an eye makeup primer on hand, you can dot a bit of concealer onto your lids instead—just make sure to use a light hand and blend it out well.

Trace along your upper lash line

Next, uncap your liner and position yourself in front of a mirror. Looking at the mirror straight-on, begin tracing along your upper lash line, keeping the tip of the liner as close to your lashes as possible. If you’re having trouble keeping your hand steady, try propping your elbow on a hard, immovable surface—like your bathroom counter—for stability. Or, try sketching out your desired shape with a pencil eyeliner before tracing over it with your brown liquid eyeliner. We’re especially fond of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Brown.

Optional: Line your lower lash line

Lower lash liner isn’t a must—it actually may not be suited to everyone or every makeup look. But if you’re open to the idea, a little brown liner beneath your eyes can help enhance and define your eye shape. With a pencil liner, gently line your lower lash line, starting from the outer corner and working your way inward.

Set your look

No matter what sort of makeup look you’re after—soft and subtle or intricate and bold—it’s a good idea to finish your look with setting spray to help lock your products in place. After completing your eyeliner, close your eyes and lightly mist the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist over your face for about three to four seconds. The fast-drying formula helps set makeup in place for up to 36 hours of transfer-resistant wear.

11 Stunning Brown Eyeliner Looks To Try

Brown eyeliner can be used to create countless standout eye makeup looks, from exaggerated wings to mod-inspired vibes (and so, so much more). Here are 11 of our favorite ways to wear brown liquid eyeliner for day, night, and every hour in between.

1. Soft wing

Winged eyeliner never goes out of style, and the chic look flatters every eye shape. Try a softer take on the classic wing by first drawing an exaggerated wing with a brown liquid eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Eyeliner in Brown, then lightly buffing out the edges with a similarly-colored powder eyeshadow. The effect is glam, but subdued—and it’s a gorgeous look for any occasion.

2. Smokey brown eyeliner

Soften your standard smokey eye by swapping out the black liquid liner for a rich, dark brown hue—you’ll get the same definition without any of the harshness. For added definition, line your upper and lower waterlines with a dark brown pencil eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail™ Eyeliner in Black Brown.

3. Stacked wing

The only thing better than one thing: two wings. Start by drawing out a classic wing using a black liquid liner. Once it dries, use a thin-tipped brown liquid eyeliner to trace immediately above the first line for a two-toned stacked wing.

4. Sunset eyes

Brown liquid eyeliner is the perfect complement to warm-toned eyeshadow because the earthy hue itself has warmer undertones. For a vibrant makeup look, swipe a bright pink or orange eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Cloudy Rose, onto your lids, blending the pigment just past your crease. Then, line your upper lash lid with a medium brown liner for soft, subtle definition.

5. Nude cat eye

Pair nude eyeshadow with chunky brown winged eyeliner for a fresh take on the retro-chic look. You can use any neutral-toned shadow you want for this look. We love the way a neutral-toned matte shade helps draw attention to the chocolate-hued liner. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up, a soft, mid-toned almond hue.

6. Colorblocked liner

Brown liquid eyeliner serves as the perfect backdrop for a pop of bright, vibrant color. To achieve this vivid look, create a thin wing at the outer corner of your top lid, extending the line straight outward rather than upward the way you might for a cat eye. Then, draw a second wing—this one along your lower lash line—with a bright, pigmented eyeliner pencil for contrast. You can use any shade, but we love how a vivid teal (like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Turquoise) pops against soft brown.

7. Floating eyeliner

Floating eyeliner is a trend that involves drawing a thin, curved line above your crease, mirroring the natural shape of your upper lash line. It’s a funky and unexpected way to rock your brown liquid eyeliner, and super easy to execute. One tip: Line your upper lash line before doing your floating liner to help prevent smudging.

8. Sultry siren eye

The siren eye is similar to a cat eye, except the wing goes straight outward horizontally with little to no upward “flick.” In most cases, nailing a siren eye also means lining the inner corner of your eye—and for that, a fine-tipped liquid eyeliner like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown is a must. Because the liner is the star of this look, we suggest keeping the rest of your eye makeup simple. Skip the eyeshadow—instead, just swipe through your lashes with a coat or two of brown mascara, such as the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara in Black Brown.

9. Reverse cat eye

There’s something effortlessly cool about a reverse cat eye—especially when the wing is drawn in a soft, smokey brown shade. To create the look, trace along your lower lash line with a brown liquid eyeliner. Extend the liner past the outer corner of your eye, moving toward your temple. You can stop here, but we love how a little brown eyeliner in the waterline completes the look. For the latter, use a long-lasting pencil eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24 HR Pencil Eyeliner in Ivy, which has a soft, greenish-brown hue.

10. Graphic ’60s liner

When you’re looking to stand out, a graphic, mod-inspired eyeliner look is definitely one to try. It does take a bit more effort than your standard eyeliner—you’ll need to create a cat eye and a floating crease, then connect the two and smoke out the liner with brown eyeshadow—but the payoff, in our opinion, is well worth it. To make the look pop even more, line your lower waterline with a light brown eyeliner or nude-toned liner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Liner in Nude.

11. Brown and burgundy liner

For a simple yet chic look that works as well for day as it does for night, start with a brown liquid liner on your upper lash line. Then vamp it up with a burgundy liner on your lower lash line using a pencil liner like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Burgundy. A few coats of burgundy mascara will really pull the look together. We love the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Deep Burgundy.

Next Up: 12 Brown Eyeshadow Looks That Are Anything But Boring

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris