10 of Our Favorite Makeup Looks To Make Green Eyes Pop
Here’s how to make your emerald eyes shine.
July 12, 2024
Green eyes are both striking and relatively rare: According to the Cleveland Clinic, only about 2% of the world’s population has them. While they stand out all on their own, you can make your emerald eyes pop even more by using eyeshadow for green eyes. While there are no set rules when it comes to makeup, the best eyeshadow colors for green eyes tend to be warmer shades that contrast with your eyes’ natural cool tones (think: rich burgundies and bronzes). Earthy tones can also help accentuate the golden flecks in your irises.
If you need some inspiration on the eye makeup front, keep reading. Ahead, we’re sharing 10 of our favorite eye makeup looks for different shades of green eyes. Plus, we’ll clue you in on the best eyeliners and eyeshadows for green eyes to add to your makeup bag.
1. Neutral Cat Eye
Nude eyeshadow is the perfect choice for when you want your green irises to take center stage. To create this flattering look, swipe a matte, neutral-toned eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Alluring Rose, onto your lids. Then, draw a sharp wing along your upper lash line to add definition and make your eyes appear wider and more lifted. If you’re not well-versed in eyeliner application, start with the L’Oréal Paris Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner—its 0.4mm tip and no-skip formula make this waterproof liner incredibly easy to use.
2. Bronze Smokey Eye
Bronze is one of the best eyeshadow colors for green eyes. The warm tones highlight any natural golden flecks in your irises, making the green appear even more vibrant. To achieve a bronze smokey eye, sweep L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Bronze all over your eyelids. Then, apply a darker shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Abyss, to the crease and blend it upward and outward with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. This combination creates a rich, dimensional look that's sure to pull focus onto your eyes.
3. Soft Mauve Eyeshadow
Makeup for green eyes doesn’t have to be neutral to be eye-catching. In fact, some of the best eyeshadow colors for green eyes include colorful hues like pastel pink and soft mauve. Creating a flattering eye makeup look with these romantic colors is easy, too. Start by swiping the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Mauve onto your lids, blending upward and outward for a diffused effect. Then, highlight your inner corners with a silver-toned highlighter or eyeshadow, and add a few coats of black mascara to complete the feminine look.
4. Burgundy Lashes
Burgundy mascara is trending in a big way right now—and that’s great news for you, as the reddish-purple shade emphasizes green eyes beautifully. Create a subtle yet flattering everyday look by forgoing your usual black mascara in favor of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Deep Burgundy. Wear it alone, or pair it with a striking wine-toned wing for added oomph.
5. Olive Green and Gold Gradient
Olive and gold are a perfect pairing for accentuating green eyes. To achieve this earthy yet glam look, apply a medium-toned green eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Golden Emerald onto your eyelid, blending the pigment just past the crease. Then, darken your outer corner with a darker olive or deep brown eyeshadow, and brighten your inner corner with a shimmery gold shadow (we suggest the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine). Finish the look by tracing your lower lash line with the olive green shadow, blending well for a diffused, smokey effect.
6. Cobalt Eyeliner
Blue may not be the most obvious choice for playing up your green eyes, but the tonal pairing of cobalt and green can be ultra-flattering, especially for those with darker green eyes. If you’re not ready to go full steam ahead with blue eyeshadow, consider swapping out your usual eyeliner for a rich cobalt or navy shade for a subtle yet flattering pop of color.
7. Emerald Cat Eye
Surprisingly, the best eye makeup for green eyes could be green eye makeup — specifically, jewel tones like emerald. Echoing your natural eye color can help make your eyes stand out, and the colorful hue is great for putting the focus on your eyes. To create a bold and eye-catching look, forgo your usual liner for a vivid green hue, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Emerald Green. Trace the pigmented formula along your upper lash line, adjusting the thickness of the line as you see fit. When you get to your outer corner, flick the liner upward (toward the tail of your brow) to create an elongated wing shape. When you’re done, mist your face with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist to help lock your look into place.
8. Silver and Charcoal Smokey Eye
If you’re on the hunt for flattering eye makeup for green eyes to wear on a fancy night out, consider a silver smokey eye. Metallic shades like platinum, gunmetal, and charcoal make emerald irises pop (especially when paired with plenty of black liner). To create an edgy look, coat your lids with a bright silver eyeshadow, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eye Shadow in Aluminum Foil. Then, darken the crease and outer corner with a shimmery gunmetal hue and tightline your eyes with matte black eyeliner for contrast and definition.
9. Rose Eyeshadow
Red sits opposite green on the color wheel, which makes these two hues complementary colors. When placed side-by-side, red can help make green pop. While we love red eyeshadow, we understand that it may not be the most approachable color. Luckily, you can achieve a similar eye-brightening effect with softer eyeshadow colors, like rose and peach. For a simple five-minute eye makeup look, swipe the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Cloudy Roseonto your lids and blend with your finger. You’ll get a soft wash of color that perfectly complements your earthy green eyes.
10. Lavender Lids
For an ethereal vibe that makes green eyes seem more enchanting than ever, experiment with soft purples like lavender and lilac. Achieve a dreamy watercolor effect by sweeping the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eye Shadow in Violet Luster onto your lids, extending the color slightly past your natural crease. Then, highlight your inner corners with the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Ice Sparkle and add a few coats of lengthening mascara for an airy look perfect for day or night.
What Colors Make Green Eyes Pop?
Anyone can (and should) wear whatever makeup makes them feel their most confident. But if you’re looking for the best eyeshadow for green eyes, there are a few hues that truly stand out. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Charcoal
Charcoal gray eyeliner can help add definition to your eyes without overwhelming them. This, in turn, will allow you to create a more natural look that lets attention stay on your irises instead of your waterline.
2. Ruby
As mentioned above, red tones can make all shades of green eyes stand out. While red eye shadow and eyeliner might seem a bit daring, you can always tone it down by opting for a muted red with brown undertones.
3. Warm nudes
Warm-toned nude shades, like beige and sand, are among the best eyeshadow colors for green eyes because they’re so subtle. Opt for these neutral tones when you want to make your emerald irises the focal point of your makeup look.
4. Taupe
Like nudes, taupe is a great eyeshadow color for green eyes. The ashy brown hue adds dimension without overpowering your look—and the color’s subtle cool undertones help bring your eyes’ golden flecks forward.
5. Purple
Purple eye makeup is a natural pairing for green eyes because the colors sit (nearly) opposite each other on the color wheel. Plus, the color is far more versatile than you may think. You can create a pastel look with lavender or lilac shadows, as explained above, or swap your go-to black liner for an eggplant hue for a subtle pop of color.
6. Brown
Brown eye makeup enhances green eyes by providing a warm contrast, which makes the green color look more vivid. Brown mascara and eyeliner also help add definition without the starkness of pure black shades.
7. Silver
If your green eyes have cooler undertones—more blue-green than emerald—silver eyeshadow is a must-try. The metallic hue can help brighten your eyes and make their tonal qualities even more apparent.
8. Green
You may have been told that matching your eye makeup to your eye color can wash out your eyes, but that advice is outdated—not to mention incorrect. Applying makeup of the same color as your eyes creates a monochromatic look that adds depth and dimension, making the eyes appear more striking.
9. Mauve
Mauve sits at the intersection of taupe and purple: it’s neither neutral nor overly pigmented. This soft shade provides a subtler way to play with purple and pinkish tones in your eye makeup without veering too far out of your comfort zone. Plus, the pastel-adjacent hue makes green eyes appear brighter and more vibrant.
10. Gold
It may come as a surprise to see gold eyeshadow on this list, seeing as we already explained that silver is among the best colors for green eyes. But both shades stun when paired with green eyes. Silver is ideal for when you’re after an edgier look, while gold can help lend your makeup an earthier (yet still glam) vibe.
