The Best Makeup and Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

If you’re looking to make your chestnut eyes the focus of your look, using eye makeup for brown eyes is a great place to start. While we champion the idea that everyone should wear whatever makeup they love, there's no denying how some shades just make dark brown eyes pop. Jewel tones like amethyst and bronze can help brighten your darker irises and bring out their underlying gold tones and, in turn, make your brown eyes even more alluring than they already are.

To help you pump up the wow factor of your beauty look, we’re sharing the must-have eyeshadow colors for brown eyes, along with eyeliner and even mascara to match. All you have to do is keep reading to find out how to best bring out your brown eyes.

What Are the Best Eyeshadow Colors for Brown Eyes?

Color theory, which is based on the color wheel, plays a crucial role in figuring out the best eye makeup for brown eyes. The color wheel is a circular diagram of colors arranged by their chromatic relationship (you may remember it from grade school). According to color theory, pairing contrasting colors from opposite sides of the wheel creates the most striking and complementary effect. 

For brown eyes, this means selecting eyeshadows in hues like blues, greens, and purples. These colors complement the subtle gold and amber tones in brown eyes and can help make them appear brighter and richer. Deeper golds and bronze tones, meanwhile, create a flattering and harmonious look, especially for those with deeper shades of brown eyes. For a detailed rundown on the best eyeshadow colors for brown eyes, keep reading. 

Amethyst 

Purple—and, in particular, amethyst—is among the best eyeshadow colors to accentuate brown eyes. Consider using a purple-toned eyeliner, such as L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Eyeliner Pencil in Aubergine, in lieu of your classic black for a hint of color, or go all in with a vibrant purple eyeshadow. 

Bronze

Those seeking a subtler but still impactful makeup look will be happy to know that bronze—which bridges the gap between deep brown and shimmering gold—is a stunning pick for brown eyes. This nearly-neutral shade helps create depth and dimension without adding too much color, so your eyes can be front and center. What’s more, this chic shade pairs equally well with both toned-down and more glam makeup looks. 

For an easy and flattering brown eyeshadow look, swipe the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Bronze directly onto your lids and blend it out with your fingers. This creamy formula applies and blends like a dream, delivering rich color that resists fading and transferring. 

Cobalt Blue 

The best eyeshadow for brown eyes helps bring out those golden and amber flecks—something that deep, jewel-toned blue does perfectly. Bright blue eyeshadow can feel intimidating to those used to softer makeup looks, so if you’re hesitant, consider dipping your toes in with a blue mascara. We’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Cobalt Blue, as it thickens, lengthens, and adds a bright royal tint to your lashes. Alternatively, use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Cobalt to accentuate your eyes with a bold, bright blue wing.

Gold

If you’re looking for a nude eyeshadow look but want a little bit of glitz, go for gold. This regal hue is at once luxurious-looking and wearable, and complements the warmer undertones in light and dark brown eyes beautifully. See for yourself with the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Twinkly Rose—this shimmering, pinky-rose shade is among our favorites for a subtle but still glam eye makeup look. 

Navy

Like cobalt, navy blue can help draw attention to your eyes’ golden undertones—albeit in a softer, subtler way. We love how this inky shade blurs the line between blue and black and makes blue eyeshadow (or liner) wearable for the everyday. Embrace the classic hue with a navy blue eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Blue Jersey.

Ruby

If you have light brown eyes with flecks of green, consider reaching for a ruby-toned eyeshadow. The rich red hue will help bring out the green in your eyes while helping to brighten and illuminate those richer brown tones. Of course, a bright red shadow can feel a bit harsh—instead, we recommend leaning into the look with a slightly softer red, such as the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Cloudy Rose, which is infused with luminous golden shimmer. Alternatively, dry a rich red mascara, such as the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Mascara in Deep Burgundy, to help define and accentuate your beautiful eyes. 

Teal

Make your dark brown eyes the star of the show with teal eye makeup. This bold, bright hue contrasts with the warmer undertones in your eyes to create an eye-catching (pun intended) look. Try tracing your upper and lower waterlines with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Turquoise and see for yourself how the vivid hue makes your eyes pop.

Daytime and Nighttime Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes

Oftentimes, how you wear your makeup is dictated by the occasion—bolder looks work well for nighttime, but may not be suitable for days in the office. Here, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to wear the flattering hues mentioned above for day and night.

Daytime makeup for brown eyes

• Bronze waterline: If you want a soft, barely-there look for daytime, swap out your go-to black liner for a bronze-toned one, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Bronze. Pair it with brown mascara for a soft yet alluring daytime eye look.

• Pastel lids: We love the deep, rich tones of dark purple hues like eggplant, but they can be a bit overwhelming in the light of day. To embrace a purple eye look during the daylight hours, swipe L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Mauve over your lids—the shimmery, pinkish-purple hue is a great way to embrace color without going overboard.

• Navy cat eye: As mentioned earlier, navy is a great hue to try if you’re looking to reap the brightening benefits of blue eyeshadow without going all in. Try using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Blue to create a sharp, defined cat eye—you may find you don’t want to go back to classic black. 

Nighttime makeup for brown eyes

• Sparkly gold lids:Gold can work well for daytime, but we find that the glitzy, shimmery hue is especially well suited for after-hours events. Embrace the metallic hue by coating your lids in a shimmery, sparkly gold shadow, like L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Crown Gold.

• Ruby smokey eye: The sultry warm tones of ruby and burgundy eyeshadows pair exceptionally well with a high-drama smokey eye. Start with a chocolatey base (the rich tone complements brown eyes well) and blend it out with a ruby-toned shadow for a colorful twist on the classic neutral smokey eye.

• Purple cut crease: If you want a high-impact look for a special night out, the cut crease is a look worth considering. Create yours with a blend of purple shadows—we’re especially fond of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eye Paints in Violet Luster as a shimmery, attention-grabbing accent color. 

Next Up: How To Craft the Perfect Smokey Eye According to Your Eye Shape

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris