Choosing eyeshadow for your eye color is one of the easiest ways to make your eyes stand out. The idea comes from the color wheel: shades that sit opposite your eye color create contrast and make it look brighter. Shades close to your eye color give a softer, more blended effect.
How the color wheel helps
- Blue is opposite orange, so warm copper and bronze tones make blue eyes look bluer.
- Green is opposite red, so shades with red or purple in them, such as plum and burgundy, bring out green.
- Brown is a neutral mix, so almost every color works with it.
You do not have to wear bright colors. A hint of the contrasting tone, even in a neutral shade, is enough.
Shade guide by eye color
| Eye color | Shades that make them stand out | Soft everyday options |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Navy, purple, emerald, gold, bronze | Warm browns, taupe, soft peach |
| Blue | Copper, bronze, warm brown, peach, terracotta | Champagne, soft taupe, warm beige |
| Green | Plum, burgundy, mauve, rose gold, reddish brown | Warm taupe, soft pink, golden brown |
| Hazel | Gold, olive, purple, bronze, warm brown | Soft brown, champagne, moss |
| Gray | Charcoal, silver, navy; or warm copper to bring out blue tones | Taupe, soft gray-brown |
Brown eyes
Brown eyes have the widest choice. Deep shades such as navy, plum and forest green add richness without competing. Gold and bronze pick up warm flecks in the iris. Light brown or amber eyes glow next to purple and teal. Very dark brown eyes are striking with jewel tones and metallics.
Blue eyes
Warm tones are the most flattering. Copper, bronze, rust and warm browns make blue look more intense. If you want something cooler, choose navy or slate gray, which are deeper than your eye color and so frame it. Bright blue eyeshadow that matches your eyes tends to make them look less blue.
Green eyes
Purple is the classic partner for green: plum, eggplant, mauve and lilac. Reddish browns, burgundy and rose gold also work well, because they contain red. If true red tones make your eyes look tired, choose a browner version, such as brick or cranberry-brown, and keep it away from the lash line.
Hazel eyes
Hazel eyes mix green, brown and gold, and you can choose which to bring forward. Purple and burgundy bring out green. Gold and bronze bring out golden flecks. Olive and moss green create a soft, tonal look.
Gray eyes
Gray eyes reflect the colors around them. Charcoal and silver make them look steely. Warm copper and peach pull out any blue. Purple can bring out a green tint.
Consider your skin tone too
- Fair skin: soft, lighter versions of each shade. Very dark colors can look heavy.
- Medium and olive skin: bronze, gold, warm brown and plum look rich.
- Deep skin: saturated colors and metallics show up beautifully. Pale pastels need a light base underneath to show true to color.
Your undertone matters as well. Warm undertones suit golden and earthy shades, and cool undertones suit taupe, mauve and silver. See Skin Undertones: Warm, Cool, Neutral, and Olive.
Easy ways to wear color
- As a liner. Smudge a colored pencil or eyeshadow along the upper or lower lash line and keep the lid neutral.
- On the center of the lid. Press a metallic shade on the middle of the lid over a neutral base.
- At the outer corner. Blend a deeper contrasting shade into the outer third.
- In mascara. Plum or navy mascara is a subtle way to add contrast.
Do not treat this as a rule
These suggestions describe what tends to add contrast. Any color you enjoy wearing is a good choice, and technique and blending matter more than the shade.
If you are just starting, read Eye Makeup for Beginners: Easy Steps to Follow. For a deeper evening look, see Smoky Eye Makeup: A Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial, and for eyes with a hooded lid, Hooded Eye Makeup: Easy Placement and Blending Tips. Eyeshadow Palette Buying Guide: Colors and Everyday Use explains how to choose a palette you will actually use.
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Frequently asked questions
What eyeshadow color suits all eye colors?
Neutral browns, taupe, champagne and bronze flatter every eye color, which is why most everyday palettes are built around them.
Should eyeshadow match my eye color?
Matching exactly usually makes eyes look less vivid. A contrasting or deeper shade frames the eye color better.
Can I wear blue eyeshadow with brown eyes?
Yes. Navy and cobalt look especially good with brown eyes, as a liner or on the lid.