EYELINER 101

OUR 17 BEST BROWN EYELINERS

• When first starting to wear makeup, often times that very first eyeliner is a low-key brown. It's pretty, it's appropriate, and it's neutral. With time, confidence, and expertise, you graduate to black eyeliner, and for many, never think about brown eyeliner again. Big mistake!

• WHY WEAR BROWN EYELINER?

  You'd be amazed at how something so small as using brown eyeliner as opposed to black can make such a difference to your makeup look. Black eyeliner can look a bit harsh, especially when worn in high-impact looks, like along the waterline of the lower lashes, in a smudgy rocker eye, or even an iconic cat eye. Whereas any of these looks done in black eyeliner might read a bit intense, when they're done in smooth, serene brown the effect is softer, subtler, and therefore hits that perfect balance. It's also much more daytime-friendly and office appropriate.

• WHEN TO WEAR BROWN EYELINER:

  A classic brown eyeliner pencil like Tattoostudio Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Smooth Walnut is a jack of all trades for any makeup bag, and can be as neat and minimal or as bold and graphic as your artistry allows. For evening, try a precise wing of chocolate-y liquid liner like Tattoostudio Liquid Ink Eyeliner in Dark Brown Henna, a dark, almost-black brown, or Rustic Brown, which is a few shades lighter.

• WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A BROWN EYELINER?

  Always consider your end look—this will decide everything. If you're going for a sultry, smudged look, you'll want a soft, blendable pencil eyeliner like our Tattoostudio Smokey Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Smokey Brown. If you want a more precise, tight line, a brown liquid liner like our Tattoostudio Liquid Ink Eyeliner in Dark Brown Henna is the one for you.

• HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE BEST BROWN EYELINER?

  Look at your skin tone: if you have a more fair complexion, you'll want to use a lighter shade of brown; if you have a deeper complexion, you'll want to use a darker shade of brown. The idea is for your eyeliner shade to look natural. Also consider whether or not you want your eyeliner to be waterproof. Our Tattoostudio Eyeliners stay on no matter how many happy tears you cry!

• SHOULD YOU WEAR BROWN MASCARA WITH BROWN EYELINER?

  Ps—You don't have to pair brown liner with brown mascara—feel free to mix it up with black mascara or even colored mascara! Brown eyeliner goes with every color, and never looks wrong.

• IS BLACK OR BROWN EYELINER BETTER FOR BROWN EYES?

  The answer is there's no answer! It all depends on the look you are going for. The best idea is to experiment with colors and formats until you find the look you like best!