Best Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes

Brown eyes are the most common eye color in the world, and they're absolutely beautiful. But if you're not sure how to bring out your best features, don't worry - we've got you covered. In this article, we'll share our top tips for choosing eyeshadow, eyeliner, and makeup styles that will make your brown eyes pop.

What Makeup Colors Go
with Brown Eyes?

The best makeup colors for brown eyes are those that will complement your skin tone and enhance your natural eye color. If you have fair skin, you'll want to choose light, shimmery shades that will brighten up your eyes. If you have medium skin, you can wear a wider range of colors, but you should avoid anything too dark or too bright. And if you have dark skin, you can wear bold, dramatic colors that will really make your eyes stand out.

Best Eye Makeup Palette
for Brown Eyes

When it comes to choosing an eye makeup palette, look for one that has a variety of shades that you can use to create different looks. A good palette will include both light and dark shades, as well as matte and shimmery finishes. Some of our favorite palettes for brown eyes include the Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, the Shadow Blocks™ Eyeshadow Palette in West 4th and Perry Street, and the Shadow Blocks™ Eyeshadow Palette Makeup in North 3rd and Bedford Ave.
  • The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
    Eye Shadow Palette
    Buy now
  • Shadow Blocksâ„¢ Eyeshadow Palette Makeup
    West 4th and Perry St
    Buy now
  • Shadow Blocksâ„¢ Eyeshadow Palette Makeup
    North 3rd and Bedford Ave
    Buy now

Eyeshadows for Brown Eyes

Now that you know what colors to look for, let's talk about some specific eyeshadow shades that are flattering for brown eyes.

Purple Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

Purple eyeshadow is a great way to add a touch of drama to your look. It's especially flattering for brown eyes because it helps to bring out the natural warmth of your eye color. For a subtle look, try using a light purple shade in the crease of your eyelid. For a more dramatic look, try using a deep purple shade all over your lid. Accenting your eye color with a hint of attitude, a purple smokey eye adds that perfect pop of personality. Create a fun look using a purple gel eyeliner and two shades of purple shadow, one lighter and one that's a bit darker. Click to view our full purple eyeshadow tutorial.
  • Color Tattoo® Eye Stix Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick, Liner, & Primer
    I am Fearless
    Buy now
  • Shadow Blocksâ„¢ Eyeshadow Palette Makeup
    Broadway and Prince St
    Buy now
  • Expert Wear® Eye Shadow
    Humdrum Plum
    Buy now
  • Expert Wear® Eyeshadow Quads
    Velvet Crush
    Buy now

Green Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

Green is your new black. Green eyeshadow is another great option for brown eyes. Making brown eyes sparkle, a green smokey eye is dark and mysterious like a black smokey eye, but the rich touch of color makes it a no brainer for you—especially when you’re looking for something a little less normcore. For a more natural look, try using a light green shade in the crease of your eyelid. For a more dramatic look, try using a deep green shade all over your lid.

What do you need to get started? Try a black pencil eyeliner and green eyeshadow palette! Click to view the full green eyeshadow tutorial.
  • Expert Wear® Eye Shadow
    Forest Green
    Buy now
  • Shadow Blocksâ„¢ Eyeshadow Palette Makeup
    26th and Madison Ave
    Buy now
  • Expert Wear® Eyeshadow Quads
    Emerald Smokes
    Buy now

Blue Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

Blue eyeshadow is a great way to add a touch of coolness to your look. It's especially flattering for brown eyes because it helps to create a contrast that makes your eyes look brighter. For a subtle look, try using a light blue shade in the crease of your eyelid. For a more dramatic look, try using a deep blue or even shimmery blue shade across your entire lid, using a product like Color Tattoo® Eye Stix in I Am Extravagant.
  • Color Tattoo® Eye Stix Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick, Liner, & Primer
    I am Extravagant
    Buy now

Brown Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

Brown eyeshadow is a great way to create a natural, everyday look. Subtle and sophisticated! The brown smokey eye look is a toned-down version of your standard smokey eye that just happens to look sublime on those with brown eyes. They’ll notice a difference and so will you. To get the smokey brown eye look use The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette (or a brown powder eyeshadow of your choice) and a brown pencil eyeliner. Click to view the full brown smokey eye tutorial.
  • The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
    Eye Shadow Palette
    Buy now

Best Eyeliner For Brown Eyes

Eyeliner is another essential product for brown eyes. It helps to define your eyes and make them look more awake and alert. There are many different types of eyeliner available, so you can choose the one that works best for you. When it comes to color, you have a myriad of options to make your eyes look their best!

Blue Eyeliner for Brown Eyes

Blue eyeliner is a great way to add a touch of color to your look. It's especially flattering for brown eyes because it helps to brighten them up and make them look more awake. For a subtle look, try using a light blue eyeliner on your upper lash line. For a more dramatic look, try using a deep blue eyeliner on your upper and lower lash lines. Learn more about blue eyeliner looks with our article on blue eyeliner.
  • Master Precise® All Day Liquid Eyeliner Makeup
    Cobalt Blue
    Buy now
  • Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil Longwear Eyeliner Makeup
    Galactic Cobalt
    Buy now

Black Eyeliner for Brown Eyes

Black eyeliner is a classic choice that will never go out of style. It's perfect for creating a defined and polished look. For a subtle look, try using a thin line of black pencil eyeliner on your upper lash line. For a more dramatic look, try using a liquid eyeliner to create a classic wing.
  • TATTOO® STUDIO AUTOMATIC GEL PENCIL EYELINER EYE MAKEUP
    Pitch Black
    Buy now
  • Tattoo Studio® Ink Pen Eyeliner Makeup, Up To 24 Hours Of Wear
    Jet Black
    Buy now
  • Unstoppable® Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
    Onyx
    Buy now

Green Eyeliner for Brown Eyes

Green eyeliner is a great way to add a touch of fun and excitement to your look. It's especially flattering for brown eyes because it helps to enhance the natural color variation in your eyes. A deep green eyeliner like Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil in Hunter Green adds a high fashion touch to your look.
  • Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil Longwear Eyeliner Makeup
    Hunter Green
    Buy now
  • Master Precise® All Day Liquid Eyeliner Makeup
    Emerald Green
    Buy now

Purple Eyeliner for Brown Eyes

Purple eyeliner is a great way to add a touch of drama to your look. It's especially flattering for brown eyes because it helps to bring out the natural warmth of your eye color. For a subtle look, try using Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil in Rich Amethyst along your upper lash line. For a more dramatic look, use sparkly shade I Am Fearless from Color Tattoo® Eye Stix and use bold, broad strokes to apply.
  • Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil Longwear Eyeliner Makeup
    Rich Amethyst
    Buy now
  • Color Tattoo® Eye Stix Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick, Liner, & Primer
    I am Fearless
    Buy now

Brown Eyeliner for Brown Eyes

Brown eyeliner is a great way to create a natural, everyday look. It's also a great choice for blending out other colors and creating a seamless appearance. Whether you use deep brown for a rich brown wing or light brown to line your entire eye, a brown eyeliner will highlight your beautiful eye color.
  • Unstoppable® Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
    Cinnabar
    Buy now
  • Tattoo Studio® Sharpenable Gel Pencil Longwear Eyeliner Makeup
    Bold Brown
    Buy now
  • TATTOO® STUDIO AUTOMATIC GEL PENCIL EYELINER EYE MAKEUP
    Espressotini
    Buy now

Makeup Styles for Brown Eyes

Now that you know what colors and products to use, let's talk about some makeup styles that will make your brown eyes pop.

Dramatic Eye Makeup Looks for Brown Eyes

If you're looking for a dramatic eye makeup look that will make your brown eyes stand out, try one of these ideas:

Gold Smokey Eye

A gold smokey eye is a classic and glamorous look that's perfect for a night out and will emphasize the richness of your brown eyes. To create this look, start by applying a light gold eyeshadow all over your lid. Then, use a darker gold eyeshadow to create a smokey effect in the crease of your eyelid. Blend the two shades together until you have a seamless look. Finish off the look with a coat of black mascara. Learn more about how to do this look with our gold eyeshadow tutorial.

Purple Cut Crease

A purple cut crease is a fun and trendy look that's perfect for a special occasion. To create this look, start by applying a light purple eyeshadow all over your lid. Then, use a concealer to create a sharp line in the crease of your eyelid. Blend the concealer out until you have a clean line. Next, apply a deep purple eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eyelid and blend it in towards the crease. (Learn more about how to create a cut crease with our cut crease tutorial.) Finish off the look with a coat of black mascara.

Natural Makeup Looks for Brown Eyes

If you're looking for a more natural makeup look that will still enhance your brown eyes, try one of these ideas:

Brown Tightline Eyeliner Look

A brown tightline eyeliner look is a great way to define your eyes without looking too overdone, drawing attention to the color of your eyes. To create this look, simply use the techniques outlined in our tightlining tutorial to tightline your eyes with a gel brown liner.

Nude Shimmer Shadow & Burgundy Mascara

Burgundy is a beautiful color to bring out your warm brown eyes. Start by applying a light nude eyeshadow all over your eyelid—a Color Tattoo® Eye Stix shade like I Am Shining for lighter skin or I Am Determined for darker skin. Then, add a touch of shimmery eyeshadow to the center of your lid. Finish off the look with a coat of burgundy mascara from Lash Sensational Sky High®.
  • Color Tattoo® Eye Stix Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick, Liner, & Primer
    I am Shining
    Buy now
  • Color Tattoo® Eye Stix Multi-Use Eyeshadow Stick, Liner, & Primer
    I am Determined
    Buy now
  • Lash Sensational Sky High® Washable Mascara Makeup
    Burgundy Haze
    Buy now

Pro Tips: How to Apply Makeup
for Brown Eyes

Here are a few pro tips to help you apply makeup for brown eyes:

  • Start with a good primer. This will help your makeup go on smoothly and last longer.
  • Apply your eyeshadow in thin layers. This will help you to avoid caking or smudging.
  • Blend your eyeshadow colors well. This will create a seamless look.
  • Use a light hand with eyeliner. Too much eyeliner can make your eyes look harsh.
  • Finish off your look with a coat of mascara. This will help to define your lashes and make your eyes look more awake.



With a little practice, you'll be able to create beautiful eye makeup looks that will make your brown eyes pop. So go ahead and experiment with different colors and styles until you find the ones that you love. And don't forget to have fun!

Browse Our Best Makeup for Brown Eyes

Shop our top choices for eye makeup for beautiful brown eyes like yours.