Why do these colors work best with brown eyes?

If you think back to the color theory portion of your high school art class, you may remember learning about the color wheel, and how the color directly across from the one in question can add some contrast and make it pop. "Colors on opposite ends of the wheel complement and colors adjacent to each other in varying tones offer less contrast, but generally look very pretty when used all together," says makeup artist Analisa Marie.

Should I also use a similar-toned eyeliner to make my brown eyes pop?

Only if the monochromatic finish is your end goal. Black or brown eyeliner can help to create more definition along the perimeter of your eye, but if you're after a tone-on-tone finish, aim for an eyeliner a few shades darker than your eyeshadow to ensure it doesn't get lost in the overall color scheme.

When does eyeshadow expire?

The lifespan of your eyeshadow can vary depending on its formulation, but in general, powders tend to last longer than creams. While cream eyeshadows should be replaced every three to six months, powder eyeshadows can last up to a year. Pay attention to changes in finish and consistency for signs that a formula is nearing its expiration date, and try to swap out old eye products more often than not, as they frequently come in contact with such a sensitive area.

The 20 Best Eyeshadows for Brown Eyes of 2023

There’s a reason Van Morrison wrote about a Brown-Eyed Girl, they’re beautiful! While blue or green may be more captivating at first glance, brown eyes have a special kind of depth to them and tend to reveal differing features the longer you gaze into them. You’ll find flecks of gold and copper in some while others straddle the line of hazel or green. What’s so fun about cocoa-colored eyes is that you can really play them up with eye shadow. Depending on the pigment you pick, you can actually make your eyes appear greener or a more brilliant brown.

You really can’t go wrong with whatever shadow shade you pick, but there are certain hues that will really help your eyes to shine. "For day-to-day wear, go for soft, delicate shades that have a touch of warmth," says Portland-based makeup artist Analisa Marie of The Wildeflower Collective. "If you're looking for more depth around your eyes, try deeper shades with amber, gray, or purple undertones." In keeping with her recommendations and other factors such as skin tone and price point, we rounded up 20 of the prettiest palettes, sticks, powders and more.

To find the eyeshadow that will best suit your shade of brown, check out our picks below.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Makeup by Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora

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Best Budget:

e.l.f Cosmetics No Budge Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

CoverGirl TruNaked Quad Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette at Nordstrom

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Best for Dark Brown Eyes:

RMS Beauty Luminizer x Quad Highlighter Palette at Credo Beauty

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Best for Light Brown Eyes:

Milani Pure Passion Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon

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Best Shimmery:

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24HR Shadow at Amazon

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Best Matte:

Tarte Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette

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Best Natural:

Mented Cosmetics Everyday Eyeshadow Palette

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Best Purple:

Maybelline Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette at Ulta

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Makeup by Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Feelunique.com View On Makeupbymario.com

What We Like

It has a range of shades
The shadows are richly pigmented

What We Don't Like

It’s on the pricier side
It’s not for someone who doesn’t like shimmer shadows

There’s nothing worse than shelling out big bucks for eyeshadow that doesn’t show up. This palette is the opposite of that. The 12 metallic shades are all richly pigmented, helping to justify its price tag. Nine shades fall into the warm color family with shimmering bronzes and even a beautiful khaki green color that helps make brown eyes pop. What sets this palette apart from other rosy toned ones is that there are three cooler toned shadows that actually flatter brown eyes without feeling too cold or ashy.

Price at time of publish: $50

e.l.f. Cosmetics

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Elfcosmetics.com

What We Like

Long-lasting
Inexpensive
9 shadow sticks to choose from

What We Don't Like

Can crease on hooded eyes or oily lids

This budget-friendly cream shadow stick may be inexpensive, but it plays in the big leagues and gives pricier products a run for their money. Use all over lids for a full shadow look or as liner on the top and bottom lash lines. The Copper Chic shade delivers a dose of warm metallic pigment that enhances brown eyes of all shades, but particularly those with golden flecks.

Price at time of publish: $5

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 1| Size: 056 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

CoverGirl TruNaked Quad Eyeshadow Palette

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Inexpensive
Travel-friendly
Includes dual-sided sponge applicator

What We Don't Like

Applicator quality could be improved

With bronzy, burgundy and brown shades, this mini palette has everything you need to make your brown eyes stand out. "For a dramatic look with a simple approach, keep these colors close to the lash lines, blending them over your eyeliner on the top and bottom," Marie offers. "Swiping the shadow along your lash line diffuses the liner and actually increases the longevity of the wear."

Price at time of publish: $11

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Bluemercury.com

What We Like

Silky, smooth texture
Includes two applicators
Multidimensional shades

What We Don't Like

No matte shades

If you're open to splurging on a pro-level palette, you should definitely consider Tom Ford's Color Quad. It comes with four luxuriously smooth shadows and is available in several color families, including many that look brilliant on brown eyes. We recommend Body Heat, Disco Dust, Honeymoon, or Pretty Baby.

Price at time of publish: $90

Rms Luminizer X Quad Highlighter Palette

Skinstore

View On Credo Beauty View On Rmsbeauty.com View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Multi-purpose product
Sheerer pigment

What We Don't Like

A bit sticky

RMS Beauty Luminizer x Quad Highlighter Palette looks a lot like a highlighter palette because, well… it is—sort of. The four creamy, light-reflecting creams can be used on the eyelids to brighten up dark brown irises, as well as on the cheeks, temples, brow bone, décolletage, and anywhere else you want to add a little glow. Marie says multi-purpose products like this are great for when you're short on time.

"Lighter shadows with flares of champagne, gold, or copper will really add to the natural sparkle of brown eyes," she adds. "Try adding just a touch of these highlight shades in the inner corner tear duct and extending in toward the middle of your eye to add a fresh flash of light. This is a really fresh approach to making your eyes appear more open."

Price at time of publish: $48

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Warm, vibrant shades
Silky texture
Good value

What We Don't Like

Lots of fallout

If your eyes are light brown or have a hazel tint, eyeshadows with red undertones can be incredibly flattering. Try the ultra-pigmented Milani Pure Passion palette, which comes with 12 rosy, peachy, bronzy, and chocolaty shades.

"Soften any hard lines between the shadow and skin with a clean brush by sweeping it along the line of color you've created. This will blend and diffuse the pigment and leave you with a seamless transition between the color and your natural lid," says Marie.

Price at time of publish: $40

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Kroger.com View On Riteaid.com

What We Like

Inexpensive
Shimmer shades are pigmented
Rich jewel tones

What We Don't Like

Shadows can break easily

If you gravitate toward shimmery shadows, pick up a pot or two of this long-lasting, light-reflecting formula from L'Oreal. Rosy pinks, golds, purples, and grays are best for brown eyes, like the shades Amber Rush, Glistening Garnet, Smoldering Plum, or Bronzed Taupe.

"Try focusing the pigment of choice into your eye crease with a small fluffy brush, then connecting to the outer corners and halfway across your bottom lash line. This will create a very diffused wash of color that will bring warmth into your eyes and enhance your natural eye shape," Marie explains.

Price at time of publish: $13

Tarte Tartlette Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Goes on smoothly
Great for everyday looks
No fallout

What We Don't Like

Could be more pigmented

If you're all about the mattes, you'll appreciate the Tartelette palette. You'll get 12 shimmer-free neutral eyeshadows, each made of Amazonian clay for an extra-smooth, never-chalky finish—no primer needed.

Price at time of publish: $42

Coverage Level: Light | Finish: Matte | Shades: 12 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Mented Cosmetics Everyday Eye Shadow Palette

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Mentedcosmetics.com

What We Like

Warm, basic shades
Buildable
Palette is super slim

What We Don't Like

Some shades can look a little ashy

This eyeshadow palette was made with brown eyes in mind. The nine neutral colors are on the warmer side, ranging from mocha to caramel to sandy beige. These versatile hues are perfect for creating an everyday look or adding some drama for a night out. "You can decide how bold you want to go," says Marie.

Price at time of publish: $28

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte, shimmer | Shades: 9 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Maybelline Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in Broadway & Prince St

Ulta

View On Ulta View On Target View On Walgreens

What We Like

It has shimmer shades and matte shades
Small compact size

What We Don't Like

Not super pigmented

Eyeshadows with purple undertones are makeup artists’ go-to for accentuating brown eyes. We suggest the Maybelline Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in Broadway & Prince St., which comes with three blendable shades featuring two fairer lavenders and a brilliant sparkling violet. This is a great way to tip-toe into wearing purple if the hue feels like too much color for you. These softer shadows make a great addition to any eyeshadow looks you’re already comfortable wearing. Example: swap in the sparkly purple shade for whatever “pop” shimmer shadow you usually use.

Price at time of publish: $14

Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow in Ochre

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Saksoff5th.com View On Smashbox.com

What We Like

Long-wearing
Formulated with a built-in primer
Pigmented

What We Don't Like

Can look a little patchy

Amber eye makeup can also be striking on people with brown eyes. Try Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow in the shade Ochre. This impressively pigmented, super-blendable liquid shadow lasts for 24 hours and won't cake, crease, or smudge throughout the day.

Price at time of publish: $25

Victoria Beckham Beauty

View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Victoriabeckhambeauty.com View On Violet Grey

What We Like

Easy to sheer out or build up
Can double as a liner

What We Don't Like

Not everyone wants shimmer
There can be some fallout

Blue eyeshadow works for all eye colors, but brown-eyed babes can play around with bolder shades. We're loving Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre in Midnight, a show-stopping, shimmering navy blue. This luxurious shadow looks especially sultry when applied in a smudgy way around the rims of the eyes.

Price at time of publish: $36

Huda Beauty Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Khaki Haze

Kohl's

View On Sephora View On Hudabeauty.com View On Kohls.com

What We Like

Pigmented
Easy to blend
Great value

What We Don't Like

Shades can look a little muddy

This eyeshadow kit by Huda Beauty comes with nine earth-inspired colors that compliment brown eyes. We're talking deep chestnut, reddish clay, Army green, and brownish-black, plus a few gold and pink shades with metallic finishes for highlighting. "Adding a pop of highlight onto the center of your lid will really make your eyes glow," says Marie.

Price at time of publish: $29

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette in 1 True Naturals

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Fentybeauty.com

What We Like

It has shimmer shades and matte shades
Compact size

What We Don't Like

Not as much pigment as some would like

This combo of six shimmer and matte neutral shades is wearable across skin tones and eye colors and is a good pick for those who are overwhelmed by creating their own shadow pairings. The deeper colors like the bronze shimmer shade and chocolate matte shade add a little drama, and “really compliment the different flares and flashes of light found in brown eyes," Marie says.

Price at time of publish: $28

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Charlottetilbury.com

What We Like

Easy to apply
Creamy, emollient texture
Shades have a soft shimmer

What We Don't Like

Can crease

This delectably creamy eyeshadow is blended with illuminating pigments for a soft-focus finish. It comes in a little pot and can be applied with a brush or dabbed on with your fingers. If you have brown eyes, any of the golden, rosy, or bronzy colors will stun.

Price at time of publish: $34

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Lauramercier.com

What We Like

Goes on smoothly
Pigmented
Lasts all day

What We Don't Like

Takes some time to blend

Laura Mercier's creamy, blendable Caviar Stick makes on-the-go glam as easy as pie. This transfer-resistant eyeshadow comes in a range of highly pigmented shades. We recommend Sunrise, Nude Rose, Plum, or Burnished Bronze for brown eyes.

Price at time of publish: $17 for 0.03 oz

GXVE Eye See In Color Multidimensional Eyeshadow Quad in Rose Gold

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Kohls.com

What We Like

It has shimmer shades and matte shades
Easily blendable texture

What We Don't Like

The shimmers may fade throughout the day

If anyone knows fair skin and brown eyes, it’s Gwen Stefani, making these shades perfect for those with a paler complexion. And no need to settle for one texture or another– this quad is your one stop shop with two shimmer shades and two matte ones that will help you create any look. Go for one simple swipe of shadow with your finger or dial it up with a more involved smokey eye using shadow brushes.

Price at time of publish: $28

Rose Inc. Satin & Shimmer Duet Eyeshadow in Satin Plum and Lavender Shimmer

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Feelunique.com View On Ondabeauty.com

What We Like

A cream and powder shade fit both preferences
It’s easy to layer

What We Don't Like

The shimmer is hard to pick up on a brush
The cream can transfer on hooded eyes or greasy lids

If your skin has golden or yellow undertones, purple is the way to go. Giving you the best of both worlds with a cream and powder shadow is this duo from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s line. The split compact features a deep plum cream shadow on one side and a lighter lavender shimmer powder on the other. They’re formulated to play well layered together or on their own if you’re going for a monochromatic look.

Price at time of publish: $30

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Kajabeauty.com View On Kohls.com

What We Like

The small, portable size is good for on-the-go
There are 10 shades of trios to choose from

What We Don't Like

It could be too pink for some people’s preference
Some people think the glitter shade is too chunky

The warm, pink matte shades and rose gold shimmer provide the perfect contrast to the green tones in olive skin. As for the adorable mini compact that houses the shadow, it fits nicely in any bag. We can’t get enough of the shadows’ bouncy texture that makes applying with a finger a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $26

Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Liquid Eyeshadow in Lover

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Danessamyricksbeauty.com

What We Like

The one shade offers a shift to appear different colors
Highly pigmented

What We Don't Like

May crease on the lid
It can be difficult to remove

If you’re mesmerized by the way it looks in the tube, just imagine how gorgeous it looks on lids. Just one swipe of this highly pigmented liquid formula is striking and it won’t get lost on deeper skin tones like some shadows can. The shade-shifting shadow in Lover has elements of copper red and cinnamon that bring out the warmer tones in the dark skin and dark eyes combo.

Price at time of publish: $26

Final Verdict

The type of eyeshadow or product you are looking for will determine the best option for you. If you're searching for a palette, Makeup by Mario Master Metallics is our best overall choice. If you're looking for all mattes, the Tarte Tarlette Palette is a fan favorite and creams, look no further than Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize. Each individual skin tone, depth of brown, and eyeshadow color preferences have options to explore too.

What to Look For When Buying Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes

Color

For everyday eye makeup, softer colors with a hint of warmth are best. This includes rosy blush, light bronze, sandy beige, amber, and copper. For an evening look (or anytime you want to add a bit of drama), reach for deeper shades with purple or gray undertones.

Versatile brown eyes aren't limited to neutrals, though. Bright blue, emerald green, violet, and other vivid eyeshadows can look striking, too. "You could even play with soft, brighter-toned pastels to add a pop of playful color," says Marie.

Versatility

Since the most flattering colors on brown eyes are similar to those used for blush, highlighter, and bronzer, you might want to look for a multi-purpose palette. That way, you'll have everything you need to accentuate your best features. You can create a natural-looking eyeshadow look, dab a little color on your cheeks, highlight your temples and brow bone, use a deeper hue to contour, then dust on a shimmery bronze or gold for an all-over glow.

Matte vs. Shimmery

Both matte and shimmery eyeshadows are flattering on people with brown eyes. The choice between the two is mostly a matter of preference, though they can also be used for different purposes. Deeper flat shades are typically used as a base or to define the eyes, medium mattes are used for building color and blending, and shimmery shadows are often used for highlighting.

FAQ

Why do these colors work best with brown eyes?

If you think back to the color theory portion of your high school art class, you may remember learning about the color wheel, and how the color directly across from the one in question can add some contrast and make it pop. "Colors on opposite ends of the wheel complement and colors adjacent to each other in varying tones offer less contrast, but generally look very pretty when used all together," says makeup artist Analisa Marie.
Should I also use a similar-toned eyeliner to make my brown eyes pop?

Only if the monochromatic finish is your end goal. Black or brown eyeliner can help to create more definition along the perimeter of your eye, but if you're after a tone-on-tone finish, aim for an eyeliner a few shades darker than your eyeshadow to ensure it doesn't get lost in the overall color scheme.
When does eyeshadow expire?

The lifespan of your eyeshadow can vary depending on its formulation, but in general, powders tend to last longer than creams.While cream eyeshadows should be replaced every three to six months, powder eyeshadows can last up to a year. Pay attention to changes in finish and consistency for signs that a formula is nearing its expiration date, and try to swap out old eye products more often than not, as they frequently come in contact with such a sensitive area.

Why Trust Byrdie

Lisa DeSantis has worked in the beauty industry for 10+ years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC on their public relations team and made the move to beauty editorial shortly after. Over her years of experience, Lisa has tested thousands of products and has worked with and learned from the best experts in the biz including cosmetic chemists, dermatologists, celebrity hair stylists, and more. She has been a guest on popular morning shows such as The Today Show and Good Morning America to share her expertise in the beauty space. As a freelance writer, Lisa is able to write for even more publications and reach an even larger audience by covering topics beyond beauty including health, wellness, and lifestyle.

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is an experienced commerce writer specializing in cosmetics. She's well-versed in the world of makeup and has tried a few products on this list. She's especially fond of Urban Decay Naked Palettes, L'Oreal Infallible 24HR Shadow, Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, and the Milani Pure Passion Eyeshadow Palette.

13 Liquid Eye Shadows That Will Make You Want to Ditch Powder for Good

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