Blue eyes may get all of the love, but brown eyes are gorgeous too! Your peepers reflect light more than other colors, which brings out the gorgeous red, amber, and gold tones in your iris. and All colors of the rainbow look beautiful on brown eyes, so you have an endless amount of shadows and liners to choose from.
If you want to make your brown eyes pop, you’re in the right place! You’ll find 10 of the best eye makeup tutorials for brown eyes below.
No matter what color brown your eyes are, there’ll be a look that brings out their beauty below. So what are you waiting for? Try a few of these eye makeup tutorials for yourself and have fun experimenting!
Dark Brown Eyes
1. Plum Eye Look
Plum is a reddish shade of purple that looks gorgeous on dark brown eyes. Purple looks good on all brown eyes, but the red undertones here will help to bring out the deeper colors of your iris. This look is perfect for all seasons, though plum’s rich hue looks amazing during autumn and winter.
Follow these steps to get the look:
Prime your lids with an eye primer or concealer. This will create a smooth base for the eyeshadows to sit on.
Take a brown eyeshadow that has a slight pinkness to it. This will be your transition shade; a color that will create a smooth gradient between two other eyeshadows. Use a small fluffy brush to apply the shadow to your eye crease.
Take your plum shadow, then use a flat shader brush to apply it to the center and inner corners of your eyelid.
Use the same plum shadow on the lower lash line, keeping the color on the outside third of your eye. Smudge the color lightly so that it doesn’t seem too stark underneath.
Use the deep purple shade on the outer corner of your eye, then blend to remove any harsh lines.
Take a deep black eyeliner, then line your upper lash line. A cat-eye or winged liner looks best with this look, though you can keep the line thinner if you prefer.
Curl your lashes, then apply your favorite mascara. Waterproof mascara will hold the curl of your lashes better than a regular one. If you want to use lashes, opt for ones that aren’t too thick. These may distract from the beauty of this look.
2. Cobalt Blue Eye Look
Deep blue eyeshadow is a simple, yet effective way of bringing out dark brown eyes. This is a sexy eye look, so it’s best reserved for a night out or special event. Nevertheless, if you want to wear this one out doing your daily errands, we won’t stop you!
Cobalt blue is a bright, yet deep shade of blue that looks fantastic against rich brown eyes. Dark brown eyes can rock most shades of blue, but this one will really make a statement.
Follow these steps to get the look:
Use a nude eye primer to prime your lids. If you don’t have an eye primer, concealer and setting powder will do the same job.
Apply a nude eyeshadow that’s similar to your skin tone onto your whole eyelid, including the crease.
Take a deep cobalt blue eyeshadow, then use a flat brush to pack the color onto the lid. Keep the color on the lid, making sure it doesn’t extend past the crease.
Use a small fluffy blending brush to diffuse the blue color outwards. The aim is to make the blue shadow blend into the nude shadow on the crease. Don’t rush while doing this step, be patient and take your time.
Take the same blue color and use a smudger brush to line your lower lashes. Smudge the color outwards so that it blends into your skin.
Use a black eyeliner to line your lids. Depending on your preference, you can use a liquid liner or a pencil. A pencil will create a smokier look, but a liquid one is better for creating bold wings.
Curl your lashes, then apply lots of mascara for maximum effect.
3. Natural Smokey Eye Look
Smoky eyes were loved by many in the past as well as today. On dark brown eyes, smoky eyes create a simple, yet seductive look. You can use any combination of colors for this look, but we’re going to focus on neutral shades as they highlight darker eyes well.
Follow these steps to get the look.
Prime your eyes with an eye primer or concealer. Make sure that it’s blended into your lid well.
Use a black pencil liner to line your upper lash line thickly. Kajal works best for this as it smudges well, but you can use any pencil liner that you want to use.
Take a small blending brush and diffuse the black liner onto your eyelid.
Apply a deep black shadow above your eye crease. Make sure that this color doesn’t reach your eyelids, it should stay within the crease area.
Use a fluffy blending brush to move the black shadow onto your outer eyelid. Make sure that the color looks even; there shouldn’t be any patchy areas. Don’t take the color above your brow bone, leave some space for a highlight.
Take a shimmery silver eyeshadow, then apply it to the inner and center part of your eyelid.
Use a black liner to line your lower lash line, then smoke it out to match the rest of the look.
Take a liquid black liner to draw a thick wing on your upper lid. The goal is to create a cat-eye shape, so make sure that the wing slants slightly upwards instead of straight across.
Your lashes may get lost under all the dark shadows, but you can counter this by wearing lots of mascara and adding a pair of lashes.
Medium Brown Eyes
4. Gold Eye Look
Black and gold is a classic color combination. On the eyes, gold eyeshadow and black liner create a striking contrast that suits medium brown eyes. The gold will highlight any gold or amber flecks in your iris, while the black adds a dramatic flair to the whole look.
A cut crease eye look draws all of the attention onto your beautiful eyes. It’s fantastic for special occasions and it suits a lot of outfits. You can stay subdued and wear an all-black outfit, or go out there and match the gold shadow with a metallic dress!
Follow these steps to get the look:
Use an eye primer or concealer to prime your lids, then set with a powder.
Use a medium brown eyeshadow as a transition shade, applying it to your eye crease. Diffuse the color a little further into your brow bone and blend.
Take the blackest liquid liner that you have, then create a wing on both eyes.
Take a gold eyeshadow, then apply it to the remainder of your eyelid. Use a small brush to blend the gold shadow and black liner, creating a gradient as you do so.
Use a clean liner brush to apply a line of concealer slightly above the crease. This line should be clean and defined so make sure that the eyeshadow doesn’t mix into the color. Finish the line where your winged liner ends, following the same angle.
Apply the medium brown eyeshadow underneath your lower lashes, then smoke it out slightly.
Curl your lashes, then apply a few coats of mascara. As this look is very glamorous, you may prefer to wear lashes with this look, but it isn’t necessary.
5. Green Eye Look
If you’re tired of classic eye looks, green is a color that is far from boring! Green shadows come in several shades and finishes. Whether you go for a metallic shade or a matte one, green also draws attention to any brown flecks in your eyes.
This look pairs an emerald green eyeshadow with an orangey-brown one for an interesting contrast. It looks great with lashes and lots of liner at night, but you can try a less intense version for a little fun in the day.
Follow these steps to get the look:
After priming your eyes, take a brown eyeshadow that has orange undertones. Apply the shadow in the crease, using it as a transition shade.
Apply a shimmery green eyeshadow to your whole eyelid. Take a fluffy blending brush and blend the color into the orange shadow.
If the green is too patchy after blending, use a flat brush to pack on some more color. Use a smaller brush to apply a black shadow to your outer eyelid, blending it into the other shadows.
Use the same orange-brown eyeshadow to draw a line on your lower lid, then use a smudger brush to smoke it out. Afterward, use the green to do the same, but smoke it out less than the brown. The colors on your lower lash line should blend, but they shouldn’t extend too far down across your face.
Use a black liquid liner to create a wing. You can make the line as thin or as thick as you wish.
Apply some mascara and if the event calls for it, a pair of dramatic lashes.
6. Violet Eye Look
Violet is a purple-blue shade that looks fantastic on medium brown eyes. Blue is opposite orange on the color wheel, so it will bring out the amber flecks in your eyes well. This eye look is great for a night out or special events, but the darker shadows can be difficult to master. If you’re a beginner, make sure that you have enough practice before the big night.
Follow these steps to get the look:
Prime your eyes with a nude eye primer. Make sure that the color is even across the whole eyelid.
Take a mid-brown eyeshadow that has a slight pinkness to it. This will be your transition shade. Apply it to your crease and the area around it, then blend.
Use a flat brush to pack a violet eyeshadow onto your eyelid. Blend the color into the transition shade. If the color loses its vibrancy, use the brush to add more shadow.
Use a small brush to apply a black shadow to your outer eyelid. Blend the color into the violet shadow. Apply the same shadow to your lower lash line, smudging it out slightly.
Create a wing with a black liquid liner, then curl your lashes and apply mascara. If you want to use lashes, opt for thin or wispy ones. Thicker ones can mask the colorful shadow beneath.
Light Brown Eyes
7. Rose Gold Eye Look
Rose gold looks good on all brown eyes, but they look especially beautiful on lighter brown irises. Rose gold has copper undertones. The warmth from the orange in copper brings out the same flecks in your eyes. Pink adds a girly touch, making this a pretty look to wear both day and night.
Follow these steps to get the look:
Prime your eyes with a concealer or an eye primer.
Take a nude brown eyeshadow that’s a little deeper than your natural skin tone. Use it as a transition shade, applying it to your crease.
Take a mauve or light purple eyeshadow and apply it to the outer edge of your eyelid.
Use your finger or a flat brush to apply a rose gold shadow to the rest of your eyelid. Depending on the look you want, either use the rose gold on your inner corner or use a shimmer highlight instead.
Create a wing with black or brown liner. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. If you want to use lashes, opt for wispy ones that are longer on the ends for a cat-eye effect.
8. Light Brown Eye Look
Brown eyeshadow on brown eyes may sound boring, but it’s one of the most effective ways to make brown eyes pop! Lighter brown shadows will bring out the same tones in light brown eyes. This is also a look that is great for every day, but you can add lashes and eyeliner to dress it up for the night.
Follow these steps to get the look:
Prime your eyes with a nude primer or a concealer.
After priming your eyes, take a piece of tape and apply it along your lash line. We will be removing this at the end to create a defined eyeshadow wing.
Use a fluffy brush to apply a light brown shade across your eyelid.
Use a darker brown pencil liner to line your upper lash line, then use a smudger brush to blend it out.
Make sure the liner is as dark or as light as you want it to be, then remove the tape. The result should be a sharp wing that’s softer on the inner lid.
Curl your lashes well, then apply a few coats of mascara.
9. Taupe Eye Look
Taupe is a peculiar shade. Some say that it is brown, while others say it looks gray or green. In this look, we’ll be using a gray taupe that has a purple undertone.
This shade of taupe looks amazing on light brown eyes and it suits several occasions. You can increase the intensity for the night or pare it down during the day.
Follow these steps to get the look:
After priming your eyes, apply a mid-brown eyeshadow to the crease and surrounding area.
Take a light silver eyeshadow and apply it to the inner third of your eyelid. Make sure that the color is evenly distributed, making sure that no patches are showing through.
Use a darker brown eyeshadow on the outer corner of your eye. Diffuse the color so the shadows blend seamlessly.
Take a glittery silver eyeshadow with purple undertones and apply it to the center of your lids. This will be our taupe shade. Blend the color into the silver inner corners.
Use a deep black liner to create a cat-eye wing. Curl your lashes, then apply a generous coat of mascara. You can make the liner as thick or as thin as you wish.
A Look That Suits All Brown Eyes
10. Classic Neutral Eye Look
This eye look is great for all occasions. You can wear this one to work with a little mascara or add some fierce lashes for a night out. It’s also super simple, so this is a great one to practice if you’re a beginner just getting into makeup.
All of the eyeshadows used are neutral colors; shades that look great alongside the tones in your eyes. These tones look great on dark, medium, and light brown eyes, so all brown-eyed beauties can give this one a go.
Follow these steps to get the look.
Begin by using an eye primer as a base. Go for a nude color instead of a clear one, as this will cover any redness or darkness coming through. A primer will also help the eyeshadow to stay on for longer.
Take a light brown eyeshadow and use a brush to sweep it onto your lids. Take it up towards the outer corner, blending any harsh lines away.
Use a deep brown eyeliner to line your upper lid. Don’t worry if the line is too thick, as you’ll be smoking it out later. Use a small smudger brush to diffuse the color upwards, so that it fades into the shadow.
Use the brown liner to line your lower lashes, then smoke out the color using the same smudger brush.
Curl your lashes, then apply your favorite mascara. Feel free to use lashes if you prefer a more dramatic look.
In Summary
Brown eyes are beautiful! We should all work on loving our traits, but if you feel like your eyes don’t stand out, makeup can quickly solve that! So many colors suit brown irises, but the looks we’ve mentioned above are certain to make your eyes pop even more.
Make sure that you prime your eyes each time, especially if you’re using a colorful shadow. Your eyeshadow may fade quicker on unprimed eyes.
The looks above aren’t an exhaustive list by any means, so keep trying out new looks and have fun making your brown eyes pop!
Hi, my name is Miranda Cole, and I’ve been working in the makeup industry for the last 10 years. I began my journey as a beautician, and now I specialize in both makeup and hair.
Over the last 10 years, I have watched as the latest trends change, and have seen the evolution of beauty and makeup in particular. As a result of this, I have a good knowledge of different makeup products, and hairstyles that will suit specific complexions or face shapes.
I want Fabulyst to be an extension of my day job, so that I can help educate others on everything they need to know about fashion and beauty. From the latest style pieces to wear, to the best hairstyles, I will be covering everything there is to know.
