e.l.f. Discovery

EYESHADOW COLORS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR EYES

By Jeanette Crutchfield

It’s almost impossible to not become completely infatuated with all the eyeshadow options when browsing through the makeup aisle. But how do you know which eyeshadow palette to choose? How can you tell which eye shadows will complement your eye color?

While we believe that you can wear whatever eye colors your heart desires, there’s some science behind choosing specific eyeshadow colors to emphasize your eye color and really make them stand out.

To choose eyeshadow colors that will be the most complementary to your eye color, try to use a color wheel (a quick online search for color wheel will help you find one). Find your eye color on the color wheel and then choose eye makeup colors that match those colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. When you find your eyeshadow color that’s directly across from your eye color, choose shades from 1-2 colors in either direction to really enhance your eyes and make them pop.

You will find that some eye colors can wear similar shades. For example, both green and brown eyes can be enhanced by wearing golden shades. If you wear colored contacts, choose eyeshadow colors that will complement the color of your contacts rather than the color of your natural eye.

Which Color Eyeshadow Should I Use if I Have Brown Eyes?

Brown eyes play well with golden shades as those colors will help bring out the golden flecks. Warm browns will help to emphasize your eyes and shades of purple and blue will really make your eyes stand out. Pinks will soften brown eyes and bold electric blues can really make your brown eyes the center of attention. Try choosing an eyeshadow palette for brown eyes with shades like periwinkle, pale shimmery blue, warm matte brown, and shimmery gold to get a soft, warm-tone pop of color for your brown eyes.

Which Color Eyeshadow Should I Use if I Have Blue Eyes

Blue eyes love orange and other warm shades. You can really make your eyes pop with any eyeshadow color that has an orange undertone- think orangey-gold, shimmery coppers, deep orange-browns. For a more neutral look try shades of shimmery peach and soft champagne to define your blue eyes naturally. Try choosing a neutral eyeshadow palette for blue eyes with luscious earthen shades of neutral pinks, warm shimmery golds, and orangey matte browns to make your blue eyes the life of every party.

Which Color Eyeshadow Should I Use if I Have Hazel Eyes

For those with hazel eyes, try to choose a nude rose gold eyeshadow palette shadow that includes different shades of brown, gold, and pops of purple and green. Soft golds, purply roses, and deep matte plum eyeshadow colors will help to really define your hazel eyes and enhance your sparkle. The browns, golds, and even bronzes will bring out the warmth of your eyes and the purples will give a stunning contrast to the brown and green hues typically found in hazel eyes.

Which Color Eyeshadow Should I Use if I Have Green Eyes

Green eyes love oranges as well. Warm oranges as well as golds and even reds can enhance green eyes. Red is directly across from green on the color wheel and choosing eye shadow colors with a more reddish hue to them can help green eyes shimmer and look their best. Rose gold is also a great choice for green eyes when you want a more subdued natural look. Try choosing a warm eyeshadow palette with colors reminiscent of the golden hour of summer, warm matte oranges, deeper orange-reds, and dark brown will bring your green eyes to life.

Which Color Eyeshadow Should I Use if I Have Gray Eyes

Gray eyes oftentimes get overlooked when you learn about matching your eye color to your eyeshadow shades, but there are neutral smoky eyeshadow palettes out there to enhance gray eyes as well. If you want your eyes to look blue-gray, choose warm browns, golds, and oranges. And to really make gray eyes the center of attention, try wearing a dark charcoal smokey eye. Choose a gray shade darker than your eye color to make your eyes really pop.