Want Your Eyes to Pop? These Are Expert-Recommended Eyeliners for Your Eye Color

By Dahvi Shira

Published on Aug 12, 2024

A woman with striking makeup, brown eyes, and bold metallic green winged eyeliner Mobile

A woman with striking makeup, brown eyes, and bold metallic green winged eyeliner Desktop

Have you ever wondered why some people always get compliments on their eyes? While, sure, maybe they’re born with it. But there are other tips and tricks using eyeshadow and other eye makeup to really make them pop. A little mascara never hurt anyone, but even more so, selecting the right eyeliner for your eye color can do wonders. “Whatever color you wear on your eyes, using color theory, you can truly make your eye color pop,” explains makeup artist Amanda Bowen. “This is using specific colors that complement the eyes and enhance them to their fullest. Using a color wheel, it’s easy to find the hues that will suit you best. Complementary colors are the ones directly on the opposite side of the color wheel that will give the most contrast. Using these contrasting colors will enhance the color of your eyes.”

There are other components that go into selecting the eyeliner to suit you best. Makeup artist Lisa G. Simon (known as Lisa G. Artistry) says to take skin tone into consideration. “Warmer skin tones look great with golds, bronzes, and warm browns,” she explains. “Whereas, cooler skin tones pair well with grays, silvers, and cool blues.”

Additionally, you’ll want to note occasion and personal style. “Also consider where you’ll be wearing the look and your personal style,” she says. “Neutral shades like black and brown are versatile for everyday wear, while bold colors can add a fun twist for special events.”

Keep reading for the ultimate breakdown of the most flattering eyeliners for your eye color—and prepare for next-level eye makeup looks.

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MEET THE EXPERT

Lisa G. Simon, known as Lisa G. Artistry, is a decades-long Southern California-based makeup artist.

Amanda Bowen is a U.K.-based ICONIC LONDON makeup artist with 30 years of experience in TV, music, and red carpets.

The Best Eyeliners for Every Eye Color

1. Green Eyes

Best Eyeliner Shades for Green Eyes: Plum, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze

For green eyes, Simon uses shades with red undertones like plum and burgundy because “they create a striking contrast, making the eyes appear more vivid,” she says. “Copper and bronze add warmth and highlight the golden flecks often found in green eyes. She’s personally a big fan of HARD CANDY’s Party Lines Double Ended Eyeliner in Best Friends, calling it “a perfect choice to make green eyes pop.”

We love the WANDER BEAUTY Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner because not only is it the most perfect shade of plum-burgundy, but it glides on effortlessly. When it comes to copper, you absolutely can’t go wrong with the FENTY BEAUTY Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner.

2. Blue Eyes

Best Eyeliner Shades for Blue Eyes: Bronze, Copper, Warm Browns, Navy

Simon says blue eyes pop with warm tones like bronze and copper because they enhance their cool tones. “Warm browns provide a subtle contrast that brightens the blue, while navy adds depth without overwhelming the natural color,” she explains.

We suggest the TARTE SUGAR RUSH Easy On The Eyes Clay Liner, because as Simon points out, a bronze shimmer and warm brown eyeliner make blue eyes stand out.

3. Brown Eyes

Best Eyeliner Shades for Brown Eyes: Blues, Purples, Emerald Green, Gold

Both Simon and Bowen agree that brown eyes have the most versatility when it comes to mixing and matching eyeliner shades. “I love using deep blues and purples to create a beautiful contrast, while emerald green eyeliner can highlight any green flecks in the eyes,” Simon suggests as makeup tips. “Gold adds a touch of luxury and warmth, making brown eyes appear even richer.”

Bowen echoes those sentiments, raving that for brown eyes, “Almost anything goes,” she says. “Brown eyes can wear most colors easily, but hues of sapphire, navy, and violet will magically contrast brown eyes for real drama.” Bowen is an especially big fan of the ICONIC LONDON Smokey Eye Dual Kajal Eyeliners, but suggests their Electric Blue shade specifically to really make brown eyes pop.

Lately, we’ve been reaching for Gwen Stefani’s GXVE BEAUTY Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet Timing. It’s a rich purple that glides on effortlessly and has smudging ability if we want a smokey look.

4. Hazel Eyes

Best Eyeliner Shades for Hazel Eyes: Gold, Olive Green, Bronze, Purple

For hazel eyes, Simon is drawn to shades that bring out both the green and brown tones. “Gold and bronze highlight the golden flecks, olive green enhances the green tones, and purple provides a complementary contrast,” she explains.

In terms of key eyeliner looks for hazel eyes, we’re very much into the TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Intenso Liner because it combines olive green and bronze, leading to the perfect amount of drama for this hue.

5. Gray Eyes

Best Eyeliner Shades for Gray Eyes: Silver, Charcoal, Navy, Mauve

Because Simon says gray eyes are “rare and mesmerizing,” she loves using cool tones like silver and charcoal to complement the eyes, creating a sleek and sophisticated look. Additionally, she adds, “Navy adds depth without overpowering, and mauve offers a soft contrast that enhances the unique tones of gray eyes.”

The LOVE+CRAFT+BEAUTY Gel Line Eye Pencil is the one of the best eyeliner colors when it comes to metallic silver.

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