The Only Brown Eyeshadow Guide You’ll EVER Need
Alyssia Chang
- Published
featured image: sylwiawasik.makeupartist
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Ah, brown eyeshadow – the unsung hero of the makeup world!
With its chameleon-like ability to adapt to any occasion, complement all skin tones, and all eye colors, it’s no wonder that makeup lovers and professionals alike can’t get enough of this versatile shade.
Ready to gain all the unsaid knowledge and unlock the power of brown eyeshadow looks? Let’s dive into a world of captivating looks that will make everyone stop and stare!
Key Takeaways
Discover the power of brown eyeshadow and why it’s a universally flattering color!
Create stunning looks with different shades, textures, and finishes for any occasion.
Enhance your natural features by customizing a unique look to suit your eye color!
Why Brown Eyeshadow is a Must-Have
Brown eyeshadow is such an essential addition to your makeup kit, and here’s why:
It’s a universally flattering color that works with every skin tone, making it an essential tool for creating both natural and bold looks alike. So, why should you wear brown eyeshadow? It has the ability to make any eye colors pop and matches with whatever you’re wearing, fact.
The versatility of brown eyeshadow is beloved by makeup artists, because there are SO many different shades, textures, and tones to choose from! With endless shade options, from soft taupes to deep chocolates, there’s a brown for every mood, occasion, and lifestyle.
Brown eyeshadow’s capability to blend well with other colors is yet another reason to be obsessed with it. From warm golds and oranges to cool blues and purples, the possibilities are endless.
So, whether you’re looking for a subtle daytime look or a sultry evening ensemble, brown eyeshadow has got you covered!
Types of Brown Eyeshadows
The astounding variety of brown eyeshadows is worth experimenting with.
With millions of different shade variations and a plethora of textures – including matte, sheer, cream, and shimmer finishes – you’ll never run out of options. Whether you prefer a shimmery brown or a light skin toned shadow, there’s a brown eyeshadow that’s perfect for your needs.
Matte browns provide a smooth, natural appearance, and provide more coverage.
Shimmery neutral brows add a touch of luxury and glam.
Metallic finishes creates an intensified bold pigment.
Satin brown shadow is perfect for applying a transition shadow across the entire eyelid.
Cream eyeshadow works great as a base or as a quick on-the-go eye look.
Glitter based brown toppers are perfect for making a bold statement but just on the lids.
For an even more intense effect, try applying your eyeshadow wet to deepen the color and amplify its pigment. Make sure the shadows are formulated to be applied on wet!
Brown Eyeshadow for Daytime Looks
Brown eyeshadow is an excellent choice for daytime, professional, and quick makeup looks!
Thanks to its versatility and its neutral appearance, you can really wear it anytime.
Let’s enhance your natural beauty without appearing too overly dramatic. Here are two captivating daytime brown eyeshadow styles: soft matte browns and shimmery neutrals. These two styles are perfect for work, casual outings, or any occasion where you want to look polished and effortlessly gorgeous.
Soft Matte Brown Eyeshadow Looks
Soft matte brown eyeshadows are ideal for a quick 5 min makeup look and just refining your mascara application. These shades are perfect for a natural, polished appearance that enhances your features without drawing too much attention. To achieve this look, follow these steps:
Apply a skintone base color on the top and bottom of your eyelids.
Then use a light brown eyeshadow all over your lower lid and crease.
Blend the eyeshadow into the crease for shape and definition.
Finish with a lash curler and a few coats of mascara to lengthen and volumize your lashes.
Use any eyeliner shade to define your eyes and complete the look.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with different matte brown shades to create a more dimensional look. For instance, try blending a darker brown into the outer corner of your eye for added depth. Remember, the key to mastering the soft matte brown look is to keep it subtle and natural, allowing your true beauty to shine through!
Shimmery Neutrals
For an everyday lift, consider incorporating shimmery brown or sparkle neutral brown shades into your makeup routine. These eyeshadows provide a hint of glimmer that catches the light, adding dimension and interest to your eyes without being too extreme (unless you want to go all out)!
To create a beautiful luxurious makeup look, follow these steps:
Apply a light to medium toned brown shade all over your lids.
Use a darker brown shade in the crease to add contour.
For an extra pop of sparkle, apply a shimmery eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eye or the center of your lid.
Use a smaller brush or pinky finger to apply the shimmer in the inner corners of the eyes.
This will draw attention to your eyes, make them look bigger, and make them truly stand out.
Complete the look with a swipe of mascara and a neutral lip color for a stunning, daytime-appropriate finish, as any skilled makeup artist would recommend!
Brown Eyeshadow for Evening or Nighttime Glam
When the sun goes down or if you’re just off work heading out, it’s time to turn up the drama with your brown eyeshadow palette!
We will delve into two enchanting nighttime brown eyeshadow styles: the sultry everyday smokey eye and a captivating metallic makeup look. These styles are perfect for a night out on the town or any event where you want to make a lasting impression.
How to Create a Brown Smokey Eye
The deep chocolate smoky eye creates a sophisticated twist to the traditional black smoky eye that we absolutely LOVE because of how easy it is to re-create.
To achieve this universal smokey eye look:
Begin by applying a dark cream or pencil along the lower lid and under the eye. Use your ring finger or a stiff blending brush to work the product just above your crease. Don’t worry if the edges are a bit messy.
Then use a deeper, mid-toned brown eyeshadow along the lashline, lower eye area, and into the crease of your eye. Blend the color outwards, gradually building intensity for a smoldering, smokey effect.
For added depth and dimension, you can:
Use a small eyeshadow brush to build up and smudge a darker shade of brown or black eyeshadow along the upper/lower lash line, connecting it to the outer corner of your upper lash line.
Apply mascara and fake eyelashes.
Use your favorite eyeliner on the top and bottom.
Metallic Eyeshadow “Magic”
Metallic brown eyeshadows are your ticket to crafting a truly dazzling, bold look!
These shimmery shades catch the light beautifully and add a touch of glamour to your overall appearance. They are usually a buildable medium to full coverage pigment, which adds flexibility to creating a range of brown eyeshadow looks.
To create a mesmerizing metallic eye, follow our go-to steps:
Start by applying a metallic brown eyeshadow to the center of your eyelid, then throughout the eyelids.
Blend the eyeshadow outwards towards the outer corners.
For a halo eyeshadow effect, add a lighter metallic shade to the inner corner tear ducts and middle of the lids for extra sparkle.
Finish the look with a dark brown or black eyeliner along your upper lash line, and apply mascara to your lashes for added drama.
Don’t forget to pair your metallic eyes with a nude lip color and a touch of bronzer or blush for a complete, Instagram makeup look!
Perfect Pairings: Complementary Colors for Brown Eyeshadow
Brown eyeshadow’s knack for beautifully pairing with a range of various colors is one of its best features.
Here are warm tones such as golds and oranges, alongside cool tones like blues and purples, to aid you in crafting eye makeup looks that highlight your natural features and bring out your creativity!
Warm Tones
Warm-toned complementary colors, such as reds, ambers, oranges, and golds are a perfect match for brown eyeshadow, as they enhance the warmth and richness of brown eyes.
Combine your brown eyeshadow with a warm-toned shade like tan or copper. You can also experiment with warm pinks, browns, and purples for an eye-catching pop.
Feel free to use toppers with warm tones on the eyelids as a finishing glow or just a bit on the lower lash line.
Cool Tones
The thing about cool-tones such as shades in champagne, greens, plums, silvers, and blues is that it can add contrast against the neutral browns.
To create a well blended cool-toned look, follow these steps:
Apply a mid-toned brown over the eyelids.
Use your cool-toned shadow to the inner and lower upper lash line.
Blend the eyeshadow into the brown eyeshadow in the outer crease.
This will create a seamless transition between the two colors, resulting in a stunning and unique eye makeup look.
Expert Tips for a Memorable Brown Eye Makeup Look
Having mastered the art of brown eyeshadow, it’s time to elevate your skills with some expert tips and techniques.
First and foremost, prepping the eye area with eye cream, concealer, and eyeshadow primer is essential for a smooth base and long-lasting wear. Make sure to SET with a nude eyeshadow or setting powder.
When applying your brown eyeshadow, remember to start light and build up the intensity gradually, like adding seasoning to a food dish. This approach allows for more control over the final look and ensures that you have the best control.
Additionally, using the right brushes can make all the difference in your application. Make sure to have a laydown or contour eye brush, a pencil or smokey eye brush, a couple different sized blending brushes, and a liner brush for fine details.
Customizing Brown Eyeshadow for Different Eye Colors
As noted before, the universal compatibility of brown eyeshadow with all eye colors is one of its key attributes. By customizing your brown eyeshadow application, you can create stunning looks that make the most of your unique facial features!
For example: bright yellow eyeshadow can make brown eyes pop, while deep blue paired with a touch of gold shimmer can create a captivating look for blue eyes.
The key is to experiment with different eyeshadow shades and techniques until you find the perfect combination that enhances your eye color and makes you feel truly stunning.
Celeb-Inspired Brown Eyeshadow Looks
Seeking inspiration for brown eyeshadow styles? Your favorite celebrities might just have what you need! Stars like:
These celebrities have all rocked stunning brown eyeshadow looks on the red carpet and beyond, often opting for their favorite same shade. From subtle daytime looks to sultry evening glamour, these celeb-inspired styles are sure to inspire your own brown eyeshadow creations!
To recreate your favorite celeb’s brown eyeshadow look, follow these steps:
Analyze the shades and finishes they used.
Experiment with similar colors and techniques to put your own spin on the look.
Practice and be creative to perfect your brown eyeshadow look.
With a bit of practice and creativity, you’ll be able to rock a red-carpet-worthy brown eyeshadow look in no time!
Summary
Well, if you didn’t already own a couple brown eyeshadow palettes at the start of reading this article, we’re sure that you’ll want to now!
With the endless shade options and finishes, brown eyeshadow is honestly your best friend when it comes to choosing a makeup look for any day.
FAQs
Who should wear brown eyeshadow?
Brown eyeshadow is super universal and that can take your look from smoldering and sultry to natural and subtle. It complements every skin tone, eye color, and other eyeshadow shades, so it’s a great choice for everyone!
Where do you apply brown eyeshadow?
You can apply your brown shadow anywhere on the top and lower eyelids! You can even use it in your eyebrows, a shimmering finish on your cheeks, as a light nose or lip contour, or even use a matte brown eyeshadow as a liner for the eyes.
What color lipstick goes with brown eyeshadow?
Because brown eyeshadows are part of the neutral shade family, you can wear literally ANY lipstick, lip gloss, or any lip makeup color on the lips.
What color eyeshadow makes brown eyes pop?
Brown eyes are beautiful because you can literally wear ANY eyeshadow color and it will go! But if you really want to make your brown eyes pop, you want to use contrasting hues like purple, teal, green and amber.
What makeup colors go with brown?
Enhance your brown eyes with bold, metallic shades like gold and copper, along with gorgeous plum, blue, green, and fuchsia colors. Pink hues like blush and fuchsia also provide a great contrast against brown.
