Good question!
I was asked to write and article and provide pictures for an online magazine on the subject of eye shadow colors. I learned a lot in the process!
Choosing the right eye shadows to complement your eye color
The first thing I’d like to say is that there are no strict rules in applying makeup! If it makes you happy and you love how it looks, I say, go for it! But, if you are looking to enhance your eyes and to learn classic color theory, so that you can choose the colors of eye shadows that accentuate your eyes, then I am going to explain to you a little about color theory and how colors work together.
In art school, I learned how to paint, and I extend this experience to applying makeup. When choosing what paint to use, I learned that when you put opposite colors together, they make each other “pop”. You can look at the color wheel and see what the opposite color would be to your eyes, but basically, this is how it works out:
| Eye Color | Suggested eye shadow colors |
|---|---|
| Blue | Warm browns, amber, peach, bronze |
| Blue/green | Warm browns, purple, pink |
| Green | Shades of purple, burgundy |
| Green/hazel | Purples, slate (blue grey), blues |
| Hazel/amber | Slate, blue |
| Brown | Blues, greens |
In most cases, you will see in the photos that a light touch is best. When you have a beautiful color of eyes, you don’t want your eye shadow color to compete! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup. You may have a plan going in, and then change it when it doesn’t look good. You can always remove your eye shadow and start over if you’re not happy with it. Trust your instincts! When in doubt, hire a professional, or call me for a free consultation. It’s fun to play and see what looks best! There are so many different looks depending on your lifestyle. Your every day look will look different than it would for a photo shoot or for a wedding, for example. Going from day to night, you could add a little extra color and be ready to go. Most of all, have fun with it!
Hazel eyes look great with purple!
Blue eyes are enhanced with warm browns.