Best Eye Shadow Palettes For Brown Eyes
9 Pro-Approved Eye Shadow Palettes That Work on Brown Eyes
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Like you, we're always on the hunt for new eye shadow palettes. And while we tend to go into buying makeup with the mindset of "the more shades, the better" (this new one from E.L.F. has 100 pans), experts say it's important to weigh quality over quantity when it comes to choosing the right palette.
If you, like makeup artist Lisa Aharon, happen to be among our brown-eyed readers, Aharon suggests gravitating toward purple, warm rust, and navy tones. "The contrast is really flattering and makes brown eyes pop. These seem to make the whites of the eyes appear whiter, too! I also love a copper or bronze in the mix to bring out any golden or hazel tones in a warmer brown iris," said Aharon, who has worked with hazel- and brown-eyed beauties like Rashida Jones, Zoey Deutch, and Emily Robinson.
Read on for 10 luxurious eye shadow palettes that appear to have been made with the brown-eyed girl in mind — including several of Aharon's personal go-tos!
Expert Pick: Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Amour
Why it works: This five-pan Color Design Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Amour ($50) contains three bronze shades for really making brown eyes pop, along with light and dark brown hues for more amplification.
How to use it: Apply one of the copper shades across your lids with a shadow brush, blending and framing with a darker shade toward the outer corner and sweeping the highlighter along your brow bone to create an earthier version of a smoky eye. The dark brown shade can be used in place of an eyeliner — and even brow liner — for a more dramatic effect.
Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Frivoluxe
Why it works: This Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Frivoluxe ($49) contains five purple hues, along with two accent shades, that come in a wide range of finishes, including buttery matte velvet, sparkling silk, shimmering satin, and metallic lamé.
How to use it: Sweep a matte shade over your lid, then use a liner brush to apply a shimmery shadow along the bottom lash line for catching the light. For darker eyes, go with the lighter shades for more contrast.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Vol. II
Why it works: This limited-edition Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Vol. II ($36) appears to have it all, including eight complementary shades. These hues are also super pigmented and easily blendable.
How to use it: Apply a sweep of a highlight or bronze shade across the upper lid. Then use a thin brush to line the bottom lid with a darker shade for adding a pop of polished color for the office.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Seductive Rose
Why it works: Merlot takes on new meaning in this Eye Color Quad in Seductive Rose ($85), which features a spectrum of rich, shimmer-clad burgundies, along with two brushes for easy application on the go.
How to use it: Add a wash of the lighter burgundy shade along the upper lid, blending in the darker shade and then (if you want to add more heat) the purple shade at the outer corner. Place a dab of the lightest shade on the inner corner of the eye and along the brow bone to finish off your look.
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership III Eyeshadow Palette in Subversive
Why it works: This Mothership III Eyeshadow Palette in Subversive ($125) features 10 statement-making colors, among them brown-eye-approved hues like purple, bronze, and navy.
How to use it: The shadows in this palette are highly pigmented, which makes the hues great for creating eye art. Use a wet liner brush to make a wing along the lower lash line, then create an arch along the upper lid, connecting at the other corner.
Expert Pick: Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in Magnify
Why it works: This 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in Magnify ($62) features five luxurious, quilted eye shadow pillows with a silky finish, along with two applicators for precise placement.
How to use it: The purple shades can be worn individually or blended together to create a range of looks. Apply the white and pastel-pink shades to the inner corner of the eye to help accentuate the deeper shades.
Ciaté London Chloe Morello Pretty, Fun & Fearless Eyeshadow Palette
Why it works: This Ciaté Chloe Morello Pretty, Fun & Fearless Eyeshadow Palette ($42) contains 15 (yes, 15!) shades, among them several purple and bronze colors with various finishes.
How to use it: Pop a wash of a light matte to create a foundation on the upper lid, then layer on deeper — and sparklier — hues for added drama. May we suggest Shine Bright (a brownish-gold) and Fierce (a shimmery plum) for your weekend rotation?
Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in Graphite
Why it works: Not only do copper and blue swirl among the shades in this Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in Graphite ($58), but each shadow has a touch of sheen for reflecting the light.
How to use it: Build out your shadow look from the far sides of this palette inward, using the darkest middle shade to frame or line the eye. We tend to prefer the left side of the palette for day and the right for evening.
Sephora Collection Colorful 5 Eyeshadow Palette
Why it works: This Colorful 5 Eyeshadow Palette ($25) is as beautiful as it is budget-friendly. It's also compact, making it perfect for traveling.
How to use it: Working left to right, apply each shade from the inner eye corner outward. We love the darker purple shades for work and the lighter ones for play. The light pink makes a great highlighter for the eyes and beyond (we like adding a sweep along the cheekbones for added definition).
