Brown eyeshadow looks are the Swiss Army knife of makeup—a trusty, versatile tool that can work in any situation, be it a casual day at the office or a night on the town. With a color as adaptable as brown, the opportunities are endless. Its neutral hue is a chameleon, blending seamlessly with every skin tone and eye color. Not to mention, it also pairs well with a variety of other eyeshadow colors, from metallics to pinks, blues, greens, reds, purples —you name it!
Day or night, natural or bold, laid-back or dolled up, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination. So buckle up, makeup adventurers, as we delve into the wonderful world of beguiling brown eyeshadow and uncover 19 must-try looks that will make you appreciate the often underestimated power of brown like never before.
But first, let’s dig into some common FAQs and best tips for using this earthy hue. Time to unravel the mysteries of this trendy tone!
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Who should wear brown eyeshadow?
Anyone can pull off brown eyeshadow, no matter whether you have deep-set brown eyes or piercing blue ones! However, the effect of brown eyeshadow on your eyes can vary significantly based on your eye color.
When it comes to choosing eyeshadow colors with your eye color in mind, there are two methods to consider. You can opt for a striking and dramatic contrast, or you can take a harmonious approach. In The Master Your Eyeshadow Guide, I spill the tea on these techniques… 💁♀️💅 But here are a few general tips…
For green eyes, brown is the perfect accomplice to uncover hidden brown flecks in the iris and amplify their natural charm. For brown and hazel eyes, it’s like adding a touch of warmth and depth that says, “Hello, gorgeous!” ✨ And for blue eyes, warm browns can work their magic, making those blues pop by playing off their cool tone.
What color lipstick goes with brown eyeshadow?
Brown eyeshadow may be the go-to neutral, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with your lip color! When it comes to complementing that brown, nudes, peaches, and pinks are like the perfect wingmen. Stick with them and you’ll never go wrong!
Want to spice things up? Go for a bold red or berry hue to add a sassy touch to the mix! 💃🎨
Now, if you’re all about that brown lip and need some tips on pairing it with brown eyeshadow, try opting for a brown that looks a few shades lighter than that brown lipstick.
How to do a basic brown eyeshadow look
There’s no one way to wear brown eyeshadow; there are a ton of techniques and looks it can be used for, like a smokey eye, a contouring technique, the halo, and so on. But here are a few tips that work wonders for creating a basic yet beautiful look:
- Start by applying a neutral light brown shade all over your lid.
- Next, use a darker matte brown shade in the crease & outer corner of your eye, blending it well for a seamless look.
- Take a shimmery brown shade and apply it to the center of your lid for some added glamour.
- Finally, line your upper lash line with dark brown or black eyeliner for definition, and finish off with mascara.
Voila! You now have an understated but elegant brown eyeshadow look that’s wearable for any occasion.
PRO Tip: If you want to keep it simple, you can always use a brown on your lid and buff it out, or try a light brown on your lid with a darker brown for your crease.
19 Unforgettable Brown Eyeshadow Looks From Everyday Natural To Smokey Bold
Now that we have some basic knowledge under our belt let’s dive into the main event—the top 19 brown eyeshadow looks you need to try! Get ready for some serious makeup inspo.
Look 1: Subtle Brown With Playful Cat-Eye
Brown eyeshadow is like a warm hug for hazel eyes, bringing out their rich and cozy vibes. While it can be combined with any other eyeshadow shade, there are moments when a straightforward one-color everyday style like this is truly sufficient.
Apply a soft brown shade onto your lids, sweeping it up beyond your crease. Then, line your upper and lower lash lines, extending for that fierce cat-eye effect. Oh, and don’t forget to add a touch of highlighter under your brows. Lastly, pair it with nude lipstick for a daytime makeup look that’s as effortlessly chic as Sunday brunch with your BFFs.
Look 2: Double-Winged Dark Coffee Glam
If you’re searching for brown eyeshadow looks that will elongate and enhance the shape of your eyes, this one is an absolute winner! This particular look is all about precision, elegance, and a bit of drama. Begin by wielding your brown eyeliner pencil to create a double wing at the outer corner of each eye.
Next, use the same pencil to create the shape at the inner eye – a line followed by a curve, mirroring the same finesse as an expertly brewed espresso. Don’t worry if it’s a bit rough at first, as we’ll be softening this with a small brush loaded with a matte dark brown. This will give your eyes a rich depth as inviting as a cup of dark roast.
Use a medium taupe for blending across your lids, and add a golden bronze to the center of your lid. Finish with a warm champagne color under your brow & highlight the inner corners of your eyes. You’ve now created a look that’s bold & sophisticated, like the perfect morning brew! ☕︎
GET THE LOOK: You’ll need the Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette.
Look 3: Sienna, Cinnamon Brown Spice, & All Things Nice
If you’re blessed with blue eyes and ready to rock some brown eyeshadow looks, here’s an idea that will make them pop like never before! Orange and blue are complementary colors, so an orangey-brown eyeshadow look will bring out the blues in your eyes in a spectacular way.
To get this look, you’ll need the Biba All Neutral Eyeshadow Palette! Brushed-up brows, glowy cheeks, and a nude brown lip color… this look knows how to slay in style! 💁♀️✨
Look 4: Russet Rebel Brown
Wearing a warm red-brown shade on green eyes can create a truly enchanting effect. Any color with reddish undertones has the power to make green eyes pop, so when it comes to brown shades, the reddish-browns reign supreme!
To achieve this look, you’ll need a light, warm-toned, almost rosy-copper shade for your lids. Delicately sweep a medium red-brown eyeshadow onto your crease, blending it gracefully towards your brows. Then, add a deeper brown directly into the crease for some added depth.
For the final touch, use black liquid liner on your upper lash line, apply black pencil liner to your waterline, and generously coat your upper and lower lashes with mascara.
Look 5: Pretty In Pink & Brown
Isn’t it time for our typically demure brown shadow to mingle with something a bit more vivacious? Enter pink – a color that brings a pop of playful vibrance to the scene.
Start by sweeping a matte brown eyeshadow all over your lid and deep into your crease, extending it slightly to the inner eye region. Don’t shy away from taking it under your outer lower lash line too. This creates a warm, earthy canvas for the next splash of color.
On the inner third of the lid, apply a light, shimmery pink eyeshadow. It’s like the first blush of dawn against a dusky sky. Then, to garnish this visual treat, use a deeper fuchsia pink under your lower lashes. Truly, brown has never looked so vibrant!
Look 6: Bold Brown With A Red Lip
Nothing adds more pizazz to your brown eyeshadow than a bold red lip. Am I right?!? Well, Beauties, this look is all about layering a combo of coppery, rust, and warm brown tones for a deeper, more intense vibe, and we are lovin’ it!!
By the way, if you happen to have brown eyes with coppery flecks or a sly undertone of orange or red, this eye makeup, given its choice of colors, will unleash the hidden blaze within your iris. Let your fiery tones shine! 🔥Don’t forget to add a highlighter to those cheekbones for that extra pop. Then grab your favorite red lipstick and pucker up! 💋
Related: Eyeshadow With Red Lipstick: Best Ways To Rock It +29 Sexy Looks
Look 7: Matte & Metallic Brown Dramatic
Brown eyeshadow offers a striking contrast that accentuates blue eyes without the potentially harsh effect that black eyeshadow can create. So, if you want to add some drama to your eyes, this is just the look for you.
Apply a dark brown matte shadow along your crease and lower lash line, connecting it at the outer corners of your eye. Next, gently apply a metallic brown eyeshadow on your lids and lightly under your inner lower lash line. The key element here is blending outward. Complete the look with a black liner and mascara for an extra touch of glamour!
Look 8: Soft Smokey Cocoa
Achieving this soft and smokey eye look is easier than you think… Just two browns are all you need! Start by gently applying a matte brown shade to your crease and lower lash line, focusing on the outer edge. Add a touch of shimmer with a brown eyeshadow on your upper lid and lower lash line.
Line your upper lash line with a black liner and smudge it out a bit for a softer effect! Complete the look with mascara-coated lashes and a subtle pink or beige nude lip. And there you have it, effortless beauty in a blink. 😉
Look 9: Brown & Bronzy-Taupe Gleam
If you’re craving a dark, sophisticated brown eyeshadow look for an evening soirée, then this is your go-to. Begin by applying a matte dark coffee brown eyeshadow to your outer “V”, crease, and lightly under your lash line. Take a medium taupe to blend it out and upward from your crease, as well as a dusty rose for blending above that.
For your lids, go for a bronzy taupe that complements the other shades perfectly. Add a subtle gleam using warm champagne eyeshadow on your inner eyes. To achieve the overall effect, outline your lips with a brown lip liner followed by a nude lipstick.
And for the ultimate killer pout, add a layer of gloss on top. This makeup look is sure to turn heads, making you the belle of any ball! 💃🎉
GET THE LOOK: Snag the Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette!
Look 10: Silver Lining
Talk about a showstopper! This look combines the earthy warmth of brown with the cool allure of silver, all set against a dramatic backdrop of black liner. To pull off this look, you’ll need a warm brown shade for your crease, outer lid, and lower lash line.
Apply a shimmering silver on your inner lid as if it’s your own personal spotlight. Then, for the finishing touches, line your waterline with a deep black kohl pencil and sketch a precise line on your upper lash line with that ultra-dramatic flick at the end! There you have it — a look that’s equal parts glamour and sophistication, perfect for a night to remember.
Look 11: Smoldering Brown & The Perfect Power Pout
A rich, warm brown shade seamlessly blended with a slightly deeper hue, complemented by a delicate shimmer, is a fantastic way to achieve a smoldering eye look. But wait, there’s more!
The real enchantment of this look lies in the radiant glow of your skin, brows that are perfectly sculpted, cheeks with an elegant contour, and, of course, the unstoppable power of a red lip. Guaranteed, you’ll make a lasting impression wherever you wander!
Look 12: Bronzy Brown Smoke
Using a bronzy brown eyeshadow, gently sweep it along your crease, blending it up towards the brow. Then, focus on the outer lids to create a beautiful “V” shape.
Give your lids a sultry makeover with a darker brown shadow. Sweep it into the crease, outer corners, and lower lash line like a pro. Gradually intensify the outer eye for a seamlessly blended and lifted look.
To finish the look, apply blush for a natural flush, add a hint of highlight to enhance your features, and glossy lips! Who said brown eyeshadow can’t be sexy?
Look 13: Captivating Amber Gold & Brown
If this captivating look doesn’t provide you with every incentive to start wearing brown eyeshadow right away, we’re unsure of what else could! A chic combination of two shades of brown on the eyelids, complemented by a stunning amber-like gold applied center and to the inner bottom lash line, sets the perfect mood.
But it’s the dazzling metallic hue above the iris that’s key for making your eyes stand out and shine like a shooting star! We recommend pairing the eyes with contoured cheeks and a glossed-up lip for maximum impact!
Look 14: Tawny & Brown Flair
Get ready to merge the best of both worlds with this fabulous combo of tawny brown and chocolate brown, an eyeshadow look that can win hearts and turn heads in equal measure! Start by sweeping a tawny brown across your lids.
Next, take a darker chocolate brown shade with an angled liner brush, and create a line at your lash line, extending beyond the outer corner and angling it outward. Slightly blend the upper edge of this line while still maintaining its overall shape.
Now, with the same brown (or, if you prefer, a matching pencil), add a slight point to the inner corners of your eyes. Then apply a strip of lush, fanned-out lashes for a seductive flair that’s hard to miss!
Look 15: Copperized Brown
This look begins with a caramel brown base that’s swept all over the lid, setting the stage for the rest of the colors to play on. The drama, however, truly unfolds with the copper placed right on the lid above the iris and the center of the lower lash line. It’s like a shimmering sunset captured in your gaze.
Dust a coffee brown shade lightly under the lashes to add a subtle depth and intensity. Then, for the final touch, use a hint of silver at the inner corners to brighten the eyes and contrast beautifully with those warm browns, gals!!
Look 16: Subtle Winged Wonder
Nothing says elegant simplicity quite like this brown eyeshadow look, a sheer sweep of brown winged out. This look will elongate the eye and add drama without being too overstated. Now, let’s talk liner. Instead of the traditional black, opt for a brown liner, which provides a softer yet equally striking effect.
Apply that pencil liner along your upper lash line and coat your lashes generously with mascara, giving them a double dose of fabulousness on both the top and bottom. The finishing touch is a warm peach blush and a lip color in a delightful peachy pink tone. This keeps the look soft and suitable for every day.
Look 17: Natural Brown
The art of natural eyeshadow lies in accentuating your eyes without going overboard. Not only are natural eyeshadow looks effortlessly subtle, but they also know how to work their charm with neutral shades like brown, tan, beige, and so on.
For this particular natural eye look, a low-key brown swept on the outer corners adds just the right hint of definition. Then, a touch of eyeliner and a few flirty coats of mascara on both top and bottom lashes will do the trick. Because sometimes, less is certainly more!
Look 18: Everyday Brown With Metallic Pop
Don’t you just love how this eye makeup complements her blonde highlights & light golden brown curls?! In fact, some of the best eyeshadow shades for brunettes are metallics like bronze or copper combined with brown, while brown and bronze eye makeup looks lovely on blondes.
This makeup is on point for an everyday vibe. Get ready to slay with a highlighter to elevate those brows, a soft brown shade for your lids, a touch of eyeliner, and a pop of metallic on your lower lash line.
Go for a bronze or copper metallic shadow, whatever floats your boat. But here’s the secret sauce: apply that metallic dead center under your iris on the bottom lash line. The result? Eyes that shine brighter than a diamond! ✨
Look 19: Red-Brown Classic Smokey Eye
This classic smokey eye look reinvents itself with a reddish-brown twist, proving once again that brown eyeshadow is anything but boring. Line your upper lash line and lower outer lash line with a black liner and smudge it out. Then, take a reddish-brown eyeshadow and blend it across your upper lid, crease, and along your lower lash line.
Define your waterline with black eyeliner. Next, apply your favorite lengthening mascara to coat your lashes. Then paint the town red and have a night to remember!
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The Wrap-Up!
Brown eyeshadow is truly a beauty staple, and, as we’ve shown, it’s anything but monotonous! From the subtly defined to dramatic, smokey eyes and vibrant color combinations, these 19 brown eyeshadow looks have shown how incredibly versatile this makeup essential can be. The beauty of brown lies in its ability to morph from a soft daytime look to a sultry evening look with just a few extra touches.
So, let this be your inspiration to ditch the black and embrace the brown. Remember, makeup is a form of self-expression, so don’t be afraid to play, experiment, and add your unique twist to these looks. Go forth and rock your brown eyeshadow like the diva you are!
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