How to Choose the Right Eye Makeup to Accent Your Eye Color

Makeup today is softer and more feminine overall. Instead of choosing heavy makeup and going for a movie star "glam" look, many women are choosing a more natural "girl next door look." However, most of us still want to look the very best that we can--just in a more natural way. Accentuate the way you look by learning how to choose the right eye shadow to accent your eye color.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Information on how to apply eye shadow effectively
• Various samples of eye shadow, eye liner and mascara colors
• Appropriate application tools for eye shadows

How to Choose the Right Eye Makeup to Accent Your Eye Color

1. Decide how you want to play up your eye color. Select to accent with eye shadow, eye liner or mascara.

2. Decide what type of eye shadow application you want to use: standard, smoky or extreme.

3. Understand that eye shadows in contrasting colors, even with standard application, can really make eyes stand out. Blue eyes really pop with neutral brown shadow shades like beiges, taupes and chocolates. However, they take on an smokier look using pewters, charcoals and blacks. For a simple tried and true look, it is even possible to use blues deeper in shade than the natural eye color. For an extreme look, bright berries and plums, turquoise blues, or silver and pewter shades will do the job. Green or hazel eyes shimmer in golden shades, muted plums or purples and mauve berry colors. For a more tried and true look, deep taupes and khakis, deep browns or even warm apricots and ultra dark greens will do the trick. For something extreme, green eyes glare in lighter green shades or with bright limes, fuschias or ultra sharp purples. Brown eyes look youthful in soft pinks, shimmering beiges and luscious apricots and light champagnes. For a more tried and true look, they glow in coppers and bronzes, khaki greens and doe browns. To make them funky and fun, neon blues, hot pinks and bright greens will definitely do the trick.

4. Know that eye liners in certain colors can also add more punch to the eyes, ensure that they say come hither, or make a bold statement. Blue eyes look best with gray, brown or medium blue eye liners. For a funkier look the choice is copper, bronze or deep gold. Those seeking a funkier look can get it with a dark purple or deep berry. Green or hazel eyes look good with eye liners in a deep gold, brown, forest green and black. But they can get funky with liners in navy, gray or deep pewter. They can really make a statement with deep purple. Brown eyes stay tried and true in chocolate brown, charcoal gray, and black. For something funkier in nature, there is a lighter gray, navy blue or rusty brown. For an even funkier look, brown eyes really pop with accented eye liner in eggplant or deep berry.

5. Understand that there are certain colors that should be avoided because of the color of the woman's skin tone. Blue-eyed women with a pink-toned skin should avoid all colors that are too pink in nature. Hot pinks and fuschias are particularly offensive, moving way beyond "funky" into the world of weird. Blue eyes that remain blue, with no tinges of green or turquoise, should avoid green shadows and liner. Those can actually dull the natural eye color. Green or hazel-eyed women with olive skin tones should stay away from certain neutral brown colors that contain a definitive yellow base. Such colors will make the eyes look dull and lifeless. Additionally, the yellow tone will bring out the worst part of the skin's coloring. Brown-eyed women need to avoid bright greens and any shade of turquoise or teal.

6. Another way to accent the eye color is with colored mascaras. However, for the most part, colored mascaras should be avoided because they are a bit too theatrical in nature. Older women, over the age of 45 should avoid any colored mascara that is obvious in nature as it will simply add to their aging process. Blue-eyed women, with lighter skin tones, might want to consider brown or brown/black mascaras. However, black, deep navy, charcoal gray, or midnight blue is also acceptable. Green or hazel eyes look best in brown/black, deep forest, or black mascara. Charcoal gray may be acceptable in certain conditioners. Younger women can also achieve a bold look by pairing pewter eye liner and shadow together. Brown eyes look best in brown/black or black mascara. For a funkier look, they can also mix eggplant liner and mascara together.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick with tones and colors that complement the skin and accent the eye color.
• While you are younger, feel free to experiment with multiple colors and techniques.
• Unless you are going for a funky look, stay away from neon colors and bright tones in shadows, liners and mascaras.
• Stay away from heavy applications that may make the eyes look smaller or give off an overall too cake like appearance.
• Don't match eye colors to your clothing. It should be chosen to accent the skin and the eyes.

[HillaryM]

on 3/5/2008 Again, great tips! Thanks for this. i am on my way to the store and now I actually no what to get.

[bizewriter]

on 2/14/2008 I too opt for the eyes over the lips...mine are far from full. Great tips!