Best Mac Matte Eyeshadows For Brown Eyes
Ania Cozzolino
Brown may statistically be the most common eye color, but it's far from boring. Brown-eyed individuals have unique tones and details, like subtle flecks of gold, honey, black, or copper, which can be amplified with eyeshadow. The best eyeshadows for brown eyes will not only make eyes sparkle, but they'll also create dimension and depth.
While this eyeshadow palette is on the pricier side, it contains an array of colors that flatter chocolate-hued eyes. Filled with bronzes, warm-toned neutrals, rosy shades, and even a fun purple color, you can create multiple looks with one palette. Each shade also has a one-swipe color payoff and will stay put the entire day.
Liquid eyeshadow is an excellent option for those who can't be bothered to blend and layer shadows for more than a few minutes. Swipe one over the lid for an easy one-and-done look or dip an eyeliner brush to use along the lash line. This mega-watt glitter eyeshadow would look electrifying against dark eyes. If this blue is too "out there" for you, try coppery Flirty Bird or the rose gold Pinky Swear for a more subdued look.
Kaplan says Dior's Backstage palette has "such amazing color choices, with a mix of shimmers and mattes" and we're inclined to agree. These neutral shades look great on those with gold or reddish-brown shades flecked through their eyes because of this palette's warm tones.
One of Kaplan's favorites, this Master Mattes palette has every essential shade. With a warm and cool-toned palette inspired by a range of skin tones, it's perfect for day-to-night looks. These creamy shades blend together beautifully for an easy, multi-dimensional look. "They even work alone as an eyeshadow base," she adds.
Cooler colors can tone down the warm tones in chocolate-colored eyes, but Mehta notes that adding a neutral shade to the creases of your eyes adds balance. "When using such colors, always add warmth to the look by buffing a warm brown into the crease," she explains. This affordable palette from Colourpop contains all the shades needed to get the icy, '90s-esque look, from a shimmery white to a bold taupe.
Eyeshadow sticks are a makeup beginner's best friend. I can personally attest to just how smooth and creamy this Charlotte Tilbury pencil glides across the skin, making any eye makeup look a breeze to achieve. Cinnamon-hued eyes will love that this can be used along the lash line for a daytime look or smudged out for a sultry smokey eye.
According to Kaplan, olive tones are incredibly gorgeous on darker eyes. This palette by Melt Cosmetics has every shade you need to complete a green-focused look. Along with the olive shades, you get five warm-toned neutrals that pair beautifully. Every hue is pigmented and buttery smooth, too.
The Naked Heat palette combines neutral and bright colors, including amber tones that make light brown and hazel-tinted eyes stand out. "I use this palette almost every single day. It has the perfect balance of bright, fiery shades and matte neutrals, making it the perfect palette to reach for on any occasion," says Beauty Writer Gabrielle Ulubay.
This may look like your run-of-the-mill neutral eyeshadow palette, but if you look closely, each column gives a different color story. For a more subtle look, stick to the lighter matte and shimmery shades, then use the darker matte and metallic to amp up drama. This is also a great option if you're on a tighter budget, too.
Extra bright shades, like the ones in this Makeup Revolution palette, will look even more vivid when paired with brown eyes. This palette includes the pinks, purples, blues, and greens Kaplan recommends, and is one of her favorite drugstore palettes that "deliver really high-quality eyeshadows with rich pigments and great blendability."
Not quite ready to give up the Barbiecore trend? This 6-pan palette of mauves, deep pinks, and berry hues work together to create stunning Barbie-inspired eye looks. Each shade is extra pigmented and easy to blend, making this a great palette to pick up if you're a beginner. This brand is also female- and POC-founded, and with most of their products coming in at under $20.
Regardless of your eye color, it's best to consider your skin tone and undertone when choosing an eyeshadow color. Mehta explains that a warm, cool, or neutral undertone can impact whether a color shade flatters you or washes you out. If you have a warm skin tone, opt for reds, oranges, and gold shades, and if your undertone is cooler, consider blue and purple hues.
Eyeshadows come in a range of finishes. Powders are finely milled pigments loved by the pros for their long-lasting finish and buildable texture. Cream shadows are softer and finger-friendly, while glitter eyeshadows are great toppers or accents (Kaplan believes shades with a bit of shimmer are very flattering for auburn colored eyes). Ultimately, the best finish for you is based on your personal preference, so feel free to mix and match textures or commit to one.
It's also important to note that these finishes will affect brown eyes differently. Typically, deeper matte shades define the eye shape, while lighter shimmery shades highlight. Of course, you can mix and match finishes to create your desired eye makeup look.
Amrita Mehta is a professional makeup artist who has worked with celebrities, on editorial shoots, and backstage at runway shows. Over the course of her career, she has worked with big names like Pat McGrath and Patrick Ta, and has most recently collaborated with Maybelline. Originally from San Francisco, she is currently based in New York City. "}), " -0-7/js/person.js"); } else console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); Amrita MehtaSocial Links NavigationProfessional Makeup ArtistAmrita Mehta is a professional makeup artist who has worked with celebrities, on editorial shoots, and backstage at runway shows. Over the course of her career, she has worked with big names like Pat McGrath and Patrick Ta, and has most recently collaborated with Maybelline. Originally from San Francisco, she is currently based in New York City.
If you think back to the color theory portion of your high school art class, you may remember learning about the color wheel, and how the color directly across from the one in question can add some contrast and make it pop. "Colors on opposite ends of the wheel complement and colors adjacent to each other in varying tones offer less contrast, but generally look very pretty when used all together," says makeup artist Analisa Marie."}},"@type": "Question","name": "Should I also use a similar-toned eyeliner to make my brown eyes pop?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Only if the monochromatic finish is your end goal. Black or brown eyeliner can help to create more definition along the perimeter of your eye, but if you're after a tone-on-tone finish, aim for an eyeliner a few shades darker than your eyeshadow to ensure it doesn't get lost in the overall color scheme.","@type": "Question","name": "When does eyeshadow expire?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "The lifespan of your eyeshadow can vary depending on its formulation, but in general, powders tend to last longer than creams.While cream eyeshadows should be replaced every three to six months, powder eyeshadows can last up to a year. Pay attention to changes in finish and consistency for signs that a formula is nearing its expiration date, and try to swap out old eye products more often than not, as they frequently come in contact with such a sensitive area."]} ] }] CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND JOY
If you think back to the color theory portion of your high school art class, you may remember learning about the color wheel, and how the color directly across from the one in question can add some contrast and make it pop. "Colors on opposite ends of the wheel complement and colors adjacent to each other in varying tones offer less contrast, but generally look very pretty when used all together," says makeup artist Analisa Marie.
Only if the monochromatic finish is your end goal. Black or brown eyeliner can help to create more definition along the perimeter of your eye, but if you're after a tone-on-tone finish, aim for an eyeliner a few shades darker than your eyeshadow to ensure it doesn't get lost in the overall color scheme.
The lifespan of your eyeshadow can vary depending on its formulation, but in general, powders tend to last longer than creams.While cream eyeshadows should be replaced every three to six months, powder eyeshadows can last up to a year. Pay attention to changes in finish and consistency for signs that a formula is nearing its expiration date, and try to swap out old eye products more often than not, as they frequently come in contact with such a sensitive area.
But today, I wanted to introduce the MAC eyeshadows that I use the most, my true essentials.
What is strange is that these are not necessarily my favorite MAC eyeshadows (although some are!), but are the ones I really use often, almost on a daily basis. Those where I dab my makeup brush, without thinking about it.
If you have the same issue as we have here in Dubai, that the Soft Brown is difficult to find and that some sales people will actually tell you it is discontinued (rather than explain the reality) then the alternatives you have are a) check out places like the Mac US website or b) if you travel outside of the gulf area drop into a Mac shop. If I misunderstood your question, please let me know what you meant :)
Hi Connie! :)
I guess your adorable comment is the little push I needed to write this blog post I was supposed to write months ago! I totally want to do this blog post, and actually, maybe it will be several blog posts because there is a lot to say about these eyeshadows! :D
And I think we share a similar taste for neutral/ pink/ purple shades (my eyes are blue-green and I have dark hair too ;) ) so I hope you will enjoy my color selection.
However, it will probably take a little bit of time to write these posts and I did a small one on Instagram sharing my 10 MUG must-have warm eyeshadows. Maybe it could help in the meantime? :)