Make the most of your brown eyes with these expert tips and inspiring celebrity looks
Think brown eyes are boring? Think again, sister. Brown is actually the most versatile and easiest eye color to enhance with makeup. Really? Yes! Of all the eye colors out there, brown easily goes with the largest variety of shades and colors.
Don't believe us? We spoke to Tina Turnbow, New York City-based makeup artist and fellow brown-eyed girl, about the best ways to play up brown eyes. And she agrees that when it comes to color, nothing is off-limits for brown-eyed beauties! She went on to explain that the best way to spark interest in the eye area is by using color and application techniques in a subtle way. "Don't draw attention just to the makeup, but work with the colors to enhance brown eyes," Turnbow explains.
Of course not all brown eyes are created equal -- there are many unique shades of brown out there, which is why we rounded up photos of your favorite brown-eyed celebrities (of every shade of brown) who are wearing makeup looks that perfectly enhance their eyes. So whether your eyes are dark, chocolate brown like Eva Longoria's, or golden, honey brown like Beyonce's, you can easily make them pop with these expert color suggestions and application tips.
Jennifer Lopez
"Smoky makeup is really beautiful on a lighter brown eye color," Turnbow says. The trick is to use eye makeup in complimentary warm tones, like chocolate browns, gold, honey and caramel. They help enhance the warmth of light brown eyes like Lopez's.
Kim KardashianIf you have black hair and dark eyes like Kardashian, try going in the opposite direction and using cool toned eye makeup, like silver and grey, Turnbow says. Metallic and shimmery textures help illuminate dark brown eyes.
Leighton Meester
Blush can also be used to draw attention to very dark brown, almost black, eyes like Meester's. "Apply color to the apple of the cheek to reflect and enhance the eye color," Turnbow says. She recommends a rosy, golden-peach illuminating blush like Tarte Cheek Stain in Flower Child, $30 to really make eyes sparkle.
Jessica Alba
Sporting a bright lip color is also a great way to enhance chocolate brown eyes like Alba's because it draws attention upwards. Just be sure to keep eye makeup to a minimum, so the two don't compete for attention, Turnbow says.
Beyonce Knowles
Knowles' warm brown eyes are the center of attention here because of the perfect balance of her makeup. When you wear strong eye makeup, "nude lips ... help the eyes be the star," Turnbow says. So if you wear neutral lip colors, stay away from pastel eye shadows or "colors that are too blah," Turnbow says, or your brown eyes won't pop.
Natalie Portman
Portman's long, thick lashes automatically make her eyes stand out. "Wearing navy blue mascara on bottom lashes will reflect up into the color of your eyes," Turnbow says. When deciding what color of mascara to use, your hair color should be the telling factor. If you have dark, dramatic hair, go with black mascara. If you have light brown, red or blonde hair, Turnbow recommends dark brown or blue.
Nicole Richie
A touch of color can "add excitement to brown eyes," Turnbow says. Richie's purple shadow does the job here, but using grape, navy blue or emerald green liner can help brighten the white of the eye, which will make the brown stand out. Try Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Victoria Falls, $22.
Bonus tip: Natural-looking highlights that are a shade or two lighter than your eyes will also help bring out your eye color.
Eva Longoria Parker
"With black-brown eyes you have to be careful with going too heavy," Turnbow warns. She says it creates a "black hole" effect. She also recommends staying away from flat, mud brown-colored shadows, and instead using creamy, golden tones.
Bonus tip: Wearing gold earrings like Longoria's can also give the eye a sparkle by accentuating any gold undertones in them.
Cindy Crawford
Drawing attention to your eyes isn't just about playing up the eye color, "it also has to do with calling attention to the shape of the eye," Turnbow says. To play up wide-set eyes, focus your shadow and liner on the inner corners of your eyes to bring them together. If your eyes are close together, apply shimmery shadows on the outer corners so they appear further apart, Turnbow says.
