60+ Brown Eyeshadow Inspirations for a Mesmerizing Look!
By Sasha Moore
Brown eyeshadow, a beloved staple, is no longer just a supporting player in your makeup bag. It’s the star, capable of transforming your look from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether it’s a soft, matte finish for your daytime ventures or a shimmering, smoky eye for your nights out, brown eyeshadow is astonishingly adaptable.
Brown Eyeshadow Advice
Brown is one of the most popular eyeshadow colors because it can go with every eye color and can be so versatile. To properly pull off a look with this shade, though, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make sure to choose your brown shade carefully. There are so many neutral brown eyeshadows, but not all of them are the same. Some are cooler-toned, while others are much warmer. Some have shimmers, while others are more matte and plain. There are also levels of darkness, all of which can affect the way you apply a shadow and the sorts of looks you can achieve.
- To cover all your bases so you can do complete eye looks with just browns, look for a reliable neutral palette with a few different tones and shadow finishes. This one from E.L.F. has shimmers and mattes that can be used all over the lid and in the crease.
- Whether you use high-end or drugstore products, eyeshadow will crease if it’s applied directly to the lid. Using a base on your lid will keep your makeup in place and even help accentuate the pigment, so you don’t have to apply as much. While you can use concealer or foundation for this, opting for an actual eyeshadow primer, like this one from E.L.F., is always a great choice.
- Brown-toned eye looks are great, but they can easily get muddy if you’re not careful. If you’re using a single brush to apply multiple shades, make sure you have makeup wipes, a towel, or a dry brush cleaning sponge like this one from E.L.F. to wipe away pigment between applications.
- Alternatively, you can also have a few different brushes on hand to quickly switch between shadows when doing a more complex look. L.F. has sets of eye brushes, so you have everything you need to apply product to the lid, crease, brow bone, and lash line.
- One of the most important things to do when creating any eye look with darker colors, including browns, is to make sure you’re properly blending your shadows. Take a fluffy brush, like this one from E.L.F., and fade colors so there are no harsh lines between shades or between the shadow and your bare skin. Not only is this technique essential for darker smokey-eye looks, but it also helps simple makeup look less heavy.
- Make sure the rest of your makeup goes with your eye look. For example, if you’re doing heavy eye makeup, opt for a simpler lip color, while lighter, more natural brown eyeshadows can go with bold or simple lipstick or blush.
- While colored mascara is gaining popularity, it doesn’t always look the best with brown eyeshadows. Stick to a more neutral color, like brown or black, like this one from Maybelline, which will help your eyes pop without looking unbalanced or like it’s clashing with your eye makeup.
- Due to its dark color, brown eyeshadow fallout can be more easily spotted on your cheeks. Do your eye makeup before the rest of your face so you can easily remove excess powder, or use a fan brush, like this one from Skin Beauty Solutions, to swipe away any fallen shadow.
