Changing your eye color naturally is possible for some people, but difficult. While you cannot permanently change your natural eye color, there are ways to temporarily lighten brown eyes to appear more amber. This involves using colored contacts, natural remedies, and makeup techniques. However, consult an optometrist before attempting to change your eye color.
Can you change your eye color?
The color of your eyes depends on the amount and quality of melanin in your irises. More melanin gives you darker eyes, while less melanin results in lighter eyes. The type of melanin also matters – eumelanin gives brown eyes, while pheomelanin gives green/amber eyes.
Your eye color is determined by genetics and set at birth. The only way to permanently change eye color is through surgery – a risky, expensive procedure that may damage vision. Non-surgical methods like colored contacts, natural remedies, and makeup can lighten brown eyes temporarily. However, they cannot alter genetics to make the change permanent.
Using colored contacts
Colored contacts are a popular way to change dark brown eyes to look amber. Contacts with an opaque center block your natural eye color, while a colored ring around the pupil gives the illusion of lighter eyes. When fitted properly, colored contacts can make brown eyes look convincingly amber/green for up to 12 hours of wear per day.
Here are some tips for using contacts to lighten brown eyes:
– Consult an optometrist to get properly fitted contacts. Ill-fitting contacts can damage eyes.
– Start with contacts that have a small pupil size to minimize visibility.
– Look for soft, breathable contacts made of high water content hydrogel.
– Give eyes a break by wearing contacts only 2-4 days a week.
– Use proper insertion, removal and cleaning techniques to prevent infection.
– Avoid sleeping in contacts which depletes oxygen flow to eyes.
| Contact Brand | Colors |
|---|---|
| Freshlook Colorblends | Pure Hazel, Honey |
| Acuvue 2 Colors | Hazel, Olive |
| Air Optix Colors | Natural Green, Hazel |
Popular contact lens brands like Freshlook, Acuvue, and Air Optix offer convincing amber and green shades to lighten brown eyes.
Using natural remedies
Some natural remedies claim to temporarily lighten brown eyes, but there is no scientific evidence they permanently change color. Potential options include:
– **Honey** – Contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide which may lighten iris pigment. Apply a few drops of raw organic honey to eyes daily.
– **Chamomile tea** – Herbal tea may lighten eyes over time due to antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Make chilled tea bags and place over closed eyes.
– **Lemon juice** – Citric acid is said to bleach melanin. Use fresh squeezed juice and apply with a cotton swab 1-2 times per week. Rinse after 15 minutes.
– **Filtered water** – Rinsing eyes with pure water may reduce pigmentation by promoting cell turnover. Splash lukewarm filtered water on eyes daily.
However, these remedies can cause eye irritation and damage if used incorrectly. Discontinue use if eyes become red or swollen. As no permanent color change will occur, focus on temporary lightening instead.
Using makeup techniques
Cosmetic makeup techniques can make brown eyes reflect light to illusion amber tones. This temporary, subtle effect lasts until makeup is removed. Try these tips:
– Use a shimmery champagne eyeshadow across the lid to reflect light.
– Rim lower waterline with white eyeliner to open up eyes.
– Apply light brown eyeliner to the outer third of your top lash line. Smudge it out.
– Use an eyeshadow with gold, copper or orange undertones near the inner corners.
– Finish with matte nude eyeshadow to blend the shades together.
– Curl lashes and apply brown mascara avoiding lower lashes.
– Fill in brows with powder to accentuate eye shape.
The makeup helps brown eyes reflect light, creating a warmer, amber effect. Use a makeup setting spray to extend wear time. Remove all makeup before bedtime to avoid infections.
Are color changing eye drops safe?
Various shady websites advertise eyedrops claiming to change brown eyes blue, green or amber permanently. However, these drops are unsafe and will not change genetics.
The drops typically contain prostaglandin analog medications like Latanoprost or Bimatoprost. These prescription drugs treat glaucoma by reducing eye pressure, but also may lighten iris pigment as a side effect. While they can temporarily change darkness of brown eyes, the effect is minor and reversing once medication stops.
Using random eye drops long-term carries major risks including:
– Infection from unsterile conditions
– Damaging eye pressure changes
– Allergic reactions causing glaucoma or cataracts
– Permanent blinding if used incorrectly
The only ophthalmologist-prescribed way to safely use Latanoprost is as FDA-approved glaucoma medication Xalatan. Consult an eye doctor before attempting any self-medication. Do not use random drops purchased online.
Can surgery permanently change brown eyes?
The only proven way to permanently alter natural eye color is through surgery. Two options exist, both involving surgically placing an implant on top of the iris to change pigment:
1. Iris pigment implant surgery
– Synthetic iris implants made of colored silicone or acrylic are stitched over the eye to cover natural color.
– Implants come pre-made in various shades of blue, green, grey and brown.
– High risk of implant rejection, infection, bleeding, cataracts and glaucoma.
– Alters entire iris uniform color, does not create natural-looking, variegated eyes.
2. Iris tattoo surgery (iridal heterochromia)
– Cosmetic tattoo ink is injected into the iris to cover natural pigment variations.
– Provides subtle, variegated color change for more natural look.
– Ink fades over time requiring repeat injections to maintain effect.
– Risk of ink bleeding, infection, cataracts, blindness. Permanent pupil dilation.
The average cost of either surgery is $5,000-$8,000 for both eyes. While able to permanently lighten brown eyes, the risks of visual impairment are considerable. Less invasive methods of using contacts, makeup and remedies is safer for small changes. For major color change, weigh risks carefully through in-depth consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Conclusion
While eye color is genetically determined, there are some ways to temporarily lighten brown eyes to look more amber. Colored contacts offer the most dramatic effect. Natural remedies provide subtle lightening over time. Makeup techniques help reflect more gold tones. However, no method can permanently alter genetics – only risky surgery can do this. For safe, affordable lightening of brown eyes, stick to reversible contact lenses, natural remedies or cosmetic makeup applied properly under eye doctor guidance.