Blue eyeliner has become a popular trend in recent years, with people using the bold color to make a statement. But is blue eyeliner recommended for brown eyes specifically? In this article, we’ll examine whether blue eyeliner flatters brown eyes, or if it’s better to stick to other shades. We’ll consider factors like skin undertone, eye color depth, and color theory. Read on for tips and recommendations on how brown eyed beauties can wear blue eyeliner!
The Effect of Blue Eyeliner on Brown Eyes
First, let’s look at the effect blue eyeliner has when applied to brown eyes. In general, blue liner creates a striking contrast against brown irises. It makes the eye color pop and stand out. So if your goal is to draw attention to your eyes, blue liner certainly does the trick.
However, some argue that too stark of a contrast can actually overpower the natural beauty of brown eyes. The blue hue may appear jarring or flashy rather than flattering. So the effect really depends on your specific eye color and makeup style.
Here are a few general guidelines on the effect of blue liner on different brown eye shades:
| Brown Eye Shade | Effect of Blue Liner |
|---|---|
| Light brown | Creates a very high contrast, can overwhelm the eyes |
| Medium brown | Pops nicely against the iris, provides balance |
| Dark brown | Subtle contrast, allows both colors to shine |
As shown, the depth of your brown eye color impacts how a blue liner will show up. On lighter shades, the blue is very evident. But against very dark brown eyes, the effect is more muted and natural.
Skin Undertone Considerations
Your natural skin undertone also plays a role in how blue eyeliner pairs with brown eyes. Does the shade complement your complexion or clash with it?
Those with warm golden undertones tend to look best in liner colors like brown, bronze and plum rather than bold blues. But if you have a cool undertone, blue can work nicely to enhance your overall coloring.
You can determine your skin undertone by looking at the veins on your wrist. Greenish veins indicate warm tones, while bluish veins mean you have cool undertones. Neutral is somewhere in between.
Here’s an overview of how blue liner suits different complexions:
| Skin Undertone | Pairing with Blue Liner |
|---|---|
| Warm | Can appear too harsh, often washes out skin |
| Cool | Complements nicely, creates a cohesive look |
| Neutral | Can work well when blended properly |
The biggest factor is that cool-toned complexions can handle brighter shades better, while warm skin benefits from softer hues. But those with neutral skin have more flexibility if the liner is balanced with other makeup.
Color Theory Principles
Looking at color theory provides further insight into why blue liner may or may not be ideal for brown eyes. The basic principles are:
- Complementary colors (those opposite each other on the color wheel) create high contrast and vibrancy.
- Analogous colors (next to each other) promote harmony and fluidity.
- Triadic colors (evenly spaced) also offer contrast but with less tension.
Blue and brown are complementary colors, being across from each other. This explains why blue liner makes brown eyes pop so intensely. However, such a stark opposing duo can seem jarring.
Alternatively, shades like green, amber and plum are analogous to brown. This creates a more seamless, natural look. Purple is triadic, giving some vibrancy while still being easy to wear.
So in terms of color theory, shades bordering brown on the color wheel tend to be more universally flattering. But some people enjoy the bold effect of blue’s complementarity.
Application Tips for Blue Liner
If you want to test out how blue liner pairs with brown eyes, here are some application tips:
- Use navy blue rather than an electric shade for a softer effect
- Try lining just the upper lash line rather than the waterline
- Smudge the line with a brush to blend the blue into your lashes
- Pair it with neutral shadows rather than blues
- Add bronze, peach or rose blush to tie in the look
Applying the liner in a thin, smudged line and balancing with neutral shadows prevents the blue from overwhelming the eyes. Warm blush also helps complement the cool tone of the liner.
Recommendations for Different Brown Eye Shades
Here are some recommendations for how to wear blue liner based on your specific brown eye color:
Fair Brown Eyes
Those with light caramel or amber eyes should stick to navy liner used subtly on just the upper lashline. Pair it with champagne or taupe shadows. Bronze or peach blush helps warm up the look. Avoid bright royal blue shades.
Medium Brown Eyes
People with medium-toned brown eyes have more flexibility. Try an electric blue smoked out along the upper and lower lashlines. Contrast it with medium brown shadows. Rose blush ties the whole look together. Stay away from stark white liner on the waterline.
Dark Brown or Black Eyes
For those with very dark brown or black eyes, vibrant royal blue liner can look beautiful. Line both the top and bottom lashlines in a thin, defined stroke. Pair it with charcoal or cool-toned greys. Pink or berry blush complements nicely. Avoid over-softening the liner.
Flattering Eye Makeup Colors for Brown Eyes
If blue liner seems too bold, here are some universally flattering eye makeup hues to bring out brown eyes:
- Copper
- Gold
- Camel
- Taupe
- Lilac
- Soft greys
- Ivory
Warm metallic shades help brown eyes glow and add dimension. Cool tones like lilac and grey also complement brown nicely. Matte ivory shadow or liner on the inner rims brightens up the eyes.
In Summary
So should brown eyes wear blue eyeliner? The effect really depends on your specific eye color, skin tone and makeup style preferences. Cool-toned brunettes can pull off bold blue wonderfully, while those with warm complexions likely look better in coppery browns. Overall, navy blue applied subtly tends to be universally flattering on brown eyes.
The main guidelines are:
- Fairer brown eyes look best with softer navy liners
- Medium brown eyes can handle brighter blues when smoked out
- Darker eyes pair well with electric blue shades
- Warm skin tones should avoid blues and opt for bronzy tones
- Cool complexions complement bold blues
While blue eyeliner can really make brown eyes stand out, other shades like bronze, grey and lilac also bring out the beauty of brown irises. Feel free to experiment with different liner colors to find what flatters your eyes best!