Hazel eyes are a beautiful mix of brown, green and sometimes gold or gray. This multi-dimensional eye color can make choosing flattering eyeshadow shades a bit tricky. The key is to pick eyeshadow colors that will enhance the different flecks and tones in your irises. Here’s a guide to picking the best eyeshadow colors for hazel eyes.
Complementary Color Theory
An easy way to choose eyeshadow that flatters hazel eyes is to use complementary colors on the color wheel. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel and create high contrast when paired together. This helps make hazel eyes pop.
Hazel eyes tend to have strong green and brown/golden tones. According to color theory, shades that complement these colors are:
- Browns – Purple
- Greens – Red
- Golds/Ambers – Blues
Look for eyeshadows in these hue families when shopping for hazel eye pairings. Shades with red, purple and blue undertones or flecks will make the different colors in hazel irises stand out.
Best Eyeshadow Colors for Hazel Eyes
Here are some of the best eyeshadow colors and shade combinations for making hazel eyes pop:
Purples
Purple eyeshadow brings out warm golden and brown tones in hazel eyes. Light purples like lilac, lavender and mauve are flattering daytime shades. For evening, try rich eggplant, wine or amethyst shades.
Pinks
Pink eyeshadow is fantastic for accentuating the green in hazel eyes. Dusty roses, petal pinks and salmon colors work well. Metallic pinks also help hazel eyes shine.
Blues
Cool blue eyeshadow is perfect for complementing golden flecks in hazel eyes. Icy blues, steel grays, and navy shades enhance the warmth. For day, try a shimmery sky blue. At night, go for a dramatic royal blue.
Greens
Green eyeshadow brings out hazel eyes’ natural green hues. Olive, forest, and mossy greens work beautifully. For evening, rich emerald and teal shades are striking.
Golds
Warm gold and bronze eyeshadow plays up the golden tones in hazel eyes. Shimmering champagnes, gilded coppers, amber and rust shades make hazel eyes glow.
Taupes
Taupe eyeshadow combines gray and brown for a harmonious and smoothing effect on hazel eyes. Shimmery taupes look great on hazel eyes both day and night.
Purples and Greens
A purple and green eyeshadow combo covers all the complementary bases for hazel eyes. Pair an amethyst lid with an olive green crease shade. Or try a light purple washed over the lid paired with a deep emerald liner.
Pinks and Blues
Pink and blue eyeshadow together helps hazel eyes shine. A rose gold lid shade with a navy blue liner is perfect for a night out. For daytime, sweep soft pink across lids and line with electric blue.
Golds and Browns
Warm golds and rich browns enhance the brown and amber notes in hazel eyes. A gilded champagne lid with a dark espresso crease is classic. Or try a shimmering bronze lid paired with a soft brown liner.
How to Apply Eyeshadow for Hazel Eyes
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect shades, here are some tips for applying eyeshadow to really make hazel eyes pop:
- Use a primer first to maximize color payoff and wear time.
- Apply a light base shade across the entire lid up to the brow bone to create a clean canvas.
- Dust the lid shade over the center of the lid, extending just past the crease.
- Work a crease shade in the outer corner and crease in a V shape for definition.
- Highlight under the brow with a shimmery champagne or ivory shade.
- Line upper and lower lash lines with a soft pencil in a complementing color.
- Finish with 2-3 coats of black mascara on top and bottom lashes.
Daytime Hazel Eye Looks
For daytime, stick to lighter, more natural shades that enhance hazel eyes beautifully:
Pink Champagne
Sweep a shimmery petal pink eyeshadow across lids. Line eyes with a warm brown pencil. Add mascara.
Lilac Haze
Apply a pearlescent lilac shadow all over lids. Blend a light taupe into the crease. Finish with mascara.
Mint and Gold
Press a shimmery gold shadow onto lids. Run a soft mint green liner along upper lash line. Add mascara.
Nighttime Hazel Eye Looks
At night, use bolder shadows with richer pigments to make hazel eyes stand out:
Smoky Plum
Sweep a shimmery eggplant shade over lids. Rim lower lash line with black pencil. Finish with dramatic mascara.
Emerald Smokey Eye
Apply a shimmery emerald green across lids. Blend black shadow into crease and outer corners. Line with black pencil. Add mascara.
Golden Olive
Press an antique gold shadow all over lids. Run a rich olive pencil along the upper and lower lash lines. Coat lashes in mascara.
Concerns for Hazel Eyes
Here are some potential trouble colors and effects to avoid with hazel eyes:
- Black eyeliner – Can be too harsh and make eyes look smaller.
- Frosted shadows – Can wash out eyes and compete with natural flecks.
- Pale matte shades – Can make hazel eyes look dull and flat.
- Red/pink liner – Can make eyes appear tired or inflamed.
Stick to softer, shimmery shadows in complementing shades. Always balance rich, dark colors with neutral highlights. Use brown, purple or green liner instead of black for definition without harshness.
Eyeshadow Palettes for Hazel Eyes
Look for versatile eyeshadow palettes containing a range of complementary shades to mix and match:
Urban Decay Naked Palettes
The Naked line features smooth, blendable neutrals like pinky browns, golds, taupes, grays and deep greens. Great for both day and night hazel eye looks.
Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palettes
These palettes are packed with warm matte browns, shimmering golds, purples, pinks, salmons and greens inspired by chocolate. Perfect for hazel eyes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance
This palette has 14 shades of pinks, berries, burnt oranges, reds, browns and metallics. An ideal mix for making hazel eyes shine.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea
Cool-toned shades of greens, blues, grays, golds and taupes that work beautifully on hazel eyes. Formulas are hydrating and long-wearing.
Morphe 35O Nature Glow
A huge palette with 35 warm natural shades. Matte browns, shimmering taupes, champagne, bronze, plum, lilac, peach and green shadows flatter hazel eyes.
Conclusion
Hazel eyes are stunning, but choosing the right eyeshadow colors can really make them sparkle. Look for shades in complementary color families like purples, reds, blues and greens that accentuate the different flecks and tones in hazel irises. Stay away from frosted or matte shadows that can overwhelm. Sweep on some gorgeous shimmery pinks, golds, taupes, plums and emeralds to make your hazel eyes shine.