When it comes to makeup, we often see the different aesthetic options as rather black and white: natural, everyday makeup or bold, full glam. But now, concepts like dopamine glam have encouraged us to have a bit more fun with our day-to-day makeup looks and to color outside the lines. The latest take on this trend of embracing color involves colored eyeliners.
As a beauty editor, I’m always taking notes on what products are launching and what trends are set to take over the industry as a result. Lately, colored eyeliners have come up repeatedly in my beauty research. There are tons of brands expanding eyeliner collections to include brighter, more experimental shades. Colorful eyeliner is a subtle way to transform your makeup routine. Ahead, we’ve tapped the experts to find out what shades are best for you and what products you should add to cart.
Featured Experts
- Carmindy is a celebrity makeup artist
- Ermahn Ospina is a celebrity makeup artist
- Monika Blunder is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Monika Blunder Beauty
What colored eyeliners are best for each eye color?
As someone with brown eyes, I learned quickly that colors like blue and green can help bring out my natural eye color. One of the first questions many people have when it comes to experimenting with colored eyeliner revolves around which shade is best for them. According to Ospina, for brown eyes, shades like blue or purple eyeliner are best. “I love the combination of a blue or purple eyeliner on dark or light brown eye color,” he says. “This combination gives you a stunning eye makeup look—it’s beautiful.” Blunder adds that green shades make brown eyes pop, too.
“For green eyes, rusty reds and coppers will enhance those green orbs,” says Blunder, “For blue eyes, warm golden and copper shades are beyond stunning.” Carmindy agrees, explaining that “In many cases, I like to use opposite eyeliner colors to the shade of the iris, as the contrast really makes eyes pop. If you have brown eyes, try sapphire eyeliner. For green eyes, go for deep purple or eggplant shades. For blue eyes, use espresso brown eyeliner and for hazel eyes, I love a sparkling gray.”
Expert-approved application tips for colored eyeliner
Trying a new style is never easy, so having expert-approved tips for how to apply smoothly and satisfyingly is always helpful. When it comes to colored eyeliner, Blunder recommends starting slow. “If you’re new to colored eyeliner, begin with a subtle pop of color on your lower lashline in your waterline for an easy way to wear color. For a more dynamic look you can play with graphic liner and sharp wings.”
Ospina adds, “When it comes to [applying] on yourself, I find it to be a bit more manageable to use a color eyeliner pencil to create the eye line shape you desire, and go over the top of this line with a similar eyeshadow color for a more impactful, long lasting effect.” If you want to go for a more subtle look, Carmindy says, “When using colored eyeliners, I prefer the element of surprise and mystery, so I use a microtip liner pencil and apply it right at the roots of the lashes in a barely-there way.”
The Best Colored Eyeliners
Now that you know all you need to know about the ins and outs of using colored eyeliners in your makeup routine, here are some of our experts’ favorite colored eyeliner products.
