How to apply makeup to brown eyes

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Brown eyes are deep, intense and fairly common. Hence the fateful question: how do you apply makeup to enhance them as much as possible? Using the looks of the stars and the runways, here are my best tips for a #GETTHELOOK worthy of the red carpet.

BLACK EYELINER

A timeless classic, easy to apply for a chic, high-impact look. To give your eyes retro appeal, draw a medium-thick line, ideally starting from the middle part of the eye (not from the inner corner as you might expect), and on the outer corner draw a small flick that points upwards.

TIPS:

The thicker the line, the more impact it will make. So vary your application depending on the result you want to achieve. Complete your look by applying a volumising mascara to the whole length of the lashes, for a guaranteed vamp look.

BLACK EYELINER

TIPS:

This is one of the most fashionable eye makeup trends at the moment among celebs and influencers all over the world, with blended eyeshadow applied underneath the eye, instead of or as well as on the upper eyelid, creating a reverse smoky effect.

Easy to replicate, this how-to explains how to first blend the pencil and then the eyeshadow below your lower lash line with a defined-tip brush. For brown eyes, brown tone-on-tone eyeshadows are perfect, as are burgundy, claret and green paired with tones of wood.

TIPS: Make sure you blend upwards to avoid the drooping eye effect. It’s essential that you moisturise the eye contour and apply a concealer with good coverage to enhance the whole area.

NUDE SHADES

To bring every fleck and shade of the iris into the spotlight, go for natural shades and makeup you can wear every day. For makeup to remember, start with a radiant base with the application of an easy-to-use cream primer, which will help to enhance even subtle eyeshadow colour. The most recommended colours are peach, dove-grey and powder pink, to be combined with an eye pencil in brown, burgundy or - why not? - even metallic pink.

TIPS:

By using a brown eyeliner you can add definition to your look for an even more natural result.

NUDE SHADES

TIPS:

By using a brown eyeliner you can add definition to your look for an even more natural result.

METALLIC GAZE

For a special night out or a party look, metallic finishes are the ideal tools, especially for brown eyes, with bronze and gold at every turn. It's always worth remembering the rule of applying the product as precisely as possible with a soft-tipped brush, focusing particularly on the upper eyelid.

To make your eyes glimmer even more, highlight the inner corner of the eye.

TIPS:

Use a wet & dry dual-use eyeshadow to play with finishes and shimmers. Also try mixing colours: gold and silver, bronze and gold, brown and metallic shades or light blue.

BLUE POWER

Whether it's applied with a defined, geometric effect, or blended and combined with lighter, pearly shades, blue is a regal, timeless colour, perfect for directing attention to the gaze and enhancing brown eyes. A blue eyeshadow with a matte finish is an essential item in your beauty case and ideal for day makeup, while petrol and ultramarine tones are your secret weapon for the evening, for intense makeup that adds depth.

TIPS:

So that your eyes don't look weighed down, especially if using dark blue pencils and eyeshadows, don't overdo it when applying the products and don't go beyond the eyelids. By blending to the max (including underneath the lower lash line) with an angled-tip brush and adding definition with a tone-on-tone eyeliner in black or brown, the result is guaranteed to wow. And obviously, finish off with the mascara of your choice!

BLUE POWER

TIPS:

ORANGE EVERYWHERE

Even accepted at galas now, orange is a warm, cheerful shade and adds a sought-after pop of colour to makeup for dark eyes. Some people choose vibrant tones to brighten their features while others prefer darker or metallic shades veering towards bronze, to enhance the flecks in the iris. Adding a veil of bronzer to the cheeks will create a gorgeous sun-kissed effect.

TIPS:

Blend mandarin orange colour eyeshadow all over the eyelid and apply a generous coat of high-definition mascara: you’ll have doe eyes and a fresh, joyful finish. Choose a copper colour eyeshadow, perhaps a wet & dry dual-use one, for a quick and flawless makeup look. A thin line of eyeliner will help to emphasise the eye contour.

Have any makeup beauty tips for brown eyes that you’d like to try or share?

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