Tips for all eye colors

Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes are amazingly multitalented: They can appear to shift color from light brown to golden green, just depending on lighting or the color you’re wearing. How’s that for a party trick? When it comes to picking makeup shades, complementary colors are always best. “Hazel eyes are gorgeous with plums and violets,” says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton. Try a violet shadow, followed with heavy mascara for drama. Our favorite hazel-eyed beauty: Rachel Weisz.

Brown Eyes

No wonder people write songs about you, brown-eyed girl. Your eyes are gorgeously mysterious, and there’s an evolutionary reason for it too: Irises dilate depending on how interested you are in someone, but that’s difficult to detect in brown eyes, making you more difficult to read. How sexy is that? Try complementary makeup colors to make them stand out even more. “Brown eyes are incredible with hues of blue,” says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton. “Help pull out some of the rich mahogany tones with a denim-inspired eye—dusty blue shadows with a bit of gray in them.” Our favorite brown-eyed beauty: Zoe Saldana.

 

Blue Eyes

Here’s a reason to love those gorgeous baby blues or cool grays: Not only are they stunning, but they’re becoming increasingly less prevalent in the U.S.! Today, only one in six Americans are born with blue or gray eyes, versus one in four at the turn of the 20th century. Our favorite blue-eyed beauty: Zooey Deschanel. Want to make them stand out even more? “Pump up blue eyes with a rust-colored eyeshadow,” says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton. “Then line the inner rims with a rich brown pencil.” The bold complementary colors will definitely make them pop.

Amber Eyes

Amber eyes are as exotic as it gets. Owls, eagles and wolves share your gorgeous golden hue, which is particularly rare in humans. To make them stand out even more—if you can handle the crazy attention—play them up with complementary makeup colors. “Amber eyes really pop in lilac,” says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton. Try a sheer, pastel violet eyeshadow softly shaded from your lash line to crease. Our favorite amber-eyed beauty: Nicole Richie.

Green Eyes

Did you hit the color jackpot or what? Green is the rarest eye color in the world. Only one to two percent of people have them, so it’s no wonder yours attract special attention. Our favorite green-eyed beauties: Jennifer Connelly. Pair your gorgeous greens with complementary makeup colors to make them stand out even more. “Green eyes will pop against a shadow with a red undertone,” says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton. Try a rich, red-brown shade or a soft, dusty-rose.