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It’s the season of maxxing , and the latest thing to get optimized on social media is eye color—more specifically, the best makeup for specific eye colors.
If you’re old enough to remember the era of eyeshadow palettes that were curated for each eye color (a special shoutout to Almay and Maybelline for their color-coded palettes), then you know not every color is made equal when it comes to complementing your irises.
Hazel eyes are the ultimate chameleon among eye colors, since they are not a single color. “Hazel eyes are so unique because they shift depending on what you wear,” says makeup artist Jamie Greenberg . “Golds, bronzes, olives, plums, mauves, warm browns, and soft greens all bring out different flecks in the iris. You can almost choose which color you want to emphasize.” Hazel tends to color-shift, depending on the variant of hazel one has and factors like lighting, the clothes you wear, and makeup.
To bring out one of the colors in hazel eyes, which can range from brown to green, gold, and blue, use shades with a similar undertone to the color you want to emphasize. For example, to bring out the gold or green, use warm bronze and coppery shades; to bring out the green, use contrasting colors like purple, magenta, or red-based hues. Lastly, a deep brown will emphasize the brown tones in hazel eyes.
Ready to eyemaxx your hazel eyes? Ahead is a hazel-eye cheat sheet for the best eyeshadows and eyeliners to keep on hand so they pop (no makeup expertise required).
The colors in this Chanel palette may look intimidating, but fear not. Makeup artist Lila Childs says, “Hazel-eyed people are lucky because they can play with lots of different colors,” so there isn’t a color in this shadow jewel box that won’t make hazel eyes pop.
To make hazel eyes look greener, purple will be your best friend. While most purples get the job done, “Plum or mauve colors can add a nice contrast,” says Cheyenne Pellicoro , a makeup artist and director of artistry and education at Jones Road Beauty.
If you don’t want to emphasize a specific color but still make your hazel eyes shine, Pellicoro recommends taupe as a neutral middle ground. The cool undertones “simply make the eyes look more defined,” she adds. The slight iridescence of this Jones Road taupe shadow adds an extra sparkle that makes hazel pop.
For a subtle hint of color without going full purple disco, Childs loves soft mauve hues, like this creamy liner from Canmake. “Purples overall look amazing with hazel eyes, but you can adjust the intensity and depth according to the depth of your eyes,” she explains.
“To bring out the brown base of the hazel, go for a deep brown shadow,” Greenberg says. Danessa Myricks Colorfix shadows are aptly titled, as they do not move once placed on the lid while imparting tons of pigment. This brown paint can be used as eyeshadow across the lid or as eyeliner when applied with an angled brush.
It may seem counterintuitive to use green to make hazel eyes pop, but the warmth of green hues lends a golden glow to hazel that looks ethereal. This olive green pencil from Make Up For Ever has a pointed tip for precise application, whether you’re doing a liner look or all-over shadow, and a hint of shimmer that pairs perfectly with hazel.
Makeup artists like Makeup by Mario eyeshadow palettes, but Childs recommends this earthy-toned…