Top 15 Makeup Colors For Your Black Dress and Brown Eyes

I remember the first time I wore a little black dress to a party.

I was so excited but also worried about doing my makeup right.

What colors would look best with my brown eyes and the black fabric?

I ended up going with a nude lip and neutral eye shadow, but they didn’t really make much of a statement.

Ever since, I’ve been on a mission to find eye-popping makeup shades that take my LBD and brown eyes to the next level.

Did you know that black is one of the most versatile colors for dresses?

It pairs well with practically any eye or lip color.

Through the years I’ve discovered some truly show-stopping combos.

I’m sharing my

eyes pop.

Red Lipstick

First of all, red is a TRUE complimentary color to brown.

On the color wheel, red sits directly across from brown which is why they enhance each other so beautifully.

The warm undertones in red bring out rich hues in brown irises that can sometimes read as dull.

It’s all about contrast too.

While black dresses are dramatic on their own, red lips stand out even more against the dark fabric.

Your peepers become the automatic focal point thanks to the bold lip.

No one’s eyes will stray elsewhere!

Now not all reds are created equal when it comes to brown eyes.

You’ll want a true blue-based red like ‘Russian Red’ rather than orangey reds.

Those warmer tones can clash and make brown eyes appear muddy.

Stick with cooler reds to make the most of brown’s gold and cinnamon flecks.

Pro-tip: to really amp up impact, apply your red lipstick and then use a lip liner around the edges to sharpen the color.

This tricks the eye into thinking your lips are even fuller.

Dab highlighter on the inner corner while you’re at it to brighten up tired eyes.

So next time you’re stumped on what makeup to pair with your LBD, just swipe on a red lip and watch how your brown eyes literally light up the room.

Trust me, you’ll be the belle of the ball!

 Copper Eyeshadow

Do you ever feel like brown eyes can fade into the background sometimes?

Girl, let me tell you – copper eyeshadow is the magic potion to make them absolutely dazzle.

There’s a reason I ranked it as my number two favorite hue to pair with little black dresses.

Like red lipstick, copper is the ultimate complementary color to brown.

On the color wheel, it sits right across from brown which is why it flatters the hue so well.

Those warm undertones in copper drag out beautiful gold and caramel highlights in brown irises.

Another thing I love is that copper works for day AND night.

During the day, stick to matte copper shades patted onto lids for a pop of subtle warmth.

Amp it up at night with shimmering, metallic copper swept all over.

Your eyes take center stage with that gleaming glow.

Pro-tip: don’t be afraid to blend some copper above the crease too towards the brow bone.

This opens up eyes even more.

I also like tapping a touch on the lower lash line for a pulled together look.

Smudge it out with a Q-tip if needed.

Whether you go all out dramatic or keep it simple, copper eyeshadow is guaranteed to turn heads when you’re rocking a LBD.

Everyone will be mesmerized by your rich, glowing peepers.

It might just become your new makeup BFF!

 Plum Lipstick

If red lipstick is too bold but you still want a statement lip, plum is the perfect middle ground shade to amp up your brown eyes in an LBD.

As a deeper berry tone, it offers all the payoff of red with less intensity.

Like red, plum sits across from brown on the color wheel which is why it complements so beautifully.

The cool undertones in plum emphasize gold and cinnamon flecks that can be overlooked otherwise.

Plum also has an effortless evening elegance to it that feels polished without trying too hard.

The hue livens up brown eyes without overwhelming them in the way a true red might when dressing up.

The key is choosing an opaque plum that applies in one smooth swipe.

Liquid lipsticks in plum hold their own against black fabric.

Try plum pop from ColourPop!

Pro tip – apply plum with precise lining to get a fuller lip look.

And dab highlighter on the inner corners for luminosity.

Your eyes will glow from within thanks to the uplifting berry hue.

With plum lipstick, your brown eyes gain newfound depth and mystery against black.

Liven up your LBD with this richly pigmented shade that never fails to turn heads.

 Rose Gold Eyeshadow

If you’re looking for a

delicately rather than overpowering them, rose gold eyeshadow is your best bet.

As a beautiful blend of pink and gold, it enhances brown hues subtly.

Like copper, rose gold is a warm shade that brings out the richest caramel and cinnamon tones nested in brown irises.

But the pink in rose gold softens the look compared to bolder golds or coppers.

Sweep rose gold across lids for a romantic glow perfect for day or night.

The flattering champagne shade works on every skin tone too.

Just blend it into the crease and lower lash line for a put-together effect.

Pro tip: on days when you want more drama, intensify rose gold with your finger instead of a brush.

The pigment packs more of a punch for evening.

You can also layer a touch of rose gold on the inner corners to really make brown eyes pop

.

Whether you go all out or keep it low-key, rose gold flatters brown eyes delicately against any color including black dresses.

It’s the perfect subtle pop to frame your peepers beautifully.

 Purple Lipstick

If you want to take your little black dress to the next level but red lips feel too bold, purple is the color for you.

As a cooler-toned jewel tone, it brightens up brown eyes beautifully without competing.

Purple sits right next to brown on the color wheel, so they have lovely harmony.

The cool undertones in purple pull out rich caramel and honey highlights in brown eyes that can otherwise read as dull.

Reach for an opaque, blue-based purple like NARS’ “Purple Reign.”

The periwinkle pink shade flatters every skin tone against black fabric without washing anyone out.

Pro tip: apply your purple lippie and then line the edges for an even fuller pout.

Dab highlighter on the inner corners to reflect light back into eyes and balance the intense lip.

Rocking purple lips is sure to turn heads when you’re serving looks in LBD.

Your brown eyes will be the highlight, glowing with newfound warmth from within.

It’s elegant glamour at its finest!

 Smoky Grey Eyeshadow

If there’s one eye makeup look that never misses, it’s smoky eyes.

And rocking a taupey-grey smokey eye with your LBD flatters brown eyes beautifully without overwhelming them.

The thing about grey is that it’s super flattering on all eye colors.

As a cool-toned neutral, it complements without competing with brown hues.

Start by sweeping a matte grey like UD’s “Dirty Sweet” palette through the crease.

Blend it upwards towards the brow bone and under the lower lashes too.

This mimics the shape of a smokey eye effortlessly.

Pro tip: to avoid a harsh line, spray your brush with fixing spray first so color glides on seamlessly.

You can also run a small brush along the lash line to extend lashes for more sultry impact.

Best of all, grey smokey eyes photograph amazingly against black fabrics.

Your eyes will be captivating artistic works of art.

No need for bold lipstick either – let the eyes do the talking!

So next LBD night out, let a smoldering grey smoky eye be your wing-woman for endless compliments on those glowing brown peepers.

Bronze Eyeshadow

When you want a polished eye makeup that flatters brown eyes without overpowering them, bronze is the perfect neutral to highlight your peepers delicately.

The warm undertones in bronze flatter all skin tones.

They also bring out beautiful amber and caramel dimensions nestled in brown irises.

Sweep a creamy bronze formula like ColourPop’s “Sultry” all across your lids and into the crease.

Blending is key to avoid lines and let dimensions shine through naturally.

Pro tip: to add depth, darken up the outer V ever so slightly with a fluffier brush.

You can also dab a touch of shimmery champagne on the inner corners to beam light back into eyes.

Whether going all out glam or keeping it polished and simple, bronze is universally flattering against black fabrics.

Your eyes will glow with effortless elegance.

So next time you want an eye look that enhances without overpowering brown eyes, reach for a rich bronze that does the work for you flawlessly.

 Peach Lipstick

Coral and peach lip colors are such an underrated way to brighten up brown eyes beautifully.

If you’re intrigued but not sure how to pull it off, let me give you some tips.

The key is choosing a lipstick with rosy peach undertones rather than neon coral tones.

This makes all the difference in complementing brown eyes naturally.

Try UD’s “Boulder” lipstick.

Peach lifts brown eyes without competing for attention like bold reds might.

The light dusting of rose gives eyes a wide-awake, refreshed look.

Pro tip: to amp the glam factor at night, apply your peach lip and then trace over with a gloss in a similar shade on the center of your lips.

This fools the eye into thinking they pop more.

And don’t forget highlighter – a dab on the brow bone and inner corners reflects light back into eyes beautifully.

Your peepers will simply glow alongside that peachy pout.

So next time you pair a LBD with coral lips, trust that your brown eyes will happily thank you.

The color combo flatters effortlessly for sun-kissed warmth from head to toe.

 Gold Eyeshadow

There’s a reason gold eyeshadow dazzles with everything – it’s universally flattering against any eye or skin tone.

Rocking gold when paired with brown eyes and black is absolute eye candy.

The warm undertones in gold bring out richness in brown eyes that can otherwise read as dull.

It emphasizes natural amber and cocoa flecks nestled inside iris color.

Sweep a creamy metallic gold like ColourPop’s “Kingdom Come” all over lids and blend softly into the crease.

For day, go light on pigment.

After dark, pack it on heavily with your finger!

Pro tip: don’t be afraid to blend gold higher than the crease towards the brow bone too.

This makes eyes appear bigger and brighter.

A touch along the lower lash line pulls the look together seamlessly.

Whether you adopt subtle day looks or sultry night looks, gold makes brown eyes absolutely sing.

It holds its own and then some against black fabrics too for glorious glam.

So get your hands on a molten gold stat and shine like the star you are next LBD night out!

Berry Lipstick

Wine-toned berries add a lovely pop of color to brown eyes without being too bold like reds can potentially be.

They infuse a subtle warmth that’s femininely gorgeous.

opt for a vibrantly pigmented berry like MAC’s “Brave.

” The cool-toned periwinkle pink flatters without clashing against brown eyes or black fabric.

It brightens the whole face!

Pro tip: Apply your berry lipstick and trace the edges with a liner in a similar shade.

This makes lips look plumper and better defined.

Dab highlighter on the inner corners as well to lift eyes.

Unlike neon’s, berry is an elegant pop of color that feels polished.

It pairs beautifully with smoky brown or neutral eye looks too.

Your peepers really stand out thanks to the flattering flush.

Berries amp up femininity without overwhelming.

They’re the chic sister to classic reds that make brown eyes positively glow.

Trust that this lip color will garner you loads of compliments!

 Chocolate Brown Eyeshadow

Brown eyeshadow sits right next to brown eyes on the color wheel, making them very complementary colors.

This flatters the eyes without contrasting heavily.

Chocolate brown brings out warmer undertones already present in brown eyes.

It enhances their existing colors rather than overwhelming.

Using brown as your main lid and crease shade adds soft definition to the eyes without looking harsh or overdone like darker colors could.

Sticking to the same brown family from eyes to dress creates a pulled-together monochromatic look with visual harmony.

Brown is a neutral shade that looks polished and balanced without being distracting like brighter colors may be.

It allows the focus to remain on facial features.

Brown flatter eyes of all colors and works for all skin tones too when paired with black for a universally flattering combo.

The look can be adapted from day to night easily by varying the application intensity and adding liner, giving you versatile options.

So in essence, chocolate brown eyeshadow works so well because its complementary, enhancing, and creates a put-together monochromatic look that flatters for any occasion.

The colors harmonize beautifully.

Apricot Lipstick

Apricot is in the orange family, which sits opposite brown on the color wheel.

This provides nice contrast without being too vibrant.

The peachy-coral undertones in apricot lipstick help accentuate the warmer undertones in brown eyes for a glow.

Apricot has a lively, spring-like effect that comes across as fresh-faced versus overly dramatic shades.

It looks young and lively.

Unlike bold reds or berries, apricot acts as a softer pop of color that enhances features rather than competing for attention like brown eyes.

Being a soft peach tone, apricot complements a variety of skin tones, especially with black as a backdrop for the features.

The flush of apricot against black really makes features stand out harmoniously in photos.

The lip shade can be worn from day cocktail parties to nighttime galas since it’s not too overtly colorful.

The lip color helps frame and define the face with a three-dimensional pop rather than one-toned monochrome.

So in summary, apricot’s soft yet complementary color, youthful glow, and flattering effect make it a lovely choice for brown eyes and black dresses.

Pink Lipgloss

A pink gloss adds a subtle glow and brightness that lifts the whole face, making brown eyes pop.

The hint of pink creaminess comes across as fresh-faced and youthful versus overtly mature makeup.

It accentuates the lips and cheeks without distracting from the eyes like bold lip colors could.

Everything looks balanced.

Pinky-tones complement brown eyes beautifully, accentuating their warmth without clashing against black fabric.

Gloss requires minimal effort and can be refreshed easily.

It’s lower commitment than lipstick for relaxed events.

Most skin tones are enhanced by pink in some capacity.

It acts as a neutral for features.

Photos show off facial features in a glowing, balanced way versus one-toned black looks.

Provides enough visual contrast versus a totally monochrome look but isn’t as bold as some colors.

Can double as lip balm for daytime or amped up glam after dark by layering a bolder gloss.

The soft flush of pink accentuates brown eyes natural beauty delicately for any black dress event.

Nude Lipstick

Wearing nude lips allows the eyes to be the star of the show against the LBD backdrop.

Nude creates a put-together, minimal makeup aesthetic that isn’t flashy or distracting from facial features.

Most nude shades complement all skin tones beautifully for a seamless look requiring little thought.

Photos show off facial features in high definition without lip color competing for attention.

The lack of bold lip color draws the eye directly to the brow and eye makeup area for maximum impact.

Nude transitions easily from day to evening by adjusting eye makeup intensity and changing accessories/hair.

By not adding contrast with lip color, nude makeup lets skin’s natural radiance and flaws shine through for a fresh-faced look.

Properly chosen nude lipsticks accentuate the natural pinks, peaches and brown tones already present around the mouth.

Nude formulas require less touch-ups throughout an event since they blend into the skin seamlessly.

So in summary, nude lips beautifully highlight brown eyes alone which is perfect for showcasing eye makeup against an LBD.

Here’s one more makeup look that goes well with a black dress and brown eyes:

Rosy cheek makeup

Sweeping on a soft pink blush helps bring liveliness and dimension to your complexion when wearing black.

It helps balance out the cooling effects of the darker color.

The rosy glow accentuates your best features in photos too.

It ties the whole look together seamlessly for radiant feminine flair paired with an LBD.

Blush gives the complexion depth and liveliness versus one flat color.

This looks more naturally radiant.

The glow of pink on the cheeks creates an instant face-lifting effect, making eyes appear brighter and more alert.

Rosy hues emphasize the warmest areas of the face to make brown eyes really pop in definition.

Pink blush coordinates beautifully with black and brown for a cohesive monochrome look that flatters.

Most skin tones are enhanced by pink tones of blush adaptable for all.

It’s a versatile makeup style.

Rather than stark contour, blush creates a soft bronzed highlight perfect for black fabrics that like to wash out features.

In photos, the balanced dimensions of blush make features stand out naturally versus potential flatness.

A rosy glow exudes femininity and youth without vampy colors that may overwhelm brown eyes.

The cheek color pops charmingly against the black background for effortless glamour and dimension in features.

Overall, blush completes the look seamlessly for radiant beauty that lets brown eyes and black shine in harmony.

TOP Makeup Ideas

There you have it ladies – my top 15 tried-and-true makeup shades that take any black dress from drab to fab with brown eyes.

Experiment and find your favorite combos.

Most importantly, have fun with color and rock with confidence =)

Here is a table summarizing the TOP makeup ideas that complement a black dress and brown eyes: