I have struggled for years trying to find the right eyeshadow colors that make my brown eyes pop.
There are just way tooooo many options, take these for example:
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to find shades that are both flattering and on-trend.
After much trial and error, I’ve discovered my perfect eyeshadow palette for brown eyes.
The key is choosing colors that contrast and complement the warm, rich tones of brown eyes.
Shades like pinks, purples, grays, and burgundies make brown eyes stand out.
25+ Palette Picks That Bring Brown Eyes to Life : Gallery
Urban Decay Naked Palette
This palette is a cult-favorite for a reason.
It has all the neutral matte and shimmer shades you need for everyday wear or a night out.
Half Baked, a golden champagne shimmer, looks gorgeous swept across lids.
The velvety texture blends smoothly and lasts all day without creasing.
For daytime, use Naked all over the lid, Buck in the crease, and Virgin to highlight under the brow.
This creates a subtle, barely-there eye look that still makes your brown eyes pop.
For night, deepen the crease with Darkhorse and line eyes with Smog or Toasted for sultry definition.
Finish with Half Baked shimmer on lids and inner corners.
This eye look will make your brown eyes smolder and stand out in dim lighting.
L’Oreal Paris Eye Shadow in Cafe Au Lait
This drugstore eyeshadow is a perfect neutral base shade with a hint of shimmer.
Sweep it all over lids before applying darker shades in the crease and outer corners.
The subtle sheen brightens lids while still allowing the brown tones of your eyes to show through.
Using your finger, pat the shadow directly onto bare lids for maximum pigment payoff.
You can also use a brush to softly blend the edges for a softer look.
Pair Cafe Au Lait with a matte brown like Espresso in the crease and a deep eggplant shade like Aubergine on the lash line.
This eye look only uses three affordable shadows but makes brown eyes pop thanks to the interplay of shimmer and matte shades.
NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals
These 16 warm, earthy shades range from matte taupe to shimmering copper.
They allow you to create soft daytime looks or vamp it up for night.
The reddish tones make brown eyes pop.
Start with a midtone matte shade like Clay all over the lid to softly define.
Deepen the crease with richer browns like Coffee or Mocha for added depth.
Pop Igneous, a shimmering rust, on the center of lids to make brown eyes glow.
For evening glam, do a halo eye with Golden Bronze in the center and Chocolate Truffle and Brownie on either side.
Finish with Champagne and Kitten shimmer in the inner corners and center of lids.
This eye look accentuates brown eyes in candlelight for only $20.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
The ABH formula blends like a dream.
Shades like Burnt Orange, Primavera, and Antique Bronze bring out golden flecks in brown eyes.
This palette takes you from day to night.
Use Tempera as an all-over base to even out lids and prep them for shadow.
Run Burnt Orange through the crease and lower lashline to define in a soft, wearable way.
Pat shimmery Primavera onto lids for a pretty wash of champagne sparkle.
For nighttime, do a halo eye with Antique Bronze in the center and Cypress Umber in the outer and inner corners.
Finish with Golden Ochre shimmer in the inner corner to make brown eyes dazzle.
This palette is the perfect mix of mattes and shimmers to take brown eyes from day to night.
Natasha Denona Biba Palette
The neutral palette of our dreams!
With both cool and warm-toned browns, you can switch up your look daily.
The olive green shimmer shade makes brown eyes dazzle.
Start with a light matte like Blondie or Grace as a base on lids.
Define the crease with a midtone brown like Mastic or Monte Carlo.
Highlight under brows with a matte cream like Pastel or Lily White.
For a pretty pop of color, pat Olive on lids or lower lashline.
Its unique greenish-gold shimmer complements brown eyes beautifully.
Come nighttime, do a sultry olive smokey eye with deeper shades Clove and Fig.
Finish with Glam shimmer on the center of lids for show-stopping shine.
Biba truly flatters brown eyes for any occasion, day or night.
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy
A sparkly champagne with flecks of silver, Space Cowboy packs major metallic shine.
Its light, shimmery tone brightens brown eyes and makes them dazzle.
Sweep it across lids or just dot on the center for an instant pop of radiance.
Pair it with warm matte browns like Buck or Naked from the Naked palette in the crease.
This creates beautiful contrast between the shimmering lid and matte crease.
For more color, run a burgundy like Urban Decay’s Rockstar along the upper and lower lashlines.
This adds definition while still letting Space Cowboy shine and illuminate brown eyes.
Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-544 Pearly Olive
This unique greenish gold complements brown eyes beautifully.
The subtle shimmer has just enough sheen to make eyes pop without being overpowering.
Sweep it across lids and pair it with matte browns like M-546 Brown Red in the crease.
For definition, run a darker color like ME-612 Silver Brown along the lashlines.
Finish with ME-302 Peacock Blue in the inner corners to make brown eyes mesmerizing.
This unexpected pop of color pairs so nicely with the Pearly Olive for day or night.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold
This creamy rose gold formula glides onto lids with ease.
It has the perfect balance of pink and gold tones to bring warmth to brown eyes.
Use your finger to blend the edges for a diffused, lived-in look.
Pair it with matte taupe shadows like Laura Mercier’s Fresco in the crease and lower lashline.
Finish with a matte bone shade like Laura Mercier Vanilla Nuts under the brow.
This eye look only uses 3 products but still sculpts, defines, and highlights brown eyes.
NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Pasiphae
This olive green base with gold shimmer is show-stopping on brown eyes.
Use a dry brush to pack on color or a damp brush for intense metallic sheen.
Run a deep brown like NARS Coeur Battant in the crease and outer V for definition.
Finish with a golden beige shimmer like NARS Ashes to Ashes in the inner corner.
This eye look plays with complementary tones to make brown eyes mesmerizing.
ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Frog
Frog is a unique rose gold pink with a metallic finish.
The cream formula applies best with fingers for vivid color payoff.
Sweep Frog all over lids and crease for monochromatic pink look.
Or, pair it with deeper shades like ColourPop’s Origami in the outer corners.
Finish by dabbing some Frog in the inner corner to brighten up brown eyes.
This affordable shadow makes brown eyes pop in a fun, on-trend way.
MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe
This cult classic taupe has red undertones that flatter brown eyes.
Use it in the crease and outer V to add subtle contour.
Pair it with shimmers like MAC’s Ricepaper or Nylon on the lid for pops of light.
For night, do a halo eye with Graphblack in the outer and inner corners.
Put a rose gold like MAC Rose pigment in the center for contrast.
Finish with Ricepaper brow highlight and taupe lower lashline.
This classic combo flatters brown eyes timelessly.
Milani Eye Shadow in Bella Taupe
This drugstore dupe for MAC Satin Taupe costs under $5 but still impresses.
It has the same red undertones to complement brown eyes flawlessly.
Sweep it in the crease and outer V to lift and define eyes.
Pair with metallic shades like Milani’s Bella Gold on the lid for dazzle.
Highlight under the brow with a matte cream like Milani’s Bella White.
For night, do a halo eye with Bella Emerald in the center for show-stopping glam.
Finish by running Bella Taupe along the lower lashline to complete the look.
Pink
Pink shadows complement brown eyes beautifully by playing up the warmth in the irises.
Shades ranging from soft petal pink to metallic fuchsia make brown eyes dazzle.
For a subtle wash of color, try a shimmering champagne pink like the Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Bubbly.
Sweep it across lids and up to the brow bone for airy brightness.
Pair it with a matte midtone brown like Too Faced’s Mocha in the crease for definition.
For more drama, go for a bold metallic fuchsia like Urban Decay’s Slowburn.
Do a sunset eye look, applying Slowburn across the lid and up toward the brow.
Deepen the crease with a darker brown like Urban Decay’s Darkside.
Add definition by running Darkside along the upper and lower lashlines as well.
Finish with shimmery brow highlight like Urban Decay’s Sin to complete this sultry eye look.
For an affordable drugstore option, try the L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Always Pearly Pink.
This creamy pink shimmer glides on evenly for just the right pop of illumination.
Sweep it on and accentuate with browns from the L’Oreal Infallible Amber Rush palette.
Peach
Peach shadow makes brown eyes pop thanks to its warm, golden undertones.
The Too Faced Sweet Peach palette offers a range of stunning peaches from pale shimmer to vivid matte.
Try using White Peach all over lids as a neutral base.
Deepen crease and outer V with shades like Peach Pit, Peach Tart or Charmed, I’m Sure for definition.
Pop Candied Peach, a metallic orange peach, on the center of lids for a glow.
You can also try single shadows like Make Up For Ever’s I-804 Golden Pink.
This shimmery peach melts onto lids like butter.
Pair it with crease shades like Make Up For Ever’s I-544 Morello Cherry.
For a drugstore option, NYX Hot Singles Eyeshadow in Girl Talk is a spot-on dupe for Candied Peach.
Use your finger to pat the metallic formula across lids.
Complete the look with a matte brown like NYX’s Whipped Caviar in the crease.
Beige
Beige shadows create subtle definition on brown eyes while still letting their color shine through.
Matte beige tones like MAC Blanc Type or Soft Brown softly sculpt the crease when blended out.
Shimmery champagnes like Laura Mercier Moonlight or Bobbi Brown Champagne Quartz brighten up the lid and inner corners.
A beige palette like Viseart’s Neutral Mattes offers endless mix-and-match options.
Try Isabeau all over lids as a base, Slate in the crease, and Cashmere to highlight.
For a drugstore find, L’Oreal’s Amber Rush quad has stunning beige shades.
Apply Exhibition and Gallery Glow for a golden lid look.
Contour with the deeper Showtime and Touch of Blush.
Medium Browns
Medium browns flatter brown eyes by playing up similar tones.
Matte mid-tone browns subtly define the crease when blended out.
Shimmering bronzes and coppers illuminate lids and inner corners.
The Lorac Pro Palette has a great range of medium browns to experiment with.
Start with a light base shade like Cream all over lids.
Chisel the crease with mid-tone browns like Mocha or Espresso.
Sweep shimmery Gold or Pewter onto the lid and inner corner.
For a drugstore find, the Maybelline The City Mini Palette in Chill Brunch has flattering medium browns.
Sweep Mocha Latte over lids and sculpt with Java and Grind in the crease.
Champagne
Champagne shadows brighten brown eyes and accentuate the warmth in the irises.
Shimmering champagne tones are flattering lid shades when paired with browns.
Urban Decay’s Half Baked or MAC’s Ricepaper are go-to champagnes.
Use all over the lid and inner corner for illumination.
Deepen the crease with warm browns like MAC’s Saddle or Embark.
For an affordable drugstore option, L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Bronzed Taupe offers champagne radiance.
Pair it with crease shades from the Infallible Amber Rush palette for definition.
You can also try single shadows like ColourPop’s Under The Sea.
This wet-looking champagne applies best with fingers.
Complete the look with matte browns from ColourPop’s Double Entendre palette.
Lilac
Soft, shimmering lilacs make brown eyes pop thanks to contrast between the tones.
Sweep light lilacs like Urban Decay’s Lithium all over lids for a wash of fresh color.
Deepen the crease with plummy browns like Urban Decay’s Darkside.
Sheer out the edges of the crease color to seamlessly blend with the lid.
For a bolder look, pat on vivid lilac shimmers like Make Up For Ever’s I-526 Purple.
Carefully apply to just the lid, leaving the crease bare for definition.
Liner is key for making vivid lilacs wearable. Rim upper and lower lashline with black or brown pencil.
Finish by blending a matte skin tone shadow like Make Up For Ever’s S-102 Onyx under brows.
Light Blue
Light blue shadows make brown eyes pop thanks to color contrast.
Shimmering champagnes like Urban Decay’s Lounge or MAC’s Vellum are flattering lid shades.
Sweep either all over lids and into the inner corners.
Run a medium brown like MAC’s Soft Brown through crease for definition.
Blend out the edges well so no harsh lines remain.
For more color, try an icy blue like Make Up For Ever’s I-804 Golden Pink.
Pat this complex shimmer onto lids and the center of the lower lashline.
Make sure to accentuate brow bones with a matte highlight shade.
This grounds the look and keeps icy blue from looking garish.
Soft Green
Soft greens flatter brown eyes by playing up golden flecks in the irises.
Try an olive green shimmer like L’Oreal Infallible in Lucky Penny.
Sweep this creamy shadow across lids and into the inner corner.
Contour the crease lightly with a neutral brown like L’Oreal Infallible in Eternal Sunshine.
Blend well so the green still pops.
For a cooler green, go for Make Up For Ever’s I-340 Pine Green.
Use a flat brush to pack color onto the lid and center of lower lashline.
Contour with crease shades like Make Up For Ever’s M-656 Brown Red.
Take your time blending to create a seamless, blown-out eye look.
Navy Blue
Deep, inky navy blues make brown eyes mesmerizing thanks to the bold color contrast.
Pat shimmering navy shades like MAC’s Deep Truth onto lids using a flat brush.
Carefully apply to just the lid, leaving the crease bare for definition.
Contour the crease with neutral browns like MAC Saddle to ground the bold blue.
Take your time blending to create a seamless gradient from blue lid to brown crease.
For more drama, try pairing navy blue with black shadow.
Sweep black shadow in the outer V and outer third of lower lashline.
This frames eyes dramatically and makes the navy blue on lids really stand out.
Finish by patting navy blue shimmer in the inner corners to brighten brown eyes.
Mauve
Mauve shadows flatter brown eyes thanks to the blend of pink, purple and brown tones.
Try sweeping light shimmery mauves like Lorac Pro Mauve all over lids and up to the brow bone.
Pair it with crease shades like MAC’s Quarry or Make Up For Ever’s I-756 Chestnut.
For a sultry look, pat on metallic mauves like Natasha Denona’s Amethyst all over lids.
Line upper and lower lashline with black or dark brown liner for definition.
Finish with a matte cream shadow like Natasha Denona’s Cream under brows.
Mauve’s blend of cool and warm tones flatters brown eyes gorgeously.
Emerald Green
Vibrant emerald greens make brown eyes dazzle thanks to the rich color contrast.
Pat the glittering emerald shade from ColourPop’s Golden State of Mind all over lids.
Run a deep brown like ColourPop Candle Through the crease and outer corners.
Take your time blending to create a seamless gradient between the emerald and brown.
For more sophisticated glam, try NARS Night Clubbing shadow.
Use a damp brush to pack on this complex olive emerald.
Contour with camel browns like NARS Ashes to Ashes to keep the look wearable.
Liner and mascara help tie the vibrant emerald together into a polished eye look.
Forest Green
Deep forest greens complement brown eyes beautifully, enhancing their richness.
Pat shimmering forest greens like Makeup Geek’s Reindeer on lids.
Pair it with warm browns like Makeup Geek’s Cocoa Bear blown out in the crease.
Take your time blending to create a seamless gradient of color.
For a smokier effect, try layering a matte army green over a black base.
Pat a black cream shadow like Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe all over lids.
Set it with Makeup Geek’s Secret Garden, carefully applying just to the lid area.
Finish by blending out the edges with a fluffy brush – no harsh lines!
Plum
Rich plums flatter brown eyes, bringing out red and gold flecks in the irises.
Sweep light shimmery plums like Lorac Amethyst all over lids.
Contour with neutral mid-tone browns like Lorac Mocha in the crease.
For drama, pat on deep metallic plums like Urban Decay Last Sin just on lids.
Pair it with dark matte brown blended in the crease and outer V.
Make sure to accentuate brows with a matte highlight when using such a bold lid color.
Finish with a touch of plum shimmer in the inner corner to make brown eyes dazzle.
