Last year when I was getting ready for my company holiday party – I had just bought this gorgeous little black dress but was totally stumped on what makeup to wear with it!
I tried about a million different lipstick and eye shadow shades but nothing seemed to look quite right. I ended up being late to the party because I just couldn’t decide.
]That got me thinking about putting together a guide to the best makeup colors to wear with black dresses, so other gals don’t have to stress like I did!
Did you know that wearing the right makeup shades can actually make a black dress look more expensive and polished?
Nude Lips + Nude Eyeshadows
Nude lipsticks are foolproof with brown dresses because they blend in seamlessly without being too bold or distracting.
Since brown is a neutral color, nude lips serve to balance out the look without calling too much attention away from the dress.
I recommend trying a rosy nude like Wet n Wild’s Megalast Lipstick in Bare It All. The subtle pinky tone looks gorgeous with brown and warms up your complexion.
Or, for a true nude, Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in Pioneer is hard to mess up – it matches any skin tone beautifully.
Apply nude lipstick all over your lips then tap on a clear gloss in the center for dimension and shine. This accentuates your natural lip shape without overwhelming an already-simple outfit.
The balance of nude lips against a brown dress keeps the focus on your face and the dress.
Use nude eyeshadow shades to tie everything elegantly together. Specifically, opt for pale pinks, peaches and golden beiges across your lids. These nude tones blend seamlessly into your skintone without appearing stark.
A few versatile options to try are Physician’s Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner in Nude is a cream stick that glides on easily all over. Or for powder shadows, use Maybelline City Mini Palette in Light in the middle shades only. Blend well into the crease with a fluffy brush.
Keep other makeup minimal and let the nude eyes complement your radiant complexion. Brown and nudes work in concert for an effortlessly polished look every time.
Soft Pink Eyeshadow
Soft pink eyeshadow colors are perfect for complementing a brown dress without being too bold.
The light pinks and peaches will offset the richer brown hue beautifully.
A few versatile pink palettes to try are ColourPop’s It’s My Pleasure palette with light shimmery pinks and matte peach shades.
Neutrogena Nourishing Longwear Eyeshadow in Soft Rose has a mix of pale pinks that blend easily.
Apply light pink all over the lid and blend a deeper rose or mauve into the crease using a fluffy brush.
This adds subtle dimension and makes eyes appear brighter.
Don’t forget to blend well so there’s no harsh lines.
Smudge the same light pink along your lower lash line to make eyes appear larger and more doe-like. Top it off with coats of waterproof mascara to make pink eyes pop even more against the brown dress.
The soft pink eyes draw just enough attention to balance out an ensemble without overpowering it. Your eyes will look fresh and romantic for day or night when paired with a brown fall dress.
Plummy Lips
Plum lipstick shades add a touch of richness and sophistication that pairs wonderfully with a brown dress.
While reds can seem overpowering, plums offer a softer alternative that’s still glamorous.
Look for a true plum or prune shade that has blue and red undertones.
This helps the color pop against brown instead of blending in too much.
MAC’s Powder Kiss Lipstick in Passionate is an affordable plum shade that looks high-end. Or for a darker option, ColourPop’s Ultra Blotted Lip in Bad Habit has rich blue notes that make teeth look whiter.
Line lips slightly outside your natural lip line before applying color to make them appear fuller. Then blend in lipstick with your finger for a stain-like effect.
For day, stick to subtle plum and keep eyes soft with neutral shadows. At night, try a darker lip with smoky taupe eyes to balance boldness.
Plummy lips coupled with your brown dress creates a head-turning yet sophisticated look.
Bronzed Glow
A bronzed, sun-kissed glow is perfect for pairing with a rich brown dress.
It keeps makeup looks light and fresh while still complimenting the fall color palette.
First, apply a liquid or cream bronzer all over your face, including forehead, chin, nose and cheekbones.
I like Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer for its blendable formula.
Blend the bronzer really well with a foundation brush or bronzer brush in downward strokes so there’s no harsh lines. Make sure to bronze your eyelids and lower lash line as well for a cohesive look.
Then, sweep on a shimmering powder highlighter like Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter on cheekbones, brow bone and cupid’s bow. This adds subtle luminosity.
Finish with a sheer gloss on lips and heavy mascara. The bronzed skin and flesh tones make your features glow while emphasizing the chic brown dress.
Aim to look like you just got back from a beach vacation! This fresh, healthy makeup compliments the dress perfectly without overwhelming its beautiful fall hue.
Statement Red Lip
A vivid red lip is the ultimate way to glam up a LBD or other dark-colored dress.
When paired with brown, the contrast really makes a statement.
For red, go bold – don’t be afraid of bright, blue-based reds. Classics like MAC Russian Red and Ruby Woo flatter all complexions.
Apply lip liner slightly outside your natural lip line before filling in with lipstick to make your pout appear fuller.
Blot lipstick and reapply for true pigmented color that lasts. Keep other makeup simple – subtle smokey eyes and cheeks with a touch of blush or bronzer. Let the red lip be the focal point of the look.
If you’re nervous about a true red, try a blue-redhybrid like MAC Chili or Revlon’s Ultimatte Lipcolor in Unapologetic.
These berry tones play it safe but still stand out vs brown.
For day, line only the lips in red and apply a clear gloss on top to lighten up the look. Red lips have maximum impact when worn with a brown dress whether at work, play or night out!
Deep Berry Lips
A rich, wine-colored berry lip is perfect for the fall/winter season when pairing with brown dresses or tops.
Berries provide depth and dimension without being as bold as a true red.
Look for a berry with deep purple and red undertones. This will make your smile pop against brown fabric beautifully.
For a creamy berry lip, try ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Mystic or Juicy. These ultra pigmented shades glide on smoothly.
For a more long-lasting option, line lips with a deep berry liner like MAC Subculture and fill in with a matching matte lipstick. This ensures your pout stays vibrant all day and night.
Choose neutrally smoky eye makeup to let the berry lips take center stage. A touch of blush also adds lovely contrast to berry lips when worn with brown.
At the office, swipe on a clear or pale pink gloss over liner for a softer berry tint. Or layer on the full pigment to amp up the drama for evenings. Deep berry lips are always on trend and flatter every complexion!
Smoky Taupe Eyes
Smoky taupe eyes create depth and drama that pairs beautifully with brown. The cooler undertones of taupe complement fall colors like brown seamlessly.
Start with an eyeshadow primer to make colors more vibrant. Then use Maybelline City Mini palette in Rooftop Bronzes to sweep medium toned taupes all over the lid.
Blend a darker taupe or gray into the crease using a fluffy brush in windshield wiper motions. This adds attractive dimension. Don’t forget to blend well for a seamless smoky effect.
Tightline your upper waterline with a taupe eyeshadow or pencil to make lashes appear thicker. Then line with a darker taupe shade close to the lash line and smudge it out.
Wispy black mascara on top and bottom lashes finishes the smoky eye. Keep lips neutral with nude or baby pink for a sultry evening look that pairs beautifully with brown.
The misty taupe shades will make eyes stand out dramatically against your dress without overwhelming its gorgeous fall hue.
Shimmering eyes
Adding just a touch of shimmer to your eyes is an easy way to glam up a brown dress without overdoing your makeup look.
Shimmering shadows catch the light and make eyes pop.
For daytime, use a light gold or champagne shade packed on all over the lids.
Tap MAC Nylon or Urban Decay’s Aura eyeshadow across lids with your finger for an instant makeover effect.
The subtle sheen dresses up denim or your LBD without appearing over-the-top.
Keep other makeup minimal with brown mascara and rosy blush.
For evenings, layer on more of a smoky shimmer like Sephora Collection Baked Eyeshadow Trio in After Hours on lids and blend into crease.
This adds glamour without going full-on smoky eye that could compete with your dress color. Top with tightlining and voluminous lashes to frame shimmering lids.
Sparkly shadows work in harmony with rich browns. Opt for rose gold, silvers, and champagne shades that catch light beautifully against your brown dress.
Rosy Cheeks
A flush of rosy pink on the cheeks is so feminine and romantic for fall. It complements the cozy vibe of brown dresses perfectly.
For a natural wash of color, dust on Milani Powder Blush in Tea Rose using a fluffy blush brush. Sweep on the highest points of your cheekbones back towards your hairline and smile.
This placement mimics a natural flush. You can also blend a peachy blush like NARS Orgasm onto cheeks, nose and forehead for a soft sun-kissed effect.
For evenings, go bolder with a bright berry or reddish-pink blush like Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush in Berry Flush. Apply on the apples of your cheeks and blend outward.
Keep other makeup simple so rosy cheeks really pops against brown fabric. Neutral eyes and lips highlight your natural glow. Rosy cheeks are always a classic when wearing a fall-worthy brown dress.
Dewy Skin
Hydrated, glowy skin always flatters fall fashion.
A dewy complexion looks especially fresh and youthful when paired with rich brown dresses and fabrics.
Start with a facial mist or hydrating primer all over to prep skin. Spray products like MAC Fix+ or milky toners set the base for a luminous look.
Then apply a radiance-boosting tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Glossier Skin Tint evens tone while preserving a natural glow. Or mix a few pumps of foundation with facial oil or hydrating serum.
Blend with your fingers in upward motions for a lit-from-within effect. Don’t forget to hydrate the decolletage too for seamless coverage.
Finish by dabbing highlighter on cheeks, Cupid’s bow and brow bone. Glossier Haloscope or Clinique’s Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in 01 Hefty Highlight creates a soft, lit-from-within sheen.
Lastly, mist on more facial spray and lightly powder shiny areas. Your fresh-faced radiance will flatter any brown dress beautifully.
Glossy Lips
Glossy, shine-enhanced lips look ultra feminine and enhance your features when paired with a brown dress. The subtle sheen draws attention in a flattering way.
Start with a hydrating lip balm to nourish and prime lips. Then line all over with a pencil in your lip color shade.
For a nude lip, line with a peachy tone like Nyx Lip Liner Pencil in Peach. Fill in lips with the liner or a tinted lip balm for a stained effect.
Top with a clear gloss like Fenty Gloss Bomb for an everyday look that enhances your natural lip shape.
For nighttime glam, line with a deep berry liner and fill in lips with the liner or a matching liquid lip color. Apply a high-shine gloss on top in coordinating pink, red or berry shades.
The glistening pout illuminates eyes and features while complementing different brown dress styles both casually and formally. Finish the look by blotting excess gloss for a non-sticky kissable finish!
Bronze Eyeshadows
Bronze eyeshadow colors create beautiful warmth that pairs effortlessly with brown. The shades complement each other without looking matched.
Start with an eyeshadow primer to make colors vibrant. Sweep a medium bronze all over lids using an eyeshadow brush.
Blend a darker bronze into the crease in windshield wiper motions. This adds attractive definition. Don’t forget to blend well for a seamless look.
For day, use light matte bronze shades. Try the Maybelline City Mini palette in Downtown Sunrise.
For evening, opt for shimmery bronze like Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Burlesque. Apply it on lids and lower lash line with a smudging brush.
Tightline upper lash line with a deeper bronze eyeliner pencil. Line top lashes and smudge out for a smoky effect.
Finish with generous coats of brown or black mascara. Neutral lips keep focus on your sultry peepers set off by your brown dress.
The warmth of bronze eyes flatters and enhances without being too bold. It creates effortless harmony with your rich fall outfit color.
Cat Eyes
A feline flick of eyeliner defines eyes and instantly glams up any look when paired with a brown dress.
Cat eyes create drama in an elegant way.
Start by tightlining your upper waterline with a black or brown pencil liner. This makes lashes appear fuller.
Use a liquid eyeliner pen like Stila Stay All Day or Kat Von D Tattoo Liner to create classic cat eyes. Start at the inner corner of your lash line and draw a thin line outwards.
Add a slight flick upwards at the outer corner. Go back and forth, making the line thin and precise.
For day, keep the wing thinner and closer to your lashline. For night, flick the wing out longer and thicker towards the end of your brow.
Smudge a matching eyeshadow along your lower lashline to balance top and bottom eyes. Fix any mistakes quickly before liner dries down.
Coat lashes with black or brown mascara.
The feline flick makes eyes pop dramatically against a brown dress in a stunning yet elegant way.
Gilded Highlights
Sweeping on touches of golden shimmer everywhere is a gorgeous way to accentuate your features when paired with a brown dress.
Gilded highlights add warmth and illumination.
Start with dewy, hydrated skin for the highlights to cling to. Optionally, apply a liquid highlighter under makeup for an illuminated base.
On cheeks, apply a creamy gold or bronze highlighter like Touch in Sol Stardust Liquid Highlighter along apples and blend up towards temples.
This melts into skin seamlessly. You can also layer a powder highlighter like NARS Copacabana on top for extra radiance.
Dot gilded cream highlighter on the inner corners, brow bone, bridge of nose and cupid’s bow. Blend outwards with your fingers.
For eyes, sweep gold shadow on lids and lower lashing. Line upper lashing thinly in gold or bronze as well.
The golden sparks amplify your features beautifully against brown without overwhelming it. Bronze or rose lips balance the glamour. Enjoy your illuminated complexion!
Winged Smoky Eyes
A smoky eye is a dramatic yet elegant choice for evening when worn with a brown dress. Start with primer and blend shades of taupe, brown and gray into the crease.
Bring the colors out slightly past your outer corners into winged shapes.
Line eyes with a charcoal liner, thickening the wings out slightly.
Tightline the upper waterline for definition. Sweep the liner or a darker shadow along the lower lash line as well.
Curl lashes and layer on several coats of black mascara.
Leave lips nude with just a swipe of gloss or a neutral matte lip.
The theatrical winged liner elongates eyes beautifully and adds depth against the brown fabric. Neutral blush keeps the focus on your smouldering peepers.
This classic smoky eye look imparts an instantly glamorous yet sophisticated vibe perfect for important evenings when you want to look your fashionable best.
Well, to conclude play up one standout feature like a bold red lip, smoky eye, or high-impact blush to complement the rich tones of brown.
Use colors that flatter and enhance without competing, like berries, taupes, bronzes and Rosie blushes.
Opt for finishes like gloss, dew or subtle shimmer that catch the light beautifully against the fabric.
Harmonize with earthy tones like reds, berries, nudes, taupes and rose golds that work beautifully with fall brown hues.
Keep other elements minimal so your features really pop next to the dress.
Have fun switching up your eye, lip and cheek colors to suit the occasion – day vs night, work vs party.
The right makeup looks can make any brown dress truly shine. Experiment and find your favorite combos that highlight your features perfectly next to the dress. With these makeup tips, you’ll be ready to turn heads no matter the season in your trusty brown dresses!
