Best Eyeshadow Colors for Hazel Eyes | Red Apple Lipstick
Best Eyeshadow Colors for Hazel Eyes (That Really Make Them Pop)
What is the best eyeshadow color for hazel eyes? With hazel eyes you are already starting with something special. Hazel eyes usually have a mix of brown, green, and golden tones, which means the right shades can make them look brighter, greener, warmer, or more mysterious.
With so many eyeshadow shades out there, it can feel hard to know where to start. This guide walks you through the most flattering colors for hazel eyes and exactly how to use them so your eye color really stands out.
You have probably wondered, “Do hazel eyes look better with certain eyeshadows?” The answer is yes. Because hazel eyes contain multiple tones, some shades will naturally flatter them more than others.
Once you understand what is going on inside your hazel eyes, choosing eyeshadow becomes simple and fun.
Table of Contents
- Why Hazel Eyes Are So Special
- Quick Answer: Best Eyeshadow Colors for Hazel Eyes
- How To Enhance Green, Brown, and Golden Tones
- Best Red Apple Lipstick Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes
- Neutral Everyday Shades for Hazel Eyes
- Hazel Friendly Palette Ideas
- Primer and Application Tips
- Bonus: Easy Pops of Color
- FAQs
Why Hazel Eyes Are So Special
Hazel eyes are less common than blue or brown and tend to look different in every light. In some settings they look more green, in others more brown, and sometimes you notice golden or yellow flecks around the pupil.
That mix of tones is what makes them so captivating. It is also why choosing eyeshadow can feel tricky at first. Do you treat them like green eyes, brown eyes, or something in between? The good news is that you can enhance all of those tones depending on your mood.
- Warm browns and bronzes bring out both brown and golden flecks.
- Purples and plums make the golden and yellow tones glow.
- Reddish browns, maroons, and coppery shades amplify the green.
Quick Answer: Best Eyeshadow Colors for Hazel Eyes
Hazel eyes pair beautifully with shades that work well on both brown and green eyes. Think warm browns, bronzes, rich greens, purples, plums, and glowing golden hues. These colors echo and enhance the natural tones in hazel irises instead of competing with them.
Makeup artist favorites for hazel eyes often include purple and plum shades, because they sit opposite yellow on the color wheel and really light up any golden flecks. Reddish browns and coppery tones sit opposite green and make the green parts of hazel eyes look more intense.
How To Enhance Green, Brown, and Golden Tones in Hazel Eyes
When in doubt, use the color wheel. Look at the tone you want to bring out, then find the color directly across from it. Those are your complementary shades, and they are perfect for making hazel eyes pop.
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To bring out the green tones:
Choose browns and coppers with a reddish or warm undertone, along with maroons and burgundies. Shades that are a little lighter or deeper than the green in your eyes create contrast and definition without blending in too much.
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To bring out the brown tones:
Neutral and classic brown eyeshadows are perfect. Pick shades that are either lighter or deeper than your natural eye color so they sculpt and define instead of disappearing into the iris.
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To bring out the golden tones:
Reach for golden, yellow based, or purple shadows. Golden tones love shimmering golds and bronzes, while purples make those yellow flecks look extra bright.
Pro tip: Avoid matching your eyeshadow exactly to your hazel eye color. A little contrast is what makes the different tones in hazel eyes stand out and gives the eye more dimension.
Best Colors for the Green Tones in Hazel Eyes
Choose colors like bronze, reddish browns, reddish coppers, maroons, burgundies, and mahogany. Even warm pinks can give a soft contrast that wakes up the green.
Beautiful options for hazel eyes include the spicy warmth of Sugar & Spice, the matte, warm brown of She’s Spicy, and the deep wine red of Vamp.
On the color wheel, green sits opposite red. That is why any eyeshadow with a red, brick, or copper undertone instantly makes the green tones in hazel eyes look more vivid.
Best Colors for the Golden and Yellow Tones in Hazel Eyes
To highlight the golden and yellow tones in hazel eyes, purple is your best friend. Violet, eggplant, plum, and lavender shades all look stunning on hazel eyes and are especially flattering when they lean slightly warm or reddish.
Shades like the muted grayish purple of Violet Vintage and the metallic lavender of Violet Vixen are perfect for making hazel eyes sparkle, especially when golden flecks are prominent.
On the color wheel, yellow sits opposite purple, which is why purples are so flattering on hazel eyes with golden tones. They also work well for hazel eyes with strong green, giving a rich jewel tone contrast.
Best Red Apple Lipstick Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes
The following Red Apple Lipstick eyeshadows look especially beautiful on hazel eyes. You can wear them alone or mix and match to create custom looks.
Bronze Bombshell is a warm, medium bronze with a golden sheen that brings out both brown and golden tones in hazel eyes.
Sugar & Spice is a matte, warm, spicy brown with a reddish orange undertone that beautifully enhances the green tones in hazel eyes.
En Pointe is a soft, muted dusty rose matte that gives a romantic wash of color and softly amplifies any green or golden flecks.
Olive This Color is a dark, earthy green with a light golden metallic sheen. When used slightly deeper than your iris, it adds depth and enhances both the green and brown in hazel eyes.
Sage Rage is a matte, medium khaki green that works well as long as it is lighter or deeper than your eye color for contrast.
Vamp is a deep red wine shade that creates a dramatic contrast and really pulls the green forward in hazel eyes.
Violet Vintage offers a muted, taupe leaning purple shimmer, while Violet Vixen gives a brighter lavender metallic finish. Both are excellent for highlighting golden tones.
Plums Up is a flattering plum shade that works beautifully for hazel eyes when you want depth without feeling too dark.
Neutral Everyday Shades for Hazel Eyes
If you prefer softer, neutral looks, hazel eyes shine in warm taupes, soft browns, and golds. These shades are ideal for work, everyday makeup, or for balancing a bold lip.
Brownie Points is a matte, medium brown with a warm undertone that defines the crease without looking harsh.
Champagne is a light golden frosty taupe that brightens the lid and inner corner while complementing golden flecks in hazel eyes.
Chocolate Martini is a rich, dark chocolate brown with golden bronze shimmer, perfect for a soft smoky eye that still feels hazel friendly.
Dirty Girl is a medium, mushroom khaki taupe with shimmer, which plays nicely with both the green and brown tones in hazel eyes.
Golden Ticket is a beautiful shimmering gold that instantly lights up any golden flecks in your iris.
Like U Latte is a soft, rosy caramel tan with a subtle shimmer that makes a great all over lid color for everyday looks.
Yes You Canyon is a matte, medium reddish brown tan that adds warmth in the crease and complements the green tones in hazel eyes.
Other great supporting shades for hazel eyes include the soft taupe of Tip Taupe, the beige tones of Clean Slate, and the flattering lid shades Blondeshell and Taken for Granite.
Hazel Friendly Palette Ideas
You can easily create your own hazel friendly palettes using single shadows. Here are two simple combinations inspired by popular hazel eye quads.
Shimmery hazel eye combo: Try a brightening base of Buttercream, a soft crease definition with Dirty Girl, a pop of depth from Olive This Color, and warmth at the outer corner using Yes You Canyon.
Matte hazel eye combo: For an all matte look, try Heirloom for soft depth, Sage Rage in the crease, Earth Girl on the outer corner, and a touch of Espresso along the lash line.
Primer and Application Tips for Hazel Eyes
A little prep helps your hazel eye looks stay vibrant and crease free all day.
- Start with primer. Apply a thin layer of Prime Time Eye Primer to keep color in place and make shades look more true to pan.
- Set the primer with a light neutral like Porcelain or Buttercream so blending is smooth.
- Use medium shades such as Minx or Sand Castle in the crease to add structure without heaviness.
- Deepen the outer corner or lash line with darker shades like Black Magic, Graphite Glam, or Hello Darkness.
- Highlight the inner corner and brow bone with Innocence or the soft shimmer of Pixie Dust.
Bonus: Easy Pops of Color for Hazel Eyes
Not everyone wants a full colorful eye look every day. If you love neutrals but still want your hazel eyes to stand out, add just a small pop of color.
- Pop of color on the bottom lash line: Keep the lid neutral with shades like Twinkle Taupe or Made You Wink, then smudge a bolder color such as Sage Rage or Vamp along the lower lash line.
- Colorful eyeliner effect: Use a damp angled brush and a deeper shade like Espresso, Olive This Color, or Graphite Glam as a soft eyeliner that still flatters hazel eyes.
If you have hazel eyes, play with these tips and shades to see which combinations you love most. You might find that some days you want to boost the green, other days you prefer a golden glow, and sometimes you just want a chic neutral eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors of eyeshadow are best for hazel eyes?
Hazel eyes look amazing in warm browns, bronzes, purples, plums, khaki greens, and golds. Shades like Bronze Bombshell, Sugar & Spice, Olive This Color, Violet Vintage, and Golden Ticket are all flattering choices.
What brings out the green in hazel eyes?
Colors with red or copper undertones bring out the green in hazel eyes. Try warm reddish browns and wine shades such as Sugar & Spice, She’s Spicy, or Vamp for a strong green effect.
Can hazel eyes wear green eyeshadow?
Yes. Green eyeshadow looks beautiful on hazel eyes when the shade is lighter or deeper than your iris. Earthy greens like Olive This Color or Sage Rage add depth without blending into the eye color.
What neutral shades work every day for hazel eyes?
Soft browns and taupes are perfect everyday neutrals. Brownie Points, Champagne, Dirty Girl, Like U Latte, and Yes You Canyon all give easy, wearable looks that flatter hazel eyes for work or casual days.
Do I really need eye primer for hazel eye looks?
Primer helps any eyeshadow last longer and look more vibrant, no matter your eye color. Using Prime Time Eye Primer keeps your hazel friendly shades from creasing and makes the colors show up more clearly.
- Hazel eyes have brown, green, and golden tones, so they work with a wide range of colors.
- Purples and reddish browns are perfect for making hazel eyes pop using simple color wheel rules.
- Use primer, light layering, and a mix of neutrals and accents to customize looks for any occasion.