How to Do Makeup for Green Eyes

Last Updated: February 18, 2023 References

Green eyes are rare and beautiful. They deserve to be enhanced. Makeup is a great way to bring attention to eyes, but there are certain colors that really make green eyes pop. This article will give you a few tips on how you can bring out the sparkle in your green eyes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Choosing Eyeshadow Colors

1
Wear neutral browns for a daytime look. Go for reddish browns, such as terracotta, or silvery browns, such as taupe. This is great for school and work.^{[1]
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- If you want to bring out the green a little more, try purple eyeliner or mascara.
- Earthy tones and bronze colors can really make your green eyes stand out, but the look is still appropriate for any occasion.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashleigh Grounds
  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
2
Try pinks, purples, and reds to bring out the green. Pinks, purples, and reds will enhance your green eyes even more. You can try these shades for daytime or evening wear. Depending on the shade of your green eyes, you can use warmer, darker, or deeper pinks instead of lighter, cooler pinks. These will help bring out the green in your eyes. For purples, try: eggplant, lavender, lilac, plum, or violet.^{[3]
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- If you don't like to wear red, try a reddish brown instead. It will look more natural while still bringing out the green.
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3
Use green eyeshadow with care. Green eyeshadow can help make green eyes sparkle, but it can also make them appear duller. The trick is to use a green that is a shade darker and a different tone than your eyes, and use it sparingly.
4
Try bronze, copper, or gold. They will help bring out the gold flecks in your eyes. They will also make your eyes appear brighter. Brown or green eyeshadow with gold shimmer are also great choices.^{[4]
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Avoid eyeshadow with blue undertones. This includes all shades of blue and blue-ish purples. Anything blue-tinted will make your eyes appear dull. This same rule goes for eyeliner and mascara.^{[5]
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- Reddish or pinkish purples are fine.
6
Avoid red and purple undertones if you have redness around your eyes. This will bring out the redness even more and make you look tired.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Choosing Eyeliner, Mascara, Lipstick, and Blush

1
Try dark brown or espresso eyeliner. It is dark enough to enhance your eyes, but light enough so that it doesn't close them in. If it is a special night out, you can even try gold.^{[6]
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2
Try adding white eyeliner to the inner corner of your eye. Be sure to blend the eye shadow in to make it look more natural. This will help open up your eyes.^{[7]
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3
Consider using purple eyeliner or mascara. They are a great way to make your eyes look brighter while wearing brown or green eyeshadow. You don't have to wear purple eyeliner and purple mascara at the same time, however. Try pairing charcoal eyeliner and purple mascara.
4
Don't be afraid to use black mascara, but avoid using black eyeliner. Instead, go for charcoal, dark gray, or slate gray eyeliner. Black eyeliner is too harsh for green eyes. Black mascara, however, can help define your eyes.
5
Try red, pink, or violet-tinted lipstick. This will give your eyes some nice contrast.^{[8]
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Research source} Many people with green eyes also look great in coral or peach tones. Make sure that your lipstick coordinates with your eye color or you may end up looking clownish. To make your lipstick last longer, apply a lip liner all over your lip first. Be sure that you are using a matching shade. Apply your lipstick over the lip liner, blot it, and apply a second coat. Set your lipstick by placing a thin tissue over your lips, then dusting it lightly with setting powder.
6
Wear a peach-colored blush to compliment green eyes. If you have cool skin, however, you might want to try a pink-tinted blush instead. Make sure that you use a peach blush only if it will coordinate well with your other makeup.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Trying Looks for Specific Shades of Green Eyes

1
Use more red tones if you have true-green eyes. You can also apply some of your blush to your lash line. This will help tie your eye makeup to the rest of your makeup.^{[9]
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2
Try smokey eyes with a twist if you have golden-green eyes. Instead of using the usual charcoal and silver eyeshadow shades, try wine or lavender eyeshadow instead. Add more definition with some charcoal or dark brown eyeliner.^{[10]
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3
Use periwinkle on your lash lines if you have hazel-green eyes. Sweep periwinkle eyeliner on your upper lash line. Dust some periwinkle eyeshadow on your lower lash line. Finish the look with a violet or plum mascara.^{[11]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Experimenting With Different Eye Shadow Looks

1
Go neutral with browns and golds. Apply gold eyeshadow all over your lid. Then, brush a dark tan shadow to the crease with a crease brush. Tap on some darker tan eyeshadow to the inner and outer corners of your eyes. Blend everything in, then brush on some dark brown eyeliner and mascara.
2
Go neutral with peach and brown eye shadows. Spread eyeshadow primer all over your eyelid. Brush on a cream color all over your eyelid, from lash line to brow bone. Apply a peach color to your upper lid, from lash line to crease. Dust on some of that same peach color to just below your lower lashes. Apply brown eyeliner to both your upper and lower eyelids. Finish off with brown mascara on both your upper and lower lashes.^{[12]
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3
Try mixing purple with other eye shadow colors. Spread eyeshadow primer all over your eyelid. Line your upper and lower lids with brown eyeliner. Brush on a warm purple over your entire lid, from lash line to crease. Apply a strawberry color to the crease. Soften any harsh edges with a blending brush. Dust on some of that same strawberry color to just below your lower lashes. Finish off with some brown mascara on your upper and lower lashes.^{[13]
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4
Try a monochromatic purple eye look. Apply some eyeshadow primer. Brush on a medium purple eyeshadow all over your eyelid, from lash line to just past the crease. Apply a lighter purple from just past the crease all the way up to your brow. Finally, brush on a dark purple to your lash line. Blend all three shades to create a smooth, ombre transition. Finish the look off with some charcoal eyeliner and mascara.
- Consider pairing this with clear, glitter lip gloss

Expert Q&A

Question

What makes hazel eyes look green?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Try using a shimmery warm palette of bronze and gold accented with just a touch of vivid green. Try a dab of emerald shadow at the inner corner of the eye or a jade eyeliner.
Question

What color eyeshadow goes well with green eyes?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can use taupe and brown shades for a subtle daytime look that flatters green eyes. For a bolder choice, try a blend of plum and dusty pink.
Question

What colors make green eyes stand out?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Brown and purple are flattering shades to use on green eyes. They are also flattered by pink or red-based hues like coral or burgundy.