You don’t have to match your eyeliner to your eye colour for it to look great. There are seven colours that look good on all skin tones, eye shapes, and colours of eyes. They range from classic black to muted olive green. These colours are a nice change from the usual brown and black, and they are just as easy to wear.
A lot of people learn early on that the colour of their eyes can affect what eyeshadow they choose. Colour-coded palettes that promise to make your eyes stand out are usually the first step in putting on makeup. The formulas don’t change very often: blue eyes get warm colours, green eyes get lilac, and brown eyes get olive. But the rules for eyeliner are much more flexible. While rules may still apply, classic black and brown are always flattering.
Good news if you’re tired of the usual choices. You can change these seven editor-approved eyeliner colours based on how you feel, and they all look polished and flattering on everyone.
Black
Black eyeliner is a classic that looks good on everyone. Put it on thick for a dramatic effect, or use a light touch and smudge it for a softer look. Depending on the method, it can make any eye colour stand out. Even without mascara, tightlining the upper waterline can make the lash line look deeper and add a little volume to the lashes. Black eyeliner and mascara always look good together.
Bronze
A warm, medium-toned brown with a little bit of shimmer gives every eye colour a soft glow. Bronze eyeliner gives your eyes a sun-kissed look, just like bronzer makes your skin look warmer. The finish is slightly reflective, which helps bounce light and makes eyes look brighter and more awake. When mixed across the lid, it also makes a great eyeshadow.
Brown Chocolate
A dark brown liner adds drama without being as harsh as black. It gives the face a defined, smoky look while keeping it fresh and natural. From a distance, espresso-toned shades can look black, but up close they bring out the colour of your eyes in a subtle way, especially when the undertone is balanced and not too cool or warm.
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Navy
Navy eyeliner is like black eyeliner, but softer. It gives your eyes more depth and makes them look more interesting. Think of it as a more modern, polished version of classic black. A navy wing or a swipe along the lower lash line will make your makeup look more polished right away with very little effort.
Burgundy
Burgundy is very versatile because it sits perfectly between brown and plum. It has a mix of warm and cool tones that looks good on almost every skin tone and eye colour. The depth of the colour keeps it from looking red, and it often makes the whites of the eyes look much brighter.
Taupe that is cool
A cool-toned grey eyeliner gives you a subtle, wearable edge. Starting with taupe instead of blending black into a softer colour gives you definition with less work. It’s great for daytime wear and can make fine lines around the eyes look less harsh than black liner.
Green Olive
Olive green is a quiet colour that stands out. It may look black or brown from a distance, but up close it gives the eyes a muted, golden depth. People often say that brown or hazel eyes look best with green liners, but olive’s warm, muted colour looks great on almost any eye colour.
