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As bold colors return to the makeup scene, one of the simplest ways to add a vibrant pop without doing too much is with a fun colored mascara. From a subtle, no-makeup brown colored mascara to a bold blue, discover the color theory behind making your eyes stand out and what colors might look the absolute best on you. 

The Power of the Palette: Why Colorful Mascara Works

Within the color wheel, complementary colors sit on opposite sides. These combinations create visual contrast, making the colors appear more vibrant next to each other. The contrast of the complementary colors is what will help your eyes stand out. Think about how vibrant yellow looks in a dark, purple room, or how someone’s red hair stands out when they wear green. 

That said, you don’t have to only wear contrasting colors to see the impacts of the colorful makeup. If you’ve ever noticed that your blue eyes look incredible when you wear a blue top, a similar principle applies if you wear matching blue makeup. In this instance, you’re accentuating the colors and drawing even more attention to them. 

Matching Mascara to Your Eye Color

If you’re ready to try colored mascara, these color combinations will help your eyes stand out and add a fun pop to your look. 

Brown-Eyed Babes

Brown eyes are more versatile than meets the eye — literally. Rich, cocoa to cool earthy tones and warm honey make for a fantastic neutral base. This means that virtually any color will stand out and make your eyes pop, so it’s up to you to decide your vibe. 

Try these colors to make the most of your gorgeous palette: 

• Blue: A deep navy can add a cooling, mysterious pop to your look, while a vibrant electric blue can draw attention to your eyes and add a fun flair.
• Gold: For an artsy look without being too bright, metallic mascaras like gold can bring out any amber or golden flecks in your eyes. Alternatively, brown colored mascara can be a neutral base that may appear subtle overall while still accentuating your eyes.
• Purple: Deep plum, royal purple or even a soft lilac are beautiful tones that stand out against the brown and soften your features.

Blue-Eyed Beauties

Blue eyes tend to stand out naturally, especially against dark features. Besides going in with the traditional black mascara and eyeliner that stars like Billie Eilish know make their ocean eyes pop, use color theory to bring them out in different ways. 

These colors work especially well with blue eyes:

• Burgundy: The rich tones of burgundy pair beautifully with any shade of blue, creating a strong contrast, whether you have deep blue or striking, icy eyes. 
• Coppery brown: A more subtle contrast, the orangey bronze-copper hues contrast your blue eyes with a metallic flair that can especially bring out hues in the sunlight.
• Blue: For a full dose of the color, pair your blue eyes with a blue mascara to really bring attention to their color. Pair with a blue eyeliner if you’re feeling extra bold.

Green-Eyed Goddesses

Gorgeous green eyes are rare, so make the most of the beauty by accentuating them with your makeup and colorful mascara. 

Pair them with these colors: 

• Purple: Any shade of purple, from a brilliant amethyst to a deep eggplant to a warm magenta, really stands out against green eyes. Purples complement the green without being as vibrant as red while adding a beautiful, soft touch.
• Brown: If traditional black mascara feels overpowering, brown mascara can give you the length and volume while drawing attention to your eyes rather than overcasting them. 
• Green: A deep emerald mascara or a bright, neon green is a fabulous option to make your eyes stand out. 

Hazel-Eyed Hotties

Hazel is a unique mix of green and brown, so while you could benefit from tips for either eye color, you can also get creative with how you use the colors to achieve the impact you want. 

Here is how you can accentuate hazel the best: 

• Gold: Hazel is the closest eye color we can get to gold, so a matching mascara can bring this brilliance out. 
• Green: To bring the green out a bit more or to add balance to the brown in your eyes, a neutral green mascara adds color while bringing together the entire palette.
• Burgundy: To stand out against the green and match the brown, burgundy is a beautiful, grounded color that makes the best of both worlds in the hazel.

The Universal Secret Weapon For All Eye Colors

Knowing which color works best with your eyes can make your shopping easier, but if you don’t know where to start or which vibe you want when first trying colored mascara, one color stands out with all eye colors — burgundy. 

For brown and hazel eyes, the color is neutral enough to remain subtle with your natural coloring while still adding a noticeable pop. For green and blue, burgundy contrasts well and really helps your eyes stand out. The color is a timeless classic that matches well with most palettes and outfits, making it a great starting point for those experimenting with colored mascaras. 

How to Rock the Rainbow: Application Tips and Tricks

These tips for application and wear will help you feel more confident in this adventurous look. 

Start Subtle and Layer

If you don’t want to go all in right away, you can start with a base layer of your normal, everyday black mascara. Then layer the color on top for a more muted variant that stands out in certain light. 

You can also try adding color only to the tips of your lashes, using black on the base. Lastly, you can try only adding color to the top lashes or only to the bottom lashes so the color isn’t too overpowering. 

Use the Right Mascara

Knowing the different formulas and your favorite brands can help you decide which will feel best. Tubing mascara is the most coveted formula that goes on wet but dries smudge-free. Or you may prefer fiber mascaras for thickening or lifting to lengthen and curl. 

Match Your Eyeshadows and Eyeliners

Colorful mascara might feel harder to match with eyeshadows, as some colors can mute the colors, while others can overpower them. 

To accentuate the mascara, aim for similar colors of eyeliner and eyeshadow. If you’re going for bold looks, try matching blue mascara with the same or a similar shade of blue eyeliner. Or, try different shades of blue for a deeper look. 

To complement the mascara, go for a similar color palette or complementary colors. Browns and subtle shimmers pair well with gold or metallic mascara. Deep brown eyeliner accentuates purple mascara without overpowering it. 

Remove Completely at Night

Remember to always take your makeup off at the end of the day to keep your skin happy and healthy. Use gentle cleansers like micellar water that remove makeup and dirt without scrubbing too harshly, which can damage your lashes.

Lashes You’ll Love 

The best part about makeup is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Regardless of your features, you can experiment with all the colors of the rainbow to find what you like best. Remember, wearing makeup and colorful mascara is about making you feel good — you’ll look amazing with or without it!