This blog post is the next part in our 'Foundations of Makeup Series', where we explore the fundamental knowledge of all things makeup. Today we are focusing our peepers on eyeshadows! It can be a daunting task finding the right shades in a sea of choices, but if you go in armed with a few snippets of knowledge, you'll easily gravitate towards the optimal choices for your own particular eye colour and skin tone. Let's get started!
Understanding Skin Tones: Warm, Cool, and Neutral
Before diving into eyeshadow colours, it's essential to understand the impact of skin tone on colour selection. Skin tones are typically divided into three categories:
Warm Tones: Characterised by yellow, peach, or golden undertones. People with warm skin tones often have greenish coloured veins, tan easily, and look best in earthy shades and warm colours.
Cool Tones: These individuals have pink, red, or blue undertones. Veins can appear bluish in hue, they may sunburn easier than others, and will generally suit greys, pinks and cool hues.
Neutral Tones: People with a mix of both warm and cool undertones are referred to as 'neutral' toned. Their veins can appear either greenish or bluish, they suit both gold and silver jewellery, and have more freedom to experiment with a wider variety of colours as they can work with both warm and cool shades.
TIP: When choosing your eyeshadow colours, try to match them to your underlying skin tone. Warm skin tones look best in warm eyeshadow colours, cool skin tones suit cooler eyeshadow colours, and neutral skin tones can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Evaluating Skin Tone Depth: Light, Medium, and Dark
Once you've determined your base skin tone, the next step is assessing your skin tone's depth, which will affect your eyeshadow colour choices:
Light Skin Tones: Usually, those with fair/pale skin should lean towards lighter eyeshadows and avoid overly dark shades like charcoal or black, which can overwhelm their complexion. Soft pastels, delicate neutrals and light greys work wonderfully.
Medium Skin Tones: Medium-toned individuals can embrace a wider depth of colours. Medium neutrals, medium greys, soft browns or blacks and medium colours will enhance without being too overpowering.
Dark Skin Tones: Darker skin can handle deeper, bolder colours beautifully. Rich jewel tones and metallics create a stunning contrast that highlights the richness of darker skin.
TIP: Identify the depth of your skin tone and choose colours that won't overwhelm it nor disappear into it and not be seen.
The Colour Wheel & Colour Theory
Understanding the colour wheel can be your best friend in makeup application. Complementary colours sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel and are imperative to learn if you wish to 'bring out' your natural eye colour and make your eyes 'pop'.
When 2 complimentary colours are placed side-by-side, they automatically enhance each other. Begin by finding the colour of your eyes on the colour wheel, then apply a colour of eyeshadow that sits directly opposite to the colour of your eyes on the colour wheel (you can also select the 2 neighbouring colours either side of the one opposite your eye colour). Your eyes will instantly POP! and appear brighter, more vivid and more beautiful.
Many people believe that using an eyeshadow tone the same colour as their eyes will enhance them, however it actually has the opposite effect. Wearing blue eyeshadow on blue eyes or green eyeshadow on green eyes will dull them down, detracting attention from their colour.
Examples of Colour Wheel Theory in Choosing Eyeshadow Colours
Blue is Opposite Orange on the Colour Wheel: Therefore, those with blue eyes can use orange based eyeshadows to accentuate their baby blues, such as earthy terracottas, warm browns and peaches. People with grey eyes can use these too, if they want to make their eyes appear bluer.
Green is Opposite Red on the Colour Wheel: People with green eyes can use red or reddish-based eyeshadows to make their green eyes stand out brilliantly. Warm taupes, plums and pinks complement this eye colour perfectly. Likewise, those with hazel eyes who want to accentuate the green in them can use the red-based tone to do so.
Adding Depth with Colour Theory: Analagous & Triad
When pairing eyeshadow colours, consider the 3-tone eyeshadow trick. This technique involves using a lighter base colour, a medium mid-tone, and a darker contrast colour for contouring. This approach enables intricate layering and adds depth.
To take it one step further, try one of the following colour theory hacks:
Use Analagous Colours: These are colours situated next to each other on the colour wheel, and they create a harmonious look. For example, for warm blue eyes, pair soft mauve, peach and bronze shades for seamless blending.
Use Triadic Colours: Triadic colour schemes are formed by selecting three colours equally spaced apart on the colour wheel. For instance, if you have blue eyes, you could use a triad of blue, orange, and purple for an unexpected yet striking look.
Detailed Eyeshadow Suggestions for Common Eye Colours
BLUE EYES
Are your eyes a warm blue? For stand-out peepers that pop - opt for warm orange-based shades, including peaches, bronzes, coppers, champagnes and warm browns. Warm pinks and greys will also compliment your eyes. Tend more towards a cool blue? Cool blues look stunning with silvery or teal shadows. Pair with cool taupes, cool pinks and greys for added depth.
BROWN EYES
Brown eyes truly have the advantage of versatility and can generally wear any shade of eyeshadow. From greens and golds to purples and taupes, the options are abundant. Bolder colours, such as deep blue, jewel tones or vibrant pink, can create a striking contrast that makes your brown eyes stand out beautifully. Metallics also work well. You might like to match your eyeshadow colour to your outfit!
GREEN EYES
Anything with a reddish or pinkish undertone will look amazing on green eyes! Opt for reddish-brown shades, warm taupes, and plums to bring out the vibrant hue of your eyes. Additionally, reddish-mauves, pinks and rose golds can add a softer look.
HAZEL EYES
Green Hazel: If your hazel eyes lean more towards green than brown, opt for the reddish-browns and purples recommended for green eyes (see above). This will bring out the green hue in your eyes and give a captivating look!
Brown Hazel: For more brown dominant hazel eyes, embrace shades that suit brown eyes (see above), including soft golds, purples, rose golds, muted greens, and deep browns.
GREY EYES
Grey eyes can shine brightly with soft pastels, silvery shades, and even a hint of lavender. For a bolder look, consider incorporating jewel tones, such as deep purples or rich emeralds, which can contrast beautifully.
To make your eyes appear more green-grey, use reddish-based tones such as pink, plum, wine, purple or red-brown (see palette for green eyes above).
To make your eyes appear more blue-grey, use warm orange-based tones such as warm browns, terracottas and golds (see palette for blue eyes above).
Orange-based shadow on grey eyes will make them appear more blue.
Final Tips
Experimentation is Key: While these guidelines are helpful, don’t hesitate to try colours outside your typical range. Makeup is an art, and creativity can lead to unexpectedly stunning results.
Buy Specific Palettes for Your Eye Colour: Many eyeshadow palettes these days are especially curated and sold specifically for individual eye colours. If you're not confident in selecting individual shades to put together and use, try purchasing a ready-made colour palette specifically for your eye colour. Voila! Instant eyeshadow success.
Conclusion
Finding the best eyeshadow colours for your eye colour and skin tone doesn’t have to be daunting. Remember to firstly identify your underlying skin tone and depth of skin colour. These will guide your colour choices. Use the colour wheel to find complimentary shades opposite to your eye colour on the wheel. Play around with variations to your own complimentary colour, such as its closest neighbouring hues on the colour wheel. If you're still unsure - experiment with different colours - you'll know when you hit the wrong ones as your eyes will appear duller and lifeless... whereas hitting the right ones will make your eyes prettier, bolder and more alive!
Above all, have fun with the process and don't be afraid to try different things. Happy make-upping!
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