How to Choose the Most Flattering Mascara Shade for Your Eye Colour
Main Image – deniskomarov/Adobe
Name a person who doesn’t like to wear mascara. Even just a teeny bit. I’ll wait.
But whilst you may think the issue of which shade of mascara to use is straightforward (most people go for black – right?), we’re here to drop the bomb that, actually, some shades might flatter you more than others.
Whether you have blue, brown or green eyes, influencer and makeup artist, Eleanor Wood and makeup artist and CEO and founder of Formen Makeup, Andrew Grella are here with their tips on how to choose your perfect mascara hue.
Where to start with choosing your perfect shade of mascara
“Mascara can do so many things to a look, making it more creative, emphasising natural beauty or even brighten your eyes,” Wood explains.
When it comes to the shade of your mascara, it’s important to know that if you feel good in something, just go for it, whatever your eye colour. Wood agrees. “There are no rules when it comes to makeup, you only know when you try it yourself,” she says.
For guidance though, Grella says to think about your colouring. “One should think about his or her eye colour, the look he or she wants to achieve and sometimes even hair colour when selecting the right mascara shade,” he says.
“Generally, black mascara is a staple as it works universally well and enhances the natural colour of your lashes. For a more natural look, especially for those with lighter hair or fair skin, brown mascara can be more flattering.”
Image – Anna/Adobe
The mascara shade to wear if you have blue eyes
“Blue eyes would look softer and more natural with brown or brown-black mascara,” Grella says. “However, blue mascara makes them pop up. The blue tones in the mascara enhance and brighten the blue in your eyes, making them appear more vibrant.”
Collection Eyes On Me Curling Mascara (£4.99 on the Collection UK website) comes in a beautiful brown shade and is brilliant for creating curved lashes on a budget.
The mascara shade to wear if you have brown eyes
Grella says you’re spoilt for choice! “Black mascara is a classic go-to emphasising the natural richness of brown eyes,” he explains.
“Blue or purple mascara can serve as a daring option that adds unexpected pops of colour contrast, enhancing the depth of brown eyes further if you are feeling particularly adventurous.
Brown-black mascaras can also offer these looks but are softly applied enough yet still effectively useable during the daytime too.”
Kiko Milano Smart Colour Mascara in Navy Blue (£6.99 on the Kiko Milano UK website/$10.50 on the Kiko Milano US website) leaves a subtly tinted finish.
Image – Sanneberg/Adobe
The mascara shade to wear if you have green eyes
Think purply-reds, suggests Grella. “Green eyes are stunning with plum or burgundy mascara on them,” he says. “These shades possess reddish undertones that complement green eyes beautifully making them stand out. Alternatively, black mascara also gives green eyes intense drama while keeping classic appearance intact.”
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push-Up Lashes Mascara in Dream Pop (£28 on the Charlotte Tilbury UK website/$29 on the Charlotte Tilbury US website) is a gorgeous berry-brown shade. And the mascara itself is one of the best I’ve personally tried.
How to team up your eyeliner
Wood says to pair up your colours to bring out your eyes more. “Makeup has no rules but if you were to pair a warm eyeliner with a warm mascara on blue eyes, it will only emphasise them more,” she says.
“If you are not used to using colour but want to emphasise your eyes, use a coloured eyeliner in your water line,” she adds. “That way it will be less visible but will do the job it needs to do by making the eyes pop.”
How to go bolder with your mascara
We’ve all seen the electric blues, bright yellows and emerald green mascaras available to buy but usually don’t have the confidence to bite the bullet. But Wood says it can’t hurt to give it a go.
“Just try them,” she says. “Makeup can be removed if you don’t like it. Have some fun, play around with the crazier colours!”
And she has a great tip to get you started. “Start with a black mascara then once it is dry, apply the bolder colour to the tips of your eyelashes or even to your bottom lashes until you feel confident doing a full eye.”
This way, the bold colour will subtly catch the light when you blink but you will still have the security of your standard mascara shade underneath. I love Barry M Rebel Lash Coloured Mascara in Babein Blue (£3.50 on the Barry M website) which is a gorgeous electric blue shade and contrasts beautifully with black.
Image – Barry M
The takeaway
Experiment with what you think might suit you, or that you’re most comfortable with and take it from there. If you love what you see, then why change it?
However, if you fancy trying something new or you’re not happy with your current shade choice then consider following the above tips based on what would suit your colouring.
To accentuate your mascara colour even further, team it with its corresponding shade of eyeliner. And if you want to be bold but don’t know where to start, try coating the ends of your lashes with a bright shade, over the top of your existing black or a brown mascara.
Meet the experts
Eleanor Wood is an influencer and makeup artist @byeleanorwood.
Andrew Grella is the CEO and founder of Formen Makeup.
Get Glowing!
