I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes.

I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes.

      If you've ended up here, you might be curious about which eyeliners work best for brown eyes. As an editor specializing in beauty and with brown eyes myself, I've typically opted for brown eyeliners and traditional black eyeliner pencils to define my eyes. However, I've been eager to explore new shades, so I reached out to renowned celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge MBE for her recommendations on the shades that best complement brown eyes.

      What Eyeliners Complement Brown Eyes?

      (Image credit: Getty Images) "Brown eyes are varied, so it ultimately depends on their specific shade," Eldridge explains. "They can be quite warm or more deep and neutral. For very dark brown eyes, I recommend my Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Betina, as its cool silver sparkle contrasts beautifully with the dark depth of the brown," she shares. "For warm dark brown eyes, colors like Enigmatic Olive are fantastic, as the golden pearls enhance any golden or hazel glimmers within the eye," she adds. Ultimately, what you're aiming for makes a difference. Personally, I believe brown liners offer a natural look, while black eyeliners are ideal for achieving a smoky eye vibe. Both of these shades harmonize well with deep eye colors. However, if you want to elevate their appearance, consider opting for contrasting hues to accentuate their richness and depth. "Contrast is what makes the color stand out with brown eyes," Eldridge notes. "If you use an eyeshadow or eye pencil that closely matches your eye color, you won’t achieve that desirable contrast," she advises. Look for jewel tones like emerald or sapphire for bold looks, or warm metallics, bronzes, or golds that beautifully complement darker eyes. No matter the eyeliner look you're after, continue reading for the best eyeliner shades for brown eyes that will enhance their depth.

      Best Eyeliners for Brown Eyes

      Best Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Cocoa

      Best Olive Liner: Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Enigmatic Olive

      Best Shimmer: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cinnamon

      Best Burgundy Liner: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner

      Best Black Liner: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Liner in True Black

      1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Cocoa

      Best Overall

      Victoria Beckham Beauty

      Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa

      Among all the eyeliners I have tried, the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa is easily my top choice for daily makeup. The rich, chocolatey shade works wonderfully with brown eyes for a cohesive look, and the matte finish allows you to achieve everyday definition or a dramatic smoky eye. With a soft, creamy formula and a convenient built-in sponge applicator, this matte liner is perfect for creating a variety of eye looks.

      Pros: Easy application, versatile for lining, defining, or smudging.

      Cons: Slightly pricey, but worth the investment.

      2. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Enigmatic Olive

      Best Olive Liner

      Lisa Eldridge

      Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Enigmatic Olive

      Lisa Eldridge’s Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Enigmatic Olive is a gorgeous shade for brown eyes. I had never thought about using green liner until trying this; the olive tone with gold shimmer really enhances the rich depth of brown eyes, and it’s not too bold for those not accustomed to colorful liners. The formula glides on smoothly with excellent pigmentation and lasts a long time. I enjoy using this for evenings when I want my brown eyes to shine.

      Pros: Wearable shimmering green, enhances warmth in brown eyes, applies smoothly.

      Cons: Not ideal if you prefer matte finishes.

      3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cinnamon

      Best Bronze Liner

      Victoria Beckham Beauty

      Satin Kajal Liner in Cinnamon

      If you appreciate a touch of shimmer in your brown eyeliner, Victoria Beckham’s Cinnamon Satin Kajal Liner is an excellent pick. This warm brown-bronze color contains delicate cinnamon shimmer, creating a lovely glow around the eyes. It’s a personal favorite of Victoria Beckham, so I knew it would suit brown eyes well. For those who prefer cooler shades, Cocoa Pavé (£33) is a chic alternative—a rich cool brown with subtle silver shimmer for a more understated sparkle.

      Pros: Warm-toned brown with subtle shimmer, applies smoothly and can be precisely or messily applied.

      Cons: On the higher end in terms of price.

      4. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner

      Best Burgundy Liner

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Pillow Talk Eyeliner

      Pillow Talk is famously recognized as Charlotte Tilbury's iconic lipstick color, so I was intrigued to see it as an eyeliner. However, it perfectly complements brown eyes. This warm, berry-brown shade creates a stunning contrast against darker eyes.

I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes. I’ve experimented with many eyeliners, but these particular shades are most flattering on brown eyes.

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