Eye makeup can be pretty challenging to apply, especially if you’re unaware of what suits your features. Most of us can agree that eyeliner, mascara, and fake lashes are annoying to use, but eyeshadow is touchy and can really make or break your whole look.
Eyeshadow can quickly become muddy looking if you over blend or mix too many colors together. Everyone has a different eye shape, and using the wrong placement can also create an unflattering outcome. Is there a better way to apply eyeshadow?
Whether you are a beginner or don’t like to spend hours on your makeup, try sticking to one eyeshadow color. This can be any color; it doesn’t have to be neutral. Applying only one shade of shadow will take the stress out of blending and precision.
Does applying one color of eyeshadow work? Yes, you can use one color for eyeshadow. If you choose a color that complements your eye color, you can create a bold and flattering look without putting in much effort. This monotone approach can even elevate your makeup look.
Sometimes, less is more! There is an eyeshadow shade on the market that will suit every eye color and skin tone. Adding a wash of one color to your eyelids will create a beautiful flushed finish, and this technique is ideal for beginners. So, what suits your eye color the best?
Best One-Color Eyeshadows
Each eye color has a complementary eyeshadow shade that will make your eyes pop. Opting to use only one color of eyeshadow is a no-fuss method to achieve a glamorous look without the extra effort. How can you achieve this outcome?
Five ways to apply one color eyeshadow:
- One Shade Smoky Eye: Pick your color of choice. You will need two brushes. First, use a flat packing brush to apply your color to your eyelid. Then, take a clean blending brush to gently and slowly extend the shadow to create a gradient and smokey-like effect. Next, repeat these steps until you have achieved your desired intensity and blend. Finally, you’re done and ready to flaunt your stunning eyes. If you’re unsure what color will suit you the best, follow along to see your most complementary shade.
- One Shade Solid Shape: If you’re not super into the faded out smoky look and like to stand out with bold choices, you can also create a solid shape with one color using a flat packing brush over your eyelid. However, it is harder to achieve a symmetrical look this way.
- One Shade With Eyeliner: To make your eyes really pop and create a more cohesive and thought-out look, you can use either of the above methods and add a line of eyeliner, winged or otherwise, to better define the shape of your eye and pull everything together.
- One Shade Ombre: If you’re searching for an easy way to create an ombre or gradient smoky look with just one color, you can apply the color to your outer corner and lightly blend inward toward your inner corner to create a soft gradient, as if you’d used multiple shades.
So, if you’re finally convinced the one color look really does work but you have no idea what color to try on your own eyes next, we’ve got a color break down for each eye color below.
Brown Eyes
Brown eyes are the most common eye color, and almost any eyeshadow will work with brown eyes. However, there isn’t just one shade of brown.
Some individuals have the deepest and darkest brown eyes where you can barely see the pupils, and others have a light, honey-gold brown shade. So, the eyeshadow possibilities are endless for brown eyes.
The most flattering eyeshadow colors are purple, blue, and gold because they create a sharp contrast when paired with brown eyes.
The warmth of a gold shadow can compliment yellow pigments within lighter brown eyes. A gold shadow can brighten and accentuate dark brown eyes. Also, a slight shimmer never hurts.
Blues and purples will also bring attention to chocolatey eye colors. These shades aren’t common to wear daily, but applying one wash of either blue or purple will give off the illusion that you spent much more time on your makeup than you actually did.
If you want to take it a step further and make your eyes really pop, go for a sharp contrast. For example, extremely dark brown eyes should opt for pastel blues and lavender shades to make your eyes pop. Pastels are flattering for a wash of color.
If you have light brown eyes, opt for richer, bolder, and deeper shades of blues and purples. Jewel-toned blues and purples will accentuate any other glimmers of yellow or gold within your brown eyes.
One swipe, and you’ll create a statement look.
Blue Or Grey Eyes
Blue and grey eyes don’t need much to make them stand out. There is also a wide range of different blue eye hues and shades. For example, your eyes can be a true blue, blue mixed with green, more of a grey or teal color, or blue with a hint of yellow.
In addition, it’s been said that blue eyes can change with the season or even with the weather. Because blue eyes are already bright and colorful, staying clear of bright and colorful shades is recommended. However, there are no rules to makeup; feel free to experiment.
Neutral, pink, and gray tones are the most flattering for blue eyes. For example, various shades of brown eyeshadow can tone down the intensity of blue eyes without your blue pigmentation getting drowned out like it might with a colorful shade.
Any wash of a brown shadow will make your eyes pop and create the illusion that they are bluer than ever. Darker shades especially will bring out the brightness of your eyes.
Another flattering shade is gray. Gray is another undertone that can be prominent in some blue eye colors and accentuate your features. Gray will also tone down the intensity of blue eyes, but not in a bad way. Instead, your eyes will look more fierce and alluring with a wash of gray.
Neutrals like brown can be great for the day, and gray shades can help you shake up your look when you want to make a statement.
Another shade range you can pull from is rosy pinks. These will create a soft and flushed look that will compliment the blue in your eyes and draw out the color without overshadowing it. However, it is best to stay clear of hot pinks and other intense pinks when only working with one color. Stick with more neutral tones.
Green Eyes
Green is considered to be the rarest eye color in the world. As a result, only a tiny percentage of people have green eyes. So, if you are one of the lucky ones with green eyes, follow along to see which shade will accentuate your gems the most.
Green eyes will get the most out of a wash of purple and pink tones. Purple eyeshadow will create a flattering contrast for those with green eyes, and it can even accentuate the warmth in green eyes if you have flecks of gold within your irises.
Pink shades with warm undertones can also compliment green eyes. Usually, warm tone pinks and purples will create the ideal contrast for green eyes. However, green eyes can also opt for brown shadows with red/warm undertones.
These warm earthy shades will accentuate green eyes and allow them to appear more vibrant. Any wash of these colors will make your green gem-like eyes pop without putting hours into your makeup routine.
Hazel Eyes
Hazel eyes are also a unique shade, and much like brown, they can pair well with a variety of eyeshadow shades. However, similar to green eyes, they can get the most ideal look with warm-toned eyeshadow colors or shimmer shadows.
Hazel eye colors have a mix of just a little bit of everything. Warm shades like pinks, purples, golds, coppers, and amber shades will bring the most life to your hazel eyes.
Swipe on one of these shades, and your hazel eyes will shine!
One Universally Flattering Color
So we know that there is a shade that pairs well with each eye color, but is there an eyeshadow color that will look great on everyone?
Surprisingly enough, there is a color that anyone can wear no matter your eye color or skin tone.
You may not believe it right away, but orange is a universally flattering color for everyone. It will complement any eye color and skin tone.
In addition, any shade of orange will create a flattering finish for your eyes, and it’s easy to blend out.
Why is orange a universally flattering shade? It’s one of the few colors found in a majority of skin undertones. Therefore, a color that is naturally found within your skin tone will be flattering and the perfect shade to wear solely by itself.
Orange is available in a wide variety of shades. Lighter orange shades like peach tones can suit all skin tones and accentuate all eye colors. However, you’ll notice the most contrast when you pair peach tones with dark eye colors.
Likewise, bright, bold orange colors will suit all skin tones and eye colors but work especially well for lighter eye colors. So, if you are feeling adventurous and want to try a colorful one-shade eyeshadow look, orange will be the perfect introduction.
The Takeaway
A one-color eyeshadow look is ideal for beginners to achieve elegant, high-fashion, and chic makeup looks without all the effort. Just a wash of one singular color is all that you will need. It’s not difficult to blend, and it makes a statement.
Brown eyes work well with colors like blue, purple, and gold. Meanwhile, blue eyes can be accentuated with neutral brown tones and grays. If you have green or hazel eyes, you can opt for warm undertones like pink, purple, and copper shades.
The ultimate universally flattering shade is orange. Orange is a shade naturally found in our skin tones and the perfect introduction to incorporate brighter and intense colors into your makeup routine. Choose from bright orange shades or peach tones.
Overall, one color eyeshadow looks are something everyone should try and experiment with. It’s easy to execute, and it will suit everyone.
So, If you’re into makeup or want to try bold shades without the extra steps, definitely try this method out!
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