The Best Eyeshadows for Green Eyes, According to Makeup Artists
Stop and stare.
It brings me a small amount of smug satisfaction to say that I am part of the two percent of the world's population with green eyes. I've inherited a unique olive green shade with an inner ring of bright copper. With a little help from the best eyeshadows for green eyes, it's so easy to make my eyes pop.
Not just any shade of eyeshadow will do the trick, though. While you can wear whatever shade you want (makeup has no rules!), certain tones will brighten and flatter green eyes the most, as opposed to blue eyes or brown eyes. There are liquids, sticks, and palettes to choose from, so you can find the best possible option for your beauty routine. Ahead, makeup artists Vincent Oquendo, Tonya Riner, and Emily Gray all shared their favorite shadows for green eyes.
What Eyeshadow Colors Are Best for Green Eyes?
To make your eyes pop, reach for complementary eyeshadow colors. “On the color wheel, colors opposite each other are called complimentary colors," explains Gray. “These bring the most contrast, thus making the color pop.”
Because pink and red are directly across the color wheel from green, these shades make green eyes appear the most vivid. “It does not have to be a bold red color,” Gray says. “It can be light pink or even a touch of rose sparkle.”
Oquendo suggests playing into the undertones of your eyes with purple, gold, and grey tones, too. For example, a deep purple can bring out the brown in green eyes, while gold will make any yellow tones in your irises stand out.
The Best Eyeshadows for Green Eyes
- Best Overall Eyeshadow for Green Eyes: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Drugstore Eyeshadow for Green Eyes: Catrice Cosmetics The Electric Rose Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Luxury Eyeshadow for Green Eyes: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Eyeshadow Stick for Green Eyes: Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil in Amethyst Aphrodisiac
- Best Liquid Eyeshadow for Green Eyes: Stila Glitter Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Bronzed Bell
For an eyeshadow palette that can truly do it all, turn to the classic Urban Decay Naked3 palette. This may be one of the most-used palettes in my collection because all of the highly pigmented shades blend beautifully together. Riner also counts herself a fan. "It's one of my go-to palettes because it provides depth and dimension with a variety of shades," she says. "It offers a versatile range of wearable shades, ranging from light pinks and lilacs to deep, cool taupes, all in one convenient place."
Pros: Highly pigmented; Includes a mix of shimmery, metallic, and matte shades; Long-wearing; Blendable; Applies smoothly; Includes 12 shades; Comes with a dual-sided brush.
Cons: A few colors are very similar to each other.
For those on a budget, this rosy palette is perfect. For only six dollars, you get eight versatile shades in different finishes. Plus, it comes makeup artist-approved. "All of the shades have a red/rose undertone, so the palette will be absolutely perfect on green eyes," says Gray. "This palette is perfect for day-to-day wear and is also vegan, cruelty-free, and pigmented."
Pros: Under $10; Highly pigmented; Blendable; Long-wearing; Vegan; Non-creasing; Vegan; Cruelty-free.
Cons: Only available online.
This palette is so versatile that you may never need to buy another eyeshadow palette again. "This palette features both matte and shimmers, with two cream shadows as well," Gray explains. "Like the Electric Rose palette, all of these shadows are rose-colored, so they pair stunningly with green eyes." With this palette, any look you can think of is possible, and rest assured you'll use every single shade.
Pros: Blendable; Includes a mix of shimmery, metallic, and matte shades; Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Vegan; Includes 12 shades.
Cons: Over $50 (more expensive than most competitors).
This eyeshadow stick is a personal favorite to make my green eyes pop in an instant. Amethyst Aphrodisiac is specially formulated with green eyes in mind and leaves the prettiest sparkling purple behind. Because I'm admittedly not great at applying eyeshadow, sticks like these make the job so much easier. For a quick going-out look, I use the pointed tip as eyeliner and when I'm really feeling risqué, I'll smudge it out with my finger for a painless smokey eye.
Pros: Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Waterproof; Blendable.
Cons: Over $25; May smear on oily eyelids.
Oquendo says bronze and copper tones make the blue bits pop in algae-colored eyes. For a gorgeous bronze eye in seconds, we recommend this liquid shadow from Stila, one of our favorite glitter eyeshadows. With the thin doe-foot applicator, applying this shiny bronze as a liner is a breeze. Turn the applicator on its side for all-over color. Although it's a liquid formula, this shadow applies smoothly and won't feel heavy on your lids.
Pros: Long-wearing; Applies smoothly; Multi-use; Buildable.
Cons: Need a lot of product to build up to full coverage.
Also Recommended
"A classic plum brings out both the brown and green in hazel eyes. I love to use this as a liner or an eyeshadow base," says Oquendo. Not only can you use this multi-use eyeshadow stick as a liner or eyeshadow, but since it's ophthalmologist-tested, feel free to apply it in your waterline, too. Smudge it out with the built-in sponge for a foolproof smokey eye. It even includes a built-in sharpener for extra precise lines every time.
Pros: Multi-use; Waterproof; Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested; Comes with sharpener and smudge sponge; Highly pigmented; Glides on easily.
Cons: Tip is prone to breaking off.
If your eyes have a silver tint to them, Oquendo suggests lightening things up. "If there's a little gray in them, try using a mauve or rosy-toned purple shade to compliment both the gray and green." MAC's eyeshadow is basically everything you could want in a pressed powder. It's long-wearing, easy to blend, and delivers high-impact color. The satin finish of this rosy-brown shade is perfect for those torn between matte and shimmery textures.
Pros: Long-wearing; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Can be used dry or wet; Non-creasing; Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested.
Cons: Some reviewers complain the colors do not exactly match the product description online.
Don't be afraid to try red shades if you have green eyes. While this burgundy shade looks deep and dark in the bottle, it's not nearly as bold when applied to the eyes. This cream-to-powder shadow applies silky smooth and dries matte for a lasting finish. Swipe it on for a quick wash or color or build it up for something more vivid. If you're feeling experimental, Riner recommends pairing this shadow with burgundy mascara for a bold, monochromatic look.
Pros: Long-wearing; Non-creasing; Applies smoothly; Buildable color.
Cons: Over $25.
I am obsessed with this palette because every single gorgeous shade seems to be tailor-made for green eyes. From rose tones and deep purples to warm metallics and matte browns, each shade complements my green eyes. I love how each shade is super pigmented and blends so well. With a mix of different finishes and color stories, I can create a variety of looks for day and night. Plus, the sizes of the pans are surprisingly big, so this palette will last.
Pros: Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable; Includes a mix of shimmery, metallic, and matte shades; Applies smoothly; Vegan; Dermatologist tested; Includes a mirror.
Cons: Packaging breaks easily.
Meet the Experts
Tonya Riner is a beauty expert and makeup artist with thirty years of experience in the industry.
Tonya’s work has been featured prominently in the media, including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Paper City among other publications and destinations and Allure Magazine has named her one of the best makeup artists in the United States. Her long list of celebrity and bold print clients includes Kate Upton, Simone Biles, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson, and Annie Leibovitz.
Emily prides herself on a balanced skill set of bold glamour, flawless editorial, and clean natural looks. However, her true gift is making her clients realize their most beautiful selves while simultaneously putting them at ease with the entire process. Emily's background studying classic art combined with her relentless quest for staying current with the freshest styles and latest techniques makes her the celebrated artist she has become. Emily splits most of her time between Nashville, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Some of her clientele include Kristin Cavallari, Maren Morris, Lily Aldridge, and Leann Rimes,
Vincent Oquendo is a globally recognized makeup artist, known for his bold aesthetic and creative vision. A “make-up maestro,” according to ELLE, Vincent’s red carpet clients include Lily Collins, Janelle Monae, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Hailey Bieber, Diane Kruger, and Jessica Biel. Vincent emulates Old-Hollywood glamour with a dash of modern flare. In addition to the red carpet, Vincent works with photographers such as Alexei Hay, Zoey Grossman, Miguel Reveriego, and Ben Watts, and his work has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, W, and more. Vincent is the Brand Ambassador for LUMIFY Eye Drops.
