Having one of those lazy days but want a bit of color on the eyes? Neutral eyeshadow is your best bet and below are the top 5 colors I always reach for.
#1 NARS Brousse Duo Eyeshadow ($33)
This soft, shimmery earthy brown from the NARS Holiday 2009 Collection is not only great as a wash on the lid, but can also be used to fill in the eyebrows. Plus the duo comes with an equally gorgeous plum so you can smoke things up in an instant.
Swatches and more pictures here.
#2 MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow ($14.50)
Described as a “taupe with silver shimmer”, I have been wearing and loving this gorgeous color since 2002. I love that it is light enough for day but you can instantly dial up the drama by going heavier with the liner and mascara .
#3 NYX Iced Mocha Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.50)
Pencils are always a fast and easy way to add color to your eyes and Iced Mocha is a shimmery cool taupe that I love using on my lower lashline. It gives my eyes that extra pop without the harshness of black liner.
Swatches and more pictures here.
#4 Bobbi Brown Stone Long-wear Cream Shadow ($22)
This fool-proof brownish taupe goes on like a cream but dries off to a matte finish that will stay on all day without creasing or fading. Perfect as a shadow and a base!
#5 Pixi Softly Smoky Eyes Palette ($9.99)
This limited-edition palette from the Pixi Holiday 2009 Collection contains a variety of shimmery warm-toned beiges and browns and is still one of my favorites to create a quick, easy look. If you missed out on the palette, fret not! Pixi always comes out with neutral sets during the holiday season so just keep an eye out for them at Target.
Swatches and more pictures here.
What are some of your must-have neutral eyeshadows? Tell us!
06/19/2011 at 8:43 pm
Love advice like this! Can you do a similar post on colors for blue eyes?
06/19/2011 at 9:31 pm
These colors will actually work very nicely on other eye colors too but I will do a separate entry on eyeshadows for blue eyes =)
06/19/2011 at 9:09 pm
I’ve been in the mood for browns. Great post.
06/19/2011 at 9:31 pm
Thanks Susan! Care to share some of your favorites?
06/19/2011 at 10:41 pm
My favorite brown eyeshadows are NARS Kalahari eyeshadow duo, NARS Galapagos, Blondie and Bengali
06/19/2011 at 11:06 pm
ALL NARS!!!! Why am I not surprised? =p
06/20/2011 at 3:32 am
Hi Phyllis!
I have brown eyes too, and I’ve been using Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Mystic Eyes a lot lately. I have a post on it here:
http://anartechoke.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/on-chanels-mystic-eyes-and-bedazzled-nights/
I would love to get me some NARS duos as well, as I only have the Heaven duo but they’re on the light side.
PS. You do the best brown-neutral eye makeup!
06/20/2011 at 6:35 pm
Omg that Chanel quad is GORGEOUS! I miss the cute little domes =(
06/21/2011 at 3:14 pm
Ooh I have so many:
Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour quad in Coffee Bean
Dior Incognito palette – barely there, sophisticated shimmers with beige, pink, brown, grey and a shimmery highlight. <3
Nars Cordura duo – bought partly based on your lovely smokey eye tutorial!
Shu Uemura IR Orange 200 – a true wash of golden shimmers which flatters Asian eye shapes, perfect even for day and can be smoked up with other colours (ooh I'm thinking Cordura…)
Sleek Storm Palette – great quality and super flattering shades for brown eyes
09/30/2011 at 5:07 pm
Wow this is amazing.