Want to make your blue, green, brown, or hazel eyes pop? There’s a super simple trick using the color wheel that can help you choose the perfect eyeshadow and eyeliner to make your eyes stand out!

Eye color is more than just genetics—it’s a fascinating blend of science, light, and perception. While brown eyes are the most common worldwide, many people are curious about their opposite. Is it blue? Green? Or something more complex? Knowing how eye color works scientifically can help us enjoy the beauty and individuality of our own features.

So, what is the opposite of brown eyes? In color theory, opposites sit across from each other on the color wheel, but eye color doesn’t work exactly the same way. Instead, it’s all about how light scatters in the iris. Lighter eyes, like blue or gray, have less melanin, while brown eyes have more.

This contrast creates the illusion of opposites, but in reality, every eye color is special in its own way. Let’s explore the science behind it and see what makes your eyes truly one of a kind!

This blog is a follow-up to a YouTube video I made about the color wheel, and I got a lot of great questions about opposite colors, complementary shades, and how they all work together.

How To Create Beautiful Eyes Using Color!

The key to making your eyes pop is understanding the magic of opposite colors on the color wheel. These “show-off colors” create contrast, making your eyes stand out beautifully. If you pick an eyeshadow that’s the opposite of your eye color, your eyes will look brighter and more vibrant.

A common mistake I see is women matching their eyeshadow to their eye color. But when you do this, you’re wearing what I call a shy color—a color that blends in so much that no one notices it. Instead of bringing attention to your eyes, it makes everything look flat.

That’s why using the color wheel is such a great trick, especially as we get older. The right colors can make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and more youthful. When someone looks at you and your eyes are glowing, it lifts your whole face!

And the best part? It’s such an easy change to make. You can instantly make your look more interesting by switching up your eyeliner or eyeshadow.

READ ALSO: Best Makeup Tips for Droopy Eyelids To Instantly Lift Your Aging Eyes

Understanding The Color Wheel

The color wheel isn’t just for makeup—you can use it every single day to put together outfits that make you shine! It works with both your makeup and your clothes, helping you choose colors that bring out your best features.

For example, if I wear a warm-toned purple top, the opposite color on the wheel is a yellow-green shade, leaning more toward green. Since these colors are opposites, they highlight each other beautifully, making both stand out.

To create a balanced, eye-catching look, I could wear a purple shirt and pair it with green jewelry. This simple trick makes your outfit feel more put together without any extra effort!

So whether you’re choosing an eyeshadow shade or picking out what to wear, the color wheel is an easy way to add a little extra pop to your look.

Working with the Color Wheel

The color wheel is a fundamental tool for selecting eyeshadow shades that complement your eye color. When you know how colors relate to each other on the color wheel, you can put them together in ways that look great and make your eyes pop. Here’s how to work with the color wheel:

Identify your eye color: First, determine whether you have brown, blue, green, hazel, or another eye color. Knowing your eye color is the first step in finding the perfect shades to enhance your natural beauty.

Find complementary colors: Look for colors that are directly opposite your eye color on the color wheel. These complementary colors will create a striking contrast and make your eyes stand out. For example, if you have blue eyes, shades of orange will make your blue eyes pop.

Choose shades within the same color family: Select eyeshadow shades that are within the same color family as your eye color. This will create a natural and harmonious look. For instance, if you have green eyes, you might choose shades of green and blue-green to enhance your eye color.

Experiment with different combinations: Don’t be afraid to try out different color combinations to find what works best for you. The color wheel is a great guide, but personal preference and creativity play a big role in finding the perfect look.

The color wheel makes it easy to find the right eyeshadow colors to make your eyes stand out and create stunning looks.

Eye Colors: Blue, Brown Green & Hazel

If you want to know what color eyeshadows and eyeliners can make your eyes pop, here’s a helpful guide:

Blue Eyes

Orange is the opposite color on the color wheel. However, some people find orange to be too bright, so here are some tips if you want to make your eyes pop without bright eyeshadow:

• Use the orange as an eyeliner and line below that eyeliner with a darker color, like a brown
• Use orange-toned eyeshadows, like gold or bronze

Brown Eyes

Blue is the opposite color on the color wheel. For light brown eyes, lighter blue shades work best and for darker brown eyes, navy blues will really make your eyes pop!

Green Eyes

Purple is the opposite color on the color wheel. Remember that you don’t always need to opt for a bright purple eyeshadow or eyeliner to make your green eyes pop! Use any purple-toned colors, like Burgundy, pink or mauve.

Hazel Eyes

Blue-violet is the opposite color on the color wheel. If you have hazel eyes, you have more versatility when it comes to making your eyes pop! Any color in the blue and violet spectrums like Burgundy and eggplant will work.

If you really want to make your eyes pop- which is a great thing, especially for aging women- wear the opposite color on the color wheel for your eye makeup.

Use this trick every single day and people will say, “Wow!” when they look at your eyes. Don’t forget to use the color wheel for your clothes, too! It’s such a fun way to experiment and look great at the same time.

How to Apply Eyeshadow to Make Your Eyes Pop

Applying eyeshadow can seem intimidating, but with a few simple tips, you can achieve a professional-looking finish. Here’s how to apply eyeshadow:

Prime your lids: Start by applying an eyeshadow primer or a light layer of foundation to your lids. This creates a smooth canvas for your eyeshadow and helps it stay in place all day.

Choose the right brushes: Select a range of eyeshadow brushes in different sizes and shapes to help you apply your eyeshadow with precision. A large fluffy brush is great for applying base color, while smaller brushes are perfect for adding detail and blending.

Apply base color: Use a large fluffy brush to apply a base color all over your lid, from lash to brow. This sets the stage for the rest of your eyeshadow and helps other colors blend more easily.

Add crease color: Use a smaller brush to apply a crease color to the outer corner of your eye, blending it upwards and outwards towards the browbone. This adds depth and dimension to your look.

Highlight your eyes: Use a small brush to apply a highlight color to the inner corners of your eye and to the browbone. This brightens your eyes and makes them appear larger and more awake.

After doing these steps, you will have a beautiful eyeshadow look that brings out the shape and color of your eyes.

Putting it All Together With The Color Wheel

Now that you’ve learned how to work with the color wheel and apply eyeshadow, it’s time to put it all together. Here’s how to create a stunning eyeshadow look:

Choose a color scheme: Select a color scheme that complements your eye color, using the color wheel as a guide. For example, if you have brown eyes, you might choose shades of blue to make your brown eyes pop.

Apply your eyeshadow: Follow the steps outlined above to apply your eyeshadow, using a range of brushes and techniques to create a natural-looking finish. Start with a base color, add a crease color, and finish with a highlight.

Contour and blend: Use contouring and blending techniques to create depth and dimension in your eyeshadow look. Blend the colors seamlessly to avoid harsh lines and create a smooth transition between shades.

Finish with a highlight: Apply a highlight color to the inner corners of your eye and to the browbone to create a bright and radiant finish. This final touch will make your eyes look bigger and more awake.

These steps will help you make a beautiful eyeshadow look that will make your eyes stand out. Remember to experiment with different color combinations and techniques to find what works best for you.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to create eye-catching looks that enhance your natural beauty.