All about eyes…Should you match your eye makeup with your clothes

One of the questions I am often asked as a makeup artist is ” I am wearing a blue (insert color) dress what color eye makeup should I wear?” I usually follow that question with a question such as “What kind of dress is it? and what is the occasion?” Maybe you are wearing a retro Hollywood glamour dress in which case maybe a black liquid liner with a kitten flick at the end would be best or your dress is a little bit rock and roll and smudgy black eyeliner would look best. The point is that no matter what color your dress is, it might be best to first decide what look you are going for. Vixen? liquid liner and red lips. Ingenue? Pale shimmery shadow and flushed cheeks. Classic? a smokey eye. There are no rules really, it’s about a whole makeup look. If your dress is a real statement piece maybe you don’t need much makeup at all. Put the dress on and look in the mirror and decide if your face needs some color, or does it make you just gorgeous naturally.

As for color you probably wouldn’t want to match it to your dress, unless you are wearing black, gray or neutrals in which case that would be perfectly fine to match your eye makeup since those colors are basics anyway.

EYE MAKEUP COLORS BASIC GUIDELINES

Neutral colored eyeshadows such as browns, taupes, beige and pinky beiges are perfect for defining your eyes. It doesn’t add any color really but can enhance the shape of your eyes.

Blacks and grays are perfect for a smokey eye. Although you can do a smokey eye with many colors like prunes and plums or golds and browns.

Bright colors work well to add a pop of color. For example lining the bottom lashes in a green or blue or purple is a modern way to add color.Try lining just the lower waterline for a hint of color.

Metallics also work by giving a subtle hint of shimmer to catch the light in your eyes. Try a metallic liner on the top lash line or a touch of silver in the center of the lid after perfecting your smokey eye.

TO ENHANCE THE COLOR OF YOUR EYES

Still not sure what eyeshadow color to wear? Think back to art class when you learned about the color wheel. Complementary colors are the colors that are on the opposite side of the color wheel. These colors give the most contrast, which will bring out the color of your eyes. Let’s face it, blue eyeshadow on blue eyes isn’t going to do much to enhance the color. But imagine your lid bathed in a gold or copper hue and your baby blues will really pop!

Use this handy chart above if you need help deciding. And remember, lucky brown-eyed girls can choose any shade.

BLUE EYES: golds, copper, golden brown and peach really bring out the blue.

GREEN EYES: purples, plums, mauve, eggplant or even red, as they are complementary colors. (they are on the opposite side of the color wheel) really make green eyes pop.

HAZEL EYES: Blues if you want to bring out the yellow flecks and purples, plums and mauves to bring out the green flecks.

BROWN EYES: Blues especially navy, plums and purples, green and browns.