“Eyemaxxing” Is the Easiest Way to Make Your Eye Color Pop
Eyemaxxing is putting color theory to work for your eyes. These are the eyeshadow, eyeliner, and makeup shades that can bring out the color you already have.
You know when someone’s eyes suddenly look so much prettier, and you can’t quite figure out why? Chances are, it has less to do with a complicated makeup technique and more to do with the colors sitting around them.
That’s the idea behind eyemaxxing, the beauty trend built around using color theory to bring out your natural eye color. Think copper against blue eyes, plum around green eyes, or a flash of olive to pull out the greener tones in hazel eyes. The makeup itself doesn’t have to be dramatic, sometimes it’s one swipe of eyeliner that makes the difference.
And that’s what makes eyemaxxing worth paying attention to. Instead of asking which makeup look is trending, you’re asking a much better question: which colors actually make my eyes look their best?
What Is Eyemaxxing?
Eyemaxxing is a beauty trend centered around making your eyes stand out by choosing colors that complement and emphasize their natural color.
That can mean eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, jewelry, or even the colors you wear. The idea isn’t to change your eyes, it’s to use contrast and color theory to make what you already have more noticeable.
The best part? There isn’t one universal eyemaxxing color. What makes brown eyes stand out can have the opposite effect on blue eyes, which is why knowing your starting point makes choosing makeup much easier.
Eyemaxxing for Brown Eyes
1. Bronze
If you’re only going to try one shade, make it bronze.
A softly metallic bronze across the lid catches the light and brings warmth into brown eyes without requiring a complicated eye look. I especially like it with brown eyeliner rather than black because the finished makeup feels softer while the eyes still get plenty of definition.
2. Plum
Plum is one of those shades that looks slightly intimidating in the palette and surprisingly pretty once it’s actually on your eyes.
Try a muted plum through the crease or smudged along the lash line when you want your brown eyes to look deeper. If bright purple feels like too much of a commitment, start with a brown-plum shade.
3. Emerald Green
This is the choice for when you’re bored of doing the same brown-and-gold eye every day.
If you usually reach for bronze and brown whenever you do your eye makeup, emerald is the color to try when you want to shake things up. For an easy version, sweep a deep emerald eyeshadow across the lid, keeping the edges softly blended into a warm brown crease.
Eyemaxxing for Hazel Eyes
4. Black Eyeliner
Sometimes the best eyemaxxing move is going back to a classic. Black eyeliner creates enough contrast to make the different tones in hazel eyes stand out, especially when your eyes shift between brown, green, and gold depending on the light.
Try a thin line along your upper lashes, then smudge the outer corner slightly so it doesn’t look too precise.
5. Burgundy
Burgundy is the shade I’d save for when you want someone to ask what you’re wearing differently.
A burgundy liner or softly blended shadow creates contrast against the green in hazel eyes. It doesn’t have to look dramatic, either a thin line close to the lashes is enough to see the effect.
6. Purple
Purple brings out the little green and golden details that can get lost in hazel eyes.
Plum and eggplant are especially easy to wear because they have enough depth to define the eyes while still letting those lighter flecks show through.
Eyemaxxing for Green Eyes
7. Blue
If your usual black liner is starting to feel predictable, blue is an easy switch.
For the full effect, keep the lid bare or use a soft neutral shadow, then draw the blue along the upper lash line and flick it slightly at the outer corner.
8. Copper
Copper gives green eyes a completely different effect.
Instead of creating cool contrast, it brings warmth around the eye and makes the green look particularly vivid. Try a copper shimmer on the lid with a matte brown through the crease if you want something that works for both daytime and evening.
9. Burgundy
Burgundy is basically the moodier cousin of plum.
It works beautifully as eyeliner, especially when black liner feels too predictable. Smudge it slightly at the outer corner and pair it with mascara for a very easy eye-maxxing look.
Eyemaxxing for Blue Eyes
10. Terracotta
Terracotta is one of those colors that looks surprisingly good on almost everyone, but blue eyes get an especially good moment from it.
Sweep a muted terracotta through the crease and keep the lid slightly lighter. The warm orange undertone creates contrast that makes the blue look clearer.
11. Yellow
Yellow might not be the first shade you reach for with blue eyes, which is exactly why it can be so striking.
For something wearable, blend a muted yellow over the lid with a little warm brown through the crease. If you want the color to really lead the look, keep the liner minimal and let the yellow take up the space.
12. Chocolate Brown
Don’t underestimate brown eyeliner.
A chocolate brown pencil close to the lashes gives blue eyes definition while keeping the overall look soft. It’s also much easier to wear during the day than a heavy black line.
