Every spring, you can count on a plethora of pastels, bright, punchy pinks and cool, ocean hues to show up in new makeup lines. This spring, though, there’s a more surprising color thrown into the mix: green. From forest and olive to aqua and even muted chartreuse, you’re going to want to put green lids on your makeup to-do list this season.
“Green eyeshadow flatters all eye colors, especially brown or dark eyes, but can look great on any eye color,” says Janell Geason, Aveda Global Artistic Director for Makeup. You just need to choose the right shade. Even those kooky lime and melon hues can be flattering if you apply them the right way and consider how it ties in with the rest of your makeup. “Keep the rest of the face neutral with warm peaches or bronze nudes,” Geason advises.
Not only is it big for spring, but green is a flattering color that can be worn year round. Click through to find out which shades match best with your eye color and get application tips so you can start rocking these gorgeous greens.
QUIZ: Find the Best Makeup Colors for Your Eyes
1Brown Eyes
Brown-eyed girls look great in greens. “Choose blue green to bring out the warm amber tones of brown,” Geason says. Apply a rich blue green right along the lashline to add a pop of color and instantly brighten up your eyes.
Try: Aveda Petal Essence Eye Color Single in Aquamarine, $25, Aveda Petal Essence Eye Color Single in Seafoam, $25
2Amber Eyes
The contrast of a blue-green shadow against the golden flecks in amber eyes will bring out the bright hues and make them shine even brighter.
3Blue Eyes
Baby blues are incredibly versatile when it comes to which greens look best. “I like forest greens to pop blue eyes and warm gold greens for contrast,” Geason says. For a simple and powerful burst of color, apply right along the lash line, or apply and fade upwards to create a bright variation of a smoky eye.
Try: Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Sudachi, $25, Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Moss, $25
4Green Eyes
Choose a green that contrasts with the flecks of color in your eyes. Basically, a shade that’s the opposite of your eyes: “Lighter green eyes look great with deeper green shadows and darker green eyes look great with lighter green shadows,” Geason notes.
Try: Almay Shadow Softies by Intense I-Color in Honeydew, $5 (for dark green eyes), L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow in Gilded Envy, $7 (for light green eyes)
5Gray Eyes
Lucky you! Gray eyes can rock mostly any shade, since they’re a neutral color that pairs well with both warm and cool hues. Experiment with both to find your favorite look.
Try: CoverGirl Bombshell Shine Shadow in Color Me Money, $7, Dr. Haushka Eyeshadow Duo 08, $30
6Hazel Eyes
The subtle green and gold flecks in your eyes make it so you can really play around with colors that’ll make them shine. To achieve a more natural look, Geason suggests sticking to warm, earthy greens.
Try: Flower Eyes on the Prize Eyeshadow Chubby in Olive My Love, $8, Pixi by Petra Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Emerald Gold, $12
