Add Instant Dimension to Hazel Eyes With This No-Brainer Color Theory Trick

M.A.C. Cosmetics has made its way back to the front of my makeup vanity, and this eyeshadow palette is one of the primary reasons why. It's a gorgeous mix of warm-toned shades that are universally flattering, but especially for people with hazel eyes. Plus, the packaging is so compact, I can't believe that they somehow fit 12 full-sized eyeshadows in there.

Number of Shades: 12

What I Love: Multiple shade options; Compact packaging

What I Don’t: Experienced fallout with a few shades

Review for MC: "I remember when M.A.C. eyeshadows were all the rage, but for me, that era never fully ended. This is why the Connect in Colour palette in Future Flame was at the forefront of my mind when I was ideating the best eyeshadows for hazel eyes. It has everything from reds to oranges and even brows, to highlight the various colors that can be present in the unique eye color." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

If you're looking for the perfect eyeshadow palette for hazel eyes, the marvelous Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XII Eyeshadow Palette should top your list. This versatile option has everything hazel eyes would ever need, with the shimmery shades adding flecks of bronze and purple to your already gold-flecked eyes and the matte shades offering a touch of unexpected depth. I promise that the second you try this richly pigmented formula, you'll know exactly why it's a winner. (P.S.—If you're looking for a smaller palette, the brand's Celestial Divinity Eyeshadow Palette is also fabulous. It even includes a denim blue shade to make the brown elements of your eyes pop.)

Number of Shades: 10

What I Love: Highly pigmented; Blendable; Long-wearing; Includes a mix of finishes; Smooth application

What I Don't: Most expensive option on this list

Review for MC: " Pat McGrath's Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes are the crème de la crème of eye makeup. Enthusiasts like myself collect them for fun, but if you want an eyeshadow palette for hazel eyes that truly has buttery mattes and shimmer that almost seems to jump off of your eyelids, this is the one you need to pick up. They're a little pricy, but when you find your signature colorway, it will become your new workhorse palette pretty much immediately." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

While this is technically a product for the face, I believe that all makeup is simply pigment suspended in different application avenues. That being said, this duo from Isamaya Beauty is an editorial dream that will give you runway-worthy eyes in minutes. A clear highlighting balm and pigmented cream are housed in a compact for on-the-go application, so if you're a lover of easy, "I don't have to think too hard" makeup, this one is for you.

Number of Shades: One per compact, eight options in the full line

What I Love: Unique colors that can be used all over the face; Small compact for easy storage

What I Don’t: Colors online tend to be darker than in person, so swatch in store before deciding

Review for MC: "Isamaya Ffrench is an artistic genius, so when she announced that her eponymous makeup brand was coming to Sephora, my soul rejoiced. Since the launch, I've fallen head-over-heels for these skin duos, which feature two creams that will give you flushed, dewy skin. While testing them, I applied a few of the shades to my eyes, and they immediately became my on-the-go hack for looking like I put in much more effort than I actually do on a regular basis. The colors are perfect for adding a bit of something to the lids without feeling like you're doing too much, so if you have hazel eyes, I implore you to pick up the fig color way. You won't regret it." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

All that glitters...looks positively gorgeous on hazel eyes. While Danessa Myricks has plenty of fitting eyeshadow products in her lineup (celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz loves her Blooming Romance Palette for hazel eyes that lean green), this is the product to reach for if you're looking for a little extra fun. The self-setting, water-based gel formula features suspended multicolored, multi-chrome flakes that adhere to your eyes without the need for a mixing medium or adhesive. The blood-orange hot lava shade is particularly stunning and can be used on top of your other eyeshadow to add some extra pizzazz.

Number of Shades: One per pot, 15 available in the full line

What I Love: Innovative formula; Smooth application; Transfer-proof; Dries down quickly

What I Don't: Be sure to tighten the lid because the product dries out very easily

Review for MC: "When I first got my hands on these glitters, I recall tears genuinely welling up in my eyes—they were that beautiful. The formula is this unique chrome-suspended-in-gel formula that creates a duochromatic shift on the eyelid that is truly like nothing else on the market. The color hot lava would work best for hazel eyes due to its warm-toned properties, but regardless, you need at least one of these in your eyeshadow collection at all times." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

If E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla is traveling, she's bringing this palette with her. "The tones are all quite warm and rosy, so they make my green-hazel eyes pop without looking too pink. The matte purple-brown shade is a specific favorite for blending out my liner, and the darkest shade, a warm brown-black called 'truffle' is a touch softer than the other black shades in my collection," she explains. "'Shimmering pearl is also great as topper across the center of my lid or in the inner corner."

Number of Shades: 16

What I Love: Includes a mix of shimmery, metallic, and matte shades; Can create full eye-looks using each quad; Blendable

What I Don't: Can be hard to find

Review for MC: "If you're looking for an easy palette that provides a variety of flattering options for hazel eyes, you've found it in this one from Too Faced. I like to think of it as four eyeshadow quads in one palette, so if you want to stick to a certain color story for the day, build out your look using the combinations of shimmers and mattes in that specific section of the palette. For a powder palette, it doesn't get much easier than this." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. This eight-pan palette is just $6, but the best part is that it comes recommended by makeup artist Emily Gray. "There are these beautiful blue-grey shadows that would be perfect for enhancing the brown tones in hazel eyes, and also this red shadow is perfect for enhancing the green," she says. "All of these shadows are matte, long-lasting, and easy to blend." A pro-approved eyeshadow palette for less than your Starbucks order is a total win, in my opinion. While the original "Dusty Matte" version has been discontinued, the new "Cozy Earth" color way is extremely similar and will give you practically the same results as its predecessor.

Number of Shades: Eight

What I Love: Under $10; Vegan

What I Don't: Only available online

Customer Review: "Good for cool-toned skin. The formula is excellent with no fallout." — Catrice

If your hazel peepers lean more on the side of brown than green, blue eyeshadow is going to be incredibly flattering on you. This mini palette from Revlon has all of the colors you need to make the brown in your eyes pop like crazy. Coming in at under $7 with over 10,000 five-star reviews, this is a great pick for those on a budget. Reviewers say these shades are smooth and saturated, plus they last well over eight hours. What's not to love? 

Number of Shades: Four

What I Love: Under $7; Travel-friendly

What I Don't: Some shades have fallout

Customer Review: "The colors are very nice, and the product is affordable on Amazon, especially with the subscription." — Amazon

"On days when I’m not in the mood to put on a ton of eyeshadow, I reach for this Glossier Lidstar in Fawn," says Marzovilla. "It’s great because the color is so sheer, but it leaves behind just a hint of the mauve tone. I also use it as a base underneath other glittery eyeshadows, or on its own for a laidback sparkly look."

Number of Shades: One per tube, eight total in the full line

What I Love: Easy to use on the go

What I Don't: You may need several layers for opaque color

Customer Review: "I love this product! This is my go-to when I know I’m going to be outside all day and I don’t want to have to worry about it creasing or moving on me. I don’t even have to wear a primer under it." — Sephora

Ilia's cream-to-powder eyeshadow tints are so good, and the sage green shade Hatch, which features soft gold pearlescent elements, is especially lovely for hazel eyes. Named one of Marie Claire's best liquid eyeshadows (we love this one for layering!), it dries down to a crease-resistant finish and is oh so easy to apply. Simply sweep on, blend, and off you go.

Number of Shades: One per tube, 12 total in the line

What I Love: Easy to use; Doesn't crease; Oil-free; Approved by both editors and makeup artists

What I Don't: Some customers report it dries too quickly; Fades throughout the day

Customer Review: "I have several ILIA Liquid Powder eye shadows and tried Aster, a pretty lavender matte color which is lovely for my medium light skin tone, dark hair, and green eyes. It has a smooth application and does not wear off, smudge, or irritate my eyes. I like it!" — Ulta

Rihanna has some of the most famous hazel eyes out there, so it's no surprise that her beauty brand is full of products suited for the shade. Loiz is a fan of the Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner in the aptly named "Purple Stuff" (paired with Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerize in Pillow Talk!) for her clients with hazel eyes that lean more golden. "For golden hazel eyes, I choose shadows with purples and pinks, as purple complements yellow," she notes.

Number of shades: 14 in the full line

What I Love: Expert-approved; Creamy formula; Long-lasting; Triangular shape makes it easy to apply

What I Don't: The product dries out very easily

Customer Review: "When I used the eyeliner for the first time, I was in love!! It glides on smoothly and evenly. The color is amazing, but light. I will definitely purchase again!" — Sephora

"For brown hazel eyes, I prefer using bronze shades to enhance the lighter brown tones," explains Loiz. She specifically recommends this (very affordable!) palette from Juvia's Place, which features six rich shades of tan, auburn, and rich dark chocolate.

Number of Shades: Six

What I Love: Super affordable; Extremely pigmented; Features all the bronze-y/brown shades you could want

What I Don't: Some find the shades too dark

Customer Review: "I love this eyeshadow palette by Juvia Place. It just works well for me, looks very natural, and the pigment is very vivid, and it goes on so beautifully. I recommend this eyeshadow palette and I always will give it 10 stars." — Ulta

As Gray explained, red is the color to reach for if you want to bring out the green in your hazel eyes. The hue might be on the bolder side for some, so we suggest going for a one-dimensional swipe of color to test the waters. This formula from L'Oréal is a great way to gauge your reaction to the shade. These cream-to-powder shadows feel silky smooth and boast waterproof, crease-proof, and (intense) long-wearing powers. 

Number of Shades: One

What I Love: Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Waterproof; Non-creasing; Applies smoothly

What I Don't: Only available in shimmery and metallic finishes

Customer Reviews: "This is the best eye shadow on the market. Looks good on everyone and is easy to put on. It actually moves with the brush when applying. Lasts an entire day." — Amazon

Marzovilla used to steal this from her mom’s makeup bag when she was a teenager, and is now happy to report it lives in her own collection. "The payoff is intense but is also equally creamy, and the pencil applicator makes it a dream to keep in my bag to amp up my daytime makeup before drinks," she says. "I often treat it as a liner when I want a rougher, blended-out look that’s not so precise."

Number of Shades: 15 in the full line

What I Love: Product offered in over 10 shades and three finishes; Creates a full eye look in just a few minutes

What I Don't: Some colors appear a bit darker online than in person

Customer Review: "Very beautiful color. Love cream eyeshadows, and this one didn't disappoint. Stayed on all day and didn't smudge or transfer. I love Laura Mercier's products, everything I've tried from this brand has been amazing I highly recommend them to anyone." — Sephora

"From my experience, the key to enhancing hazel eyes lies in choosing shades that complement and bring out their natural complexity," explains Puckey. While you really can't go wrong with any of the color options here, Puckey suggests you go for rich, earthy tones, like in the colorway "Starlight Splendor," if you want to make your eyes' gold flecks pop. "The greens in Sea Grass can beautifully enhance the green tones in hazel eyes," he adds, noting that the purples in purple ocean twilight will also do the trick. And if you want something that highlights your eyes' warmth overall? Go for the coral reef palette, full of warm browns and taupes.

Number of Shades: Four

What I Love: Rich formula; Infused with skincare ingredients

What I Don't: Compact case is sold separately

Customer Review: "Best eye shadow on the market! I especially like it as it's not too glittery, goes on so smoothly, and comes with a primer color. I would totally recommend, and for a more mature eye, looks amazing, but a young eye that wants a timeless look would be perfect!" — Cle de Peau

Words can not do justice for the love I have for these eyeshadows. On one side, you have an ultra-creamy shadow stick that feels like butter against the lid. I tend to have oily eyelids, and these sticks last all day and night without creasing—a major win in my book. However, the real fun with these sticks lies on the other side: a liquid topper that adds extra sparkle to your look. It's the perfect formula for getting that "wet" look without ending up as a sticky mess. This pretty pink shade will look so good with shades of green eyes. 

Number of Shades: Six in the full line

What I Love: 2-in-1 formula; Colors look good across skin types and shades

What I Don't: Only available with a shimmery finish

Customer Review: "These are beautiful cream/liquid eyeshadows. They have great colors, stay on all day, and I like the way it fits into my purse. One of my faves. I have all the colors." — Sephora

If your eyes are green hazel, Loiz says you should reach for bronze shades with a red undertone. This single NARS shadow, a bright metallic rust, might be the only color you ever need. A longtime favorite, these shadows go on smoothly and don't crease. What else could you wish for?

Number of Shades: Six

What I Love: Beloved industry-acclaimed formula; strong pigment

What I Don't: If you want a less monochrome look, you'll have to buy more colors

Customer Review: "High-quality shadow that is smooth and does not clump." — Nars

"I love this eyeshadow because it is, as the name might suggest, SO pretty on my eyes," notes Marzovilla. "Taupe-y shades like this are a softer way to get that purple-y tone without going full plum, and the formula is so creamy and pigmented I thought it was a cream-powder hybrid when I first tried it on. I wear it whenever I want something that’s fun and easy but looks like I spent a lot of time blending."

Number of Shades: 16

What I Love: Easy-to-wear colors that feel approachable for beginners

What I Don't: Packaging can feel cheap

Customer Review: "It literally is the BEST! Love the colour, easy to use though can crease, so apply a base beforehand." — Jones Road Beauty