Makeup Artists Love These Ultra-Dimensional Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes
Emphasize green, gold, and brown flecks.
If you’ve ever stared into a pair of hazel eyes, I'm willing to bet you were entranced—they're nothing short of mesmerizing. Just look to celebrities like Rihanna, Zendaya, and Kristen Stewart for proof of their hypnotic power. If accentuating your gorgeous green-brown eye color is at the top of your beauty to-do list, I know just the place to start: Your eyeshadow collection. The best part? Eyeshadows for hazel eyes offer a wide range of color options to choose from and play with.
"I love applying makeup to hazel eyes because they never fail to captivate me. Their unique blend of green, brown, and gold hues shifts and sparkles with different lighting and surroundings," says international makeup artist Benjamin Puckey. "The multifaceted nature of hazel eyes makes them look different depending on the context—sometimes more green, other times more brown, with flecks of gold catching the light. It's like having a built-in chameleon effect, giving hazel eyes a captivating versatility."
With a range of flattering hues at their disposal, those with hazel eyes have the unique ability to accentuate the various shades of their eyes. That being said, in a market that feels, well, quite saturated, it can be hard to know where to start on your journey to finding the eyeshadow formulas and shades that work best for your unique features and taste. Below, you’ll find the best eyeshadows for hazel eyes, as recommended by some of the industry's leading beauty experts. Whether you prefer drugstore eyeshadows or luxury gems, cream shadows or eyeshadow palettes, we’ve got you covered. Grab your eyeshadow primer and let's get to work.
Best Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes
- The Best Eyeshadow for Hazel Eyes Overall: MAC Connect in Colour Eye Shadow Palette Future Flame
- Best Luxury Eyeshadow Palette for Hazel Eyes: Pat McGrath Mothership XII Eyeshadow Palette: Petalmorphosis
- The Best Cream Eyeshadow for Hazel Eyes: Isamaya Skin Enhancing Duo
- The Best Glittery Eyeshadow for Hazel Eyes: Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes
- The Best Warm-Toned Eyeshadow Palette for Hazel Eyes: Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
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
Ariel Baker testing MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Future Flame.
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
Ariel Baker testing Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XII Petalmorphosis Eyeshadow Palette.
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
Ariel Baker testing Isamaya Skin Enhancing Duo.
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
Ariel Baker testing Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes Multichrome Gel for Eyes & Face in Hot Lava.
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
Ariel Baker testing Too Faced Born This Way the Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.
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 Kulfi is a great way to gauge your reaction to the shade. The cranberry red is accented by flecks of gold to further accentuate your hazel eyes.
Number of Shades: Eight
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: "I’ve been absolutely loving this eyeshadow in the shade Auburn Aura. This warm, rich auburn hue adds the perfect touch of depth and elegance to my eyes—it’s like a sunset glow in a pot. The texture is buttery-smooth and blends effortlessly with just a fingertip or brush, making it ideal for quick everyday looks or glam moments. What really impressed me is how crease-proof and long-wearing the formula is. It stays put all day without fading or smudging, even on my combination eyelids" — Sephora
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
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 "Purp-A-Trader" 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
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 NARS single eyeshadow 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: Seven
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
What to Look For in Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes
- Formula
Puckey has found that (always highly pigmented!) satin and shimmer shades are the most complementary for hazel eyes. A long-lasting formula that blends easily is also essential.
"When choosing eyeshadow, it's all about the right texture, formula, and finish," he notes. "Matte shadows are excellent for creating a natural look and defining the crease, while shimmer shadows add dimension and highlight to areas like the center of the lid or the inner corner of the eye."
- Texture
According to Loiz, the texture of eyeshadows should match your specific needs. "For oilier eyelids, matte textured shadows are ideal. A matte textured primer or cream-to-powder eyeshadow can be used to prep the eyelids and is suitable for everyone," she explains.
How to Apply Eyeshadow on Hazel Eyes
Do you need a bit more guidance than a product recommendation when doing your eye makeup? No problem—that's what the experts are here for. Puckey has a go-to eyeshadow look that he loves to create for clients with hazel eyes. Here's his methodology:
Primer: Start with the creamy ivory eye primer shade and apply it all over the lid and up to the brow bone to create a smooth canvas.
Lid: Apply a soft pink shade over the entire lid to create a subtle, flattering base.
Crease: Use a shimmering taupe shade in the crease to add depth, blending well to avoid harsh lines.
Outer Corner: Apply a deep plum shade to the outer corner of the eye and blend it into the crease for added dimension. Use this shade as a powder eyeliner along the upper lash line and the outer third of the lower lash line for extra definition.
Highlight: Use a shimmery ivory primer shade in the inner corner of the eye and just under the brow bone to highlight and open up the eyes.
Finish: Apply a brown eyeliner pencil along the upper lash line and finish with a few coats of mascara.
"This look is fantastic for hazel eyes because the soft pink and shimmering taupe shades enhance the green and gold flecks, while the deep plum adds a contrasting pop that makes the eyes stand out even more," he shares.
What Color Eyeshadow Looks Best With Hazel Eyes?
When it comes to understanding what shades look best with hazel eye colors, think back to the handy color-theory tip. "Here's an easy to remember guideline: Colors with red/violet tones bring out the green in eyes," says MAC Senior Artist, Victor Cembellin. "Colors with orangey warmth bring out the blue in eyes."
Since hazel eyes also typically encompass multiple colors, you can use certain shades to bring out the various hues in the eye. " Hazel eyes can have flecks of green, brown, gold, or amber. To bring out the green work with lavender, plum, burgundy, and deep greens," says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. "For the golden tones, bronze, copper, and warm golds, make them pop. For more brown-heavy eyes, warm browns and taupes are great to enhance that color."
Need something easier to remember? Consider this:
- To bring out the green, use red and rose-toned shadow colors.
- To bring out the brown, use blue shadow colors.
- To bring out the gold, use purple shadow colors.
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Meet the Experts
Benjamin Puckey is a New York-based makeup artist. Born in London and raised in Amsterdam, Puckey’s visionary talent grew from a lifelong love for fashion and art. Puckey’s conceptual approach to makeup has since launched his career into high fashion titles and leading designer brands around the world. Since his breakthrough fashion spread with W Magazine in 2011, Puckey’s work has appeared across international editions of numerous publications such as Vogue, Dazed, iD, W Magazine, Allure, and Harper’s Bazaar.
He has also worked with brands including Ralph Lauren, Versace, and Oscar de la Renta, as well as jewelry houses David Yurman and Van Cleef & Arpels. Puckey’s trademark approach to enhancing natural beauty and his pursuit of uncompromising quality resonates deeply with Clé de Peau Beauté, where he now serves as the brand’s Global Color Director.
Tonya Riner is a beauty expert and makeup artist with thirty years of experience in the industry.
Tonya’s work has been featured prominently in the media, including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Paper City among other publications and destinations and Allure Magazine has named her one of the best makeup artists in the United States. Her backstage work has included being a member of the renowned styling teams of Frederic Fekkai and Ted Gibson. Her long list of celebrity and bold print clients includes Kate Upton, Simone Biles, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson and Annie Leibovitz among others.
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
Her industry expertise and artistry are regularly tapped by the top fashion publications including InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Essence, EBONY, People, L’Officiel, Who What Wear, Vanity Fair, The Zoe Report, Allure, and featured on Saturday Night Live.
She is also known as the founder of Color May Vary—the ultimate guide to the best black-owned brands for beauty enthusiasts. After launching, Color May Vary was recognized by Ulta Beauty in an initiative to celebrate inspirational Black voices, and won a Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award.
Emily prides herself on a balanced skill set of bold glamour, flawless editorial, and clean natural looks. However, her true gift is making her clients realize their most beautiful selves while simultaneously putting them at ease with the entire process. Emily's background studying classic art combined with her relentless quest for staying current with the freshest styles and latest techniques makes her the celebrated artist she has become. Emily splits most of her time bouncing back and forth between Nashville, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Some of her clientele include Kristin Cavallari, Maren Morris, Lily Aldridge, and Leann Rimes,
Christian Briceno is a NYC-based celebrity and editorial makeup artist. He has worked on top shows including Schiaparelli, Chanel, and Jean Paul Gaultier and with celebrities including Storm Reid, Debi Mazar, Indya Moore and Coco Rocha.
Victor Cembellin is a Global Senior Makeup Artist with M.A.C Cosmetics.
