The Eyeliner Colours To Suit You

True or false?

A good eyeliner is a black eyeliner.

Sorry to shake things up here, but it’s actually false. Okay, well, maybe not completely false, but it’s definitely not always true.

A black eyeliner may be a makeup kit staple for every woman in the universe, but it’s not necessarily the best one – for you anyway. See, when you factor in things like your skin tone, your eye colour, and your age, there could be many other eyeliner colours that’ll work much better for you and your features.

SKIN TONE

Fun fact: black eyeliner is actually considered too dark for those with very fair skin as it may enhance dark circles under your eyes and make you look much more tired and weathered.

Instead, those with fair skin should opt for dark browns, greys or moss greens to line their eyes. If you really don’t want to give up your black liner, make sure to apply it only to your top lash line.

Try:

COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Brown Blaze
e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick in Green/Moss
Max Factor Kohl Pencil in Charcoal Grey

If your skin is medium, olive or tanned (and sits on the warm side of the skin tone spectrum), then black actually is a great shade of eyeliner for you. You can also try shades like maroon and bronze. They’ll work wonderfully with your skin tone and help make your eyes pop.

Try:

Colour by TBN Wind-Up Pencil in Black
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Rust
L’Oreal Color Riche Crayon De Couleur in Smoky Taupe

For darker skin, shimmery metallics of gold or silver and bright, vibrant shades will work wonders. For an everyday liner look, try a royal blue or purple, and for something with a bit more sparkle, try a glittery silver.

Try:

Maybelline New York Color Show Crayon Kohl Liner in Beauty Blue
Australis Gelifeye Gel Eyeliner in Plum Punch
Bourjois Sparkling Eyeliner in Gris Ensorcelant

EYE COLOUR

If you’re one of the few million in the world with green eyes, then you’ll want to be on the look-out for purple, plum and even magenta eyeliners as they’ll complement your eyes best and do glorious things to really make the green in your eyes pop.

Try:

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Purple
Jane Iredale Mystikol in Amethyst
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Permaplum

For those with baby blues, you can try a dark or royal blue to work with the blue flecks in your peepers or opt for a shimmery metallic copper to really make your eyes stand out.

Try:

Face of Australia Eye Definer Pencil in Marine
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Scorch
Revlon PhotoReady Kajal™ Intense Eye Liner + Brightener in Blue Nile

Consider yourself pretty lucky (yes, lucky!) if you have brown eyes, because you can pretty much wear any eyeliner colour you desire. But if you really want to bring out the best in your eyes, try a bright teal. Khaki green and champagne shades will also look great on you.

Try:

Maybelline New York Color Show Crayon Kohl Liner in Turquoise Flash
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Sugar Frost, $39, 02 9663 4277
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Le Smokey in Antique Green

YOUR AGE

Unfortunately too much heavy black eyeliner is an absolute no-no for those who have noticed the skin around their eyes isn’t as taught and smooth as it used to be. The dark hue will add years to your eyes and enhance dark circles, crows feet and hooded lids.

Instead, opt for softer tones to line your eyes. Think: grey, navy and brown.

Try:

Natio Define Eye Pencil in Steel Grey
Bobbi Brown Perfectly Define Gel Eyeliner in Sapphire
Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Cosmic Brown

Do you ever choose your eyeliner colour based on your skin tone or eye colour? What’s your favourite eyeliner colour?

256 Member Comments

Shop A Everyday 10 Jun 2017 5:59 PM

How to find the right eyeliner for you

Must try eyes of Horus, about time to try some different brands

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sootyblack_14 9 Jun 2017 4:28 PM

Great tips!!!

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jillian206 8 Jun 2017 10:30 PM

I am using an espresso dark chocolate colour now. Don't think i will ever change.

softness 8 Jun 2017 5:33 PM

I'm enjoying the new Maybelline Skinny eyeliner lately!

Goddess..... 7 Jun 2017 11:47 PM

Black suits me but I mostly love the midnight blue the best it really brings my eye's out. I prefer eye pencils over all the rest & I love the smudge affect that I get from the eye liner's that I use.

Chicklet 7 Jun 2017 9:42 PM

Black is too harsh for me. I prefer a rich dark chocolate shade.

onlyoni 7 Jun 2017 9:13 PM

I am fair with green eyes so I always use purple or plum eyeliner which really make my green eyes pop.

Gilded 6 Jun 2017 11:02 PM

I love pencil, dark eye shadow and gel liners.

akira 6 Jun 2017 9:43 PM

I've never been a fan of black eyeliner as I find it too harsh- I do however love brown or bronze eyeliners! They definitely are not as harsh, yet still manage to enhance the eye.

june 6 Jun 2017 9:03 PM

A great article. I have always used black eye liner and now I will experiment with other colours as per your green eyes suggestions. But have to say I am quite happy with my results of using black eye liner. I have used a few of the recommended brands in this article with mixed results.

Petal 6 Jun 2017 8:39 PM

This article says "those with fair skin should opt for dark browns, greys or moss greens ". These shades are usually murky and they don't show up with my complexion and bring out my eyes (sometimes the right grey will work). I prefer aqua, navy, emerald green, cobalt blue, violet etc. I also wear black eyeliner, and shock, horror, I'm in my fifties.

Marion67 6 Jun 2017 7:21 PM

I have had trouble all my life with eyeliners. Pencils/crayons melt off me and I look like a raccoon and liquid eyeliners crack and flake off and I end up with little black bits in my eyes and black "frekles" around my eyes and cheeks. I would love to find one that would stay where I put it

Beautybabe140194 6 Jun 2017 2:36 PM

Great tips. I have green eyes and fair skin and I love to use different coloured eyeliners and also brown.

skincare junkie 6 Jun 2017 10:58 AM

I have always preferred a charcoal colour to black since late 20s. It looks much softer and less "angry". However for photos black still gives a better definition

makeupcatxo 5 Jun 2017 8:23 PM

I can't live without my black liners, though I do use brown ones on days where I'm trying to do a more natural look. Love em too! I do a dark/cobalt blue or purple on some nights out when I'm in a fun/playful mood.

makeupcatxo 5 Jun 2017 8:25 PM

ALSO can't live without my champagne liner for that 'bigger eyes' trick!! The "16 Brand Pencil Liner" from Mecca is great - and it's $15!!

Yohanna 5 Jun 2017 7:36 PM

Coloured all the way! mmmmmMetallics =D

duality 5 Jun 2017 2:50 PM

I remember reading an article here on BH about changing eyeliner from black as you get older. I switched to pewter, brown and eggplant and must admit the look is much softer and nicer than the stark black I had been religiously using.

mum26 5 May 2017 1:06 AM

I'm always wearing black eyeliner, though my Mum wears blue and it looks good on her...maybe I should be brave and go bold

Colour Those Lips 3 May 2017 2:42 PM

I always use black eyeliner! I'm too scared to use a different colour! Might give blue ago.

Antheapatteson 28 Apr 2017 6:46 PM

not a fan of coloured eye liners. black all the way

Antheapatteson 28 Apr 2017 6:44 PM

Very informative article. Thank you

emma_mcmuffin 24 Apr 2017 3:28 PM

I used to use a black eyeliner on my lower waterline but now I prefer dark browns or olives because they are less intense and work well with my eye colour, plus they look more natural I find

FaceAttire 18 Apr 2017 7:40 PM

I'm extremely pale and I do a full black smokey eye as I find it makes my green eyes pop out the most, even more than purple.

freaky 23 Mar 2017 2:21 PM

Great info here. I find that black eyeliner can sometimes look a bit too harsh on me. Thats why Ive tended to avoid it. Great to know theres a variety of colours to choose from

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