Fashion

The Best Mascara For Your Skin Tone & Eye Color

by Annie Crawford

Picking out the right mascara does not have to be overwhelming. It is all about knowing the best mascara for your eye color and skin tone. It is all about what works best for you! Whether brown, black, blue, purple—or any color of the rainbow—your mascara can be a way to explore fashion trends while framing the windows to your soul.

Even if you barely know how to apply mascara, you'll be armed with the information to make the best color choice for your look. If you have been worried about what is the best mascara for you or which makeup brand to select, fear not! I have some makeup tips for you.

Black Lashes

A universal rule is that everyone looks good in black mascara. Even on the fairest skin, it provides a dramatic frame for the eyes. For darker skinned women, it adds drama to fringe. When in doubt, know that a good, black mascara is always your best friend.

For daytime, a subtle defining black mascara has your lashes covered when it comes to career, school, or errands. Using a lash curler before you swipe on your selection will add length and curl to your lashes.

Covergirl Lash Exact in Black, $6, Amazon

For evening, ramp up the wattage with a thick brush that will deliver serious volume. For women with darker skin and naturally dark lashes, opt for blackest black to really make a statement.

L'Oreal Miss Manga in Blackest Black, $6, Amazon

Brown Lashes

Classic black is all well and good, but there's also a serious case to be made for brown lashes. If you have fair skin and prefer a natural look, a rich brown mascara is your best bet. The softer brown tone harmonizes with blonde, light brown, or lighter red hair, so that no one but you will know if you have invisible eyelashes!

Clinique Lash Power in Dark Chocolate, $18, Sephora

To bring more drama to your baby blues or greens, a high volume brown mascara can still have enough impact for nighttime, just make sure your eyeshadow or eyeliner isn't darker than your lashes. The color contrast faux pas can be especially apparent in photos. A deeper, blackened brown mascara is a good choice for olive and medium skinned women who want to increase volume while still achieving a makeup-free look.

Revlon Lash Potion Volume & Length in Blackened Brown, $7, Amazon

Blue Lashes

Try blue mascara for grey, brown, or light green eyes...or just to make a statement! For fair skinned women these blues will really pop on your skin. For darker skinned women, apply a base coat of black or primer, and glide on several coats of the blue after it dries. To make sure the color shines, you can line your top lid with black liquid liner, or blend a blue eye pencil into the lash line.

NYX Color Mascara in Blue, $12, Amazon

If you're shy about experimenting with color, a deep blue will enhance grey, light brown, and green eyes without being obvious. Navy blue is an option that will serve to brighten the whites of the eyes, so slide some on when you need a pick me up! Either of these darker tones work well on women with fairer skin who want subtle color.

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in Overblue, $30, Sephora

Purple

Royal purple, plum, and violet all fall under this umbrella. Purple looks especially dazzling on women with green eyes, hazel eyes, or blue eyes. If you have warmer undertones in your skin, select a shade of purple that has warmer red under notes, such as a plum.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara, $23, Sephora

Women with darker or cool medium toned skin will look fabulous with a purple that skews toward blue, such as violet.

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils in Fascinating Violet, $32, Nordstrom

Green

Green tones look glorious on brown and hazel eyes. Green can be complimentary to any range of skin tones, just opt for neutral tones in your eyeshadow to let your lashes do the talking. If you prefer just a tease of color, apply a coat of primer (clear) mascara or basic black, then swipe on the green from mid-shaft to tips.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara, $23, Sephora

Images: Courtesy of Brands