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How to Make Brown Eyes Pop

Shu Kie

Written By:

Shu Kie

Updated: 23 April 2024 •  
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When you meet people for the first time, one of the things you’re likely to notice first is their eyes. This is in fact supported by a study that found that eyes are the most important facial feature to both men and women.
 
On that note, it’s only right for us to flaunt and play them up through clothes, makeup, and of course, eyewear.
 
Brown, being the most common eye color, doesn’t diminish the fact that it still mesmerizes in its own way. Next up, we’ll share some interesting facts about dark brown eyes as well as tips on how to make them pop with the aid of eyeglass frames, makeup, and clothing choices.

Brown eyes at a glance

brunette with brown eyes

Almost 80% of the people in the world have brown eyes.

 

Statistics and variety of shades

 
Globally, it is estimated that 55 to 79 percent of the world’s population has brown eyes. Meanwhile, across the United States, 45 percent of the people have them.
 
Brown eyes exist in various shades, like light, caramel, chestnut, and dark). Specifically, in America, Europe, and West Asia, light brown is the most prevalent hue. On the other side of the world, dark brown eyes are more prominent across Africa, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
 

How your eyes appear to be brown

 
Your eye color is determined by at least 16 genes. These genes are associated with the production of melanin (the pigment that brings color to eyes, hair, and skin) in your iris. The more melanin your eye has, the browner (darker) it will look. Eyes with the least melanin usually turn out blue.
 

Pros and cons

 
Medical experts have posited that people with brown eyes are more protected against a type of eye cancer called uveal melanoma, hearing loss, and age-related macular degeneration. The lower risk is attributed to the higher level of melanin present in brown eyes.
 
However, brown-eyed people are also more prone to getting cataracts and have lower pain tolerance.
 

Best types of frames to make dark brown eyes pop

Now, enough with the technicalities. Let’s divert to some fun things that will bring out those expressive dark brown eyes of yours. It is widely believed that among all eye colors, brown is the most versatile one. As such, it works well with almost every frame color. Here are our picks for the most flattering frames on brown eyes.
 

Warm brown tones

 
Warm brown tones include honey, chocolate brown, mahogany, and golden hues like copper and bronze gold. These colors amplify and accentuate your brown eyes, making them darker and more intense.
 
Here are a few stylish examples from Mouqy:
 
Admire cat eye pink front view

Mouqy’s gold and pink cat eye Admire frames.

 
mate oval brown front view

Mouqy’s brown oval Mate eyeglasses.

 

Tortoiseshell

 
A classic tortoiseshell frame usually contains a blend of brown and yellow tones. Similar to warm brown, tortoiseshell will bring out the richness of your brown eyes.
 
Here are some examples from Mouqy for your consideration:
 
vanco square tortoise front view

Mouqy’s square tortoise Vanco specs.

 
matix rectangle tortoise front view

Mouqy’s rectangle tortoise Matix frames.

 

Green

 
For more contrast, you can pair your brown eyes with cool tones like green. Green hues make your brown eyes look sharper, giving you a more striking appearance.
 
Here are a few picks for green frames from Mouqy:
 
hoot square army green front view

Mouqy’s square army green Hoot specs.

 
cherry oval green front view

Mouqy’s green oval Cherry eyeglasses.

 

Purple

 
Purple is another distinctive cool-toned color that can make your dark brown eyes pop. The contrast it creates and the unique color will highlight and emphasize your brown orbs, turning heads wherever you go.
 
Here are some purple glasses that will frame your brown eyes perfectly:
 
Mouqy's Element Eyeglasses

Mouqy’s purple cat eye Element glasses

 
vers oval matte purple front view

Mouqy’s oval purple Vers frames.

 

Get inspired by brown-eyed celebs with glasses

For more inspiration on how to rock glasses for brown eyes, look no further than the ultimate trendsetters — the stars! Let’s look at some of the ways our favorite brown-eyed celebrities style their glasses.
 

Ali Wong

 
After a horrible experience in college caused by overworn contact lenses, Ali Wong has fully subscribed to the bespectacled life. Today, her myriad of cat eye spectacles have become a major part of her signature look, and she has worn almost every design under the sun from clear-rimmed, to dark-rimmed to golden-rimmed like below.
 
comedian ali wong in sleek cat eye gold glasses

Comedian and actress, Ali Wong wears sleek gold glasses in her movie, ‘Always Be My Maybe’. Source: Fashionista

 

Anne Hathaway

 
Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway has never been one to shy away from wearing her prescription glasses on various occasions, including red carpet premieres. Anne’s go-to frames are large and rectangular with a tortoiseshell print, which complement her brown, downturned eyes.
 
anne hathaway in rectangular tortoiseshell glasses

Anne Hathaway attending the premiere of her animated movie ‘Rio’ in rectangular tortoiseshell eyeglasses. Source: Getty Images

 

Emma Watson

 
Outside of her movie roles, British actress Emma Watson has a solid reputation as a style icon who has a penchant for minimalist yet sophisticated dark brown glasses. The color of the frames amplify her eye color, making them appear darker and more intense.
 
emma watson looking smart and sophisticated in dark brown frames

Emma Watson, who is also a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, brings out her smart and sophisticated side with dark brown frames. Source: Getty Images

 

Johnny Depp

 
Apart from transformative roles like Captain Jack Sparrow, the Mad Hatter, and Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp is also well-known for his love of glasses, which have included oval metal-rimmed, aviator, and tinted glasses. Similar to Anne, Johnny knows to play up his brown eyes with tortoiseshell frames, which are one of his most favored frames.
 
johnny depp in classic tortoiseshell frames

Mr. Depp is known for wearing all kinds of glasses, but he is most often seen in classic tortoiseshell frames. Source: Alexander Daas

 

Julia Roberts

 
julia roberts sporting oval brown glasses

Julia Roberts sports oval brown glasses that complement her honey brown eyes and of course, her world-famous smile. Source: Daily Mail

 
Hollywood icon Julia Roberts once said in a magazine interview that she loves owning a good piece of eyewear, and she certainly has worn plenty of them off and on the red carpet. Julia also favors dark-rimmed frames in a combination of round, square, and rectangle shapes that flatter her oval face.
 

Ryan Reynolds

 
ryan reynolds sporting oval brown glasses

Ryan Reynolds sporting oval brown eyewear in a photo shared on Twitter. Source: Twitter

 
Ryan Reynolds’ tongue-in-cheek social media persona and star-making turn as Deadpool have won him a legion of fans, and he’s not too shabby in the style department either. The actor likes to keep it simple in geeky chic dark-rimmed glasses paired with casual yet timeless outfits, which give him a warm and affable persona.
 

Makeup tips to make dark brown eyes pop

Frames aside, makeup also goes a long way in emphasizing dark brown eyes and making a statement. Here are some makeup tips to help you make the most of this feature.
 

1. Use eyeshadow shades that enhance and accentuate dark brown eyes

 
green eyeshadow pops out brown colored eyes

Green eyeshadow and brown eyes are an unparalleled combo for making your peepers pop.

 
When done right, eyeshadows can give your eyes a stunning, dramatic flair. Copper, bronze, and gold are great if you want to make your brown eyes glisten. To stand out from the crowd, purple, green, and even blue eyeshadows will do the trick. For a softer, more romantic look, pink and peach tones are the most complementary.
 

2. Tightline eyes with a contrasting color like purple or blue

 
define eyes through tightlining

Tightlining may be tricky at first, but it can work wonders in defining your eyes.

 
Tightlining is the method of applying eyeliner on the waterline of your eyes. This makes your lash line appear fuller and works a treat in defining the eyes. While classic black eyeliners are the go-to, you can take it up a notch by tightlining with bright and cool-toned liners like purple or blue. Like in the case of frames, purple and blue eyeliners contrast with your brown eyes for an ultra striking look.
 

3. Highlight the high points of your face for an overall glow

 
good face highlighting brings attention to the eyes

A healthy glow will draw attention to your brown eyes.

 
A glowing complexion brings out your brown eyes, so go ahead and apply some highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow, nose bridge, and even your nose’s tip. You can either apply with a brush for a more blinding finish, or go the natural route by dabbing and blending with a dry sponge or fingertips.
 

Clothing and accessory tips to make dark brown eyes pop

Outfits are the final component you need to get right in order to make your dark brown eyes pop. Here are some tips that can be easily integrated into any wardrobe.
 

1. Opt for deep blues, yellows, and greens

 
blues yellows greens complement brown eyes

Blue complements brown eyes in every way, whether it’s worn in the form of frames, makeup, or clothing.

 
When deciding which clothes to wear, you shouldn’t just settle on matching your skin tone. Your eye color matters too, and the best way to make brown eyes more striking is by putting on vibrant shades of blue, green, and yellow.
 

2. Choose brown ties to bring out your eye color

 
brown brings out natural eye color

Brown brings out your natural eye color and works well in formal workwear. Source: Fashion Beans

 
In pairing brown eyes with formal clothes, the aim is not to contrast them but subtly accentuate them. This is why brown ties are always a good way to complement brown eyes.
 

3. Go for gold in accessories

 
gold accessories highlight brown eyes and elegance

Warm-toned gold highlights your brown eyes and conveys an aura of royalty-esque elegance.

 
Gold will always be the new gold, which is to say it’ll never go out of style. Gold lends a sparkle not only to your outfit, but your eyes too. It’s not only for special occasions either; you can easily work gold into the everyday with simple accessories like ear studs or a dainty chain.
 

Beauty is in the eye

At the end of the day, what works for your eye color really just boils down to what makes you feel most confident. So don’t hold yourself back, and try on new looks and styles whenever you can. You might just discover something amazing you never thought you would look good in.
 
For more eyewear style tips and inspiration, keep it locked here at Mouqy. We’ve always got something new brewing, so check back often!

Shu Kie

Written by:

Shu Kie

Shu Kie is Mouqy’s certified optician with over 5 years of experience in the optical industry. She earned her certification from Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

Frames for Brown Eyes