Even when your eyeliner assortment is stuffed with a rainbow of shades, we have all received that trusty impartial we flip to for on a regular basis put on. For some, it is a barely-there brown; for others, it is a drama-inducing midnight black. Whereas each have advantages, the query stays: Within the battle of brown versus black eyeliner, which reigns supreme?
In keeping with make-up artists, the reply is the classically irritating but liberating “each”—it simply depends upon the look you are making an attempt to realize. The excellent news is that you do not have to decide on only one. Learn on for all the things to think about on the subject of brown and black eyeliner, straight from make-up artists Tomy Rivero and Carly Giglio.
Meet the Professional
- Tomy Rivero is an expert make-up artist and founding father of Tomy Rivero Magnificence Lab.
- Carly Giglio is an expert make-up artist and sweetness educator based mostly in New York Metropolis.
Advantages of Brown Eyeliner
Delivers a extra refined look
Brown shades are inherently lighter and extra refined than black, and in keeping with Rivero, “[are] nice for making a softer presence on the eyes.” In the event you’re going for a pure, no-makeup make-up look, then brown liner is your finest wager.
Flatters honest options
Whereas anybody can put on any shade of eyeliner they please, make-up artists say brown tones are notably flattering on lighter options as a result of they’re much less harsh than their inky-black counterparts. “Inexperienced and gray eye colours and particularly reasonable pores and skin tones with pink undertones are finest suited to brown eyeliner,” says Rivero.
Tons of shades to select from
With black liners, your choices are basically restricted to “black” and “blacker.” However with browns, you have received a full vary of shades to select from. “There are variations of brown liner—you’ll be able to go for ones which have a little bit extra pink or bronze, for instance, which is the place you’ll be able to actually play to your eye coloration,” says Giglio. “Take into consideration the colour wheel and opposites that may make the attention coloration pop.”
If in case you have inexperienced eyes, for instance, she recommends selecting a reddish-brown (like Stila’s SmudgeStick Eyeliner in Spice, $22). In case your eyes are blue, she suggests going with one thing with hotter, extra copper tones (like Victoria Beckham Magnificence’s Kajal Liner in Cinnamon, $32).
Advantages of Black Eyeliner
Provides drama
From Cleopatra to Elizabeth Taylor, black eyeliner has solidified its place in historical past for its skill so as to add drama to any look. “Black eyeliner is an announcement!” says Giglio. Rivero notes that extra glam seems, like cat and smoky eyes, are inclined to look finest when created with black liner.
Seems to be nice on anybody
In contrast to brown tones, which are inclined to pop extra on lighter eyes and pores and skin tones, anybody can use black eyeliner to amp up their look. “Just about anybody with any eye coloration can put on black liner—it is as much as choice,” says Giglio.
Accessible in a number of codecs
Although black liners are pretty monotone, that does not imply you’ll be able to’t experiment with them by means of completely different codecs. Liquid formulation are nice for creating seamless graphic traces, whereas pencils can ship a softer look. “I like pencils for smudging and even mixing and constructing out shadow for a smoky eye, and liquid liners are nice for a clear, crisp line,” says Giglio.
What to Contemplate When Selecting Between the Two
How va-va-voom you need your look to be
By nature, black is a extra intense shade than brown. “Whether or not it is a smudged liner or crisp wing, black will stand out stronger,” says Giglio. With that in thoughts, go for black eyeliner once you need a extra statement-making look, and keep on with brown on your extra understated make-up days.
Your eye coloration and pores and skin tone
Whereas each shades can work superbly on anybody, you will need to contemplate the distinction they create along with your pure options (and the vibe you are going for) when selecting between them. “If in case you have gentle eyes and lightweight pores and skin, black liner will present up extra dramatically on you,” says Giglio. Merely put, “In the event you’re very fair-skinned and don’t need the drama of a black liner, go for the brown.”
Your eyeliner abilities
Liner rookies, this one’s for you. In the event you make a mistake with liquid black liner, you are caught scrubbing away at it with make-up remover—finally sacrificing the remainder of your look. That is not the case with brown shades, which make-up artists say are an entire lot extra oops-proof (and thus, beginner-friendly) because of the truth that they’re nearer to your pure pores and skin tones. “In the event you’re new to liner, brown is a good way to dip your toes in,” says Giglio. As soon as you have received that winged line down pat, you will be able to improve to Onyx.
The Ultimate Takeaway
When contemplating brown versus black eyeliner, “It is actually about choice and wearability,” says Rivero. “Everybody can put on black eyeliner, and everybody can put on brown liner.” The excellent news? You do not have to decide on only one. Take a look at out each and see which feels best for you (spoiler alert: it is perhaps each!), and know that you may swap between the 2 as usually as your coronary heart—and your make-up funds—wishes.
Extra Magnificence
Brown Mascara or Black? This is How (and When) to Decide Between the Two
