13 Brown Eyeshadow Looks We Love for 2020

When you think about brown eyeshadow, images of natural makeup likely come to mind. While brown can serve as the perfect hue for a nude eyeshadow look, it can also be used to create so much more! If you’ve been wondering how to do brown eyeshadow looks, we’re here to help! Now’s your chance to give your bright and bold eyeshadows a rest and perfect your makeup routine with the help of this stunning neutral hue. Keep reading for 13 brown eyeshadow looks we love, with options ranging from natural to bold. 

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #1: BRONZED ALL-OVER

We’ll forever be a fan of a bronzed brown eyeshadow look. Not only does it look totally Instagramable, but it’s also super easy to achieve. Here’s what to do.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Rose Gold

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Bronze

L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara

Get the look:

Step #1: Prime your eyes. As with any eye makeup look, you’ll want to start by applying an eye makeup primer to your lids.

Step #2: Coat your lids. Color your lids with a deep bronze eyeshadow, preferably one with a shimmer formula to amp up the bronze vibes.

Step #3: Blend your crease. Apply a nude, matte eye shadow to your crease to create a blended look.

Step #4: Line your eyes. To emphasize the metallic aspect of the look, use a rose gold liquid eyeliner to line your upper lash line. Then, use a bronze pencil eyeliner to line your lower lash line, gently smudging the line for a softer look.

Step #5: Coat your lashes. Finish your brown eyeshadow look with a few coats of mascara. This might be a bronze makeup look, but it deserves to take home the gold!

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #2: BROWN HALO EYE

If you love to play up your eyes with a sultry burst of color, the brown halo eye is just the ticket. A fabulous option for those who like to experiment with color, this trend brings two contrasting shades together to help brighten up your eyes! Sound like an ideal brown eye shadow look? Head on over to our article, What Is Halo Eye Makeup? Here’s How to Rock This Buzzy Makeup Trend, to master the trend. 

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #3: BROWN OMBRÈ EYE

Ready to bridge the gap between hair trends and makeup looks? The brown ombré eye will totally suit your needs. Offering a beautiful fade of color between two or more shades, this look allows you to play with color while staying true to a brown hue. Try the trend with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in French Biscuit. Start by applying the lightest shade on the inner corner of your eye, and follow up with the soft matte brown shadow in the center of your lid. Top it off with the shimmering brown shadow on the outer section of your eyes, making sure to blend until even.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #4: BROWN SMOKY EYE

It doesn’t get more classic than a brown smoky eye. Wearable for almost any occasion, it’s a must in our roundup of brown eyeshadow looks.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Boudoir Charme

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara

Get the look:

Step #1: Grab your eye primer. First thing’s first: Prime your eyes!

Step #2: Make it smoky. This brown smoky eye will be easiest to recreate with the help of a brown eyeshadow palette. First, apply a medium brown shade to your lid. Then, pop a nude hue onto the inner third of your lid. Deepen the look—and make things smoky—by applying the darkest brown shade in your crease, making sure to blend well. Finish by dragging the same medium brown shade you started with along your lower lash line, gently smudging as you go.

Step #3: Wing it out. What’s a smoky eye without winged eyeliner? Use a liquid liner to perfect your cat eye.

Step #4: Apply mascara. Complete your brown smoky eye with a few coats of mascara.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #5: BROWN CUT CREASE

Love a precise and eye-catching makeup look? Feast your eyes on the brown cut crease! Sporting a defined crease with a cut of brown eye shadow and a subtle blend, it’s no surprise that beauty lovers can’t stop swooning over this look. Not to mention, it’s a great way to call attention to your gorgeous eye shape. Head on over to our article, How to Create a Cut Crease, for all the deets.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #6: BROWN & BLUE MISMATCHED EYES

Another makeup trend that you can expect to make quite the impression all through 2020 is mismatched brown eyeshadow. While you may think that using two contrasting shades won't deliver your desired results, you’d be surprised how amazingly well brown eyeshadow pairs with blue. Try the trend with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Grand Bleu and Café Au Lait.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #7: BROWN AND GOLD

You may be used to silver and gold being a magic combo, but brown and gold go just as well—if not better—in our opinion. Together, the shades make for a seriously beautiful brown eyeshadow look.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Crushed Foils Metallic Eye Shadow in Gilded Gold

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Quartz Fume

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Gold

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mystic Black

Get the look:

Step #1: Prime your lids. You know the drill.

Step #2: Paint it gold. Use a flat top eyeshadow brush to pack your gold eye shadow onto your lid.

Step #3: Add your brown. Define your eye by applying brown eyeshadow in your crease. Be sure to blend well, focusing on building the color at the outer “V” of your lid.

Step #4: Line your lower lash line. Use a gold pencil liner to line your lower lash line, tying the look together.

Step #5: Apply mascara. You know what’s next—coat your lashes!

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #8: SHEER BROWN EYES

It may seem counterintuitive, but nothing calls attention to your eyes like sheer eyeshadow. The perfect way to embrace the no makeup, makeup trend, this stunning look will give your eyes the perfect tinge of color without the drama. An excellent option that can take you from your desk to drinks with ease, this look is quite the crowd-pleaser. Bring it to life by swiping the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Pain Au Chocolat over your lid. Amp up your lashes with a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara, and your look is complete.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #9: GLOSSY LIDS

If there is one beauty trend you should definitely try with brown eye makeup, glossy lids get our vote. A great way to add a level of edge and mystique to your look, this trend gives your lids a shiny and wet-like appearance that won’t go unnoticed. Check out our article, How to Rock a Glossy Eye Makeup Look, for inspiration.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #10: ORANGE TWIST

Another color combo we can’t get enough of when it comes to brown eye shadow is brown and orange. The duo creates the ultimate warm-toned look.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Cafe Au Lait

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Sunset Seine

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara in Black Brown

Get the look:

Step #1: Apply eye primer. Coat your lids with an eye primer.

Step #2: Color your lids. Use a matte medium brown eyeshadow to shade your lids. Pack on the color with a flat eyeshadow brush.

Step #3: Add your orange. Pop an orange eye shadow into your crease using a fluffy blending brush. Be sure to blend any harsh lines between your brown and orange shades. Then, use a small flat top brush to drag the orange hue along your lower lash line, gently smudging and stopping halfway toward your inner corner.

Step #4: Amp up your lashes. Apply a few coats of brown mascara to complete the look.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #11: BROWN MIDNIGHT EYES

Midnight eyes are a great way to rock a neutral yet sultry eye, and you can absolutely revamp this look with brown shadows.

All you need to do is sweep the matte brown shadow into your crease, and blend the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Bronze Light onto the center of your lid. You’ll also want to add a tiny bit of bronze eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eye for a rich shimmery effect. Finish up with a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara, Lasting Volume.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #12: FLOATING CREASE WITH WHITE EYELINER

Want to step outside of the box with your brown eyeshadow look? Prepare to bring the “wow” factor with a floating crease and white eyeliner. A chic take on the floating eyeliner trend, this look allows you to add depth to your crease without layering on super dark eye shadow. And with a swipe of white along your lash line, you’ll make this look all your own.

Dip an eyeliner brush into a medium brown shadow from the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette and carefully define your crease. The line should be sharp to get that perfect floating effect, so clean up with a cotton swab if needed. Seal the deal with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner in White for a bright finish.

BROWN EYESHADOW LOOK #13: TEAL UNDER-EYE

Did we mention we love unexpected color combos? Brown and teal look absolutely beautiful together and are a particularly flattering duo for those looking for makeup for brown eyes.

What you’ll need:

Eye primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Bottomless Java

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Mix and Matte

L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Sea

L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara

Get the look:

Step #1: Prime your eyes. Once again, prep your eyes with primer.

Step #2: Paint your lids. Apply a brown eye shadow to your entire lid using a flat top eye shadow brush. Then, use a nude hue to blend the color into your crease with a blending brush.

Step #3: Add some color. Use a small flat top brush to drag a teal eye shadow along your lower lash line. Hello, contrast!

Step #4: Apply mascara. Finish your brown eyeshadow look with a few coats of lengthening mascara. That’s it!

Next up: We mentioned orange eye shadow, but did you know it’s one of the hottest trends of the year? Check out our article, Shade Spotlight: Orange Eye Shadow, to learn more about pulling off this popping hue.