8 Dramatic Eye Makeup Looks for Bold Eyes

Feeling daring? Sounds like it may be time to sport a dramatic eye makeup look! Maybe you’ve seen bold black eyes gracing the red carpet, or you want to mimic the colored eyeliner you’ve seen circulating your social media feeds. Whatever the case, dramatic eye makeup is a makeup trend that will never go out of style. Want to try one for yourself? Read on for eight dramatic eye makeup looks to try—soon your eyes will have more drama than a soap opera!

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #1: METALLIC RAINBOW EYE SHADOW

Rainbow eye makeup is an undeniably fun (and colorful!) makeup trend we can totally get behind. Of course, using all the colors from the rainbow in your eye makeup look is anything but subtle. If you're ready to step outside your comfort zone, follow the steps below to create a metallic rainbow eye makeup look that’s guaranteed to turn heads!

Step #1: Set the lines. Gently place a bit of adhesive tape in a diagonal fashion along the outer corner of your eye, going up toward your temples. This will serve as a guide and is a foolproof method for ending up with precise, defined lines when your look is complete.

Step #2: Create your base. Start by coating your lids in a bright, metallic purple hue.

Step #3: Color your crease. Pop a hot pink eye shadow into your crease. Use a fluffy brush to blend the color up and outward (along your tape) toward your temples. Then, deepen the look by applying a dark, metallic purple shade to the outer “V” of your eye, extending outward.

Step #4: Highlight with copper. You may be used to highlighting your inner corner with white or nude eye shadow, but for this dramatic eye makeup look, you’ll be using a metallic copper shadow to do so. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Crushed Foils Metallic Eye Shadow in Diamond Dust to your inner corners, then drag the same shadow along your lower lash line.

Step #5: Get green with envy. Apply a metallic green eye shadow over the copper you just applied on your lower lash line, focusing the color on the outer two thirds.

Step #6: Wing it. Use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black to line your eyes and create your sharpest wing.

Step #7: Add some blue. We’re not done yet! Glide a metallic blue pencil eyeliner over your black liner, stopping when you reach the outer corner of your eye, so the wing is still black. Then use the same metallic blue pencil eyeliner to line your waterline.

Step #8: Coat your lashes. Complete your dramatic eye makeup look with a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara in Blackest Black. All done!

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #2: ROCKER MAKEUP

Dramatic eye makeup also doubles as edgy eye makeup, as far as we’re concerned. And what’s edgier than a rocker makeup look? Embrace the ‘80s resurgence and follow the steps in our article, How to Get a Rocker Makeup Look, for a dramatic, bold black eye makeup look with face and lip makeup to match.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #3: GLITTER EYESHADOW

Lover of all that glitters? So are we! Glitter eyeshadow is one of the hottest eye makeup trends at the moment, not to mention it totally brings the drama. Here are 7 Glitter Eyeshadow and Eye Makeup Ideas to try.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #4: NEGATIVE SPACE CUT CREASE

A cut crease has become a cult classic when it comes to dramatic makeup looks. There’s just something about this sleek eye makeup technique that instantly draws the eye. What’s more, a negative space cut crease offers an even more dramatic, modern twist on the look. Learn how to create one in our article, How to Create a Negative Space Cut Crease.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #5: ORANGE EYE SHADOW

Orange you glad orange eyeshadow is trending? We sure are! If you want an easy dramatic eye makeup look to try, swipe an orange hue onto your lids.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #6: WINGED EYELINER

Sometimes, sleek and simple offers more drama than an intricate eye makeup look. That’s just the case with winged eyeliner, which makes a statement all on its own. Pair it with nude eye shadow for a standout look or play up the intensity with a smokey eye. If you’re a newbie to winged eyeliner, be sure to grab the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner, which features a removable wing stencil for perfectly precise wings every time.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #7: COLORFUL EYEBROWS

Don’t forget about your brows! They can get in on the drama, too. Instead of painting your lids in a colorful hue, give colorful eyebrows a try. Click through to our article on the topic to find out How to Experiment with Colorful Eyebrows.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK #8: GRAPHIC EYELINER

Our final dramatic eye makeup look? Graphic eyeliner! Long gone are the days of simply creating a straight line along your upper and lower lash lines. Rather, fun, geometric eyeliner is becoming the standard—albeit a pretty bold standard! Here are 8 Graphic Eyeliner Looks to Add to Your Eye Makeup Rotation.

HOW TO PULL OFF DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP

Now that you have a few dramatic eye makeup options to choose from, you may be wondering how to pull off makeup with such intensity. Follow these four simple tips, and you’ll be rocking dramatic eye makeup with finesse.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP TIP #1: KEEP IT MATTE

If you want to rock a dramatic eye, it’s best to keep the rest of your makeup look on the simple side. Opting for matte finishes when it comes to your foundation, bronzer, face powder, blush, and other face makeup products will prevent your overall makeup look from appearing too over-the-top, while also allowing your dramatic eye makeup to be the center of attention. Here are a few of our favorite matte makeup products to try:

Foundation: For your foundation, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. This foundation has a demi-matte finish, giving you the shine-free appearance you’re going for without looking too flat. The formula provides medium coverage, goes on smooth, and is lightweight. Apply it using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for an effortless, flawless-looking complexion.

Face powder: From the same line, the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder creates a perfect matte finish that is long-lasting. The formula absorbs excess oil, reduces shine, and is lightweight.

Blush: Not only is it best to sport a matte finish when it comes to blush, but using a more subtle, neutral color for your flush will complement your dramatic eye rather than clash with it. Go for a soft peachy hue like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Fruit-Scented Blush Makeup in Bashful.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP TIP #2: DON’T SKIP PRIMER

If you’re striving to pull off a dramatic eye makeup look, you definitely do not want to skimp when it comes to using eye primer. A primer will prep your eyes for your intense look and keep it lasting all day long. The last thing you want to happen when wearing a bold eye is to have unintentionally smudged liner or messed up mascara!

To really seal the deal, after finishing your makeup, close your eyes and spritz your face with a setting spray in an “X” and “T” formation. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray will give you a “just applied” makeup look all day (and night) long.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP TIP #3: USE A LASH PRIMER

Just as eye primer is super important when it comes to rocking a dramatic eye makeup look, so is lash primer. A lash primer will help prep your lashes for mascara while also adding volume and length to your lashes—more than you can achieve with mascara alone. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer or the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base before coating your lashes in your favorite mascara.

DRAMATIC EYE MAKEUP TIP #4: SKIP THE LIP COLOR

While balancing a bold lip color and dramatic eye is totally possible, if you don’t do it right, it can prove to be detrimental to your overall look and leave you looking more like a clown than a makeup goddess. So, instead of facing the risk of crossing that fine line, skip the lip color when you want to pull off dramatic eye makeup. If you do want to wear a bit of color on your lips, opt for a neutral, natural-looking shade that won’t take away from your statement eye. Try any shade of the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Ultra Matte Highly Pigmented Nude Lipstick or opt for a tinted lip balm.

Just can’t get enough of the drama? Check out our article, How to Get Bold Bottom Lashes, for a dramatic lash look you can try, too.