Frequently Asked Questions
Who is brown eyeliner best for?
Brown eyeliner is one of the most universally flattering makeup products, thanks to its ability to adapt across skin tones and eye colors. “Brown eyeliner can work for anyone,” Grogan explains. “On deeper eyes it will be a softer, more subtle look, [while] on green or blue eyes it will really emphasize the color without being too strong or overpowering.” That versatility is exactly why it’s such a go-to for everyday wear.
Makeup artist Spickard adds that brown is ideal “when you want to create definition and intensity without something as stark as black eyeliner.” Its inherent warmth enhances golden and honey tones in both the eyes and skin, and it can even mimic the effect of a natural shadow—making it perfect for soft, dimensional looks.
Any tips for applying brown eyeliner?
Before applying your liner, New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin told Allure that finding a long-lasting liner with a no-skip, smudge-proof formula is a must. “The most important thing is pigment and that [the eyeliner] easily glides onto the skin,” she said. “You don’t want to use too much pressure on the eye.”
When it comes to application, a light hand and thoughtful shade choice make all the difference. Grogan recommends keeping things simple: “[Draw] a very thin line along the lash line” that can either be blended out for a soft, smoldering effect or left clean and precise. For perfecting your look, she suggests using ultra-thin cotton swabs with micellar water to sharpen edges and clean up mistakes.
Spickard emphasizes the importance of undertone, noting that “brown isn’t just brown.” Warm shades with red or orange undertones create a sun-kissed, bronzy effect, while cooler browns like taupe or true chocolate mimic natural shadows and offer subtle sculpting. Choosing the right hue for your undertone ensures your liner enhances rather than competes with the rest of your look.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best brown eyeliners, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
