Many people with brown eyes desire to make their eye color appear lighter and brighter. While eye color is determined by genetics, there are some tricks you can use to make brown eyes stand out more. Things like makeup, clothing, color contacts, and eye drops can help reflect light and enhance the warm tones in brown eyes to make them pop. With some simple beauty techniques, you can make your brown eyes look lighter naturally.
Use Makeup to Brighten Brown Eyes
Applying makeup is one of the easiest ways to make brown eyes appear lighter instantly. Here are some makeup tips for making brown eyes shine:
- Use an eye primer before eye makeup application. Primers create a smooth base for powders and shadows to adhere to. Apply a layer of primer from lash line to brow.
- Brighten with a nude or champagne eyeshadow. Apply a light-reflecting shadow across the entire lid and brow bone. This will help reflect more light.
- Highlight the inner corners of eyes. Use a pearl or shimmery white shadow or highlighter in the inner corners to open up eyes.
- Curl your lashes and apply mascara. Curled, voluminous lashes help frame and draw attention to eyes.
- Use white or nude eyeliner on the waterline. This helps make eyes appear wider and brighter.
- Fill in eyebrows. Groomed, defined eyebrows also help accentuate eyes.
Using matte neutral shadows, champagne shimmers, and strategically placed highlights and liners can all work together to make brown eyes stand out.
Wear Colors that Compliment Brown Eyes
Wearing flattering clothing and accessory colors close to your face can also enhance brown eyes. Certain hues help accentuate the warm, rich tones in brown irises. Consider wearing these colors next to your face:
- Gold – Gold jewelry and accessories reflect light and bring out golden flecks.
- Purple – Violet tones contrast with brown and make eyes pop.
- Gray – Cooler gray accentuates the warmness of brown.
- Green – Earthy greens enhance brown eyes’ depth.
- Blue – Brown has underlying blue tones that are brought out by blue.
- White – Crisp white helps eyes appear brighter.
- Red – Warm reds flatter and intensify brown eyes.
Avoid wearing black or other dark colors near your face, as these can make brown eyes appear darker and smaller. Focus on lighter, brighter, and more vivid hues in makeup, clothes, and accessories to make brown eyes stand out.
Consider Color Contacts
One shortcut to immediately lighten brown eyes is to use color contact lenses. Here are some contact lens options to make brown eyes lighter:
- Blue contacts – Blue lenses add a vibrant pop of color on top of brown eyes.
- Green contacts – Green lenses accentuate the warm undertones in brown irises.
- Gray contacts – Gray lenses give a subtle yet brightening effect.
- Hazel contacts – Hazel lenses complement and illuminate brown.
- Honey contacts – Honey-colored lenses give brown eyes a golden glow.
When shopping for color contacts, look for ones made specifically for people with brown eyes, as they will be designed to safely overlay and enhance your natural eye color. Ensure contact lenses fit properly and are FDA approved. Follow all instructions for insertion, wear, and care meticulously.
Use Eye Drops
Certain eye drops can constrict blood vessels in the eyes, reducing redness and making the whites appear brighter. Whiter sclera helps make brown irises look lighter by contrast. Some over-the-counter eye drops that may work include:
- Naphazoline eye drops – These reduce vascular congestion.
- Brimonidine eye drops – An alpha-adrenergic agonist that also constricts vessels.
- Tetrahydrozoline eye drops – Another drug that constricts blood vessels in the eyes.
Avoid using these types of eye drops regularly or long-term, as rebound redness can occur. Use only as directed and talk to your eye doctor if eye redness persists.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle factors can help keep eyes looking their brightest, which helps make brown irises look lighter. Here are some tips:
- Quit smoking – Smoking can contribute to vascular changes that cause bloodshot eyes.
- Get more sleep – Fatigue can make eyes appear tired and dull.
- Drink water – Dehydration leads to dry, tired-looking eyes.
- Take eye supplements – Antioxidants like lutein help eyes look more vibrant.
- Reduce sun exposure – Too much sun can damage eyes over time.
- Get regular eye exams – Eye doctors can check for any conditions affecting appearance.
Caring for your overall eye health goes a long way towards keeping eyes looking their whitest and brightest.
Use Photography Tricks
Certain photography tricks and techniques can help make brown eyes shine in photos:
- Use a flash – The flash reflection makes eyes brighter.
- Overhead lighting – Illuminates eyes for clarity.
- Golden hour – Warm sunset lighting flatters brown eyes.
- Opt for matte – Matte makeup doesn’t reflect as much light.
- Red eye removal – Edit out any red tones that make eyes look dark.
- Lightroom adjustments – Increase clarity, vibrance, and warmth.
- Enhance iris – Use editing tools just to brighten the iris.
Get to know your best angles, lighting, and editing techniques. With the right photography skills, you can make your brown eyes look stunningly lighter and brighter in photos.
Consider Lasik Surgery
While it’s an invasive procedure, some people elect to get Lasik eye surgery to not only correct vision, but also potentially lighten eye color. Here’s how it works:
- Laser reshapes cornea – This impacts way light enters and refracts in the eye.
- Can remove melanin – Melanin is a pigment that colors the iris darker.
- Thins the iris – A thinner iris appears lighter.
- Opens the pupil – Wider pupils also appear lighter.
However, results vary greatly. Lasik may slightly reduce natural melanin, but substantial color lightening is unlikely. Many factors impact results, so consult your ophthalmologist.
Try Natural Remedies
Some people try natural remedies to lighten brown eyes. However, no natural treatments have been scientifically proven. Use discretion and consult your doctor before attempting any DIY methods. Some natural options people explore include:
- Honey water eye baths – Honey has minor antiseptic benefits.
- Chamomile compresses – Chamomile can help soothe eyes.
- Green tea – Applied topically or drank, may help reduce eye redness.
- Castor oil – Contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids.
- Cucumber slices – Cucumber can relieve puffy eyes.
While natural remedies are generally safe, they provide minimal results. Manage expectations when trying home treatments and stop any that cause irritation.
Considerions and Precautions
When trying to lighten brown eyes, keep these precautions in mind:
- Avoid overusing irritating eye drops – Can cause rebound redness.
- Don’t sleep in contacts – Increases infection risk.
- Check for allergies – Discontinue any products that cause reactions.
- See an eye doctor regularly – For exams to maintain eye health.
- Embrace your natural beauty – Brown eyes have a unique, striking charm.
While bringing out the best in your brown eyes is great, don’t forget to flaunt your natural beauty as well! Brown eyes are beautiful in their own right.
Conclusion
Brown eyes offer a distinctive, rich beauty. Fortunately, there are many techniques you can try to make brown eyes appear lighter naturally, from makeup to photography to lifestyle changes. Find the tips and tricks that you feel enhance your eyes while keeping realistic expectations in mind. Most importantly, don’t forget to love your natural eye color just the way it is! Embrace and enhance what makes your eyes uniquely you.