The world of fashion can be a difficult one to navigate, especially if you’re not quite sure what the basic rules of color are. For many people, the idea of having to match your colors has been pretty much ingrained all throughout life.
However, there are now plenty of people in fashion saying that matching too much is actually bad. So what to do?
Matching your makeup to your outfit is a great way to show that you thought out the look and that you’re in sync with your fashion sense, and well-coordinated and put together.
Eyeshadow is one of the parts of makeup with the most possibilities to do this, as it will usually be the brightest piece of color on your face. But should your eyeshadow match your outfit? Is that how fashion works?
Let’s start by saying that with fashion, there are no rights or wrongs. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you like it and that you feel confident in it.
There will always be different opinions on whether eyeshadow should perfectly match your outfit or not, so listen to yourself first and foremost.
However, there are a few basic rules when it comes to color coordination that affects the way we perceive a look as a whole, due to color science and optical illusions that different combinations can produce. So let’s take a look at what those basic rules say, about matching your eyeshadow to your outfit.
Should eyeshadow match your outfit? The answer seems to be a no.
Let’s explain. In the 80’s it was pretty in fashion to match your eyeshadow perfectly to your clothes, everything in bold bright colors. But nowadays, fashion leans into more subtle color combinations.
So if you are wearing a bold-colored outfit, your eyeshadow should be slightly more neutral, so that the outfit is allowed to take center stage.
The theory is that if everything matches perfectly, people don’t know where to look. But with more subtle color-matching and combinations, you can direct their eyesight to the pride and joy of whatever it is you are wearing that day.
However, although it is best for your eyeshadow to not match your outfit exactly, it should still combine well. You can’t just use a completely different color, or else it will clash and it will still draw attention, but for the wrong reasons.
Instead, the main piece of advice is to not match the color directly, but to stick to the same color palette, so that you know they go together.
If you are wearing a bold color in your outfit, use a more neutral eyeshadow in a complementary shade of a similar color. And if you are going to use a bright and bold eyeshadow, make sure your outfit is a bit more toned down, so that there is an overall balance.
So we guess that the conclusion to this is…yes, match your eyeshadow to your outfit, but not directly. Match it with a complementary shade or color.
What color eyeshadow should I wear?
Eyeshadow is one of the most versatile parts of makeup, as it is available in an infinite amount of colors and shades, as well as different types and finishes, such as matte or shimmery.
But this also means that it can be pretty hard to choose which color eyeshadow to wear. Especially if you are indecisive or unsure of which colors suit you best.
So…how should you choose your eyeshadow color?
We’d like to start by saying that you should always choose a color that you like and that you feel confident in. The first person you need to impress is yourself.
But if you want to get more into the science of which colors suit what, we’ve also got you covered. Here are the main rules for choosing your eyeshadow color, depending on a few different factors:
Choosing the eyeshadow color based on your eye color:
Eyeshadow is applied on the lid of the eye, and the surrounding area. So it makes sense that different eye colors will suit different eyeshadow colors, as the result will be super noticeable. Certain colors can complement different eye colors better or worse, and knowing which one works for you is key.
- Blue eyes: As blue eyes are very light, any dark eyeshadow will heavily distract and draw attention away from them. So instead, use neutral colors, or lighter shades of the colors, so that the eyes can take center stage. (A black or brown eyeliner will then make your eyes pop even more!)
- Gray eyes: Gray eyes are the rarest color of all, so you want to make sure they stand out. The best eyeshadow color for these eyes is any sort of smoky shade, especially gray and silvery blue. This will reflect the gray in the eyes, highlighting it.
- Green eyes: Muted dark colors will allow green eyes to shine and stand out. So we recommend dark purples and browns!
- Hazel eyes: Hazel eyes are known to change color depending on the lighting and the colors around them, so they’re great for experimenting with eyeshadow. Try out a mixture of neutral and metallic colors.
- Brown or dark eyes: Brown or dark eyes go with almost any color. If you have lighter brown eyes, aim for lighter and more neutral colors. For darker brown, use contrasting colors to help them stand out.
Choosing the eyeshadow color based on your skin tone:
This is all about matching the color to the undertones of your skin.
- For warm skin tones: Use neutral and warm colors, with light shades.
- For warm skin tones: Use neutral and warm colors, with light shades.
Also, for fairer and pale skin colors, avoid dark gray eyeshadow, as it will wash you out. With dark skin colors, avoid plaid colors, and aim for bold brighter shades.
