Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 35 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    13 Steps You Can Take to Stop Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Experts

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this. 
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Of Course Kamala Harris Is Ready to Be President

    The senator has been criticized for seeming too ambitious — but that's kind of the point.
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Beauty Chevron Right
  3. Makeup Chevron Right
  4. The Most Flattering Eyeshadow Shade for Your Skin Tone

The Most Flattering Eyeshadow Shade for Your Skin Tone

By InStyle Staff
Updated Mar 23, 2018 @ 3:30 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/StartraksPhoto; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage

You might think yellow eyeshadow is hideous, or that red eyeshadow makes you look like you’re coming down with some sort of wasting disease, but there’s a reason they were included in your palette. The colors you always skip over in favor of a neutral beige or metallic bronze are some of the most flattering shades out there and have the ability to completely refresh your look.

But don’t just take it from us—we turned to several celebrity makeup artists that work with some of Hollywood’s biggest to find out what eyeshadows to start using ASAP.

From sheer washes of color or an update to the classic smoky eyes, these are the best eyeshadows for every skin tone to try this season.

VIDEO: Watch an InStyle Editor Put Dark Foundations to the Test

Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

FAIR SKIN

Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/StartraksPhoto; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$32
SHOP IT

Mai Quynh, who counts Elizabeth Olsen among her clients, suggests trying a cream antiqued bronze to warm up the yellow undertones in fair complexions. 

Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerise in Bette is a crease-free cream formula that has a buildable finish. If you aren't a frequent eyeshadow-wearer, the formula blends effortlessly; it's essentially impossible to mess up the application. 

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MEDIUM SKIN

Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$49
SHOP IT

Brown powder with hints of bronze and cinnamon creates warm, smoky eyes like Shay Mitchell’s.

Smoky eyes might seem complicated, but all you have to do is pick shades that complement each other. That's why eyeshadow palettes exist. Smashbox's Matte Exposure Palette has all of the shades you need to recreate a look that's similar to Mitchell's. 

2 of 7

3 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

OLIVE SKIN

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Fox/Getty; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$26
SHOP IT

If you have an olive complexion like Lea Michele, reach for a teal shade as opposed to a powdery, sky blue which has the tendency to wash out this skin tone. 

NARS' Shimmer Eyeshadow in Bavaria is enriched with light-reflecting powders that make it perfect for shading, highlighting, or lining the eyes depending on the look you're going for. 

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

TAN SKIN

Credit: Jerod Harris/WireImage; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$7
SHOP IT

Few eyeshadows are as good of multitaskers as gold. Freida Pinto's makeup artist, Kirin Bhatty, says that a shimmering gold shadow also works well on tan skin as a highlighter. 

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow in Eternal Sunshine might be a powder, but it doesn't look chalky as it wears, which is why it's an ideal formula to use on your eyes and cheeks. 

4 of 7

5 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

DEEP SKIN

Credit: Allen Berezovsky/WireImage; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$16/each
SHOP IT

Vibrant green shades really pop, while the mix of cool and warm undertones is universally flattering on deep skin tones.

To get a look similar to Aja Naomi King, try MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Humid and New Crop. 

5 of 7

6 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MEDIUM-DARK SKIN

Credit: Cook/Variety/REX/Shutterstock; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$17
SHOP IT

As seen on Yara Shahidi, cranberry is an unexpected neutral on medium-dark complexions. Dust it across your entire lid as an alterative to the scraping the last bits of your usual eyeshadows from their pots. 

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in M847 is a warm berry shade that will brighten up your whole face. The matte-finish shade holds up for 12 hours before you need to reapply. 

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

DARK SKIN

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage; Time Inc. Digtial Studio
$50
SHOP IT

Lupita Nyong'o's pro Nick Barose says that a rose-gold shade looks luxe on dark skin. "But it'll look edgier if it has a strong, orange tone to it." Consider the shimmery shade the most flattering color you’re probably not wearing—yet.

Lancôme Color Design 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Coral Crush includes shades that fit all the requirements Barose mentions.

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By InStyle Staff

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 7 FAIR SKIN
2 of 7 MEDIUM SKIN
3 of 7 OLIVE SKIN
4 of 7 TAN SKIN
5 of 7 DEEP SKIN
6 of 7 MEDIUM-DARK SKIN
7 of 7 DARK SKIN

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

The Most Flattering Eyeshadow Shade for Your Skin Tone
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.