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Original poster

Is it brown eyeliner that l need?

36 replies

EL8888 · 30/12/2019 03:25

I am approaching 40 at speed and beginning to wonder if black eyeliner is too harsh? Other people think switching to brown eyeliner helps as it is less stark. Will it make much of a difference?

OP posts:
Wildthyme · 30/12/2019 03:28

Try blending it in a bit.

Dafspunk · 30/12/2019 03:29

Grey! Love it - haven’t looked back!

friskybivalves · 30/12/2019 04:40

Very very dark blue also possible depending on your eye colour. I love my GOSH fashionista.

Original poster
EL8888 · 30/12/2019 05:07

@WildThyme l wear kohl on the water line which makes blending difficult to do

OP posts:
Original poster
EL8888 · 30/12/2019 05:08

@friskybivalves my eyes are hazel / green if that helps?

OP posts:
ShristmasChopper · 30/12/2019 05:18

Ive hazel eyes.
Grey has been a game changer. Purple and lilacs also make the green in my eyes pop. Purple isn't as hideously garish as it sounds- depending on the shade. It does not stand out as purple eyeliner but a softer definition than black. I got onto purple after reading purples and lilacs work best with hazel or green eyes.

Give grey a go too. It's fabulous. I use silver too for nights out. The range of greys are amazing from Matt dark grey yo all different of dinners until you get yo silver. Experiment with a few shades.
Buy cheap initially and just play to work out what you like.

scaredycatz · 30/12/2019 06:41

Ooh I'm going to try grey and purple eye liners after reading this, getting bored of black and it's defo starting to look harsh on me even when blended.

Destinesia · 30/12/2019 08:44

I've got hazel eyes, I find purple makes them look more green and navy makes them look more amber (like a tiger's).

Brown just makes them look muddy.

chocolatecheesecake · 30/12/2019 13:39

I've got blue-green eyes and have worn purple (dark, think aubergine rather than violet) rather than black for years. Clarins do a good one, and Mac prunella is a good shade too. It is softer than black which helps if you're pale like me, and does bring out eye colour. Having said that I'm just having a try of a coppery-brown eyeliner from &otherstories which does make my eyes look greener. It is more subtle than the purple which is good at this time of year when I have no tan.

CointreauVersial · 30/12/2019 14:08

I think black is very harsh as you age, unless you have dark colouring. Definitely worth experimenting with softer colours. I have bronze, brown, blue, olive, slate and aubergine eyeliners - blended with a pointy brush.

AlaskaElfForGin · 30/12/2019 14:27

OP I have hazel/green eyes - grey is absolutely the way forward! I'm early 50s now and black is just too harsh for me these days.

redwoodmazza · 30/12/2019 14:31

I can't see well enough to apply eye makeup... Sigh...

industryovc · 30/12/2019 14:36

Chanel do a waterproof khaki one that would suit you.

AlaskaElfForGin · 30/12/2019 14:52

@redwoodmazza Nor can I until I found a X 12 magnifying mirror online. Genuinely the best tenner I've ever spent! (Though it does show up how old I am too ...)

Ninkanink · 30/12/2019 14:57

Grey, brown, bronze, navy or a subtle aubergine/purple would go beautifully.

Black really is quite harsh on ageing skin/eyes.

Ninkanink · 30/12/2019 14:58

Oh yes, a khaki green is lovely too. One of my favourites is Stash by Urban Decay. It does have a lot of sparkle though, which I like.

CharitySchmarity · 30/12/2019 15:26

I am in my 50s with ginger hair and bluey grey eyes. I like to wear dark brownish grey eyeliners, although my favourite ("Lucky Lead" by Essence) has been discontinued - luckily I bought lots while they were still available! I also recently started wearing "brown black" mascara after years of thinking that anything other than black would make people think I was frumpy, and to be honest I can't tell the difference when it's on.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/12/2019 15:28

Lucky Lead has been discontinued??? Noooooooi!

CharitySchmarity · 30/12/2019 15:37

Another fan! The nearest one they have now is a slightly sparkly one called Opal, It's not quite the same but it also works for me - it's not at all an opal colour, despite the name!

DeckTheHalls2019 · 30/12/2019 15:43

I'm going to try grey too, I really don't suit black any more.

peachypetite · 30/12/2019 15:46

Bobbi Brown do a couple of lovelybrown tones in the gel pots - sepia and espresso I think they are called.

LolaSmiles · 30/12/2019 15:50

I'm a fan of dark plum, dark khaki and brown eyeliners.

Ninkanink I'm going to have a look at that Urban Decay one. My khaki ran out and I've not found another I like as much.

FrangipaniBlue · 30/12/2019 16:21

Another vote for grey! I use MAC gel in grey when going out.

For every day I use a dark brown khol pencil smudged into my waterline / lashline

WobblyLondoner · 30/12/2019 18:29

I am another black eyeliner abandoner, many years back. I like grey too (khaki or brown don't work for me, I think because they are too warm in tone). Clinique do a fantastic grey blue colour which I love.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 30/12/2019 18:32

I use Burgundy, Stilla and a warm brown one by Nars.