Elizabeth Regalia

Colored mascara may bring to mind punk rockers of the 1980s, but smart makeup mavens know that, when used correctly, it subtly boosts your natural eye color.

"Apply one coat of black mascara first, and then use the colored mascara to highlight the lash tips," says celeb makeup artist Lori Hamlin, who works with A-list clients, including Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi. "This allows you to enhance the shape of the eye and define the lashes -- without looking too bright. The light will pick up the subtle color, similarly to highlights in hair."

Whether your eyes are baby blue or emerald green, the key is to contrast them with your colored mascara. Here's the rundown of what works best:

If you have brown eyes:

Dark gray, brown or plum will highlight the different shades in the iris.

If you have blue eyes:

Yellow-based hues -- like warm metallic brown, copper, gold or bronze shades -- will brighten baby blues.

If you have green eyes:

Anything in the plum family, including shades of purple or burgundy, will make green eyes look their greenest.

If you have hazel eyes:

Hazel eyes allow you to choose which shade to contrast. They can be made to look greener with plum shades, or bluer with gold or amber tones.

When it comes to choosing a shadow, Hamlin suggests keeping it neutral or in the same color family as your lashes. "If you choose vibrant shadow colors with vibrant mascara, your eye color will look less intense. All you will notice is the makeup and not the eye. And remember: You should notice your eyes, not your eye makeup, at first glance!"

 

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/skynesher

Elizabeth Regalia is a web editor at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia who blogs for Martha's Circle and manages the Whole Living magazine online community. She also contributes regularly to WhatToExpect.com, covering kid's health news and topics.

Available at Amazon.com

Your Best Body Now: Look and Feel Fabulous at Any Age the Eat-Clean Way