St Patrick’s Day isn’t the only time of year you can indulge in lush green makeup looks, although it’s certainly a good time to try something new. We scrolled the internet for some inspiration and asked some of our favorite makeup artists what looks to try on our eyes during March and beyond and found a couple that we love. These verdant colors are perfect for green eyeshadow looks that stun. From lowkey looks to glowing greens, there’s something for everyone.
Featured Experts
- Judi Gabbay is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City
- Allison Kaye is a celebrity makeup artist based in South Florida
Conquering Green Eyeshadow Looks
“Green shadow can seem intimidating and feel too aggressive to pull off, but there are so many ways to rock the tone to subtly stay on theme for St. Patrick’s Day,” says celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay. According to celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye, it’s all about the time and place, noting that “the right occasion and outfit will help you feel confident in a look like this.” She jokes that “Heading to the grocery store might not feel like the right vibe, but a night out with a trendy outfit will help you feel like you’re slaying this look!” The best advice? Remember, it’s only makeup, not a tattoo,” says Gabbay. “Keep it fun and playful. It washes off!”
Tailoring Your Green Look to Your Aesthetic
When it comes to finding the perfect green shade, you need to consider the huge range the color has to offer. From nearly neutral olive with warm brown undertones, to a shocking neon green, you have endless opportunities to make green your ideal eyeshadow look. Don’t be afraid to play around with color and form, using just enough green to make a liner or a fully lush garden of green. Green sounds bold, but it can be played up or down to suit your aesthetic. “The looks can be simple like a one-color green lid or made into something more smokey depending on how you normally like to do your makeup,” says Kaye.
A Gallery of Green: Makeup Looks We Love
Bright Green Smokey Eye
Gabbay is no stranger to green. She’s created gorgeous looks with the color on herself and clients alike—and she has some advice. “For an all-out green smoke, try Charlotte Tilbury’s Color Chameleon Pencil ($29) in Smokey Emerald all over the lid, setting the center with Jingle Tingle Shadow by Mac ($18),” suggests Gabbay. “It’ll give off a sexy dimension and halo eye.”
Subtle Green Eyeshadow Look
Kaye did a gorgeous eyeshadow look on her friend and Sports Illustrated model Kelly Hughes with a nice subtle green. “We did a metallic green eye with a little blue blended into it for a red carpet look for a Sports Illustrated event,” explains Kaye. She used the green shade in the Makeup By Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette ($50), which she loves. Additionally, for colored eyeshadows, Kaye also says, “Morphe and ColourPop have great palettes with fun colors!”
Lowkey Green Liner
“If the thought of swiping green all across your lid scares you, try a khaki/green liner instead,” suggests Gabbay. “A light rim around the eyes with Revlon’s Multiplayer Liquid Gel Liner ($12) in the shade Fortress works well with any eye color and stays on all day.” If you’re looking for a truer Green, Gabbay loves Urban Decay’s Eyeliner Pencil ($25)in Freak or Electric Empire ($25).
Gold and Green Eyeshadow Look
Lelani Green shared an apt makeup look that matches her last name. A warm gold is accented by a dark green that includes a little pop of lime green at the edges. This simple look is an easy way to conquer the green hue for yourself without completely green lids. For the gorgeous green eyeshadow, she used Juvia’s Place The Rebel Army Eyeshadow Palette ($12) and ColourPop In the Limelight Palette, that’s no longer available. The pop of gold is courtesy of about-face Fractal Glitter Eye Paint in Apollo Empire ($16). On the brow bone, she used a shade from Sigma Ambiance Palette ($30). To finish off the look, she added eyeliner and a short wing using Sigma Gel Eyeliner ($10).
Green Shadow Siren Eyes
Siren eyes have been a big trend lately, and Elle James put a green spin on it. She runs through the entire look, from contour to brow gel, but as for the eyes, she mainly uses one product: Huda Beauty Wild Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette ($32). She uses a lighter green as the base and a dark green, almost as an eyeliner, shaping out into a wing. Key to this look is precision, which is why she employs tape for perfectly clean eyeshadow application. After applying concealer, she puts more green beneath the eyes for a smokey look.