From left: NYX Epic Ink Liner in Black, $8, nyxcosmetics.com; Sephora Collection Easy Smoky Eye in Pitch Black, $14, sephora.com; Surratt Beauty Artistique Eyeshadow in Noir Le Plus Noir, $20, sephora.com

Another way to accent brown eyes is with a sexy black shadow or liner. Rim your upper and lower lashlines, then smudge the pencil gently. "It gives an intense subtle smoky line," says Wilson. Black adds a dramatic effect to colorful looks as well. "I use a black pencil underneath the blue or purple colors to intensify them," suggests Wilson. If you choose a waterproof option, "it lasts all night without budging." Photo: Getty

From left: Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow in Crème Brulee, $7, revlon.com; Clarins Eye Pencil in Gold, $27, clarins.com; Nars Velvet Shadow Stick in Belle-Île, $29, narscosmetics.com.

To illuminate brown eyes in a softer way, consider creamy gold or bronze colors. "When you highlight the inner corners of the lashlines with a metallic liner, you actually open the eyes up instead of closing them off," explains Barose. Place the color in the corners of the lower lids only, then use black pencil along the top lash lines for definition. If you prefer shadow over liner, create a reflective quality to your eyes with a gold or bronze tone dabbed on the center of the eyelids or along the outer edge of the creases. Photo: Getty

From left: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in (Plum) Age, $25, sephora.com; L'Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eyeshadow in Shady Violet, $9, lorealparisusa.com; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Vice, $19,

"Shades of purple have the ability to make deep brown eyes appear more golden," states Wilson. For an easy wash of color, swipe a plum shade across your lids and use a neutral color (like your bronzer) in the creases. Or, swap out your traditional black pencil for one in eggplant. "It's dark enough to frame the eyes without screaming purple," explains Wilson. Pair it with neutral shadows or with a smoky eye. Photo: Getty

From left: Cover Girl Tru Naked Jewels Eye Shadow Palette, $12.99, ulta.com; Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Paranoid, $21, sephora.com; Sonia Kashuk Book of Eyes Eye Quad Collection in Ice Tears, $44

Brown is the most neutral eye color, which means the bolder the makeup color, the better the contrast. Cobalt and navy blues are a favorite of Wilson's because "they tend to bring out the reddish tones that are normally hidden in brown eyes," he says. Try dusting a deep blue on the lid stopping at the crease for day, or intensify it with a dramatic navy smoky eye for night. To keep it from looking "too strong," he adds, "I normally place a golden color to highlight the inner corner of the eye and use tons of mascara." Photo: Getty