Black VS Brown Mascara: Which is Best for Me?

Q: Who should wear black mascara?

Black mascara is super versatile and looks great no matter your eye colour. It can help frame your eyes and add a touch of boldness to your makeup look.

Q: Who should wear brown mascara?

For subtle looks that enhance your natural eye colour and lift lashes seamlessly, brown mascara is the ideal choice. Brown mascara is great for everyday wear and can offer a subtle alternative to traditional black.

Q: What is the difference between brown and black mascara?

Brown mascara offers a subtle, everyday look that lifts lashes for a more natural or demure look. Whereas black mascara is a bolder look that coats and lifts lashes to provide a glamorous, visible look.

Although black mascara has always been the confidant of many beauty enthusiasts, brown mascara is here and ready to challenge its place on the podium. At Maybelline, we love both colours and think it’s just a question of the look you’re going for. So why not read on and decide whether it's black or brown mascara that you’ll be wearing next!

Black or Brown Mascara: Key takeaways

Black and brown mascara are two of the most popular and versatile shades of mascara.
Black mascara is ideal for big, bold looks that make lashes pop and enhance your natural eye colour. Best suited for everyday use on brown eyes, or the big occasion for lighter eye colours.
Brown mascara is a subtle, delicate choice that quietly enhances your lashes and brings out colourful undertones in your eyes. Ideal for everyday use on any eye colour.

Let's break it down: black or brown mascara, is one actually better than the other?

Black mascara on eyes

When it comes to makeup, it’s hard to get more classic and classy than black mascara. Dark black mascara is designed for definition; it's the ideal choice to add a dramatic edge to your look and enhance the natural colour of your eyes and the skin around them.

Black mascaras, like our Lash Sensational® Sky High Washable Mascara in Blackest Black, are the ideal choice for a sleek and classy look. While darker shades of black mascara can be far from subtle, they remain a great choice for plenty of occasions, and pair well with a number of eye colours and other makeup tones.

How to pair black mascara

One of the biggest concerns when picking a mascara is whether or not it will pair with your eye colour. Here’s our guide on how black mascara pairs with eye colours:

Green eyes: Pair green eyes with our Cosmic Black Lash Sensational® Sky High Washable Mascara and watch as the deep green and hazel undertones in your eyes explode. It’s an intense look, but one that’s perfect for bringing out the best in your eyes on a special occasion.
Blue eyes: Whether heading into the office or a day at college, black mascara, like our Lash Sensational Body Washable Mascara, works wonders on those with blue eyes and fairer complexions, framing and adding a bit of definition to invisible lashes. Top tip: use an eyelash curler before you apply your mascara to add even more length!
Brown eyes: Black mascara and brown eyes are a classic combo, and for a reason! Pairing a black mascara with deep brown eyes is the perfect way to accentuate your natural colour with a timeless look.

Brown mascara on eyes

So, who should wear brown mascara, and how does it compare to the darker shades?

A slightly newer trend, brown mascara is a subtle twist on the classic black look, and provides a gentler, more everyday accent to natural eye colours and skin tones. Mascaras like our True Brown Lash Sensational® Sky High Washable Mascara pair perfectly with a range of makeup tones and eye colours, providing subtle glamour to an everyday look.

How to pair brown mascara

If you haven’t worn brown mascara before, you may be wondering when to use brown mascara, or whether it actually pairs well with your eye colour. Here’s our guide on how brown mascara pairs with different eye colours:

Green eyes: If you’re after a glamorous touch with minimal intensity, then brown mascara for green eyes is a great choice. A chocolate brown mascara will really accentuate your lashes and bring out the hazel undertones in your eyes. In just one coat, your lashes appear more voluminous and sculpted, without looking harsh and unnatural
Blue eyes: Brown mascara on blue eyes can be a great look. For those who love to wear makeup but pretend they don’t, brown mascaras are perfect at creating a softer look and can even imitate the effects of a clear mascara.
Brown eyes: If you’ve got brown eyes, you’re likely wondering ‘is brown mascara good for brown eyes’, or is it a waste of time? Using brown mascara on brown eyes can add a subtle boost to your lashes and make the deep brown of your eyes even deeper. It isn’t an intense look, but as far as subtle or everyday makeup goes, brown mascara on brown eyes is a great choice.

So, black or brown mascara?

Black vs brown mascara – what should you choose? When it comes down to it, whether you go for black or brown mascara is a personal choice.

Looking for a bold look that adds visible volume and glamour to your eyes? Opt for a bold black mascara.

Searching for a more subtle look that brings out the natural colours of your eyes? Go for a brown mascara that subtly lifts eyelashes and accentuates your natural hues.