What Is Eyemaxxing and Why Do All Makeup Artists Talk About It?

I must admit that I have never been one to fall for every viral trend. However, something has happened with eyemaxxing, because since my TikTok algorithm showed me what it consisted of, I can’t stop seeing it everywhere. The idea is bastante sencilla, and based on a clear premise, the idea of bringing color theory into our makeup bag. How? According to Cristina G. Nuevo, a professional makeup artist and spokesperson for Planet Skin, you just need to search for “a shade capable of creating contrast with the iris and making some of its nuances stand out much more“.

The expert emphasizes that this is something makeup artists do daily. Although The interesting thing about eyemaxxing is that social media has turned something fairly technical into a trick that’s very easy to understand and apply. Moreover, it all starts on the color wheel. Colors located in opposite zones generate contrast between them and that makes them visually appear more intense. Applied to makeup, it means looking for those tones that help highlight the natural color of the iris.

Which color flatters me

Cristina is clear that blue eyes especially benefit from warm tones, such as bronze, copper, terracotta, or peach. “The contrast with those orange undertones makes the blue gain a lot of presence, even with very soft makeup.” And if your eyes are green? Then plum, mauve, deep pinks or burgundy will be your best ally. As for brown eyes, freedom is absolute: “Golds, coppers and bronzes enhance their warm nuances, while a dark blue or emerald green can create a much more evident contrast.”

Keep it simple

Putting the eyemaxxing technique into practice doesn’t require finesse or hours in front of the mirror. Sometimes, you only need a single product. “An eye pencil applied along the lash line, a slightly smudged shadow in the outer corner, or even a small dot of color can be enough. The important thing is to place the shade close to the iris to generate that contrast and stay true to yourself.” For the makeup artist, this isn’t a trend that imposes rules, but freedom. “Color theory is a starting point. After that you have to look at the whole face, skin tone, and above all, feel comfortable with the result.”

What products to use for a flattering eyemaxxing

For green eyes

Essential Neutrals by Rare Beauty

Perfect for visually enhancing the shape, depth, and prominence of green and brown eyes, its eight neutral tones allow you to work light and shadow in a strategic way. They also offer substantial pigmentation in a buildable way and are formulated to provide long wear without creasing.

For blue eyes

Pat McGrath Labs Blitz Astral Quad: Ritualistic

It is a palette that brings eyemaxxing in blue and brown eyes to its most spectacular version, as it uses shine to turn them into the absolute center of the makeup. The quartet brings shimmering gold reflections, melted bronze, and luminous pink that add dimension when placed on the mobile lid, the tear duct, or the center of the eye.

For brown eyes

Life Liner Quick ‘N Easy by Huda Beauty

Probably one of the most useful products for changing the shape of the eye. Its ultra-fine brush tip, firm yet flexible, allows you to draw from a line very close to the lashes to a thin, upward flick. It’s a staple in any makeup bag.

Sephora Collection Size Up Mascara

Finally, it’s another staple to enhance your eyes and make them look bigger. It combines volume, length and curl, with a promise of up to 180% more volume. Its hourglass-shaped brush uses shorter fibers in the center to load product onto the lashes and longer ones at the ends to extend the fan.

Blue is perfect for brown eyes, but it is also available in other shades such as brown, burgundy, pink, and black, which allows you to use color to increase the contrast of your gaze even more. Moreover, its value for money is wonderful.