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Yellow is truly one of the most undervalued colors in the fashion world. You might be thinking, “Well, yeah, not everyone people can pull off yellow.”
As someone who has a family member obsessed with yellow, let me tell you, yellow is a lot more versatile than you think!
The key to working yellow into your overall look is use it to your advantage. Ok, maybe a yellow shirt will was you out, so throw on a yellow bracelet for a pop of color. A yellow hair ribbon would look stunning against your dark hair! Chunky yellow hoops are a fun bit of flair to set off your outfit. Or, if you’re really daring, you could work in a bit of yellow eyeshadow.
As a primary color, yellow actually complements a span of colors or can work nicely on its own. Go bold with an opaque style or use a light blended touch, your yellow eyeshadow will make you feel sunny and bright!
Best Yellow Eyeshadow Looks
Yellow Gold
This yellow eyeshadow style is a perfect example of how you can use this sunny tone for a pop of color. While the rest of this look is a bit darker, the golden tones blended along the edges of the design go nicely with the yellow. Sweeping an opaque yellow eyeshadow on the eyelid helps the eye to stand out while breaking up the rest of the style.
Yellow Cut Crease
Growing in popularity, a cut crease is a great way to go all out with your makeup while still having distinct parts to the design. Here, the yellow works perfectly against brown hues, a fun look for fall. This is also a good makeup choice if you’re wearing a mostly neutral, outfit, and allows you to bring some color into your style.
Glitter Sunset
A gorgeous halo eyeshadow style, the yellow eyeshadow here takes on a golden glow reminiscent of a sunset over the water. Start with an initial layer of the yellow, then blend in the orange on top. You can add another layer of yellow to make it stand out further. Finish with a splash of glitter, and you’re good to go! Here, the glitter is a clear shimmer, but you could always use yellow or gold glitter for another hit of color.
Just the Yellow
With such a bright color, you could always just do a plain yellow look. Blend different tones to bring depth and a touch of shimmer. In this case, the yellow brings out flecks of color deep within the model’s eye, really making them pop! Don’t neglect the mascara though, or you’ll lose the line of the eye.
Twilight Magic
There’s something about combining yellow and purple that just creates magic! Here, these colors create a sunset vibe, almost as if the yellow eyeshadow is the sun about to disappear over the horizon. The darker burgundy and violet shades are like the night gently sweeping in as the sun goes down. Pulling the tips into a wing defines the shape of the style as well as giving a bit of edge.
Tie it Together
Bang! The color just hits you in this style. Such bright hair makes a huge impact, and it can be hard to find just the right eye makeup to match. Therefore, it makes sense to go with the same color yellow to tie the whole style together! The interesting curve of the wing creates a pleasing shape to the whole design, complemented with a gentle pink to soften the look.
Luck O’ the Irish
Another incredible combination is yellow in green, popular in the spring and of course for St. Patrick’s Day. Here, bold tones of the theme colors really make the style sing, with a touch of white to help define the edges of the design. Little bits of silver shimmer add sparkle and depth for a finishing touch.
Fire Bird
Bold and striking, yellow eyeshadow is the perfect background for red winged eyeliner. The sharp angles of the eyeliner work nicely against the softness of the eyeshadow, which gently fades under the eyebrow. A touch of glitter in the corner of the eye gives a touch of pizzazz and catches the light nicely.
Make the Outfit
This is a perfect example of how to use your eye makeup to balance out the rest of your outfit. With such a sunny yellow shirt, going for the same shade on the eyes helps to bring a sense of balance to the overall style. Using sharp winged eyeliner contrasts nicely with the yellow, while also finishing off the design. This color is such a great complement to the model’s lavender hair!
Citrus Cut Crease
Yellow is just one of several incredible citrus colors, as you can see here. The yellow accents the roundness of the eyelid, which makes one think of the citrus fruits, while also brightening the other tones. Deep oranges and bright reds complement one another, while working nicely against the yellow. Using white for the cut crease further emphasizes the rounded shape, and keeps from dampening the brightness of the color.
Sunburst
Starting from the inner corner of the eye, the color radiates outward from a bright to yellow that is more subdued. Using layering techniques, start with the base tone and shape, and then add layers of color to get the maximum effect. Layering also makes the color stronger and more opaque, helping it to stand out. A delicate wing defines the shape of the style.
Yellow Wings
A yellow winged eyeliner can be a touch look to achieve, which is why the outline is crucial. The delicate black line makes the yellow pop, also bringing a fun artistic flair to the style. For this look, we suggest using an eyebrow or eyeliner pencil rather than a liquid eyeliner, as it is easier to control the lines with a pencil.
Yellow Ombré
Ombré eyeshadow doesn’t have to be two different colors – sometimes it is most effective doing an ombré fade of just one color. You can see that clearly here, with the brighter yellow on the eyelid slowly fading under the eyebrow. A bit of shimmer and a delicate winged eyeliner help to define the shape and balance the overall look.
Gone with the Fairies
A fun and fashionable look, this gorgeous glitter cut crease takes yellow eyeshadow to a new level. Pulling the base out beyond the eye creates a cool shape, while using the glitter helps to break up the style. Adding the glitter on the edge of the look also makes the style cohesive.
Matte Yellow
Matte eyeshadow is a hot trend in 2020, and it’s easy to see why! This yellow matte eyeshadow looks amazing with the model’s coloring, with the sharp winged eyeliner bringing a funky shape and definition to the style. Touches of shimmer in the corner of the eye and under the eyebrow also give a pop of difference and dimension to the look.
Pink Lemonade
Bright, fun, and perfect for summer, this pink and yellow pairing has a cool modern art twist. The stark contrast between the two colors really makes the look, along with pulling the pink up under the brow in a cut crease. Finishing with the silver glitter along the eyelid defines the shape and helps structure the style.
Lash to the Max
If you want to make your lash look stand out, yellow eyeshadow is a great option. With the natural contrast between yellow and black, your eyelashes will stand out against the bright eyeshadow on the lid. Putting a few other touches, like the bronze under-brow shadow and the gems along the eyelid, add flair to the overall look.
Bright like a Diamond
Sharp lines form an amazing diamond shape, in which different tones and shades create fun and funky look. The key to this style is blending – even though the edges of the design are sharp, the colors within are soft and combine together. Even the winged eyeliner slowly fades into the rest of the style, which works nicely within the design.
Just the Lid
With the addition of the jewels as decoration, going for a simpler eyeshadow style helps to keep your look from going too over the top. The sweep of bright yellow on the lid works nicely with the flower decoration, while the delicate gold shadow complements the yellow. Balancing the look with killer lashes and a neutral lip brings the whole style together.
A bit Flirtatious
This look is great for every day, as it is neutral enough while still giving that perky touch. The eyeshadow follows the same shape as the winged eyeliner, keeping everything consistent. A bit of white shimmer on the inside corner of the eye gives a bit of a pop while still complementing the yellow.
Simple and Sweet
Another good daytime style, delicate goldenrod eyeshadow is a great way to get a neutral look without sticking with a nude or brown palette. Simple winged eyeliner sharpens the look, as does the basic layer of mascara. Adding a bit of white highlight at the corner of the lid breaks up the color and provides a clean finish.
A Touch of Yellow
A basic sweep of yellow is all that is needed for this style. Complementing the yellow with just a bit of eyeliner and a gold lip, this is a fun take on a more natural look. Choosing to have a light hand with the mascara lets the color come through.
Pop of Color
Especially with an all-black outfit, yellow eyeshadow makes for a fun pop of color. Layer the matte yellow eyeshadow first, and then add the other touches like the winged eyeliner and mascara. Faux freckles make for a cute addition, which complements the yellow.
Fairest of Them All
While adults are not permitted to wear costumes to Disney World, Disney-bounding has become a popular alternative. Choosing an outfit to reflect your favorite character wouldn’t be complete without excellent makeup! The deep primary colors work together nicely, creating the Snow White look and a killer style at the same time. An addition of a little apple is the perfect touch!
Golden Beauty
This goldenrod shade of yellow is a great alternative to brown or nude if you want to go for a more basic look. The warm tones work nicely against the skin, while allowing the eyeliner to stand out nicely. Finishing with a sharp shape is a smart idea, especially when you only use one color, as it brings a sense of definition to the style.
Rocking Sunflowers
Cute sunflower faux freckles are the focal point for this style, providing the color palette for the look. Bronze lipstick and bright yellow eyeshadow work nicely with the tiny flowers, making for a sweet style. Tiny wings and a touch of mascara finish off this look nicely.
Wildflowers
While pom-poms might not be your first thought when it comes to your makeup look, they look adorable as part of this style. Going for a bronze-gold eyeshadow is a good choice here, making the bright yellow of the poms pop. A deep red lip balances the style and provides another focal point within the look.
Candle Glow
Buttercup yellow works nicely with the creamy shimmer to create a glowing effect. The gentle layered effect complements the plump winged eyeliner to finish off the cute look. This makes for a great everyday style, working with a yellow top or serving as the pop of color in a neutral look.
Smooth as Silk
Matte eyeshadow blends into the foundation, creating a flawless look that will work for any occasion. Delicate eyeliner helps to frame the eye and create a smooth shape. Adding touches of glitter along the edges bring a bit of glitz and glamor to an otherwise simple style.
All About the Yellow
Yellow is the statement in this look! Choosing not to use eyeliner lets the color stand out, but using the mascara still makes the eyes pop. Keeping the rest of the makeup neutral further emphasizes the yellow shadow.
NOLA Magic
Yellow, green, and purple are the classic colors of Mardi Gras and New Orleans. If you’re getting ready to celebrate Fat Tuesday, this is a great look for you! The yellow pops from within the darker tones, and the use of shimmer versus a flat eyeshadow adds another layer of dimension. Pumping up the lash volume adds to the celebratory flair!
Yellow Wings
You don’t have to extreme winged eyeliner to get a cool winged look. Winged eyeshadow is a nice alternative if you like the shape, but don’t want to go too hard with the eyeliner. This works especially well with the yellow, as it is a lighter tone. A light touch with the mascara will finish your look nicely!
Dusty Ombré
A dark and daring half cut crease, the yellow tones here provide a nice contrast to the smoky hues. This is a great way to brighten your darker looks, with an ombré fade of a lighter color. Yellow is an ideal choice, because it blends well with brown tones without clashing.
Almost Orange
A great feature of yellow eyeshadow is that you can flirt with other warm tones along the color palette. As a primary color, yellow has a wide color spectrum that you can tailor to fit your personal style. Here, the deep yellow is not quite orange, but has a concentration of color that goes nicely with the darker coloring of the model’s hair. Adding glitter on the eyelid also helps to break up the style and catch the light.
Pumpkin Spice
Everyone’s favorite fall flavor comes to life in this style using yellows, oranges, and hits of glitter. It is the glitter that really makes this look sing, clear shimmer on the eyelid divides the style into clear sections, while the yellow glitter under the eye extends the look. Finishing the shadow with a wing also brings a definitive shape to the design.
Classically Simple
Especially if you have a darker complexion, yellow is fun way to create a simple style that will make an impact. Yellow works nicely against these rich skin tones, standing out while still complementing your natural coloring. Using a deep purple lip, as seen here, gives a nice color contrast while still working with the natural beauty of the model.
Blended Cut Crease
Cut creases have a reputation for being sharp, stark differences between the lid and under the eyebrow. However, as you can see here, that doesn’t always have to be the case! Use a lighter tone on your eyelid, and then blend that color into the darker hues under the brows. Adding an even darker shadow at the outer corners defines the eye shape, and also makes a pleasant winged look.
Winged Outline
A fun take on a winged look, this style wraps the wing around the entire eye for a cool outlined effect. Starting with the yellow eyeshadow at the inner corner helps to draw attention to the eye, while the smooth gradation through the pinks and purples provides a fun sunset style. These killer lashes are essential, as they further define the eye and their edges also help to create the desired shape.
Burst of Sunshine
Another simple matte look, it’s easy to see why matte eyeshadow is ideal when working with yellow! The flat style allows the color to be the star, while keeping true to the plain tone. The bright nature of this shade of yellow comes through with the matte, where it might be lost with a shimmer or sparkle. Finishing with a winged eyeliner gives a baseline to go with the curve of the eyeshadow as it arches under the eyebrow.
Cut Crease Fire Ball
Red and yellow are a match made in heaven, and this cut crease is no exception. The red eyeshadow has an airbrushed quality that makes it distinct from the yellow eyeshadow on the eyelid. Blending it a bit at both corners of the eye prevents the two tones from being entirely separate, providing cohesion within the style.
Foxtrot
Layers of color work together to make this amazing and complex style. Begin with a base color of yellow eyeshadow, adding orange along the crease and at the outer corners to begin defining the shape. From there, you can begin to add the darker lowlights and bright white highlights that will finish off the style. It is important to max out your lashes with this one, so as to balance the overall design and make sure your eyes aren’t lost in the color.
Hopefully by now, your misconceptions about yellow as part of your fashion repertoire have been thrown out, and you’re ready to begin rocking some yellow looks! Whether you love a sunset style or something more subdued, you won’t regret picking up some yellow eyeshadow the next time some happens to catch your eye. You only live once, don’t make your makeup boring!
Whether you choose to rock it on its own, or add it in as part of an overall design, the versatility of yellow eyeshadow can’t be overstated.