Brown or black mascara: which suits you?

Short answer: choose black mascara if you have dark hair and dark lashes, or want plenty of contrast and a bolder look. Choose brown mascara if you have blonde or red hair, light lashes or fair skin, or want a soft, natural everyday look. Not sure? Brown for daytime, black for evenings. Our vegan mascaras Miracle Lash and FabuLash both come in black and brown.

What's the difference between black and brown mascara?

The only difference is the pigment. Black mascara creates the strongest contrast with your skin and the whites of your eyes. Your lashes look fuller and longer, and your eyes stand out more. Brown mascara gives less contrast. Your lashes are still defined, but the effect is softer and looks less like 'make-up'.

The colour says nothing about how gentle a mascara is. If you have sensitive eyes, read our guide to mascara for sensitive eyes.

Which colour suits your hair and lashes?

• Black or dark brown hair: black is usually the natural choice. Brown can look a little flat, unless you want a very subtle effect.
• Medium brown hair: either works. Brown for daytime, black when you want more impact.
• Blonde hair: brown is often more flattering. Black can look harsh and may leave a visible 'line' on light lashes.
• Red hair: brown almost always suits the warm tone of red hair and light lashes.
• Grey or white hair: brown, or a soft black in one thin coat. That keeps the effect soft and natural.

Look at your lashes themselves too. If your lash tips are very light, brown already adds plenty of length without standing out.

Brown or black mascara for your eye colour

• Blue eyes: brown mascara makes blue look warmer and softer; black gives a fresh, bright look.
• Green eyes: brown, especially a warm brown, makes green stand out. Pair it with warm eyeshadow from our eyeshadow for green eyes collection.
• Brown eyes: black gives the most depth. Brown is a lovely, calm choice for daytime.
• Grey or hazel eyes: either works; brown brings out the warm flecks.

Occasion: day, evening and work

For a calm daytime look, at the office or in summer, brown often looks best: polished, without anyone noticing you're wearing mascara. For evenings, parties or photos, go for black, as contrast stands out more in low light and on camera.

You can also combine them: brown on your lower lashes and black on your upper lashes. That adds depth without making the lower lash line look heavy.

Pairing brown mascara with eyeshadow

Brown mascara looks beautiful with warm, earthy shades such as bronze, copper and taupe. Black mascara finishes off a smokey eye or darker eyeshadow. Explore our mineral eyeshadow or our full eyeshadow collection to find shades that suit your mascara.

Our vegan mascaras in black and brown

Miracle Lash and FabuLash share the same creamy formula: vegan, fragrance-free, PFAS-free and cruelty-free, developed with sensitive eyes in mind. Both come in black and brown. The difference is the brush:

• Miracle Lash: flexible silicone brush for separation, length and definition. Handy for lower lashes.
• FabuLash: classic spiral brush for a naturally full effect.

Shop both in our vegan mascara collection, or read how to choose the best vegan mascara.

Frequently asked questions

Is brown mascara more natural than black?

Usually, yes, especially with light lashes and blonde or red hair. With dark hair, black actually looks more natural because it's closer to your own lash colour.

Is brown mascara gentler for sensitive eyes?

No, the colour makes no difference. That depends on the formula, the brush and how you remove it.

What colour mascara for blonde hair?

Brown is the more flattering choice for most blondes. For more impact in the evening, apply one thin coat of black to your upper lashes.

Can you combine brown and black mascara?

Yes. For example, black on your upper lashes and brown on your lower lashes, or brown first and then black only on the outer lashes.