15 Orange Eyeshadow Looks to Try in 2022

by Jessica Alberto
Published: Last Updated on
Orange Eyeshadow Looks

If you’re used to neutral eye makeup looks, orange eyeshadow is probably way out of your comfort zone. For many, this bright, attention-grabbing shade can be pretty intimidating to wear and rarely ever hits the pan — if it even gets used at all.

Though you might think it’s a difficult color to pull off, orange is actually a universally flattering hue that complements all skin tones and eye colors. That said, there are a variety of ways to dress your lids in this colorful shade. You can do a subtle pop of color with a muted sienna or go for a statement-making look with a vivid tangerine. If you want to know how to wear orange eyeshadow, here are a couple of looks to get you started.

Almost Nude

Subtle Orange Eye Makeup
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Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually possible to do subtle orange eye makeup. The key to achieving this look is to apply it very lightly on your lids and blend it out until seamless. Not only is this orange eyeshadow look super effortless, but it’s also pretty versatile. You can pair it with your usual face makeup or a bold lipstick color, groomed brows, and black mascara for added drama. Matte eyeshadows tend to be quite pigmented, so opt for a shimmery orange shade for a softer look.

Metallic Orange

Metallic Orange Eyeshadow
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Matte orange eyeshadows are more pigmented and dramatic than shimmers. If you’re not yet ready for a super bold orange eyeshadow look, then opt for a shimmery shadow instead. It works almost like a bronze, copper, or gold eyeshadow — albeit more glowy and vibrant. As for the lips, you can’t go wrong with a romantic nude-pink lipstick.

Candy Corn Halo

Orange Halo Eyeshadow Look
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/lisaeldridgemakeup

Looking for a fun orange eye makeup look to try? This candy corn halo eyeshadow look might just be what you’re looking for. Use a deep orange color on the inner and outer thirds of your eyelid and lower lash line, then sandwich a sunny yellow hue in the center. This creates an interesting dimension that makes your eyes appear rounder and wider.

Winged-Out Eyeshadow

Burnt Orange Eye Makeup
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Deeper shades of orange with pink or brown undertones can create a more natural, almost romantic look. Apply a burnt orange shadow all over your eyelids and blend it upwards and outwards to create a wing shape. Sweep the same shade along your lower lash line to intensify your gaze, then deepen your eyes by applying a dark brown eyeshadow on the outer thirds of your lid.

Tangerine Graphic Eyeliner

Tangerine Graphic Eyeliner
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Once you learn how to use eyeshadow as eyeliner, you can use any color from your eyeshadow palette to create different styles of liner. And sure, it might be fun to create a classic cat-eye with orange eyeshadow, but why not embrace this unusual hue by going all out with an equally quirky graphic liner? Use an eyeliner brush to draw a line above the crease and connect it to the outer corner of your eye.

Earthy Smokey Eye

Smokey Eye With Orange Eyehadow
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A simple way to tone down orange eyeshadow is to combine it with earth tones. Create this soft smokey eye by applying a medium brown on your crease, a deep brown on the outer corners, and a light orange on the inner corners. Finish the look with nude lipstick and top it off with lip gloss for the perfect autumn makeup look.

Monochromatic Moment

Monochromatic Orange Eyeshadow Look
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Using a vibrant shade on your lids, cheeks, and lips might sound like a lot, but this orange-on-orange combo actually creates an effortless sun-kissed look that’s perfect for the summer. Opt for soft orange shades like peach or creamsicle and apply this all over your lids. A creamy peach lipstick can double as a dewy blush that you can dab onto the apples of your cheeks and blend out for a gorgeous flush of color.

Orange Cat-Eye

Orange Cat-Eye Makeup
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/jantoski23

If you love a good cat-eye, try this classic makeup look with orange eyeshadow. Apply a neutral eyeshadow on your eyelid, then deepen the outer corner and lower lash line with a darker shade. Apply a bright orange hue on your inner corners, then blend a brown or pink-toned shadow on the center of your lids as a transition shade. Use a liquid or gel eyeliner to create a winged liner, then define your lower waterline with a brown pencil liner.

Inner Corners

Orange Shadow on the Inner Corners
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/mua_jennifer

Who says eyeshadows have to be restricted to your lids? Applying orange shadow on the inner corners of your eyes is a great way to ease into this bold hue. It creates a subtle pop of color that really brightens up your eyes. For this look, use an eyeshadow brush to dab the shadow in place and keep the rest of your eyelids neutral. And if you’re feeling really daring, apply a similar orange hue on your lips.

Fiery Gradient

Orange Gradient Eye Makeup
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/miss_alla_makeup

The best way to embrace bold colors like orange is to do an equally bold eye makeup look. For this, you’ll want to create a gradient using yellow, orange, and red shadows across your crease, blending each color until seamless. Add a winged eyeliner to intensify your gaze and tie the look together with black lipstick.

Blushed Lids

Peach Eyeshadow
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/hungvanngo

Peach blush is a great alternative to orange eyeshadow. Why? First of all, you probably already have it in your makeup collection. Second, this shade isn’t too far from your skin tone, which gives it a more natural finish that makes it a bit less intimidating to wear. Use your finger to apply a cream blush all over your lids and gently blend it out. Pair it with a “my lips but better” shade of lipstick for the perfect “no makeup” makeup look.

Glossy Lids

Glossy Lids With Orange Shadow
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/merton_muaremi_makeup

What do glossy lids and orange eyeshadow have in common? The ability to make you look effortless, dewy, and glowy, all at the same time! After applying orange eyeshadow on your eyelids, use a flat brush to coat the pigment with gloss. Finish this beauty look with a few coats of black mascara and you’re good to go.

Cut Crease

Orange Cut Crease
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A cut crease is definitely one of the more advanced eyeshadow styles out there, so what better way to show off your makeup prowess than by creating this gorgeous look with orange shadow? Define the crease with orange eyeshadow, dragging the pigment outwards to achieve a winged shape. Use a brush to apply concealer across the lid and clean up the edges of the orange shadow, then apply a gold shadow over it. Place a few gemstones along the crease to add some sparkle to your look.

All-Over Lid Color

Orange Shadow All Over the Lids
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/melissa.hurkman

An all-over lid color is one of the easiest ways to wear orange eyeshadow. Choose the brightest matte orange hue from your eyeshadow palette and apply this all over your lids. You can keep the pigment on the upper lash line for a clean burst of color or blend it out towards the brow bone for a stunning statement look.

Metallic Smokey Eye

Orange Metallic Smokey Eye
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/ru_makeup

A subtle way to incorporate orange eyeshadow into your makeup looks is to use a shimmer eyeshadow to brighten up a smokey eye. Apply a neutral shadow all over your eyelids to create a base. Deepen the crease, outer corners, and lower lash line with a dark brown eyeshadow. Use bronze as a transition shade, then finish the look by dabbing a shimmery orange eyeshadow on the inner half of your lids. You can use the same shade on your cheekbones for a glowy blush.

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