Makeup for Your Hair Color

We've got the best expert makeup tips to sexify every shade of red, brown and blonde hair you can think of
Loving your new hair color? Or maybe you were just blessed with a gorgeous color to begin with? Either way, you can't stop twirling, flipping and tossing your shiny, sexy hair. (OK, I get it. Your hair color is hot.)

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but here's some news for you: It doesn't matter how fab your hair color is. If you don't wear the right makeup for it, your whole look is totally ruined. Yikes.

OK, fine, maybe not completely ruined (sorry about the drama above, I might be a tad bit jealous of your hair), but it sure won't look good if you're wearing something on your face that clashes with your hair. And I want you to look your best (no, I really do, no bitterness here), so I asked Molly R. Stern, CoverGirl Celebrity Makeup Artist, what makeup works best for every hair color out there.

Click here to see the tips she gave for each hair color

From the darkest hair color (jet black) to the lightest (platinum blonde), she told us which makeup colors, techniques and applications will make your hair stand out in the crowd, even if you're a brunette surrounded by other brunettes. Or a blonde surrounded by blondes. Or a redhead ... you get the point.

So look through the celebrity gallery of hair colors to find the best makeup for you, and be sure to follow these three tips Stern says will generally match any hair color:
1. Keep your cheeks fresh and glowing.
2. Keep your lashes bold yet separated.
3. Don't be afraid of color!

And since your hair color obviously says a lot about you, make sure you keep it looking healthy. "The better shine your hair has, the less makeup you need," Stern says. OK, now onto the makeup.

Black hair

Good news for all you raven-haired women -- you "have the ability to wear a smoky eye like no one's business," Stern says. So play up your eyes with dark, smoky shadows (Stern says amber is one of your best colors) and use a jewel-toned eyeliner (try L'Oreal Paris HIP Eyeliner in Navy, $8.50) for a pop of color against the black.

Just try to stay away from dark lip colors, to "avoid looking too vampy," Stern says. Kim Kardashian's nude lips bring the perfect balance to her smoldering eyes. And black hair can make you look washed out, so use bronzer instead of foundation to even out your skin tone.

Dark brown hair

This shade of brown hair looks like rich, dark coffee. Stern thinks dark brunettes have it the easiest, since "they can wear any shade, any intensity." She actually says violet is one of your best shades -- so gorgeous.

Follow Catherine Zeta-Jones' lead and sweep a purple shadow across your lid. Smudge brown eyeliner across your lash line and apply a dark lipstick (try Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry, $6.50) to perfectly complement your hair.

Medium brown

Warm, chocolate-y brown hair absorbs tons of light, so you'll need to turn up the radiance. Apply a light-reflecting bronzer (try Sue Devitt Light Reflecting Bronzer, $30) on the apples of your cheeks to brighten up your face.

And since brunettes are far from boring (duh), you don't have to stick to muted neutrals. "The best advice I can give here is don't be afraid to wear color," Stern says. Eva Longoria's bright red lipstick is the perfect pop of color against her hair.

Light brown

Golden brown hair can have a hint of blonde or red, which looks gorgeous with a natural makeup look. Stern suggests a "nude sparkly eye with a peachy cheek," which looks gorgeous with Jessica Biel's light brown hair.

Sweep a shimmery mocha colored shadow over your lid and along your lower lash line. Dust a peach blush (try MAC Powder Blush in Peaches, $17.50) along your cheekbones and go with nude lip balm instead of a bright color.

Dark red

If you have cherry, burgundy, auburn or dark red hair, don't be afraid to "wear color that contrasts your hair," Stern says. "Everything doesn't need to be so matchy matchy." Blend a few shades of shadow together, like champagne, bronze and green, to create your own unique palette.

And that myth about redheads not wearing pink? Forget it! Pink is actually a great way to bring out dark red hair, Stern says. Look how stunning Debra Messing's hair looks against the pink background.

Medium red

Christina Hendricks' true red hair falls right in the middle of the redhead spectrum. For this shade of red, a "rosy pink cheek" and "bright stained lips" are perfect, Stern says.

Rub a cream blush (try Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane, $23) on the apples of your cheeks and stain your lips with a bright color to add even more warmth.

Light red

Amy Adams' strawberry-blonde hair is one of the lighter shades of red. Your safest bet when it comes to playing with color "is to keep it sheer," Stern says. Use soft eye shadow colors like apricot and peach to create a warm complexion, and top it off with brown mascara.

For your lips, go with a pretty stain (try CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain in Sassy Mauve, $7). Keep them looking "vibrant yet subtle," Stern says.

Dark blonde



When you have dark, ashy blonde hair like Jennifer Lopez's, you'll want to soften your makeup look. Try a peachy pink blush and a wine-colored lip gloss (like Bare Escentuals Lip Gloss in Celebrate, $15).

For your eyes, sweep an olive shadow (which is your best color, Stern says) over your lids. Line your upper lash line with brown eyeliner and keep the lashes defined with brown mascara. It's the best way to get a "softer look without sacrificing bold lashes," Stern says.

Medium blonde

Jennifer Aniston's shade of blonde is more golden, so dust bronzer on the areas of your face the sun would naturally hit, like your forehead, cheeks and chin. A golden brown lipstick can help enhance your warm coloring too (try Maybelline New York Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Chestnut, $5.60).

When it comes to your eye makeup, "stay away from too much black for a day look," Stern says. Instead, go for soft colors like pinks, mauve and sparkly grey.

Light blonde

The best colors for light blonde hair are neutral ones. To get Reese Witherspoon's makeup look, apply shimmery pink eye shadow on your lid and smudge gold or brown eyeliner along your bottom lash line. Finish the look with peach blush for your cheeks and a berry shade for your lips.

If you want to fill in your eyebrows, keep it light -- "you want to frame the face, but too dark can really contrast," Stern says. Try Cle de Peau Beaute Eyebrow Liner, $25, which is great for fair-complexioned women.