Have you ever been curious about the science behind eye colors? There are so many fascinating eye colors, yet few of us know what causes them to be so different. When someone has an eye color that is captivating, we are quick to want to know where they’re from. Beautiful eye colors look exotic and rare and attract our attention immediately.

Eye color is an interesting topic because it's one of the first things we notice in a person, and it's what sets our perception of someone with blue eyes apart from someone with green or brown eyes. If you’ve ever wondered what determines eye color, keep reading.

Genetics and eye color

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and they are also the first thing people notice about you. This is why eye color has always been a topic of interest for many people seeking to make an easy, yet dramatic change to their appearance.

The science behind eye color is complex, but it can be explained with a few simple concepts: Eye color is determined by genetics, which means that it is hereditary. Melanin plays a determining role in what our eye color will appear as.

There are six main eye colors: brown, blue, green, hazel, amber, and gray. The most common eye colors are brown and blue because the amount of melanin influences the light as it appears in our eyes. The more melanin, the less color, hence a brown eye color. On the other hand, blue will reflect more visible light and color and contain less melanin.

What are the Different Types of Eye Color?

As mentioned earlier, there are six main eye colors: 

Brown eyes: Brown eyes have more melanin than the other eye colors. This is the most common eye color in the world. 

Blue eyes: Only 8% of the world’s population have blue eyes. They contain the least melanin.

Green eyes: Green eyes are said to be the most beautiful eye color in the world—with only 2 percent of people having them. 

Hazel eyes: Hazel eyes have a brownish-green hue, and their color is lighter than green eyes. 5 percent of the population has these beauties.

Amber eyes: Amber eyes have a golden yellow or coppery color without specks of gold, green, or brown and are uncommon at just around 5 percent of the population.

Gray eyes: Scientists say that gray eyes have less melanin than blue eyes, so they reflect the most light and are the rarest out of all the eye colors.

Is it possible to change your eye color?

Eye color is a result of genes and environmental factors. There are many myths about the possibility of changing one's eye color, but there is no scientific evidence that a semi-permanent or permanent change is possible without colored contact lenses or surgery—and surgery is proven to be dangerous.

However, it is supposedly possible to change your eye color naturally with food. Interestingly, what we eat can influence our eye color to a certain extent.

Eye color and emotion

The color of your eyes is a unique trait that, although may look similar or identical to others, is unique to you. You may want to experiment with different colored contact lenses to exude a specific quality or feeling in your countenance.

The following are some qualities that can be exuded with different eye colors:

Blue: Idealistic and gentle

Brown: Reserved and serious

Green: Creative and imaginative

Takeaways

It’s amazing how eye color can influence how we perceive a person. Stina, founder of Hello Lovely Living uses colored contact lenses as a way to express herself. Wanting to adopt a cleaner beauty regimen, she has dramatically withdrawn from using makeup, and in exchange opts for colored lenses as a way to use color to add interest and novelty to her daily look.

“Having made the switch to colored contact lenses a few years ago, I have cut back on makeup products tremendously. Colored contact lenses brighten my eyes and give me a finished look without having to really do anything to my face. I appear fresh-faced with a pop of color to my eyes on a daily basis—and with little effort.” says Stina.