Hazel eyes are a multi-hued iris color that typically has a golden-brown base and changes in color tone to green, amber, or gray as the lighting conditions change. This dynamic color change is due to the unique interaction between the moderate concentration of melanin in the iris and the scattering of light.
Only about 5% of the world’s population has true hazel eyes. The rarity is due to the specific combination of OCA2 and HERC2 genes. The proportion is slightly higher in mixed ethnic groups, such as those of Southern European and Latino descent. However, it is much lower than the proportion of common brown or blue eyes.
How do hazel eyes develop?
The formation of hazel eyes is mainly related to the amount and distribution of melanin in the iris: less melanin than brown eyes, but more than blue/green eyes. This moderate amount of pigment gives the eyes a mixed hue of brown, green, and gold. At the same time, the structure of the iris causes light to scatter, further affecting the final color depth and variation.
How are hazel eyes inherited?
Hazel eyes are inherited by multiple genes and are an incomplete dominant trait. When one parent carries a gene for dark eyes (such as brown) and the other carries a gene for light eyes (such as blue), the offspring may inherit an intermediate trait, resulting in hazel eyes with a moderate pigment content. This inheritance pattern makes hazel eyes more common in mixed-race offspring.
What are the types of hazel eyes?
Greenish Hazel
This type looks greener and may have a noticeable green ring around the outside of the iris, with a small amount of brown or gold near the pupil. The green will stand out more in different lighting.
Amber Hazel
This type is warmer and may contain more flecks of gold, amber, or copper, giving it an overall warm, brownish-yellow hue, but it differs from pure brown.
Brownish Hazel
This type may contain more brown, but there may still be flecks or rings of green, gold, or other colors around the pupil or around the edge of the iris, making it look more layered and varied than pure brown eyes.
Gray Hazel
This type of eye will display a unique blend of gray, green, and brown tones. This type of hazel eye may display different dominant tones in various lighting conditions, creating the illusion of a “color change” without actually altering the eye color.
Celebrities with hazel eyes
Harry Styles
The British singer and actor has hazel eyes with hints of green, giving him a gentle and mysterious look.
Kelly Clarkson
The American Idol winner’s hazel eyes often flash a golden green hue in the spotlight, making for an impressive sight.
Ben Affleck
The actor and director has a typical hazel eye color with a distinct blend of golden brown and green, which makes his appearance more profound and bright.
Getting Hazel Eyes via Contact Lenses
For those who don’t naturally have hazel eyes, it’s now easy to achieve this fascinating and versatile eye color with hazel contact lenses. These lenses mimic the natural blend of brown, green, and gold that hazel eyes naturally have. They give you a deep and layered look in different lights and situations, making it easy to change up your everyday look.
Wooeye Cleo Hazel Brown
•Period of use: 12 months (after opening)
•Diameter: 14.2mm
•Base curvature: 8.6
•Thickness: 0.07 mm
•Water content: 40%
•Material: HEMA
•Certification: ISO/CE/FDA
•Lens hardness: soft
Design features: The delicate gradient color design, with a soft transition at the edges, enhances the three-dimensional effect of the eyes while maintaining a natural appearance.
Wearing effect: It presents a warm, golden-brown tone, blending green and amber tones to create a soft and natural look, suitable for daily wear.
Wooeye Hazel Brown
•Period of use: 12 months (after opening)
•Diameter: 14.2mm
•Base curvature: 8.6
•Thickness: 0.07 mm
•Water content: 40%
•Material: HEMA
•Certification: ISO/CE/FDA
•Lens hardness: soft
Design features: High color rendering design ensures noticeable color changes, even on dark eyes, making it suitable for users who want to alter their eye color.
Wearing effect: Adding green and gold tones to brown creates a multi-level color change in the eyes, enhancing their depth.
A closer examination of hazel eyes reveals their unique formation, the inheritance of this trait through multiple genes, and the variety of types they can be found in.
Whether you are born with this fascinating color or wish to experience its depth and variety through specialized contact lenses like Wooeye Cleo Hazel Brown or Wooeye Hazel Brown, hazel eyes will undoubtedly add a unique touch of charm and depth to your appearance.
