Have you ever met someone whose eye colour seems to change depending on the light, their clothes, or even their mood? These chameleon-like eyes, halfway between gray, blue, and green, have a very specific name: pers eyes.
What is the colour “pers”?
The term pers is ancient and poetic. It comes from medieval French and referred to a shade between blue and green, sometimes tinged with gray. In modern language, it is used to describe an indefinable, soft, changing, and subtle iris colour.
In other words: Pers eyes are neither blue, green, nor gray... but a little bit of all of these at once.
Why do they change colour?
Eye colour depends on:
- The amount of melanin present in the iris
- The way light is diffused
- The visual environment (clothing, makeup, decor)
Pers eyes generally contain little melanin, but in varying proportions. When the light changes, the pigments do not reflect colour in the same way, giving the impression that the eyes are changing colour.
A rare colour
It is estimated that less than 10% of the world's population has blue-green or gray-green eyes. Hazel eyes are one of these very rare combinations, which explains the aura of fascination that surrounds them.
How to enhance hazel eyes?
To bring out the natural beauty of this unique colour, here are a few tips:
Glasses
- Honey or warm brown frames → bring out the green tones
- Navy blue or steel gray frames → emphasize the bluish highlights
- Clear (crystal) frames → let the light play with the colour of the iris
Makeup
- Plum, mauve, copper, and bronze eyeshadows → magnify blue-green eyes
- Avoid overly cool metallic tones → they can dull the sparkle
Clothing
- Sapphire blue, sage green, soft khaki, and slate gray are your best allies.
Hazel eyes are:
- A rare shade, between blue, green, and gray
- A lively, changing colour that reflects light
- A poetic physical trait, full of softness and nuance
Next time you notice pers eyes, remember you’re seeing a colour as rare as it is captivating.
