They say that the eyes are a window to the soul, and I'd add that eye makeup is a reflection of style. Whether you're a makeup maximalist or minimalist, onlookers catch a glimpse of your creative persona via the wash of colour splashed across your eyelids or the whisper of smoky eyeliner rimming your orbs. Your eyes don't just say that you're warm, inviting or not in the mood for talking—they also say that you have a good enough understanding of colour theory to know that rich burgundy shadow makes your brown eyes pop or that you made the conscious choice to go mascara-free to let your lipstick do the talking.

Since I'm always looking to reinvent my eye makeup, one of my first references is the French—what with their mystique, eclectically chic clothes and effortless beauty. Though Parisian women may be best known for their statement red lips, French makeup artist Violette Serrat calls one of her latest ventures, the Violette_Fr Plume Eye Shadow, one of the most authentic to her lifestyle.

"In a way, Plume Eyeshadow might be the most French-inspired formula we’ve created yet," says Serrat, the artist and brand's founder. ("After Bisou Balm," she clarifies.) "I’ve always been obsessed with the eyes in old French cinema—nothing too perfect or overly 'done,'" she explains, "just this soft, lived-in sensuality that makes you look more like yourself, but with a little mystery." Yes, there are cream eye shadow sticks, liquid shadows, and powder formulas galore, but Serrat found herself floundering when she tried to look for something sheerer, more foolproof, and perfectly French-friendly: meaning you can truly swipe and go.

"I realised there was nothing on the market that gave you that feeling in an effortless, intuitive way," she tells Who What Wear. To fill the gap, her team hit the cosmetics lab to cook up a cream-to-powder texture that offered the blending ease she sought with the smoky, gauzy finish she craved. "It has this incredible melt-to-matte effect that fuses with the skin and creates a soft veil of colour instead of something harsh or flat," she explains. In short, they're inherently immune to mistakes. In Serrat's words, the resulting blue-tinned, dreamy shadows that look closer to a trick of the light than a makeup product are things you could "build, smudge, and wear instinctively." Sounds like a French reverie.

The "French Girl" Approach

"For me, the 'French girl' approach is really about restraint," says Serrat. Sheer washes of colour and diffused colour sound easy-breezy but are typically the result of several ultra-thin layers blended into oblivion by a highly trained makeup artist. "I wanted to create a formula you could literally swipe on with your finger in two seconds and go. If you’re spending an hour in front of the mirror trying to perfect your eye shadow, you’ve already lost that effortless feeling," she adds. Effortless beauty should be effortless, no?

5 Ways to Wear the Plume Eye Shadows

Yes, I dedicated an entire paragraph of this piece to the French approach to beauty, but the secret is scarily simple—messy, hurried and virtually technique-less. However, I'm an American interpreting French beauty, so naturally I'm making things a bit more complicated. Keep scrolling to see the five ways I'm manipulating this shadow this summer.

Watercolour Wash

The first, and most authentic French technique, is the smudge-and-go. Thanks to these hazy, sheer shadows, you can rub the pad of your finger onto the cream powder and muss it onto your lids for that hazy wash of colour. "One trick I love is working the shadow onto the volume of the eye," says Serrat, referencing the centre of the lid. "I add to the centre of the eyelid, then focus depth into the crease and along the lash line, stretching it out toward the outer corner of the eye," she explains. "It gives the eyes this alive, smoky look that feels cinematic and sensual without looking overworked."

Colour Used: Pluie Violette

Hazy Liner

One of my favorite ways to do eye makeup is to accent the lash line with a soft flick of eye shadow, not liner. It's softer, making it suitable for daytime, but it can also be intensified for a deeper look once the sun goes down. (Or anytime you want, it's your world.) " I love taking a small brush and pressing it along the upper and lower lash lines, almost like a soft liner, then winging it out slightly," says Serrat. "It gives the eyes definition and depth but in a much lighter way than a classic eyeliner."

Colour I Used: Charbon Fumé

Soft Smoke

While I love tracing a clean wing with these soft shadows, the formula envelopes the eye in a seductive fog when smudged into the lash line. "I’ll use a combination of fingers and a brush to add colour across the eyelid, concentrating more depth in the outer corner and tracing it along the upper and lower lash lines," says Serrat. "Then, I’ll softly blend additional colour just above the natural crease to create the illusion of wider, more open eyes," she adds. This, she says, is a great way to "open" hooded eyelids.

Colours Used: Charbon Fumé and Bois Brûlé

Flash of Light

Think of eye shadow as an outfit: You can play with layers until the look feels right. "I’ll swipe on a shimmer shade of Plume Eyeshadow and finish with tiny accents of Lune Liner in the corners of the eyes to catch the light as the face moves," says Serrat. "I never want it to feel 'full glam,'" she states. "It should feel spontaneous, like the makeup became part of you." The key to one of these effortless yet undeniably cool looks is stepping outside your comfort zone—you won't find anything new there. "Makeup should feel expressive, not restrictive," she muses.

Colour Shown: Pluie Violette

Halo Eyes

I love a sultry halo eye after the sun goes down, and these shadows are especially suited for the occasion. The blendable cream pigments are easy to smooth over the eyes in a sheer wash, which creates a solid base for the rest of the look. With a small blending brush, I gently apply my deeper shade (in this case, Bois Brûlé) to the inner and outer corners of the eye, sweeping toward the centre but leaving a blank space in the middle. (Pro tip: Blend out any harsh edges with your fingers for a smoother look.) Selecting a shimmery accent shade, I'll coat the pad of my fingertip in the sparkling shadow and swipe it over the centre a few times to build intensity. From there, you can blend any rough lines with a fluffy brush—but don't overdo it, as the small imperfections are what keep these looks interesting.

Colours I Used: Orchidée Céleste and Bois Brûlé

More Effortless Single Eye Shadows to Try

They say that the eyes are a window to the soul, and I'd add that eye makeup is a reflection of style. Whether you're a makeup maximalist or minimalist, onlookers catch a glimpse of your creative persona via the wash of color splashed across your eyelids or the whisper of smoky liner rimming your orbs. Your eyes don't just say that you're warm, inviting, or not in the mood for talking—they also say that you have a good enough understanding of color theory to know that rich burgundy shadow makes your brown eyes pop or that you made the conscious choice to go mascara-free to let your lipstick do the talking.

Since I'm always looking to reinvent my eye makeup, one of my first references is the French—what with their mystique, eclectically chic clothes, and effortless beauty. Though Parisian women may be best known for their statement red lips, French makeup artist Violette Serrat calls one of her latest ventures, the Violette_Fr Plume Eye Shadow, one of the most authentic to her lifestyle.

"In a way, Plume Eyeshadow might be the most French-inspired formula we’ve created yet," says Serrat, the artist and brand's founder. ("After Bisou Balm," she clarifies.) "I’ve always been obsessed with the eyes in old French cinema—nothing too perfect or overly 'done,'" she explains, "just this soft, lived-in sensuality that makes you look more like yourself, but with a little mystery." Yes, there are cream eye shadow sticks, liquid shadows, and powder formulas galore, but Serrat found herself floundering when she tried to look for something sheerer, more foolproof, and perfectly French-friendly: meaning you can truly swipe and go.

"I realized there was nothing on the market that gave you that feeling in an effortless, intuitive way," she tells Who What Wear. To fill the gap, her team hit the cosmetics lab to cook up a cream-to-powder texture that offered the blending ease she sought with the smoky, gauzy finish she craved. "It has this incredible melt-to-matte effect that fuses with the skin and creates a soft veil of color instead of something harsh or flat," she explains. In short, they're inherently immune to mistakes. In Serrat's words, the resulting blue-tinned, dreamy shadows that look closer to a trick of the light than a makeup product are things you could "build, smudge, and wear instinctively." Sounds like a French reverie.

The "French Girl" Approach

"For me, the 'French girl' approach is really about restraint," says Serrat. Sheer washes of color and diffused color sound easy-breezy but are typically the result of several ultra-thin layers blended into oblivion by a highly trained makeup artist. "I wanted to create a formula you could literally swipe on with your finger in two seconds and go. If you’re spending an hour in front of the mirror trying to perfect your eye shadow, you’ve already lost that effortless feeling," she adds. Effortless beauty should be effortless, no?

5 Ways to Wear the Plume Eye Shadows

Yes, I dedicated an entire paragraph of this piece to the French approach to beauty, but the secret is scarily simple—messy, hurried, and virtually technique-less. However, I'm an American interpreting French beauty, so naturally I'm making things a bit more complicated. Keep scrolling to see the five ways I'm manipulating this shadow this summer.

Watercolor Wash

The first, and most authentic French technique, is the smudge-and-go. Thanks to these hazy, sheer shadows, you can rub the pad of your finger onto the cream powder and muss it onto your lids for that hazy wash of color. "One trick I love is working the shadow onto the volume of the eye," says Serrat, referencing the center of the lid. "I add to the center of the eyelid, then focus depth into the crease and along the lash line, stretching it out toward the outer corner of the eye," she explains. "It gives the eyes this alive, smoky look that feels cinematic and sensual without looking overworked."

Color Used: Pluie Violette

Hazy Liner

One of my favorite ways to do eye makeup is to accent the lash line with a soft flick of eye shadow, not liner. It's softer, making it suitable for daytime, but it can also be intensified for a deeper look once the sun goes down. (Or anytime you want, it's your world.) " I love taking a small brush and pressing it along the upper and lower lash lines, almost like a soft liner, then winging it out slightly," says Serrat. "It gives the eyes definition and depth but in a much lighter way than a classic eyeliner."

Color Used: Charbon Fumé

Soft Smoke

While I love tracing a clean wing with these soft shadows, the formula envelopes the eye in a seductive fog when smudged into the lash line. "I’ll use a combination of fingers and a brush to add color across the eyelid, concentrating more depth in the outer corner and tracing it along the upper and lower lash lines," says Serrat. "Then, I’ll softly blend additional color just above the natural crease to create the illusion of wider, more open eyes," she adds. This, she says, is a great way to "open" hooded eyelids.

Colors Used: Charbon Fumé and Bois Brûlé

Flash of Light

Think of eye shadow as an outfit: You can play with layers until the look feels right. "I’ll swipe on a shimmer shade of Plume Eyeshadow and finish with tiny accents of Lune Liner in the corners of the eyes to catch the light as the face moves," says Serrat. "I never want it to feel 'full glam,'" she states. "It should feel spontaneous, like the makeup became part of you." The key to one of these effortless yet undeniably cool looks is stepping outside your comfort zone—you won't find anything new there. "Makeup should feel expressive, not restrictive," she muses.

Color Used: Pluie Violette

Halo Eyes

I love a sultry halo eye after the sun goes down, and these shadows are especially suited for the occasion. The blendable cream pigments are easy to smooth over the eyes in a sheer wash, which creates a solid base for the rest of the look. With a small blending brush, I gently apply my deeper shade (in this case, Bois Brûlé) to the inner and outer corners of the eye, sweeping toward the center but leaving a blank space in the middle. (Pro tip: Blend out any harsh edges with your fingers for a smoother look.) Selecting a shimmery accent shade, I'll coat the pad of my fingertip in the sparkling shadow and swipe it over the center a few times to build intensity. From there, you can blend any rough lines with a fluffy brush—but don't overdo it, as the small imperfections are what keep these looks interesting.

Colors Used: Orchidée Céleste and Bois Brûlé

More Effortless Single Eye Shadows to Try

I'm a makeup enthusiast, and there is no season I enjoy leaning into thematically more than summer. There's something about the warm weather, relaxed schedules, and fun fashion that makes me want to stay outside all day and night, whether I'm exploring a new beach town on vacation or frolicking through the humid city streets with my girlfriends. Whatever the case, summer makeup has a certain spice to it that other seasons lack: It's the quick smudge-and-go liner before happy hour and the bold lipstick that I only reach for when I have a tan. The possibilities feel endless, and celebrity makeup artists agree that summer makeup should be fun.

Bronzed, sun-kissed skin and a sunlit glow will forever be mainstays in any summer makeup routine, celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez tells Who What Wear. "Always a blushy, little sunburnt moment," she specifies. However, there are a few trends shaping the makeup sphere this season that weren't factors in 2025. Cultural moments like Charli XCX's current rock-star era attached to the forthcoming release of her album Music, Fashion, Film in late July and Gucci's subversive cruise 2027 show are inspiring beauty to follow in fashion's grungy footsteps, and viral celebrity MUAs' signature techniques, like blurred "Nina Park lips" and "Painted by Esther blush," continue to trend.

In short, there's a whole lineup of makeup trends—both new and old—worth knowing about this summer. Keep reading for makeup-artist breakdowns of each one, plus products that will help you get the look at home.

6 Summer Makeup Trends to Try in 2026

Beach Skin

As Gonzalez put it, sun-kissed skin isn't going anywhere. In fact, we're taking things a step further into sunburn territory. This trend, complete with strategically placed rosy-orange blush and bronzed, juicy skin, is exemplary of art imitating life, eliciting images of beach days and flushed skin, sans the painful and itchy flaking that comes with the actual thing. Please don't forego sunscreen this summer to achieve this look naturally! Instead, tap a bronzy or terra-cotta blush over the apples of your cheeks and the center of your nose before blending everything out with your fingers for a natural, lived-in look. Whether you're building on a post–beach day tan or imitating one, this trend will bring your skin to life this summer.

Shop "Beach Skin" Products

Watercolor Blush

There's no denying that blush is having a moment right now. Whether it's the name of the blush technique you're employing or the brand you're wearing, every beauty lover is tapped into the flushed look right now. One thing that stays consistent is the internet's love for sheer, cloudlike color. "I'm obsessed with the watercolor makeup trend right now," says celebrity makeup artist Nam Vo. "Think sheer washes of blush, blurred edges, and that effortless lit-from-within glow."

Gonzalez agrees, having popularized vintage-inspired, poppy blush on her longtime client Sabrina Carpenter. "Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Brick Brown has been my go-to for the cheeks," she divulges. "I love applying it on the back of my hand first, then using my ring finger to dab it onto the cheeks, lips, and the tip of the nose."

It's placement that matters most here, according to Vo. "Blush is no longer just on the apples," she explains. "It's contour. It's structure. It's glow almost draped up into the temples for that sculpted effect."

Shop Watercolor Blush Products

Grown-Up Glitter

As if mimicking music-festival lights and midsummer fireworks, sparkly eye shadow and whimsical shimmers are taking center stage. Gonzalez calls out "glitter and gels on the eyes" as one of her mega trend predictions, recommending Armani's Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow in Tobacco as a must-have for summer glam. "It gives you a little bit of sparkle, but it's not so satin," she explains. Whether you reach for fairy-dust pink or silvery sparkles, this trend was made for hot summer nights under disco lights.

Shop Grown-Up Glitter Products

Y2K Rock-Star Glam

As we mentioned, the "cool-girl grunge" trend that's gripped the last few seasons isn't going anywhere this summer. It's just taking new shape. Charli XCX has been the purveyor of so many rock-star eye makeup moments this season, inspiring us to pair gray smoky eyes with juicy, hydrated skin in the promo for Music, Fashion, Film. Models like Gabbriette and Alex Consani make us want to sleep in black eyeliner for their effortlessly cool, messy makeup looks from Gucci's cruise 2027 show. Extra points for Y2K-inspired frosted lipstick and shimmery brow bones.

Shop "Y2K Rock Star" Shadow Products

Hyperreal Skin

Healthy, luminous skin is still one of the pinnacles of summer beauty; however, Vo sees things taking a meta turn this year. "We're also seeing skinimalism evolve into what I call hyperreal skin," Vo muses. "It's still natural but more intentional with strategic glow, sculpt, and hydration." In the age of AI, artists are turning away from the faux glamour of digitally enhanced skin and focusing their attention on hydration and glowy, natural-looking highlighters so their clients can always put their best skin forward—no filter necessary.

"Radiance will always be the main character for summer," says Vo. Just make sure to prep your skin correctly for the best results. "Start with a rich moisturizer and a glowy primer," she advises, then go in with skin makeup only where necessary. Vo explains that she prefers to use "lightweight, radiant foundations" or even just concealer only where it's needed for the most natural effect.

Shop "Hyperreal Skin" Products

Hazy Pout

"Brush-blurred lips are having a moment. They give that soft-focus, 'just bitten' effect without looking overdone," says Vo. Think of it as that hazy sunrise over the horizon line on a hot summer's day. This look, popularized by the work of celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, went viral for making celebrities' lips look naturally plumper, and all you have to do is gently buff your overlined lip liner with a small blending brush. "And don't skip a glossy lip balm or oil to finish the look. It ties everything together," Vo advises.

Shop "Hazy Pout" Products

How is summer 2026 makeup different from last year?

"Summer 2025 was more about clean girl, minimal, almost-bare skin. Summer 2026 is still fresh but more expressive," says Vo. "We're layering sheer textures instead of stripping everything back, and bold blush is here to stay." We're talking about more color, glow, and individuality. "It's less about perfection and more about artistry that still feels wearable," she explains.

How should we summer-proof our makeup?

These stunning looks take some work, so the last thing you want to do is sweat them right off. Luckily, the pros have a few tips.

"Less is more in the heat. I always say thin layers set strategically," advises Vo. "I'll use cream products first, then lightly set only where needed—like the T-zone—so the skin still looks juicy." Gonzalez models similar behavior, opting for liquid products, like Armani's Luminous Cheek Tint, during the daytime and topping things off with a powder blush in breezier evenings. "It sets the liquid blush in place. It really locks it in and won't move," says Gonzalez. But if you think you might end up sweating, Gonzalez says to skip the powder blush, as it can end up looking streaky.

One last tip? Stock up on reliable setting spray and blotting wipes. "A good setting spray is your best friend," Gonzalez says sagely. "I also like to press products into the skin rather than swipe for better longevity." It's for this reason that she keeps blotting papers on hand during the summer, which "will keep your glow fresh, not greasy," she states.

Meet Our Experts

• Carolina Gonzalez is a celebrity makeup artist who has glammed the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Tessa Thompson, Sofia Carson, and more. She is a member of the Armani Beauty Collective and is based in New York City.
• Nam Vo is a New York City–based celebrity makeup artist and content creator known for coining the term "dewy dumpling" skin for her ultra-glowy makeup style.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

The internet never stops churning out new beauty trends, and the changing of the seasons is even more fodder for the “miscellaneous-core aesthetic” preachers. In following the barrage of makeup movements served to me on my aluminum brick, no matter how compelling (I did indulge in the sunburn blush and frosted lipstick trends), I felt that I’d lost my personal sense of style this season. It was only after turning my focus away from the beauty industry that I found a new source of inspiration for spring beauty—and that, my friend, was Jonathan Anderson’s first F/W collection for Dior.

Beauty is, by nature, an extension of fashion. It puts the period on the message the designer is trying to convey through their clothes, whether simple like Prada’s streamlined silhouettes or theatrical like Maison Margiela’s statement-making ensembles. So it’s no surprise that when I discovered the marvel of water lily–inspired shoes, turtle-shaped purses, and chrysanthemum-adorned two-pieces cascading down Dior’s runway at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, I was quickly influenced to translate the show’s palette into my own look.

Since diving into the pastel world of Anderson’s Dior, I have a renewed sense of appreciation for spring beauty. Ahead, the five trends I’ve adopted from his spellbinding show.

Freshwater Eyes

There is little I love more than a punchy pastel eye, so when I spotted this sky-blue clutch on the runway, I realized that I had Dior’s permission to slather this color all over my lids. Though blue eye shadow isn’t exactly groundbreaking for spring and summer, the retro hue is having quite a comeback in 2026. Even celebrity makeup artist Ash K. Holm declared this color the diamond of the season in an Instagram reel; using Danessa Myricks’s Colorfix liquid pigment in the shade Oasis to achieve her robin’s egg lids.

To channel the bag’s freshwater hue, I opted for Victoria Beckham’s EyeWear cream shadow in the shade Cornflower. After swiping this color all over my lids, I blended the color into my crease with a fluffy brush and intensified the look with Hung Vanngo’s Color Story Eyeshadow Palette in Brilliant Blue. Cool, artful, yet modern.

Cherubic Blush

One of the largest trends we saw emerge from global fashion weeks, award season, and the 2026 Met Gala was cherubic blush: the dreamy diffusion of rosy pigment across the cheeks in a cloud-like manner. The subtle pops of pink sprinkled throughout Dior’s latest womenswear collection feel cohesive with this trend, so I’m leaning into rosy skin this season with a few essential blush products.

Dior’s Backstage Glow Maximizer Face Palette includes a cool-pink shimmer pigment that looks just like the hue of Dior’s chrysanthemum appliqués, and it makes the skin look extra healthy thanks to its shimmery finish. (Disco blush, if you will.) I’m also throwing one of Sabrina Carpenter’s go-to liquid blushes into the mix and blending Violette_FR’s new Plume Eye Shadows in the shade Pluie Violette onto my lids for a monochrome look.

Water-Lily Nails

Perhaps the most literal beauty interpretation of this collection that I’ve seen yet is this set by Milan-based professional and editorial manicurist Oksana Zavora. Each nail is accented with a smattering of water lilies, chrysanthemums, pastel French tips, and 3D decals in the form of bubbles or rhinestones—all directly inspired by the collection itself.

If having different nail art on each tip feels intimidating, try alternating milky pink, baby blue, and pastel green shades from finger to finger to get a similar look. I’m also referencing Chanel’s mermaid nails from the fashion house’s latest Cruise 26/27 show—where alternating colors were utilized in sheer, chrome shades—for this whimsical aesthetic.

Chiffon Lips

I usually don’t gravitate toward pink pinks when I do my makeup, no matter the season or the occasion. However, something about Anderson’s use of baby pink in this collection made me rethink my ways. When I got hold of Prada’s brand-new Touch Blush—a cream-to-powder product in elevated, pigmented shades—I used it about half of the time on my cheeks and the other half on my lips. The shades Waterlily and Tulip look extra sweet when tapped onto the lips, especially when applied atop YSL Beauty’s Kiss Shaper liners.

Fruity Femme Fragrances

If Dior’s relatively springy fall collection had a scent, it would be a flurry of fresh greenery, blooming flowers, seasonal fruits, and plump dewdrops. This bouquet of scents got me thinking about floral fragrances that flirt with notes of juicy fruit and sweet earth—so I quickly edited my spring perfume collection to include these three.

It may seem a little too on-theme, but I’d be remiss to overlook Dior’s sumptuous spring perfume offerings. Dior Addict Rosy Glow Eau de Parfum is a new scent that lands on the sweet end of the spectrum with a fruity, lychee base (an extremely popular ingredient right now) draped in a canopy of Damascus rose and dashed with creamy vanilla. For something a bit more sheer and green, I’m tossing Diptyque’s Vetyverio Eau de Toilette into the mix, and Jo Malone’s Poppy and Barley Cologne is my seasonal pick for something juicy and sweet that doesn’t lean gourmand.

The very first makeup product that made my heart skip was a pot of lilac eye shadow. I don't remember the specific shade or even the brand name (it most likely came from the drugstore), but I can recall exactly how I felt when I dusted it across my lids: elegantly grown-up, ethereal, and just so pretty. I wore it every single day to middle school—paired with a raccoon-like ring of black eyeliner, of course—and to this day, soft purple eye shadow remains a special staple.

As you can probably guess, I'm beyond psyched that lavender eye makeup is seeing a chic resurgence. I first clocked it on Quinta Brunson, who wore a wash of purple shadow at this year's Critics Choice Awards, then on Amelia Gray Hamlin, who donned purple eyes paired with a custom Swarovski dress at the Golden Globes. Laufey quickly followed, cosigning lavender with mermaid-esque makeup fit for a Grammy winner, then Barbie Ferreira arrived to Coachella rocking lilac lids. And finally, we have Rihanna, who just officially cemented soft purple eye shadow as the hottest spring makeup trend. The middle schooler in me is screaming!

Yesterday, Rihanna—and Rocki, her 7-month-old daughter with A$AP Rocky—starred on the cover of W Magazine's Pop Issue. She's absolutely regal in head-to-toe Dior (including a custom Dior diaper for baby Rocki!), but my beauty-editor eyes immediately zeroed in on the halo of purple and orange eye shadow on her top and bottom lids. Created by Daniel Sällström, the glam certainly aligns with the makeup artist's high-fashion, experimental work and pairs perfectly with the star's purple statement hat.

This isn't the first time Rihanna cosigned a soft purple eye look. Remember when she attended a 2023 Fenty x Puma event wearing a purple fuzzy jacket and matching shadow? And who could forget her violet glam in the "What's My Name" music video? While lavender eyes are taking the red carpet by storm—as Who What Wear predicted months ago in our inaugural Red Carpet Beauty Report—Rihanna has been rocking them for years. Consider her the blueprint for this pretty spring beauty trend.

While we aren't 100% sure which eye shadow Sällström used on the cover, we do know Rihanna wore plenty of Fenty Beauty products for the shoot, so I have to assume she incorporated her new Shadowstix Eyeshadow Stick in Miss Pri$$y (a sparkly lilac) into the look. Feel free to shop the hero product below, along with more celeb-approved soft purple eye makeup to wear for the rest of spring.

Shop Soft Purple Eye Shadow

For as long as I can remember, I've always had watery eyes, and I've always loved eye makeup. However, the two don't go well together. All it takes is a slight gust of wind or a sudden change in temperature, and my watery eyes stream and ruin my makeup.

And if you're anything like me, you've probably had your eye makeup ruined on more than one occasion thanks to those rogue tears that seemingly come from nowhere and melt away eyeliner and eyeshadow in their wake. I've lost count of the number of times a soft, smoky wing has disappeared. I have watery eyes year-round, but with hayfever season in full swing right now, I've been on a quest to find out how to stop watery eyes from ruining my makeup, once and for all.

So, I enlisted the help of Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, to find out the causes of watery eyes and how to stop them from ruining your eye makeup.

What Causes Watery Eyes?

"Blepharitis is the number one cause of dry eye, which is an umbrella term that encompasses lots of symptoms, i.e., redness or a gritty or foreign body sensation and, ironically, dry eyes as the eye makes excess tears when dry," says Dr Hawkes. "There can be many causes, such as allergies, medical conditions or as a result of certain oral medications, but it’s always best to see an eye specialist or an optician as there are subtle differences."

Blocked Tear Ducts: "If it’s just one eye, it could be a blocked tear duct. If you have a blockage, you will have a watery eye, which can be caused by trauma to the tear duct. It can be congenital or caused by an infection, but it needs a thorough assessment," says Dr Hawkes. "A common test eye specialists conduct is to ask patients if their eyes are watering indoors and outdoors. If they water indoors, it’s highly suggestive of blockage. If it’s a duct blockage, you need surgery, but it depends on what layer or level the obstruction is at, as this determines how invasive it needs to be," she adds.

Dry Eyes: "If it’s blepharitis and associated dry eye—watery eye syndrome—the mainstay of treatment is ironically with lubricating eye drops, which can be a tricky concept for patients to get their heads around," says Dr Hawkes. "This is because the more lubricated the ocular surface is, the less likely you are to trigger the lacrimal gland to produce tears." Eye drops can help to rehydrate the eyes and prevent them from overcompensating with excessive tears.

Allergies: "If it’s allergy-related, it needs to be investigated and looked at for the cause. Either way, there are lots of different eye drop options available to the different causes that can all treat the condition efficiently," she says.

Can Makeup Make Watery Eyes Worse?

Depending on the cause of your watery eyes, you may find that makeup can exacerbate symptoms. "Blepharitis is the most common cause, which causes blockage of the meibomian glands, which are specialised glands in between the eyelashes, that secrete an oily layer of tear film," says Dr Hawkes. "They open on the waterline, so when you apply eyeliner or mascara, you’re irritating and directly blocking these glands," she says.

"Generally, I would avoid using eyeliner on the waterline and use products suitable for sensitive skin. Clinique has a brilliant 'eye safety promise’ as the products undergo rigorous testing on how they affect the ocular surface, which not many brands do," she says. "Be cautious with application and always remove eye makeup properly, especially if you have sensitive eyes."

How to Stop Watery Eyes From Ruining Makeup

Preventing watery eyes is the key step to minimise the risk of them ruining your eye makeup, and there are some preventative steps you can take to reduce watery eyes.

Cleanse the Eyes: "Much like a thorough skincare routine and ensuring your skin is in a healthy condition to create a good base for makeup, proper cleansing and care of the eye is key here," says Dr Hawkes. "Ophthalmologists call it ‘lid hygiene’, and this is a must, removing in between the lashes morning and evening to ensure glands don’t get blocked," she says. "Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover (£10) is a great one. It has no harsh surfactants that affect the lipid layer on the eyes and does a great job at thoroughly removing makeup."

Practice Good Makeup Hygiene: "Having good makeup hygiene is vital. This includes removing makeup properly, cleaning your brushes, not keeping mascara for years or using expired or dried-out products," she says. Typically, you should replace your mascara every 3-6 months, cream eyeshadows every 12-18 months and powder eyeshadows every 1-2 years. As a general rule of thumb, cream formulations tend to expire more quickly, so go through your makeup bag and check the expiry dates on the products you're using. Additionally, ensure you're regularly washing your makeup brushes, too.

Opt for Cream Eye Makeup: Whilst Dr Hawkes doesn't flag any particular ingredients to avoid in your makeup, she does favour cream over powder formulas. "Specific ingredients in makeup aren’t as important; however, I always advise cream-based eyeshadows and makeup, because powder particles might go into the eye and cause irritation," she says.

Eye Makeup to Avoid: Having spoken to makeup artists over the years, I've learned that it's best to avoid eyeshadows with glitter or shimmer, as they can cause fallout and further irritate the eyes. As for your lashes, tubing mascaras are great as they're long-wearing, but remove easily from the eyes with warm water. Waterproof mascaras are great for avoiding smudges; however, they are more difficult to remove, so look for a good eye makeup remover to fully remove them.

Look for Eye-Safe Brands: "Additionally, I recommend products and brands that have been tested, much like Clinique’s eye safety promise," she says. Look for brands and products that have been ophthalmologist-tested to minimise eye irritation. Additionally, if you're a contact lens wearer, Dr Hawkes says that this can cause problems in itself, so be very mindful to take extra care of your eyes. She also recommends avoiding eyelash extensions if you're prone to issues.

If your watery eyes persist, always seek medical advice. "If you leave anything too long, it can affect your vision, so it’s best to be safe and cautious when it comes to your eyesight," says Dr Hawkes.

How to Fix Eye Makeup

Whether it's a windy day or there is a high pollen count on an important occasion, there are times when smudged eye makeup just needs to be fixed. I've lost count of the number of times I've had my makeup professionally done for a wedding or special occasion, only for it to be ruined by my watering eyes. Here are my tips for fixing it.

Dab, don't rub: Avoid rubbing the area and instead dab with a tissue to remove any excess tears. Often, the area can become dry, so you can rehydrate the area with a sensitive skin-friendly eye cream. This will help to hydrate and soothe any irritation around the eyes. For quick fixes, a Q-tip can help clean up smaller smudges, or you can use a small makeup brush to tidy up smudged eyeliner wings.

Fix the Base: If the situation requires you to fully reapply the makeup, there are a few things you can do. Applying a little concealer can help create a gripper canvas for eye makeup, and it can then be fixed with a pressed setting powder to create a waterproof barrier. Applying with a puff rather than a brush is best to avoid particles from going into the eyes. Tap onto the skin to set the concealer.

Apply Eye Makeup: Waterproof eyeliners or long-wearing eyeshadows (such as cream-to-powder formulas) will provide the best wear. You can also apply a small amount of powder eyeshadow over a cream formula to set your eye makeup. Just ensure the area is fully dry from tears; otherwise, the eye makeup won't adhere. Then, you can apply a setting spray to help lock it in (just keep your eyes closed when you're misting, of course!).

Carry the Essentials: Keep some of your core products with you in case it needs fixing or topping up throughout the day. Alongside your makeup, eye drops or mists can help refresh the eyes throughout the day, and sunglasses are useful for shielding eyes from gusts of wind, or even hiding smudged eye makeup as a last resort.

Best Products for Watery Eyes

I might be a makeup artist (and a beauty editor), but up until a few years ago, I could never get my eyeshadow to last longer than one hour, tops. I put it down to my oily eyelids (those of you with oilier complexions will relate) and assumed I had to say goodbye to eyeshadow altogether.

It’s not that I hadn’t heard of primers before (specifically, eyeshadow primers), it was that I was yet to come across one that actually worked. Whether I used a powder formula or eyeshadow stick over the top, my eye makeup still creased almost straight away.

However, when my friend wouldn’t stop raving about the Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, I thought, maybe I should give this product another go. So, when we were getting ready for a night out, I applied a generous helping of her go-to eyeshadow primer, and lo and behold, my eye makeup stayed in place after hours of bar hopping around Soho.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was a pivotal moment in my life, but it did feel good to know that I could actually wear eyeshadow again. So much so that over the past month, I’ve made it my mission to test more of the most popular eyeshadow primer formulas, and have created a concise edit of products that truly work. Intrigued to know more? Just keep on scrolling.

The Best Eyeshadow Primers, Tried & Tested

• Best Overall: Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, £26
• Best Hydrating Formula: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer, £23
• Best for Creasing: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, £24
• Best Lightweight Formula: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, £21
• Best for an Even Skin Tone: Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, £30

1. Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I mean, I had to start with Nars, didn't I? This is, hands down, the best eyeshadow primer I have ever used. The doe-foot applicator makes it easy to swipe straight onto the lid, and although the product comes out white, it dries down to a clear matte finish, perfect for prepping your eyes for any number of colourful eyeshadow looks. If I'm doing a heavier makeup look or plan to be out all day (or night), this is the product I reach for, as it really keeps my eyeshadow in place. If you have oily eyelids, I couldn't recommend it enough.

2. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer

If your eyelids are on the drier side, but you still want to use a primer, I recommend this one from Milk Makeup. A blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and aloe water, this formula is hydrating and creates a smooth, long-lasting base for eyeshadow. The clear formula and doe-foot applicator make it a dream to use, and if you've tried Milk Makeup primers before, then you'll know just how effective this is.

3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

This primer is somewhat of an icon in the makeup world, but as someone who had never tried it before, I was skeptical about whether it would actually work. As it turns out, it really does. The packaging is a little smaller than others in this roundup, so it's a great one for travelling (there is also a smaller travel-size tube available). It also comes with a doe-foot applicator so you can swipe it straight onto the lid, and the formula is a light beige colour, but undetectable once dry. I loved testing this primer because it was great at minimising creasing throughout the day. I applied a nude powder eyeshadow on top, and it had barely creased by the time I got home from work. Very impressive considering my eyeshadow has normally creased by the time I walk through the office door in the morning.

4. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

If you're looking for a creamy yet lightweight option, Too Faced's Shadow Insurance has got you covered. It has this gorgeous, velvety texture that glides onto the skin, creating a smooth, long-lasting base for your eyeshadow. Plus, it smells incredible, like a summer holiday in a bottle. I'll definitely be reaching for it this season when the hot weather threatens to ruin my makeup.

5. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

6. Makeup by Mario Master Mattes LW Cream Eyeshadow

Again, not technically an eyeshadow primer, but an incredible product to help your eye makeup last. I first started using this Makeup By Mario product as intended, a liquid eyeshadow, but quickly realised it also made a great base for powder eyeshadow products. It has a matte finish and a long-lasting formula, and comes in a range of neutral shades.

What Is an Eyeshadow Primer?

An eyeshadow primer is similar to a normal makeup primer, helping that gorgeous, glowy makeup look you've spent ages on last longer. However, as the name suggests, these primers are specifically designed for the eyelid area. "Eyeshadow primers are a necessary part of my makeup prep on set because they keep eye shadows in place," explains Sara Wren, director of artistry at Milk Makeup. "Eyeshadows often don’t show up, fade or can crease over the course of the day, but a good primer will prevent that from happening."

As Wren explained to me, most primers come in liquid or cream form, and some contain pigment to help even out the eyelid area. "My favourite eyeshadow primers are colourless—they won’t change the payoff of the product that I apply on top."

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

It's official: We've finally begun saying our goodbyes to the ultra-clean, airbrushed makeup looks of the past couple of years and returned to our much more colorful and playful roots of grunge, boho, and futurism (all of which thrived throughout the 2000s). Frosted makeup, in particular, has been gaining traction on TikTok amongst Gen Z with celebrities like Zara Larsson to Rhea Raj and the members of Katseye hopping onto the trend with a flair for the dramatic and all things colorful. As a 20-something who was lucky enough to have experienced Y2K beauty trends like this one from the eyes of a child, I'm more than excited to revisit it in my adult years.

Below, I'm exploring the roots of frosted makeup with the guidance of a makeup artist who has created countless looks that tapped into the trend. Keep reading for intel on where this trend came from, the tips and tricks on how to create it, the best products for the job.

Why are frosted makeup looks on the rise?

According to celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno, the seemingly sudden interest in frosted makeup looks are reflective of the beauty trend cycles and a reaction to the minimal clean beauty trends that dominated the beauty market and social media platforms over the past few years. "People want something more playful, and frosted textures capture this mood very well," Briceno begins. "They reflect light, photograph beautifully, and don't require complicated techniques."

While the trend draws from Y2K influences, he explains that today's take on the frosted makeup is, "more refined and offers a more inclusive understanding of skin tones." He also highlights the fact that the younger generation of consumers didn't experience the era the first time around, allowing the frosted colors and textures to feel new again (which he describes as especially appealing in today's visual culture).

How can I create a modern take on frosted makeup?

Wondering what the best way to create a frosted makeup look is? Briceno likes to build his around balance. He begins with skin that looks fresh and breathable, so the frosted effect, "feels more intention and modern, rather than dates." To create memorable, icy eye looks, Briceno likes to press sheer metallic and pearlescent shadows into the center of the lid or inner corner to create the icy, Y2K effect without overwhelming the eye. "The shade choice matters—cool taupe, rose gold, soft bronze, and iridescent lavender tend to work across many skin tones because they have depth," he says.

For the lips, Briceno recommends using a sheer frosted glass layered over a neutral lip color for a modern appearance, rather than the more opaque, pastel frosts that were so popular throughout the 2000s. "For highlighter, keep the placement refined [on] high points of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and maybe the brow bone," adds Briceno. He shares that the finished frosted makeup look should be luminous instead of glittery.

What's the best way to tap into Y2K makeup inspiration?

Now that you know how to create the frosted makeup looks that have been embraced by the fashion crowd, Briceno advises thinking of Y2K references as inspiration and not a strict recreation. The goal? A modern reinterpretation using intentional, recognizable details. "The original era often stacked multiple frosted elements at full intensity: icy eyes, metallic lips, and heavy shimmer all at once," he continues. "In today's modern version, I usually choose one frosted element as the focus." For example, if the eyes are icy and reflective, he prefers to keep the lips soft and glossy. Alternately, if the lips are frosted, he simplifies the eyes.

Briceno also encourages paying attention the the texture of your chosen products, since frost works best when the skin underneath is prepped so that it's smooth and hydrated to receive makeup. "Proper skin prep and thin layers of makeup make reflective finishes look intentional rather than powdery," he says. Additionally, pressing shimmering onto the lid with a fingertip or a dense brush leaves the finished, frosted makeup refined.

Shop This Year's Frosted Makeup Essentials

When it comes to award-show glamour, I drink up every detail of the looks that make our best dressed lists. Though every event plays host to a showstopping assortment of red carpet ensembles, from the stunning gowns to the trendsetting hairstyles, the stars save their best for the Oscars, and the 2026 show is shaping up to have some of the best beauty looks I've seen in a minute.

Don't get me wrong. I love a classic updo and perfectly manicured hands. However, the one thing that sets my soul on fire is red carpet makeup—so much so that I asked my fellow beauty editors to fan-cast our favorite nominees' makeup looks for the evening. The one thing we didn't see coming was the monochrome-makeup trend that suddenly yet swiftly took center stage, and I'm simply itching to re-create these looks myself. Below, see the matchy-matchy lip and eye moments from Jessie Buckley, Emma Stone, Renate Reinsve, and more that played oh so perfectly with their Oscar-worthy gowns.

Not to toot my own horn, but I did predict Buckley's red-lip look. The Best Actress nominee matched her scarlet lips to her two-toned Chanel gown, making this look an instant classic. I theorize that the vermillion accents could be a sweet nod to her character Agnes Shakespeare's signature red frock, but that's just me.

Wunmi Mosaku's deep-sea turquoise gown caught my eye immediately, but her shimmering shadow made me stay. The Sinners star matched her sparkling custom Louis Vuitton gown with a pop of reflective teal eye shadow on the inner corners of her eyes, which happens to be one of 2026's top red carpet trends, according to our senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider's robust reporting. If you want to replicate her exact look, pick up Louis Vuitton's La Beauté LV Ombres Eyeshadow Palette in Beige Memento and Force of Nature.

According to Chase Infiniti's makeup artist, Amber Dreadon, the actress's custom Louis Vuitton dress was the ultimate source of inspiration. Dreadon describes the look as "whimsical, light, and effortlessly youthful," according to a press release, and kept skin and subtle pops of color at the center. She used the LV Ombres Eyeshadow Palette in Cosmic Dreams to craft Infiniti's soft lilac eye before accenting her pillowy pout with the LV Rouge Satin Lipstick in Kiss the Sky.

Do my eyes deceive me, or did Emma Stone match her shimmering, floor-sweeping Louis Vuitton gown with a frosted eye? According to a press release, the star's gown was hand-embroidered—which, by my logic, requires a makeup look with the same painstaking detail. The Bugonia star wears the LV Ombres Eyeshadow Palette in Beige Memento, which features an icy ivory shadow that I'd bet my next paycheck she slathered all over the eye.

Sinners' Li Jun Li has been taking the 2026 award season by storm with her extravagant red carpet looks, though I'm particularly entranced by her matching red moment tonight. Perhaps inspired by the fiery aesthetic of her heavily nominated film, the actress tied in her red Gaurav Gupta dress with cherry-colored glam, including bright-red lips and berry-hued blush.

Renate Reinsve has been dominating award season in the style category, but my eyes were on her red lip (and sculptural hip-high slit) tonight. Perfectly matching her custom Louis Vuitton gown is her matte LV lipstick in orange-red Vuittamine, which I'm adding to my cart as we speak.

In my opinion, a good makeup look is all about enhancing your natural features, especially when it comes to eyes. Those with green eyes will love purple and plum eye shadow shades, whilst those with brown eyes will gravitate more towards bold blue and earthy green tones. However, if you have blue eyes, then brown eye shadow will be your new best friend. But what type of brown eye shadow should you be looking for?

As a beauty editor and makeup artist with blue eyes, I've tested hundreds of options over the years, from eye shadow palettes to eye shadow sticks, and I've created a concise edit of my go-to shades that always make my eyes pop. I also caught up with Bobbi Brown senior pro artist Zara Findlay to get her opinion on the best brown eye shadows for blue eyes, so keep scrolling for our tips, tricks and top picks.

Why Is Brown Eye Shadow a Good Choice for Blue Eyes?

"Brown eye shadow is a great choice for blue eyes because it enhances the natural contrast, helping the blue appear brighter and more defined," explains Findlay. "It’s also an incredibly versatile shade that works beautifully across different skin tones."

Which Brown Eye Shadows Should Someone With Blue Eyes Look For?

I think we can all agree that with so many brown options on the market, it can be hard to narrow them all down. However, Findlay has some tips. "To really make blue eyes stand out, I recommend browns with warm undertones, such as coppery browns or rich chocolate shades. These tones add warmth around the eye and help intensify the blue, making the colour pop."

Of course, once you've got the correct undertone, you'll also want to choose between powder, cream and liquid formulas. This all comes down to personal preference, but Findlay tells me that powder shadows tend to look softer and are easier to build, whilst cream formulas tend to deliver a stronger pigment and are quicker to apply.

I've been testing some of the best brown eye shadows for blue eyes below, so keep on scrolling to shop my favourites.

The Best Brown Eye Shadows for Blue Eyes

• Best Eye Shadow Overall: Merit Solo Shadow in Midcentury, £23
• Best Cream Eye Shadow: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Hazelnut, £30
• Best Liquid Eye Shadow: Armani Eye Tint in Cashew, £33
• Best Cool-Toned Eye Shadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, £30
• Best Eye Shadow Palette: Victoria Beckham Eye Wardrobe in Cocoa, £72

1. Merit Solo Shadow in Midcentury

This is the Merit Beauty eye shadow I reach for daily. I tend to go between two shades: Midcentury and Brun. Midcentury is a subtle, warm, everyday colour, whereas Brun is a little darker. If I'm doing an evening look, I'll use Brun in the crease of my eye for a little more definition, but you'll usually find me wearing Midcentury all over the lid. The creamy texture glides onto the eyelid and blends like a dream. Plus, you can build it up depending on your desired finish. It's a cream-to-powder formula, but if you have oily eyelids like me, I recommend using an eye shadow primer to help keep it in place.

2. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Hazelnut

3. Armani Eye Tint in Cashew

I'm a big fan of the Armani Eye Tints, and I recently got my hands on the shade Cashew, the perfect brown for everyday wear. I thought a liquid eye shadow would be my oily eyelids' worst nightmare, but this dries down to a natural finish and actually lasts surprisingly well. Don't get me wrong: I did experience a little bit of creasing after a while, but nowhere near as much as I expected. It's definitely a subtle brown, but I really like how it brings out the blue in my eyes (if I do say so myself).

4. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

5. Victoria Beckham Eye Wardrobe in Cocoa

Speaking of outstanding eye shadow palettes, I'd have to rate this Victoria Beckham Beauty one as my favourite. Not only does it look chic, but the selection of chocolate-brown shades is unmatched. A word of warning: these eyeshadows are so pigmented that a little goes a long way. The only downside is that because of this, I find I have to blend them quite quickly, but the result is always worth it.

6. Rimmel Wonder'Last Shadow Stick in 002 Choco Shimmer

7. Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch in 710

How chic is this? If you like a bit of luxury, YSL won't let you down. This brown eye shadow clutch features three shimmery shades and one matte option, and the warm tones are ideal for blue eyes. It's the palette I reach for whenever I'm creating an evening makeup look. Similar to the Victoria Beckham Beauty palette, these shadows are very pigmented, so I recommend starting with a small amount and building each shade up as you go.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

When it comes to award season, the Academy Awards—or the Oscars, for us layfolk—is the magnum opus. It’s the most important event for stars to get gussied up for in a year, apart from the Met Gala and Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party. (The last one is my personal favorite.)

Though the Oscars promise an eve of spellbinding fashion, historical wins, and viral red carpet interviews, the thing we beauty editors most look forward to is the glam. From stunning eye shadow confections to trend-setting updos down to each delicately painted fingertip, the stars show up and out on this most revered night in entertainment. Propped up on our couches and fingers on the Getty “refresh” button, we drink up every last detail.

While we revel in the natural beauty crafted by makeup artists like Nina Park, hairstylists like Bryce Scarlett, and manicurists like Tom Bachik—all of whom will undoubtedly be booked and busy on Oscars night—everyone has their own hopes and dreams of what each star could look like when they float down that red carpet. Some people make games out of predicting their favorite nominee’s looks, while others make full social media pages dedicated to restyling their favorite celebrities. (I’m talking about you, @youbelonginthis.)

Though we love how these stars look at every event, angle, and turn, I asked our editors to play celebrity makeup artist and design their dream looks for their favorite Oscar nominees. Below, the shadows we’d use, lipsticks we’d paint, and visions we’d emulate on nominees Jessie Buckley, Emma Stone, Teyana Taylor, and more if we stepped into the skins of our favorite makeup artists.

Fan-Casting 5 Oscar Nominees’ Makeup Looks

Jessie Buckley’s English Rose Glamour

In my eyes, Park—current makeup artist to aflame Irish actress Buckley—can do no wrong. We’ve seen the best lead actress–nominated star in everything from berry lips to bare eyes and a striking red pout, but I, a sucker for themed glam, would love to see Buckley honor her character from Hamnet with her makeup look this Sunday. Though Buckley’s Agnes Shakespeare is barefaced for the entirety of the film, her burnished red dress is a constant throughout—a physical nod to her character’s story of passion, love, and anguish.

To emulate Agnes’s simplicity and signature color in a sophisticated way, I’d paint Buckley’s lips in a similar shade to her character’s dress: a deep, warm red lip, found in the form of Merit Beauty Signature Lipstick in Vermillion. Pulling from Agnes’s mousy brown hair, I’d keep the actress’s expressive eyes bare—save for a soft, smoky wash of brown eyeliner (Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Cocoa)—and a hint of brown Chanel mascara to subtly define her eyes for the camera. (Buckley is becoming quite the Chanel girl, after all.) As our Shakespearian leading lady spends most of her time engulfed in nature, I’d add the lightest touch of “sunburn” blush to her cheeks—Rhode’s Toasted Teddy terra-cotta shade comes to mind.

Shop the Look

Teyana Taylor's Iced Chrome Eyes

"I hesitate to even attempt to mess with the perfection that is Teyana Taylor’s signature glam. That woman wears a bold wing and glossy lip like no other! I’m literally left gasping for air after every single red carpet appearance. That said, the star has played with pops of color here and there (burgundy and cobalt blue at the 2025 and 2022 Met Galas, respectively), and I would be absolutely dazzled to see a spring take for the Oscars—a purple-and-chrome moment, perhaps? Danessa Myricks’s violet eye paint and Makeup by Mario’s Master Crystal Reflector immediately come to mind, but regardless of whatever look she and makeup artist Yeika Glow decide to cook up, I know I’ll need at least three business days to recover." — Jamie Schneider, senior beauty editor

Shop the Look

Emma Stone's Frosted Fig Glam

Bugonia is the latest Yorgos Lanthimos film to earn Stone a best-actress nomination, and I can't wait to see the look she pulls in both the beauty and fashion departments this Sunday. Though Stone's look varies from corporate chic to buzzed (and slicked in antihistamine cream) throughout this project, we're expecting full glamour from the decorated actress at the Oscars—and for this event, I'd love to see her trade her recent no-makeup makeup style for something a bit more vampy and modern, like a jammy lip and matte white eye.

Stone has attended (and won at) enough Academy Awards to have done the "classic" thing right—now, it's time for her to play up her silver-screen features in an editorial way. Accenting her wide orbs would be MAC Cosmetics' Matte Eye Shadow in Blanc Type, blended atop a pale, creamy base for the most striking pigmentation (the Pro Pot in Painterly comes to mind). I'd forgo mascara to keep the look chic, instead opting for the lightest of eyeliner flicks with a cool-toned, taupe pencil. For that juicy-fig pout, I'd swipe a generous layer of Westman Atelier's sheer, plum-tinted lipstick in the shade Onyx. Et voilà.

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Elle Fanning's Dark Romance Moment

“I still think about Elle Fanning's 2024 Met Gala look at least once a week. Her high-shine complexion brought new meaning to 'glass skin,' and the subtle hints of champagne shimmer made her look ethereal, as if she were floating up the Met's iconic staircase. (Fun fact: Her glow came courtesy of L'Oréal's True Match Glumi Lotion.)

"If I switched bodies with her makeup artist, Erin Ayanian Monroe, à la Freaky Friday, I'd do another riff on it, albeit with a rich, velvety, burgundy lip. Blame it on Wuthering Heights, but I'm loving 'dark romance' makeup lately, and I think opaque, wine-colored lipstick would look striking against Fanning's bright eyes and blonde hair. Add a fluttery lash, and it would be a makeup look that I'd put in my personal hall of fame.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, beauty editor

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Wunmi Mosaku's Fiery "Sinful" Smize

One thing about me is that I fall hard for a themed red carpet moment. Wunmi Mosaku’s Sinners is a red-hot tango of passion and fear, and I want her glam to interpret the intensity of this heavily nominated film with the elegance it deserves. Since the actress's skin is naturally glowy, I'd let her complexion do the talking and enhance the high points of her face with Westman Atelier's highlight stick for believable radiance before moving on to the eyes and lips.

Mosaku is known to love a wash of metallic color over her lids, so I'd follow suit for this supremely important event, coating them in a smoky, shimmering cloud of Victoria Beckham's Lid Lustre to make her eyes glow like smoldering embers (perfect for Sinners). Matching the film's aesthetic, I'd pair her dazzling lids with a deep red lipstick, such as Gucci's cranberry-scarlet shade Rosso Ancora. Perfectly Old Hollywood, with a touch of thematic glamour. I can't get enough.

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As the grass turns green and the sky trades its dreary winter gray for cornflower blue, the fashion set also sheds its skin, opting for fresh spring wardrobes and lighter, softer makeup looks. Though there are some spring beauty trends that never change (pastel lips for spring, groundbreaking), celebrity makeup artists told Who What Wear that there are a few standout movements worth noting in our seasonal State of the Union.

"The biggest influence on beauty right now is individuality," says Chantel Miller, global director of makeup artistry at MAC Cosmetics. Between ever-changing complexion trends (hi, dewy skin and natural matte), the resurgence of aughts glam, and the race to coin the next viral makeup trend, it seems that beauty has reached burnout after a year of high-intensity trends. The result? A return to hyperpersonalization—a pop of color here, unconventional blush there. While celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell describes yesteryear's makeup as very It girl coded, MUAs everywhere see beauty lovers stripping things back this spring. "It feels softer, more adventurous, and an expression of true creativity," she elaborates.

While all makeup boils down to personal preference, the pros have a few callouts for those who want to stay ahead of the curve. Below, see the seven makeup trends inspiring us to inject cool-girl pastel pigments into our everyday routines this season.

7 Spring Makeup Trends to Try in 2026

Ingénue Blush

Per every makeup artist we've spoken to recently, blush is the main event this spring. However, they're not referencing blush blindness or the "cold girl" flush that previously consumed the trend cycle. It's a minimalist, history-inspired look that's been reinterpreted through a modern lens. Sewell credits Margot Robbie's themed glam for the Wuthering Heights press tour, crafted by celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, as a direct influence, but Miller and celebrity makeup artist Loftjet sense that it's a response to past color overload.

"It's as if you've stepped out of a page of a romance novel as the ingénue," muses Loftjet. He describes this romantically flushed look as "very painterly, almost like the perfect sunburn." The celebrity MUA attributes this shift from bright blush to emotional and dreamy whispers of color to a widespread trend across the board. "It's less about high-voltage pigment and more about structuring the face in a way that feels undetectable," he elaborates.

We call this structural approach to blush as blush blocking, which is poised to be an overarching theme of 2026. "We're seeing [that] placement shapes tell the story," says Miller. From C-shape blush, which channels '80s intensity and acts as a chiseling contour, to doll-like blush in saccharine pink (Miller says this tight, apple-centered pop of color is "new for spring and beyond"), placement will play just as much of a role as the product itself this season. "[It] emphasizes youthfulness and innocence and pairs perfectly with juicy glossed lips and cloudlike skin," she adds.

Shop the Trend

Party Girl Eyes

One of the earliest indicators of spring beauty trends typically occurs in the fall during September fashion week. We noticed the tousled, windswept hair and statement lipstick immediately last season, but one of the most influential drivers of spring makeup ended up being the messy "party girl" eyes from 7 for All Mankind's F/W 26 show. Loftjet singles out this trend as the one that will make divisive waves this year, departing from the classic clean girl aesthetic for an intentionally grungier one.

"She's not afraid of eyeliner. She's not afraid of it creasing, and she's definitely not afraid of a little sweat from dancing until sunrise," he elaborates. Sewell agrees that undone eyeliner and fun makeup in general are on their way back after a wave of watercolor eyes and bare lids in 2025. "It almost sits in contrast to the romantic softness we're also seeing emerge," Loftjet adds.

To achieve this look, Sewell recommends pairing fresh, velvety skin with foiled eye shadow (celebrity makeup artist Ash K. Holm suggests Hung Vanngo's pigmented options), and Miller is sensing a trend of galactic metallics in unexpected places—touched on the brow bones, scattered over the cheekbones, and dabbed onto the lip. "I have a strong feeling we're about to witness a return of that early 'internet It girl' energy, which personally makes me so giddy," Loftjet closes.

Shop the Trend

Lived-In Lips

Emphasized lips have been the makeup through line that we've observed from 2025 to present day. During the fall and winter, we saw celebrities and models on the runway forego eye makeup entirely when a statement lip was involved, drawing all eyes to the pout. Though the idea of a bold lip stays in 2026, Holm sees the style set taking a different approach this spring.

"I'm really into a softer, blurred lip look for the spring," she muses. Though the artist does feel that color will be a sweet spot for experimentation this season, she sees application being a buzzier topic. We've already seen this trend alive and well in the case of Nina Park lips—the blurred, subtly contoured lip method that just went viral on TikTok. "It gives you this lived-in, effortless look, which I think we'll be seeing a lot more of for spring," Holm adds.

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Y2K Pastels

We simply can't discuss spring makeup trends without mentioning pastels. Though they're more commonly spotted in our fair-weather wardrobes, Loftjet sees pastels making an aughts-inspired return in the coming weeks. However, this isn't your typical preppy pop of color. In order to perfect this look, the makeup artist notes that there has to be a slight edge. Think diffused, hazy washes of color "contrasted with intentional liner moments," he explains.

Take, for example, Tolu Coker's most recent runway, where models sauntered down the stage in busy plaids, vintage kiss curls, and baby-blue smoky eyes with cool-toned pouts. "It gives that early 2000s internet It girl energy but polished through a more sophisticated, contemporary lens," he adds. If you'd rather incorporate this Y2K trend another way, try a frosted pastel lipstick instead.

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Sunburned Skin

Dare we say that we're already moving away from cool tones? Gasp! One of the overarching themes of 2026 beauty that Loftjet predicts is the return of "emotional, believable beauty" in the form of realistically flushed color, sun-kissed skin, and redness likened to a delicate sunburn after a day spent lounging on the beach, not the viral, punchy pink blush you purchase from TikTok Shop after hours of doomscrolling. There's a reason we're all fawning over Sarah Pidgeon's—aka Carolyn Bessette Kennedy from FX's Love Story—recent campaign for Rhode's cherry-red blush. "There's an honesty to it," he explains. "It feels more human, more lived-in, and less performatively perfected than the cool-pink blush moment we saw dominate last year." Just don't take this as a free pass to skip sunscreen. Daily SPF is nonnegotiable.

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Multipurpose Monochrome

The thing about spring is that no one wants to be cooped up indoors for a minute longer. Once the first trails of fair-weather air crack through winter's icy exterior, people everywhere spare no time before hitting the streets, which requires makeup that multitasks. "Use your lip liner on the eyes; use your blush as lipstick," Sewell suggests. This will get you out of the door faster and instantly creates facial harmony.

Holm agrees that multitasking with products is a sure way to make your makeup feel fresh. "I love an allover bronzed look for the spring. Think golden and brown tones on eyes, lips, and cheeks," she illustrates. To achieve this look, make sure you stock up on eye-safe products and formulas made for cross-functionality, like our picks below.

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Pilates Glow

Call us gross if you want, but all signs point to dewy—yes, even slightly sweaty—skin being the style du jour this season. Loftjet and Holm predict the return of luminous skin, whether the by-product of a great moisturizer or a finely milled highlighter, because of how alive it makes the skin look in an AI-smoothed world. "The pendulum keeps swinging back and forth between matte and dewy, glazed skin," Holm observes, spotlighting the dewy, post-Pilates look as the one worth trying this season.

"Think softer, more ethereal finishes with less obvious shine and more of a diffused glow," adds Loftjet. The secret to keeping things glowy over greasy? Proper hydration. Shop our experts' personal picks below.

Shop the Trend

In case you haven't heard, colorful eye shadow looks are very much back for 2026. As a beauty editor, I'm a firm believer that the resurgence of this trend stems heavily from all of the 2016 nostalgia that's going on, and honestly, I'm not mad at it. The "clean girl" makeup aesthetic has officially been put to rest (for the time being, anyway).

If you're ready to partake in all the glam that's to come this year, odds are you're thinking about the eye shadow palettes you'll need to invest in. Of course, it isn't always that simple, especially for those with darker skin tones. Why? To put it simply, melanin can sometimes soften certain colors, requiring more effort and application time to show up. Additionally, if eye shadows aren't pigmented enough, they can create dull or ashy looks that don't exactly pop the way they're supposed to. Fortunately, many eye shadow palettes on the market are highly pigmented and are guaranteed to show up on all skin tones.

To make the search easier, I chatted with editors and experts to determine which palettes deserve to be in the top 10. If you're curious to know which ones made the list, read on for the details in addition to some insight from celebrity makeup artist J. St. Jaimes on how to make your eye shadow last.

The Best Eye Shadow Palettes for Dark Skin, at a Glance

• Best Overall: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Blooming Romance
• Best Variety Palette: Juvia's Place Culture 2 Palette
• Best Day-to-Night Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall Romance Eye Shadow Palette
• Best Shimmer Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eye Shadow Palette
• Best Budget: Morphe Chromaplus 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette

The Best Eye Shadow Palettes for Dark Skin in 2026

Best Overall: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Blooming Romance

Best Variety Palette: Juvia's Place Culture 2 Palette

Best Day-to-Night Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall Romance Eye Shadow Palette

Best Shimmer Palette: Pat McGrath Labs Gilded Nirvana: Mega Eye Shadow Palette

Best Gold Palette: Natasha Denona Yucca Eye Shadow Palette

Best Budget: Morphe Chromaplus 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette

Best Splurge: Huda Beauty Empowered Eye Shadow Palette

Best Buildable: Nars Afterglow Tempting Eye Shadow Palette

Best for Glam: Aora Makeup Mírame

Best for Smoky Eyes: Juvia's Place The Saharan Palette

How to Make Eye Shadow Last on Dark Skin

So you want to make your eye shadow pop while also ensuring that it lasts all day? If so, here are some pro tips that take you from start to finish from St. Jaimes:

• Use a lighter concealer shade or eye shadow base, then set with translucent powder.
• Pack the color onto the lid with a dense, flat brush for maximum pigment payoff. (Avoid using a swiping motion, as this can unevenly distribute the color.)
• To intensify pigment, lightly dampen your brush with water or setting spray before applying eye shadow.

What Eye Shadow Colors Pop the Best on Dark Skin Tones and Why?

While a highly pigmented palette should give you freedom to use whatever colors you gravitate to, St. Jaimes notes that some colors will really stand out on darker skin tones. "If you'

re going for a dramatic eye, jewel tones like sapphire blue, amethyst purple, emerald green, and bronze shades work great," she says. "These rich, saturated tones are a lovely contrast on deeper complexions, creating a striking eye shadow look." For daytime options, she suggests using soft neutrals, so long as they don't have ashy or dull undertones to them.

How We Chose

As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best eye shadow palettes for dark skin, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including the number of shades and finishes. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.

Why Trust Who What Wear

Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.

It's officially 2026, which means my FYP has been flooded with people setting goals, crafting vision boards, and sharing their new-year manifestations for well over a week. I love seeing all the positive, motivational content, but I've chosen to celebrate a fresh set of 365 days with something more… tangible. I'm referring to my beauty routine, of course.

As your friendly neighborhood beauty editor, I look forward to the new hot-ticket items and trends that inevitably drop in January. It feels so fresh and exciting to shop the newest, most innovative products and discuss the coolest launches with my beauty-obsessed friends and colleagues. This year, those launches are basically worth their weight in gold, which is why I sent 16 of them straight to my group chat. New year, new beauty lineup, right? Ahead, see the 16 most exciting beauty products to shop at Sephora right now.

Few beauty brands have editors this obsessed. Merit is the one my friends clamor for freebies from, the one celebrities rely on for low-maintenance glam, and the one all beauty editors can synonymously agree is just plain good.

The celebrated brand, founded in 2021 by Katherine Power (who is also the cofounder of Who What Wear, thank you very much), was born to simplify your beauty routine in a very oversaturated market. Since its inception, Merit has been a luxe destination for beauty novices and pros alike, offering high-quality skincare, makeup, and fragrance collections for those after clean beauty products with skincare benefits that still perform. If this sounds like a tall order, it's because it is, but Merit didn't just rise to the challenge. It punched above with creative fervor and asked, What next?

WWW editors did the impossible task of selecting their favorites from Merit's esteemed lineup and dished on each one. Ahead, see the 13 makeup, skincare, and fragrance picks that changed the beauty game forever.

Is Merit a clean beauty brand?

There is no hard-and-fast definition of the term "clean beauty," so any answer to this question is subjective. However, Merit addresses it in the FAQ section of its website. "We focus on ingredients that are safe and effective, whether natural or synthetic," the brand states. "In addition to adding good-for-you ingredients to every formula, we eliminated many potential irritants, like added artificial fragrance."

Going the extra mile, Merit partnered with Biba de Sousa, a famed celebrity aesthetician, when formulating the brand's skincare and complexion products to act as a trusted sounding board. De Sousa is known for her "no list," which includes 73 clean ingredients that can clog pores, cause acne, or even cause irritation. You can check the safety of your favorite products by running the ingredient list through her bespoke Pore Clogger Checker to get a sense of the lengths Merit went to to produce high-quality, efficacious products.

The Best Merit Beauty Products at a Glance

• Best Overall: Flush Balm Cheek Color
• Best Complexion Product: The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
• Best for Quick Eyes: Solo Shadow Eye Color
• Best for Everyday: The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45
• Best Lipstick: Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
• Best Fragrance: Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum

Best Makeup

Best Overall: Flush Balm Cheek Color

Best Complexion Product: The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Best for Quick Eyes: Solo Shadow Eye Color

Best for Everyday: The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45

Best Lipstick: Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick

Best Brush: Brush No. 1 Blending Brush

Best Believable Bronze: Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer

Best Natural Glow: Day Glow Highlighting Balm

Best Mascara: Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara

Best Brow Pomade: Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade

Best Skincare + Fragrance

Best Fragrance: Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum

Best Skincare Prep: Great Skin Serum

Best Makeup Prep: Great Skin Priming Moisturizer

Also Great

I may be a little biased considering my job title, but I firmly believe that holiday makeup collections are the best treasures. There's just something about a limited-edition formula or shade housed in frosty, festive packaging that makes my heart sing—so much so that I often find myself saving these exclusive palettes, bullets, and tubes long after the pigment has depleted. And then there's Dior. The brand is already responsible for some of my favorite glam staples of all time (namely the Rouge Dior in 999, the Diorshow Mascara, and, of course, the cult-favorite Lip Glow Oil), but its holiday collections are always nothing short of magical. This year's collection doesn't disappoint.

Drawing inspiration from circus arts, the assortment hones in on enchanting shimmer—from embossed lipsticks to silky eye shadow palettes to pearlescent nail lacquers—in a way that, despite its theme, doesn't lean too far into stage-makeup territory. This is Dior we're talking about, so you can expect only the most elevated offerings. Imagine the light-reflecting sheen from a luxurious velvet chaise or twinkling champagne flutes huddled on a silver tray, whispers of shimmer that feel chic, sophisticated, and so very Dior.

I've been wearing the collection for weeks (you know, testing the waters ahead of the holiday-party circuit), and it's just as divine as it looks on-screen. That said, I keep gravitating toward a few standouts that deserve a spot in your makeup bag, and I highly recommend shopping them while you still can. A couple heroes have already sold out! Scroll ahead and godspeed.

1. Diorshow 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in Fiery Circus

2. Limited Edition Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blush in 830 Fiery Red

3. Limited Edition Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blush in 810 Starry Pink

4. Rouge Dior Velvet Lipstick in 629 Parade

5. Rouge Dior Sequin Liquid Duo Lipstick in Spectacular Icone

Shop More Dior Holiday Essentials

I want to start this off by saying I do not have anything against brightly colored eye shadow. In fact, I actually love it! Truthfully, I just used to be intimidated by it because it seemed unforgiving and easy to mess up. Recently, though, I've been having fun with makeup again, spending time in front of the mirror creating looks just for fun like I used to. For a while there, I got so busy and burnt out on makeup that I wasn't doing that, and I realized that it was time for a reset.

It also doesn't hurt that there's so much new makeup to try and love lately. It's made me excited to pick up my brushes again. One such masterpiece I'm completely in awe of is legendary makeup artist Danessa Myricks's newest limited-edition offering Lightwork VII: The Freedom Palette ($128). While this product is a bit of a splurge, I can say with my full chest that it's one of the most beautiful eye shadow palettes I've ever used. Not only that, but it's customizable, magnetic, stackable, and so pigmented I actually gasped upon first application. I know it sounds dramatic, but trust me, you don't want to sleep it. For all my thoughts on this stunning, futuristic-hued palette, keep scrolling.

More Danessa Myricks Products I'm Obsessed With

I fell in love with Mario Dedivanovic's namesake beauty line almost immediately when it launched. I knew the line was going to be good based on Dedivanovic's years of experience and long list of celebrity clientele, but let's just say I wasn't expecting that. It's rare to find a brand that's so approachable, but at the same time incredibly glamorous. I used to be extremely intimidated by celebrity makeup-artist-made brands because I thought I lacked the skill to be able to make my looks as good as theirs.

But the longer I continued to write about and have a passion for beauty, I realized that it's not about that. I reminded myself recently to reconnect with that part of myself that started writing about makeup simply because I loved it. It doesn't matter if you nail a re-creation of a red carpet look; it should be about having fun and creating something you love without it having to look perfect. Dedivanovic's Makeup by Mario is the perfect brand that makes things simple. You can create an array of versatile looks that always look incredible without needing the skill level of a professional. I learned this quickly when I first got my hands on the brand's limited edition Ethereal Eyes Palette. If you know which one I'm talking about, you'll know everyone on the internet raved about it for months—and for a good reason.

I would use that palette to create some simple but fun looks for events and dinners, and every time, without fail, someone would ask me what I used. Let me tell you, the matte shades matted and the shimmer shades shimmered! Each one was so pigmented and beautiful. I was beyond excited when I learned that the brand recently released a new (and limited) edition: The Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette: Nature ($69). This warmer-toned, nature-inspired palette is the perfect follow-up. It features earthy tones that feel perfect for fall.

Additionally, I got my hands on the brand's new foundation and some other hero products. In the above photo, I'm wearing an entire face of MBM, and I'll tell you my thoughts on them below.

More Makeup by Mario Products I Love

To be brutally honest, I don't love wearing eye shadow. This is basically blasphemy coming from a beauty editor who frequently covers bold eye looks, but here's the thing: I'll never stop oohing and ahhing over the stunning beats I see on the red carpet, my social feeds, strangers on the subway, et al. When it comes to my own routine, however, I keep it as low-maintenance as I can, which typically translates to a swipe of cream blush or bronzer on my lids or a flick of colorful liner (if I'm feeling fancy). Fun eye shadow shades, as jaw-dropping as they are, just haven't felt so intuitive for me—until now, that is.

Merit Beauty, the brand known for dropping minimalist-chic essentials, has just debuted a "no-glitter" glitter version of their deliciously creamy Solo Shadows. I've been lucky enough to get my hands on them pre-launch, and they've since become my holy grails for an effortlessly chic fall. I highly recommend giving them a try, especially if "unbothered '90s supermodel" is on your autumn mood board. Allow me to explain.

Merit's Solo Shadow is a buildable, cream-to-powder eye shadow that adds a sheer wash of color to the lids with a stunning soft-matte finish. It's truly goof-proof; you can build up the intensity by layering multiple coats, and the peptide-infused formula melts into your lids with the gentle press of a fingertip. (While you can totally use a brush to blend, I'm a fan of the finger painting method.)

The new Solo Shadow Sheens boast the same smooth, blendable formula, just with microfine pearls for a soft, shimmery finish. Note, the glitzy shadow doesn't contain actual glitter, yet it delivers a pearlescent sheen that adds an extra oomph to your eye looks while remaining effortlessly wearable—a grown-up sort of glitter, if I ever saw one. Not to mention it has incredible long-wear; I have pretty oily lids (another reason why I tend to steer clear of shadow on a daily basis, as it tends to slide off within a few hours), but the Merit formula stays put all day without creasing or smudging.

My favorite aspect, however, has to be the six, dreamy shades. Each hue is inspired by '90s glitter shadows—you know, those burnished metallics seen on the likes of iconic supermodels as they step out of some glamorous nightclub. Swoon. Somehow, the pigment looks immaculate without appearing too "done," as if you had swiped it on haphazardly before dashing out the door. You could theoretically apply it in the back of a cab without a mirror, and still, it'll appear intentionally effortless—never messy. If that's not the epitome of chic, I don't know what is.

I personally like to start with a wash of Iris (a soft, cool-toned plum) all over my lids, then add touches of Glacé (an icy rose) to the outer and inner corners for a subtle highlight. Palladium (a warm silver) is also A+ if you want more of a fairy-dust effect, especially in targeted areas to add the illusion of a wet, glistening lid. You really can't go wrong with any of the six hues, though, so I'd suggest snagging the lot and switching off depending on your mood.

Heads up: You can also score the sophisticated black leather Signature Bag created in collaboration with Brandon Maxwell when you spend over $125. Five or more Solo Shadow Sheens will easily get you over the finish line, so I suggest acting fast while the GWP is still around. Trust me, it's such a treasure.

Shop Solo Shadow Sheens

More Shimmery Eye Shadows to Shop This Fall

They say that eyes are the windows to the soul, so it’s my duty as a beauty editor to teach you how to put yours on full display. While other makeup categories are equally important, they’re arguably less “fun” to play with—foundation is a basic essential, blush shades only stretch so far, and concealer paints a blank canvas. That said, the options are far more expansive for eyes (especially brown ones!), making them some of the most exciting features to dress up.

If you’re lucky enough to have brown eyes, you have an array of eye shadow shades to choose from to play up the tones in your irises. “I personally love to do a warm-toned brown eye shadow look on brown eyes,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “The warm hues pull out the gold, honey, and copper tones you often see with brown eyes and really make the eyes sparkle.” From rich burgundies that enhance mocha tones to olive greens that make honey hues glow, we’ve unearthed a treasure trove of shades, palettes, and eye shadow sticks that make brown eyes pop. Keep reading for eight makeup artist- and editor-approved eye shadows that will change your makeup game for the better.

The Best Eye Shadows for Brown Eyes, At a Glance

• Best Overall: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
• Best Warm: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
• Best Neutral: Hung Vanngo Beauty Color Story Eyeshadow Palette in New Neutral
• Best Colorful: Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe in Navy Noir
• Best Drugstore: Maybelline Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in West 4th and Perry St

Best Overall: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original

Best Warm: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette

Best Neutral: Hung Vanngo Beauty Color Story Eyeshadow Palette in New Neutral

Best Colorful: Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe in Navy Noir

Best Drugstore: Maybelline Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in West 4th & Perry St

Best Budget: Hard Candy Eyeshadow Stick in Purple

Best Liquid: Danessa Myricks Nudes Colorfix Liquid Pigment

Best Stick: Tarte SmolderEyes Shadow Liner in Sultry

What to Look for in the Best Eye Shadows for Brown Eyes

• Shade range: When choosing the best eye shadows for brown eyes, you'll want to ensure that the palette has a complementary shade range for your particular hue. Reference the color wheel: If your eyes pull more golden, try wearing purple, plum, or bronze shades to add contrast. You can also make this decision based on shade and light contrast. For instance, if your eyes are near-black, a pop of color like blue will look strikingly beautiful against your inky irises.
• Formula: While eye shadow formula is an entirely personal preference, some skin types may require one over the other. Some people may prefer cream eyeshadow for its ease and blendability, but those with drier skin types may prefer the hydration of cream shadows to powders. Alternatively, those with oily eyelids may experience more pigment deposits, slippage, or creasing when they wear cream shadows, so they should wear a primer and powder shadow.
• Price: As always, the price tag is one of the main things to keep in mind when picking out a new product. The picks above, recommended by professional makeup artists and myself, range from $6 to $75—offering a selection of eye shadow palettes, liquid shadows, and shadow sticks within that budget. While several celebrity makeup artists vouch for drugstore makeup, your budget (and preferences!) may lie and the luxe side, and vice versa. No matter your ideal price tag, have an option for it.

What eyeshadow colors make brown eyes pop?

"I love bringing out the lighter, warmer pigments in brown eyes with very warm tones like orange," says Dresher. "Very warm, bronzy shades bring out the more yellow pigments in brown eyes," she explains. However, this doesn't mean that you have to stick to warm tones if you love the grungy, cool-toned makeup trend sweeping the fashion scene right now. "I love a cool-toned gray smoke-and-black on brown eyes, especially if we're leaning into a 90s, early 2000s aesthetic," adds Spickard.

However, if Spickard is going for color, he has a different approach. "I love to use rich olive green shadows and liners on brown eyes, which really makes them pop," says Spickard. "I also find that rich burgundies and plums really complement brown eyes."

What eyeshadow palette is best for brown eyes?

Any of the above are great options for people with brown eyes, but for a basic product that produces professional results, I suggest adding the Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original to your cart. Its buttery powders are supremely easy to blend, offering even the most novice of makeup lovers a seamless result, and each is buildable enough to create sheer, natural eye looks or increase the intensity for something more glam. While it's not the lowest-priced on this list, it offers the most versatility and bang for your buck.

What eyeliners work with brown eyes?

If you want to intensify your brown-eye-enhancing looks, then Spickard recommends the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liners. "They're super creamy and gorgeous. For browns, go with Cocoa, Terracotta, and Cinnamon," he urges. "Their green liner in Sequin Green is a gorgeous olive sparkle that makes brown eyes really pop, and for burgundy, you can't go wrong with Bordeaux."

How We Chose

I chose the best eye shadows for brown eyes after speaking with professional makeup artists who work regularly with people of all eye colors and skin tones, thus cultivating a deep understanding of which hues do (and do not) work on certain combos. Each product was chosen with the intention to fit a variety of brown eye shades and budgets, as well as formula and packaging preferences.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

Byredo, the beauty brand known for its iconic fragrances, chic candles, and modern makeup collection, has just expanded its offerings with a new eye shadow palette. It's not just any eye shadow palette, though. It was created by Lucia Pica, an Italian makeup artist who was the former global creative makeup and color designer for Chanel and is now the creative image and makeup partner for Byredo. Aptly named Bibliophilia, the limited-edition palette is inspired by "the sensory and emotional atmosphere of a library," evoking the "tactile world of paper and pigment, shadow and light" through color.

This isn't the first time Byredo has released an iconic beauty product inspired by a love of books. The iconic Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum has been a cult-favorite for years. With notes of plum, cinnamon, leather accord, violet, birchwood, patchouli, and vanilla, it captures "A world of old books, the scent of their leather-bound pages arranged on dark wood shelves."

As a literature-loving beauty editor, this new makeup equivalent is a dream, and it feels especially relevant for fall, given the season's emphasis on academia-inspired aesthetics. Ahead, see this chic, new eye shadow palette, but fair warning: it might lead you to spend hours sitting in a comfortable corner of a dimly lit library, leafing through the pages of long-closed books.

Each of the 18 shades was inspired by the atmosphere of the library, "where the senses expand, and stories take shape." There's soft gold, like the gilded spines of old book bindings. There's parchment and beige, like the soft, time-worn paper. There's inky burgundy and leathery brown. Thanks to three finishes (matte, satin, and metallic), they're easy to experiment with and create textured, layered looks.

I was lucky enough to test it ahead of launch, and was impressed by the silky and sumptuous pressed powders that were formulated to blend "with the ease of a page turning." They're easy to sheer out for a whisper of color or build up for a bolder look. As the brand puts it, "Blending with the ease of a page turning, the ultra-sensorial formula melts into the skin … allowing for layered looks that shift from quiet restraint to expressive boldness."

The 18 silky shades are encased in Byredo's signature mirrored steel and adorned with a crisp paper motif. The brand hopes it will serve as a collector's object (it's certainly chic enough to do so, in my humble opinion). The brand also hopes it will be a "portal—inviting you to leaf through a library of color, where every shade tells a story."

Creativity, imagination, and experimentation are at the forefront of this product. "Bibliophilia becomes your environment, it nurtures your personality and your imagination: a place you can enter, dream, and get lost in while having this sense of unconditional intimacy and expansion," Pica says in a press release.

Remember, this eye shadow palette is limited edition. Thanks to its chic case, curated shades, and silky textures, I can't imagine this will stay in stock long. IMO, it's one of those rare products that has instant sellout potential.

Shop Byredo's Bibliophilia Eye Shadow Palette

Shop More Byredo Beauty Products

Now that the air has officially turned crisp, Wednesday Part 2 has dropped on Netflix, and my local Trader Joe's has all but transformed into a pumpkin spice factory, it's time to break out the hollow-eyed, berry-stained makeup looks. (That is, if you haven't embraced your spring/summer goth already.) I, for one, have been dreaming of the days my sun-drenched, dewy flush would make way for velvety skin tints, luminous powders, and soft-blurred lips, and I've since been hoarding the highly anticipated fall launches that 100% understood the assignment. From a matte primer that makes my skin feel like cashmere to a silky, peacock-green eye shadow that made me gasp upon first glance (true story!) to the plum lipstick I reach for as soon as September hits, these are the 11 products I'm eyeing for a glorious, vampy-girl fall. 'Tis the season, after all.

My Favorite Vampy Makeup Staples for Fall 2025

When it comes to luxury makeup brands, I want products that I know I can trust. When you're spending a little bit more on foundation, concealer or even an eyeshadow palette, you want to know that it's going to be worth the cash. One thing I'm particularly interested in when shopping for new makeup is who is behind the brand itself. I personally love products that have been created by people in the industry whom I've looked up to for years, and these are often the products that become mainstays in my makeup bag for years to come. They just get it, you know?

So, when one of the most iconic makeup artists of all time launched her own brand back in 2019, you bet I was ready and waiting to get my hands on anything I could. Wondering who I could be talking about? None other than Lisa Eldridge. Yes, Eldridge has worked with some of the biggest models, photographers and beauty brands in the world, so she definitely knows a thing or two about creating a good makeup product.

Her eponymous beauty brand started as a range of lipsticks, but in recent years, the product offering has expanded to complexion products, eye makeup, tools and more. I thought it was about time that I put all of the bestsellers to the test to create a full makeup look. Keep on scrolling to see how I got on and to shop my top picks...

The Best Lisa Eldridge Makeup Products, Tried & Tested

1. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint

2. Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer

3. Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter

4. Lisa Eldridge Eyeshadow Palette

5. Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash Mascara

6. Lisa Eldridge Sculpt and Shade Lip Pencil

7. Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour

The first time I fell in love with makeup was when I got a chance to play with eye shadow. Whether I was learning how to craft a cut crease from a budding beauty YouTuber in the mid-2010s or swiping on pigmented shadow for my dance competitions, nothing made me feel more creative than when I got to dip my brush in a vat of glittery goodness and get to sparkling up my lids.

But as I’ve aged and evolved, so has my beauty routine, and I want it to feel more streamlined as my schedule gets busier. In the past, I’ve tried dabbing different cream bronzers on my lids and adding pops of color to my orbs with cream blush, but nothing has imparted long-lasting, crease-free wear as effortlessly as a good eye shadow stick.

I fell in love with this kind of shadow medium years ago and quickly learned that I had an affinity for it. The best are ultra-smooth, easy-to-blend, and buildable stick formulas that can craft a cool eye in .5 seconds. Have you seen the stick shadow magic of celebrity makeup artist (and The White Lotus actress Aimee Lou Wood’s sister) Emily Wood, courtesy of her outdoor GRWM videos? If these clips don’t make you want to scribble on your eyelids, I don’t know what will.

Curious about what I could find in the unchartered (by me) eye shadow stick waters, I set out on a years-long journey to try as many options from as many brands as possible. After more than 1500 days of testing different formulas, I truly believe I’ve found the best.

Best Eye Shadow Stick

Introducing the Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick: named one of the best by a fellow editor in the UK and the cream of the crop by yours truly. There’s so much to adore about these dreamy, buildable formulas—from their easy-to-blend textures to their potent pigmentation. These sticks have become a staple in my daily routine. One light scribble over my lashline will leave a deep dose of color on my skin and can be diffused into a feathered, smokey look with the swirl of a brush or dab of a fingertip. (Perfect for beginners, if you ask me.)

Whether I’m creating a monochromatic mocha smokey eye with my shade of choice, Mambo, or accentuating my hazel eyes with my favorite “special occasion” hue, Fated, each tube leaves a stain of immovable color that won’t budge until I wash my face at night (and eventually go back in with an eye makeup remover—that’s how long-wearing this stuff is).

Pro makeup artists rely on these flexible formulas for their buildable pigments, which makes it easy to create impactful eye looks on the go. These sticks also double as impeccable bases for bold eye shadow looks.

While I can wax poetic about these dreamy eye shadow sticks day in and out, they’re not the only winners I’ve discovered thus far.

More Eye Shadow Sticks I Love

Best Long-Wearing: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow Stick

My mom was the first to introduce me to this eye shadow medium with these illustrious sticks from Bobbi Brown. Its long-wearing formula imparts long-lasting, crease-free wear as the day goes on—sweaty workouts and pool days included.

Best Buildable: Victoria Beckham Eyewear Longwear Eye Shadow Stick

I didn’t know how much I could fall for a formula before swiping on this stick. I’ve found one pass of the shimmery shade Shroom to be the perfect everyday hue, offering a sheer swathe of color and building up to a cool taupe-like shade with an extra layer or two. That said, my favorite color to swipe on when the right occasion presents itself is this true baby blue, Cornflower, which delivers stunning pigment in just one light scribble.

Best Pigment: Ilia Beauty Eye Stylus Shadow Stick

Slick, statement-making, and downright stunning. These are a few of the words I’d use to describe Ilia Beauty’s fairly new Eye Styluses. I love Ilia’s collection of everyday neutrals (available in both matte and shimmer finishes), but I adore the sprinkle of punchy pastels that are scattered throughout the line.

Best Blendable: Jason Wu Beauty Jewel Stick

If I had to recommend one inky-black shadow stick to make the perfect smoky eye base, I’d tell you about this Jewel Stick from Jason Wu Beauty. One of the creamiest of the bunch, this pigmented shadow stick is extremely easy to blend with a fingertip, though you can achieve a more refined result with an eye shadow brush. Whether I pack on the color and blend a powder eye shadow on top to create a night-black eye or draw on a cat eye, the versatility (and low price!) of this stick never fails to shock me.

Quick Tip: Use the white shade as an eye shadow primer to makes your colorful shadows pop.

Best Budget: About-Face Shadowstick

These shadow sticks from Halsey’s beauty brand are my go-tos for statement-making eye looks. With a plethora of vibrant hues from sky blue to frosted pink, these long-wearing shades deliver intense, buildable color without sacrificing its blendability or staying power.

Best for Mature Eyes: Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener

Not only is this oil-infused formula made for great color payoff, but it also delivers a healthy dose of moisturizing ingredients to smooth and comfort the eyelids—making it a great choice for dry or mature skin. Its light-reflecting pigments offer a subtle sheen that compliments all skin tones and textures without settling into fine lines.

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I’ve gotten it down to a routine. The evening of every award show, I struggle to figure out what platform is streaming the red carpet, sign up for whatever 30-day trial is required, and watch with wide eyes as hordes of glittering celebrities slink down the red carpet, expertly posing to show off their recent runway acquirements or archival fashion pulls. From the gowns to the glam, there are a million details to drink up—though, the one that I always find myself fixated on (and plotting how to re-create myself) is the makeup.

We’ve all seen the heavy-blush trend blossom on and off the red carpet, middle parts sweep the scene, and so many more beauty trends start on the red carpet in award seasons past. Well, now that this one has officially come to a close with the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars, for the commoner), I took it upon myself to take a holistic look at the beauty Venn diagram of this year’s many red carpets, from film to music, to see which looks had the most crossover—and some of the most in-demand makeup artists from this season corroborated.

“I’ve noticed people leaning to a transparent approach to red carpet makeup—not so many heavy pigments and bold colors right now,” says celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin. Responsible for Emma Stone’s gloriously glowing look at the Oscars and Sophie Thatcher’s retro-inspired glam, Goodwin looks to the stars as the ultimate trendsetters versus letting herself be influenced by outside ideals—though, these are the looks that set the course for the seasons to come.

“I always tailor each makeup to the personality and unique style of whoever I’m working with to bring out the version of them that feels the most authentically them," she adds. "Whenever I can do that, I feel proud.” Below, the three makeup trends that booked and busy MUAs were repeatedly asked for this glitzy award season.

Glowy Skin

From “glass skin” to slugging, it’s no secret that celebrities will try anything to achieve glowing skin—especially on the carpet. According to the pros, it all starts with skincare and facial sculpting.

“Hydrated skin is the key to any successful makeup in my opinion, but too much product and foundation slides right off,” explains Goodwin. “It’s about striking the right balance.” The artist says skincare prep is where most of her efforts go because “glowing skin is always in,” no matter the look.

To perfect her clients’ canvases, Goodwin has a no-fail routine. “I start by spraying IS Clinical Copper Firming Mist and IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, then trace a NuFace along the jawline and under-eye area,” she explains. Goodwin then gets to work on the eyes first, keeping eye masks (her favorites from Bioeffect) on until it’s time to move on to complexion.

Whether this means a sun-kissed bronze, a light-reflecting blush, or a dewy visage, celebs keep the glow going far beyond serums and masks. “My most requested makeup look has been a radiant, glowing complexion with fresh peachy-pink tones on the cheeks,” says Rokael Lizama, who has a client list boasting Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian. The trick is to use a luminous foundation to start things with a shine, and Lizama creates this angelic effect with Dior Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick. “It creates a radiant, even, dewy complexion,” he says.

But the radiance doesn’t stop there—he often finished off each look by accentuating the high points of the face and décolleté with a blendable highlighter, such as this rosy Glow Maximizer from Dior.

MUA Tip

“Always apply complexion products in very thin layers and build as needed to create the most flawless, long-lasting base,” advises Lizama. “Lightweight and often gel-based moisturizers help prolong the wear of my client’s makeup and give a poreless look to the complexion.”

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Old Hollywood Rouge

We’ve been in blush zeitgeist for a few years now, and this award season confirmed that this trend is nowhere near slowing down. Sabrina Carpenter’s makeup artist, Carolina Gonzalez, led the charge with “Old Hollywood” lips and cheeks decorating the star’s many red carpet appearances, embracing a minimal eye with a rich lip. Several of Gonzalez’s clients this season wanted the “romantic” look of skin-forward glam with high-intensity blush. Though, she added that “full lips and fluffy lashes are still a thing.”

But while blush swept the scene for yet another award season, Gonzalez sees the color wheel tipping into deeper territory than the pastel pinks that may pop into your head. The makeup artist foresees “burgundies, deep browns, [and] deeper reds” painting the lips and cheeks of the fashion-forward in the months to come, no matter how unseasonal that might sound, because of these shades’ classic natures.

Chelsea agrees, especially as the weather becomes more mild. “With spring coming up, my clients have been loving a good blush moment. It brings youthfulness to the skin,” she explains. While the artist also agrees that bold lip colors will never leave the awards look book, stars seem to be taking a less polished approach to application. “Red lips will always be perfect for a red carpet, but I think a smudged overlined lip color has been pretty popular as well,” Chelsea adds. A bitten-lip moment, perhaps?

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Cashmere Eyes

Silky, subtle—the elegant eyes we’ve seen on the red carpets this year feel like the older, fancier sisters of natural glam. Instead of leaning on dark eye shadows for statement eyes, Hollywood’s most in-demand artists have been approaching A-list eyes with a lighter touch—a smoky eye with shading as soft as cashmere.

“My clients love a sultry smoke on the outer corner and a bit of sparkle in the inner part of the lid,” muses Lizama, adding a “gorgeous pop” in photographs. With a dusting of taupe smoke along Demi Moore’s lids at the SAG Awards and a golden version completing Beyoncé’s ethereal glam at the Grammys, these silken kinds of smoky eyes were a constant for the makeup artist this season.

Chelsea created a similar champagne look for Olivia Munn's Vanity Fair Oscar Party glam, with a wash of golden shimmer sparkling atop her lids (courtesy of Armani Beauty). The main takeaways from this red carpet trend? A smoky eye doesn’t need to be dark to make a statement. Blend layers upon layers of lighter shades on top of one another to create a look that stands out without looking too harsh (and try some of the easy-to-blend palettes below for those layered cashmere eyes).

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Who's Who

• Rokael Lizama is a celebrity makeup artist and the CEO of Rokael Beauty. His work has been seen on Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Demi Moore.
• Carolina Gonzalez is a New York City–based makeup artist and member of the Armani Beauty Collective, with a client list including Sabrina Carpenter and Gigi Hadid.
• Rachel Goodwin is a celebrity makeup artist with a roster of esteemed clientele including Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sophie Thatcher.
• Archangela Chelsea is a global celebrity makeup artist and often works with the likes of Olivia Munn and Elisabeth Olsen.

From the red carpet to the runway, there's no denying the icy turn things have taken in the beauty space. No, I'm not talking about drama. I mean the cool-toned pouts of internet It girls Julia Fox and Gabbriette, the ultra-glam gray smoky eye on Doechii at the 2025 Grammys, the '80s-inspired gunmetal glam at Luar's F/W 25 show—aka the death of the warm color palette that dominated the last decade of makeup. RIP, bronzy KarJenner glam. Maybe we'll see you in 2035.

"I think much of what we're currently seeing in beauty is a result of shaking off the hangover of that 2016 social media starlet aesthetic," says Terry Barber, MAC's director of makeup artistry for the UK and Europe. "Looking overly polished and untouchably perfect in classic warm tones has suddenly become… not quite chic."

But don't be intimidated, says the MUA. Adding a hint of gray or cool-toned elements to your look doesn't have to be "goth or Halloween." This reemerging trend sends a message of confidence and individuality. "It's about looking more self-assured and grown-up," he explains.

Dee Carrion, the artist behind Doechii's iconic slate-gray look at the Grammys is here for the wave of tonal makeup. "I think we're seeing a shift in beauty, where we're getting into more brutalist, unconventional makeup and trends," notes Carrion. Thom Browne fashion moment or not, this gray look was simply made for the star, and Dua Lipa, Gabbriette, and Lily-Rose Depp are among the other stars popularizing previously "glum" gray for spring.

What is the gray makeup trend, and why is it hot RN?

Though it's 2025, the '90s have clearly never left us—at least, not for the last few years. While ashen eye shadow looks and cool lipsticks were aplenty in the days of the Rachel Green cut, this look wasn't exactly new then, either. Your mind may roam to pallid skin and sunken, dark-circled eyes when you envision the term "gray makeup," but this shade has been a focal point in the beauty space far beyond the last 35 years.

According to celebrity makeup artist and beauty historian Erin Parsons, the orbital return of this trend in 2025 is exactly on time. "Cool tones were prevalent in the 1960s, and if you look at makeup trends from the '90s, a lot of it was a play on that decade," she explains. MAC released a collection of fleshy, cool-toned lipsticks coined after '60s supermodels, and the vivid colors in fashion during the '50s faded into pastels during the '60s—just as bright '80s glamour evolved into pared-down grunge in the '90s. "Beauty is cyclical, and every 30 years, we seem to see the same trends reoccur," Parsons adds.

The world welcomed a tsunami of self-tanner, bronzer, and impossibly warm cut creases during the "2016 beauty guru era and explosion of YouTube," says Parsons, with much of the societal beauty influences at the time being engineered by the Kardashians. It raises the question: In a world that seems to not so publicly cater to the multibillion-dollar family anymore, is this the first wave of beauty influence that hasn't come straight from their glam chairs?

Though the weather may be warming this spring, Barber agrees that the makeup that's trending won't necessarily follow suit. It's possible that we may not even view the "neutrals" (read: bronze, brown, and beige) as the classic go-tos anymore. "I think that even the most natural or everyday makeup will be infused with different 'temperatures' of shades, such as silver and pewter, giving a more contemporary feel to the die-hard classics," he says.

If you're itching to greige your eyes and ice your lips, we're right there with you. Below, celebrity makeup artists detail ways to cool down your makeup routine as this trend heats up.

Charcoal Eyes

Between MAC's star-studded I Only Wear MAC campaign littered with granite-shaded eyes, the grungy aesthetic of Charli XCX's Brat era, and the sultry and desaturated red carpet glam on the likes of Doechii and Keke Palmer, dramatic gray eye makeup is everywhere we turn.

The Grammy Award–winning rapper's look was inspired by her suited gray outfit for the event, Carrion says of Doechii's shaded eyes. Utilizing a slew of the cool-toned shades in the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette, Carrion crafted a winged smoky eye with a pop of shimmer and even popped in brown-gray contact lenses to "balance the look and create a monochromatic effect."

While you can always blend a swirl of slate-gray, charcoal, and black shadows together to create a going-out smoky eye, you can go bold with cool-toned light eye shadows as well.

Barber, who served as the key makeup artist backstage at Luar's most recent NYFW show, described the edgy, heavy-handed look (which required a lot of MAC eye shadows in blue-gray Scene and paper-white Gesso) as "late-'80s supermodel glam meets DIY club drag"—yet another nod to this trend's nostalgic roots.

"I wanted it to border on being almost wrong," Barber narrates, referring to the unapologetically bold shading and unblended lip liner. "Doing makeup that looks look done but undone is a genuine makeup artistry skill these days. It's about attitude, not polished perfection."

Artist's Tip for Amateurs

"I would start with a cooler-toned lipstick or pop a cool-toned shimmer in your inner corner. Even a gray eye pencil in your waterline could be a nice touch." — Carrion

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Cool-Toned Lips

If you thought gray tones could only be applied to eye shadows and liners, you'd be wrong. While they're not as obviously in gray scale, these kinds of lip products live on the cooler side. Think fair lipsticks with blue undertones and nude lip liners that lean greige instead of earthy brown. While the last nude lipstick you purchased may have had a hint of bronze to it, the lippies of now live on the other side of the color wheel.

Parsons may be the sole culprit for the reignited demand for '90s cool-toned lips after posting a TikTok video comparing an authentic '90s MAC Lip Liner Pencil in Spice to today's considerably warmer version—garnering over 5.3 million views since its posting in 2023. "I mentioned that so many products felt orange today, and judging by the views and comments, I was not alone," she recalls. It seems as if the brand (and several others) took note, as MAC went on to relaunch customer-loved, long-lost shades like Fleshpot, Cool Spice, and Hodgepodge earlier this year.

Though a cool lip might sound daunting (and, dare we say, unflattering), there are a multitude of ways to incorporate these undertones into your lip combo without feeling cartoonish. Per Parsons, try a deep, obvious lip liner with a beige, nude lip. This contrast will make the lips appear fuller, keep you from looking washed out, and offer that edgy look that has everyone looking gorgeously gray this spring.

Artist's Tip for Amateurs

"It's not about switching out all of your beloved neutrals to a different tone. Choose your feature and mix it up—whether that be a silver tone for your eyes or a cooler-toned lip and cheek. In my opinion, a gray eye with a caramel-beige lip is eternally chic." — Barber

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One of the biggest beauty challenges I've had to overcome on my own personal makeup journey is figuring out the best eyeshadow for hooded eyes. As a beauty editor, one of the first lessons I ever learnt is that your eye shape will determine your entire approach to doing eyeshadow—or any eye makeup for hooded eyes, for that matter. I remember the first time I ever tried eyeliner in my teens. I couldn't understand why an eyeliner wing looked totally crisp and seamless on my friend's eyes, but on mine, it looked a bit off.

After watching multiple YouTube makeup tutorials and poring over makeup-artist books like Kevyn Aucoin's Making Faces, I realised that I have hooded eyes. And, like every eye shape, they require a different approach when it comes to eye makeup, but especially with eyeshadow application. Eye makeup for eye shapes can vary a lot.

If you've landed here, the chances are you're also looking for some tips on how to do eyeshadow for hooded eyes. So, I enlisted the help of one of the world's most iconic makeup artists, Charlotte Tilbury MBE, to personally talk me through all the tips, tricks and mistakes to avoid when doing eyeshadow for hooded eyes. But firstly, what are hooded eyes, and how do you know if you have them?

What Are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes are an eye shape where the skin of your upper lid or brow bone covers the natural crease of your eyes. "People with hooded eyes often have a smaller visible eyelid when looking straight on, meaning some of the eyeshadow you apply can get hidden," explains Tilbury. If you've ever artfully applied eyeshadow all over your lid, only to relax your eyelids and eyebrows and look straight in the mirror and see it totally disappear, the chances are you may have hooded eyes, too.

Hooded eyes are often down to genetics and heritage, but our eyes can also become more hooded with time as our eye area matures. They can also vary in how hooded they are (for example, mine are more hooded towards the middle and outside corners of my eyes, but my lid is more visible towards the inside corners). Like other eye shapes, hooded eyes are really beautiful and striking, with many celebrities, actresses and models, such as Zendaya and Adriana Lima, having naturally hooded eyes.

Thankfully, there are plenty of tips, tricks and techniques you can use when applying eyeshadow on hooded eyes to enhance your eye shape. "Different eyeshadow styles are flattering on different eye shapes, so knowing your eye shape helps you to create easy, effortless eye looks that enhance and illuminate the look of your natural features," says Tilbury. Scroll on ahead for the expert-approved tips for applying eyeshadow on hooded eye shapes.

How to Apply Eye Shadow on Hooded Eyes

1. Choose Matte Eyeshadows

For hooded eyes, matte eyeshadows are your friend, Tilbury tells me. Especially neutral tones of beiges and browns, which will add natural definition to your eyes while making them look bigger. Anything too shimmery or glitzy on your lids can sometimes look too heavy. To start, you'll want to choose an eyeshadow palette for the most versatility, that's a similar colour to your skin tone, and apply it over your lid as a base to give any other products you're applying on top "grip".

2. Define the Crease

Next, you want to define the crease of your eyes. "People with hooded eyes often have a smaller visible eyelid when looking straight on, meaning some of the eyeshadow you apply can get hidden, so the secret is always up-and-out," says Tilbury. "My tip is to apply eyeshadow a little past the eyelid, up into and past the crease, then blend upwards and outwards," she says, which may mean you'll be applying it above your natural crease or even onto your brow bone. It might feel a bit unnatural at first, but this means even when your eyes are resting, you can still see the eyeshadow, and it creates a wide-eyed effect.

"Using my Eye Blender Brush (£26), apply your eyeshadow from side to side on the lid like a windscreen wiper," says Tilbury, "and blend it up and out past the eyelid for that lifted effect." This helps to define the crease and frame your eyes. Next, she recommends balancing the look by applying a little eyeshadow along the bottom lid too. "Remember it is important to not be heavy-handed. Using the same shade you have applied on your upper eyelid, use my Eye Smudger Brush (£26) to bring the colour along your lower lash line, and don’t forget to blend."

3. Tilt Your Head as You Apply

"When applying eyeshadow to your eyelids, lift your chin up and look down into your mirror so you can see your full eyelid, and if you are working on the bottom of your eyes, tilt your chin down," says Tilbury. "This technique will help you apply eyeshadow with precision on the largest surface area of your eyes without smudging!" Additionally, try to avoid raising your brows too much as you apply and check in on how it looks as your eyes are rested, as this is what it will look like most of the time. "No matter what shape of eye you have, you always want to draw the product up and out to create that illusion of brighter, bigger eyes," she says.

4. Accentuate the Inner Corners

This is a classic red carpet trick to open up the eyes. "To make hooded eyes look instantly bigger and brighter, apply the lightest shade in one of my Palettes of Beautifying Eye Trends (£49) to the inner corners of your eyes, dotting with my Eye Smudger brush and moving in a tiny ‘C’ motion," says Tilbury. "This is such a quick and easy way to make hooded eyes pop."

What Eye Shadow Looks Best for Hooded Eyes?

So, you're wondering what eye shadow looks suit hooded eyes best. Uncover the exact makeup styles and the products you can use to achieve them yourself, ahead.

1. Smokey Peach

I love this look on Bella Hadid, as you can see so many hooded eye makeup tips at play. You can see that her makeup artist has taken a slightly darker eyeshadow colour above her natural crease, which opens up the eyes, as well as tight-lining the upper lashes which defines the eyes without looking too much.

2. Flushed Metallic

Note the neutral tones and inner corner highlight that make Zendaya's hooded eyes smoulder.

3. Diffused Nude

How pretty is Selena Gomez's softly diffused eyeshadow wing?

4. Feathered Lashes

Just a touch of tight-lining and mascara is enough to subtly define hooded eyes.

5. Soft Hollywood Glamour

How beautiful is this hooded eyeshadow look on Jennifer Lawrence?

6. Elongated Wing

Chanel Iman proves you can still wear winged liner—just wing it out lower for a smooth line.

The Best Eye Shadow Products for Hooded Eyes

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

To me, a good nude eyeshadow palette is the beauty equivalent of the perfect camel knit from Toteme or The Row—it's completely timeless, an absolute staple and compliments any look. So, you can see why pretty much every makeup artist has one in their kit.

Whether you're wanting to create one of this year's biggest makeup trends, or simply want to add a little bit of oomph to your eye makeup look, the right palette will cover your every need far more effectively than a single eyeshadow stick might. But how do you go about choosing the best one? That's where we come in.

Team Who What Wear UK have been busy putting some of the most popular nude eyeshadow palettes to the test to see which ones live up to expectations. Not only that, but I've taken it upon myself to reach out to the experts to find out how to create the perfect nude eyeshadow look. So, what are you waiting for? Keep on scrolling for the info...

What Colours to Look for in a Nude Eyeshadow Palette

First things first, it's important to think about what neutral colours you want in your eyeshadow palette. "Nude shadows need to compliment your individual skin tone," explains Dominic Skinner, director of makeup artistry at M.A.C. "If you have a more rosy or rich undertone, then look for a palette that has warm shades like mahogany, corals, and coppers. Whereas if you have a golden or caramel undertone then a palette with more sandy and ochre shades would be better."

Do Nude Eyeshadows Suit All Skin Tones?

The great thing about nude eyeshadows is that they suit everyone. "Nude shadows suit all skin tones," says Skinner. "This is because they compliment the wearer's skin tones to enhance the natural features."

Team Who What Wear UK have been busy putting the best nude eyeshadow palettes to the test.

How to Take a Nude Eyeshadow Look From Day to Night

Once you have your perfect nude eyeshadow palette, you might be curious on how to take your eye makeup look from day to night. "Nude eyeshadow looks are always so flattering and easily adaptable, so taking your nude eye look from day to night is simple" says Skinner. "I like to start by taking a slightly deeper shade than what I used originally, and lightly sweep it around the lash line. Then, with an angled brush, work a darker shade along the upper lash line and slightly extend it out like an eyeliner. The best thing is, by using powder, it doesn’t have to be precise so you can do it in a rush or on the go."

To get the most from your eye look, utilise the best eyeshadow primers for longevity and optimum pigment pay off, and finish up with a few coats of a great mascara.

The Best Nude Eyeshadow Palettes, Tried & Tested by Editors

• Best nude eyeshadow palette overall: M.A.C Connect In Colour Unfiltered Nudes
• Best warm-toned nude eyeshadow palette: Dior Backstage Eye Palette Warm Neutrals
• Best cool-toned nude eyeshadow palette: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes® The Neutrals Eyeshadow
• Best nude eyeshadow palette for a range of different looks: Morphe 35O Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette

1. M.A.C Connect In Colour Unfiltered Nudes

2. Dior Backstage Eye Palette Warm Neutrals

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette

4. Morphe 35O Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette

5. Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows Deep Neutrals

6. Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette

7. Makeup By Mario Master Mattes® The Neutrals Eyeshadow

As a beauty editor with a fashion degree, I’ve always studied how runway trends inspire makeup—especially when it comes to celebrities. So when Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez, and Benson Boone all recently made fashion statements in the same pastel shade, I knew we had a soon-to-be makeup trend on our hands.

But don’t get me wrong, this color isn’t new. In fact, it was a hallmark of ’80s pop stars and ’60s editorials (read: Twiggy), but it seems to reinvent itself every time it re-emerges in eye makeup form. From bold colorblocks to muted, powdery swathes, this icy hue has been painting the lids of It girls for decades—and recently, it’s snaked its way back into some of our favorite brands’ eye shadow palettes and liner collections.

If you haven’t guessed by now, this ever-evolving shade that’s trendier and more wearable than ever is baby blue: cornflower, periwinkle, azure, you name it.

Harvard Engineering alum and fashion’s unofficial data analyst, Madé Lapuerta, recently claimed that light blue may just be the new color of spring—because according to her research, the search for “baby blue” surged by 188% after the 2025 Grammys, where stars like Victoria Monét bedecked their eyes in light blue shadow and Sabrina Carpenter wore two powder-blue getups on both the red carpet and the stage. (Double points for the "Espresso" songstress after covering Vogue in an icy Dolce & Gabbana dress.)

“I feel like it’s futuristic, but at the same time it’s a little bit retro,” says MAC Cosmetics Global Director of Makeup Artistry, Romero Jennings, as he teases a secret, blue-hued product that was quietly tested on the New York Fashion Week runways. “I think people are just tired of warm [tones] and bronze, so it’s about getting more modern and icy. It’s like the ’90s are back, but better.”

Chanel and Stella McCartney led the baby blue fashion brigade during their SS25 shows, and now that the celebrities have followed suit, it’s officially time to beautify this trend with a wearable blue eye shadow or liner. And it seems like the beauty brands have had sapphires up their sleeves, because some of our favorites (ahem, Charlotte Tilbury’s just-released Denim Dimension Eye Shadow Palette and Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Navy Noir) are brand-new, ultra-chic, and totally blue. Shop them below and get ahead of the spring trend.

Shop the Blue Eye Shadow Trend

If foundation and mascara are the makeup equivalents of your wardrobe staples, then wearing eye shadow is like reaching for your clutch bag or most eye-catching pair of heels. You may not wear it on a regular basis, but it's there if you need to put in some extra effort and add interest to your look. But an eyeshadow stick? Well, that's a different story.

I've never been a dedicated daily eye shadow wearer, so supersized eye shadow palettes have never really appealed to me. Indeed, when I have owned them, I've found myself reaching for the same few shades again and again. Likewise, the idea of blending multiple different shades across my eyelid feels far too overwhelming. Truthfully, I want easy eye shadow looks only. When it comes to applying eye shadow, I'm very much a one wash of colour kind of person, which is why eye shadow sticks are my go-to eye makeup product of choice.

While I don't use them everyday, a good eye shadow stick is an essential tool in my makeup bag for occasions when I want to highlight or define my eyes. Their ease of use lends them well to my preferred one-wash look over my lids, but of course, two or three can be used in combination if you do wish to experiment with a more dramatic or creative look, like a smokey eye or cut crease. If, like me, you're often left feeling overwhelmed on how to apply eye shadow, a stick formula helps take away a lot of that confusion—just scribble on and smudge.

The best ones are richly pigmented and creamy, which makes them easy to blend and long-lasting, with minimal fallout throughout the day. But with hundreds of options out there in an array of shimmers, mattes, metallics, and everything in between, it isn't always easy what’s actually worth buying.

Below I've compiled an edit of my favourite eye shadow sticks, tried and tested.

Shop the Best Eye Shadow Sticks:

1. Glossier Shadow Stick
2. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
3. Victoria Beckham EyeWear Eyeshadow Stick
4. Beauty Pie Wondercolour Longer Cream Eyeshadow Stick
5. Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
6. Vieve Eye Wand
7. By Terry Ombre Blackstar
8. E.lf. No Budge Shadow Stick
9. Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick
10. Kiko Milano Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick
11. Byredo Colour Stick
12. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil
13. Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner
14. About-Face Shadowstick

1. Glossier Shadow Stick

2. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow

3. Victoria Beckham EyeWear Eyeshadow Stick

4. Beauty Pie Wondercolour Longer Cream Eyeshadow Stick

5. Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick

6. Vieve Eye Wand

7. By Terry Ombré Blackstar

8. E.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick

9. Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick

10. Kiko Milano Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick

11. Byredo Colour Stick

12. Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner

13. About-Face Shadow Stick

Opening Image: @spicy.mayo

It's rare (but not unheard of) for beauty editors to keep coming back to a specific makeup product for years on end. As a beauty editor myself, I know it's the highest compliment we could give. To think that we keep repurchasing one item when we test hundreds per year and have access to the best in the business is pretty special.

One of those products is the Urban Decay Original Naked Eyeshadow Palette. Another one of those products is the Urban Decay Moondust Eye Shadow in the shade Space Cowboy. (Can I pause here to give Urban Decay a shout-out for creating such iconic products?)

The latter launched in 2013, but lately, it's been making the rounds on social media as Gen Z rediscovers its universally flattering hue and otherwordly sparkle. Personally, I couldn't be happier about this development. I've been wearing it for 12 years, and I don't think I'll ever stop. It warms my heart to see it get the love it deserves. Ahead, learn why this eye shadow deserves a spot in your makeup bag!

The Eye Shadow

How It Looks IRL

Look #1: Sheer & Subtle

I always use my finger to apply it to my eyelids. I find that it picks up more color and sparkle than a brush. Once it's on, I either sheer it out by blending it with my finger or build it up by packing on more for a dramatic look. This is the former. I used light pressure to apply it, blended it out across my entire eyelid, and then added a swipe of mascara. As you can see, the effect is subtle, yet elevated. Instead of big flecks of glitter, you only see a soft, sophisticated shine.

Look #2: Bold & Dramatic

Here's what it looks like when I use heavier pressure and don't blend it out as much on my eyelids. The sparkle is much more defined and looks ethereal, thanks to a wet-look finish. If you want to make it even more impactful, apply it over another eye shadow. Trust me—you won't believe how stunning it looks, especially in low light. Yeah, for me, it's a makeup bag must-have.

The Rest of the Space Cowboy Collection

Shop 5 Similar Shimmery Eye Shadows

I know what you're thinking: Sparkly eye shadow for the holidays? That's not entirely breaking news. The holiday season begets tons of sparkle, be it a pot of ethereal eye paint, a glimmering glass of champagne, or a cloud of metallic confetti, but this year, we've seen much more minimal takes in the makeup department. Think sheer washes of shimmer as opposed to megawatt specks of glitter, almost like you sifted pixie dust onto your lids. Enter, fairy dust eye shadow.

I've seen more than a few inspiring looks over the past few weeks, but it wasn't until I caught Sabrina Carpenter's take that I decided to officially hop on the trend. Ahead, find the enchanting (and seemingly low-lift) glam I'll be copying for the rest of the frosty season.

Carpenter went skiing with some friends over the holidays, as seen by a series of photos the star recently posted to Instagram. In addition to action shots on the slopes, she posed in front of the lift donning a blue, snowflake printed dress and white furry stole.

As for the glam, she ditched her signature retro cat-eye for some iridescent pigment at the inner and outer corners—the classic placement for fairy dust eye shadow. See, playing up these specific areas makes the lids look extra glossy when they catch the light. You can use any color you please, but a stark white like Carpenter's will make you look especially frosty. (A pink or purple shimmer, on the other hand, will give off more of a Sugar Plum Fairy vibe.)

To apply, I'd suggest swirling your finger into the pigment and pressing it directly onto your lids. Then blend each corner with your fingertip until you have a soft, shimmery haze that gradually loses intensity towards the center. Afterwards, if you'd like, you can take a small eye shadow brush and touch up the inner corners for more brightness. That's it! Easy, no? If you notice a couple stray sparkles on the center of the lids, that's okay. It only adds to the enchanted effect, and I think the look actually leans more fairy-like when it's imperfect, anyways.

Carpenter kept the rest of her eyes minimal, opting for just a bit of mascara. Her blush, however, looks just as bright and doll-like as ever—some staples don't change!

The Best Eye Shadows for a Fairy Dust Look