Out with the old, in with the new: at least that’s an indication of the eye makeup trends of 2026, where we trade minimalism for clear maximalism. While that doesn’t mean we’re all headed for office rave-level glam, experimenting and expressing yourself with color makeup is becoming part of everyday beauty routines.
“There’s a ‘clean girl’ color perception that has dominated social media and beauty culture for the past five years,” says makeup artist Kasey Spickard. We’re seeing more vivid, eye-catching visuals. Spickard continues that the attitudes we see on runways and red carpets can also be a larger commentary on the current political and economic climate. He says: “When things seem hard and stable, you often see a strong beauty emerge in response as a way to build character. You see that throughout history when the culture as a whole feels the way it feels now, people want to have a sense of self, and beauty is one of the fastest ways to do that.”
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With this in mind, there are many ways to play, and the eyes are an easy entry point. We’re seeing everything from mod blue eyeshadow making a comeback to the playful nature of Korean makeup—where packaging and formula textures feel as fun as the shadows themselves. For those who have eased in, subtle enhancements such as unexpected mascara or eyeliner colors offer a less invasive approach. And beyond Lisa Frank’s bright Y2K-level folder, there’s also a different kind of rebellion against the minimalism that’s going on: an urban, twisted aesthetic defined by cool liner and shadows.
In fact, the name of the game is boring. Read on to dive into each of the top five eye makeup trends to watch out for in 2026—or shall we say, stay tuned?
The New Blue Eyeshadow
A tried and true beauty classic, blue eyeshadow has been making a resurgence for the better part of the last century. “Blue has been popular throughout the decades, from Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic eyeshadow Cleopatra to Kate Moss wearing a smokey blue eye for Gucci’s spring show in 1996,” celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge previously said. Vogue. Donni Davy, pro-makeup artist and psychologist behind the scenes EuphoriaPhysical beauty considers blue eyeshadow as a way to transition to colorful makeup. “It’s universally flattering because it’s on the opposite side of the color wheel, making it complement the skin tone,” Davy said earlier. Additionally, Spickard predicts that we may start to see pastel green emerge as another popular color – but we’ll be checking out 2027’s trends for pistachio shades.
The new thing about blue colors today is its simplicity – of course, you can still use mod matte blue – although many brands choose colors that give a different finish, almost dull. Take, for example, Fara Homidi’s Essential Eye Compact, which offers sheer color for a sheer, opaque effect. Meanwhile, the Clé de Peau Beauté palette is meant to bathe in a soft demin blue, with a subtle pearlescence. And for precise application, the Victoria Beckham Beauty eyeshadow stick offers a pale blue color that can be used as a liner or as a single color all over the lid.
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