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Out with the old, in with the new: at least that’s what the 2026 eye makeup trends signal, where we’re trading in minimalism with expressive maximalism. While that certainly doesn’t mean we’re all heading to the office in rave-level glam, experimentation and self-expression through color cosmetics are becoming part of everyday beauty routines.
“There’s a reaction to the ‘clean girl’ makeup aesthetic that has dominated social media and beauty culture for the last five years,” says pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “We’re seeing graphic, structural eyeliners come into play more. Plus, there’s more color, often diffused, soft, and pearlescent.” Spickard continues that the expressiveness we’re seeing on runways and red carpets can also play into a larger commentary around the current sociopolitical and economic climate. “When things feel more fraught and tense, you often see bolder aesthetics emerge in response as a way to establish personhood,” he says. “You see that throughout history when the culture at large feels as it does right now, people want to reclaim a sense of self, and beauty is one of the most immediate ways to do that.”
Vogue’s Favorite Eye Makeup Trending Products
With that in mind, there are plenty of ways to play, and eyes are an easy entry point. We’re seeing everything from mod blue eyeshadow staging a comeback to the inherently playful nature of Korean cosmetics—where packaging and formula textures feel just as imaginative as the shades themselves. For those easing in, subtle updates like unexpected mascara or eyeliner colors offer a low-commitment way to explore. And beyond the Lisa Frank–folder–level Y2K brightness, there’s also a different kind of rebellion against minimalism taking shape: a more downtown, undone aesthetic defined by smudged liner and cool-toned shadows.
Basically, the name of the game is being anything but boring. Read on to dive into each of the top five eye makeup trends to look out for in 2026—or should we say, keep your eyes peeled for?
The New Blue Eyeshadow
A tried-and-true bold beauty classic, blue eyeshadow has always reemerged throughout the better part of the last century. “Blue has been popular throughout the decades, spanning from Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic eyeshadow in Cleopatra to Kate Moss wearing an icy blue smoky eye for Gucci’s spring show in 1996,” celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge previously told Vogue. Donni Davy, pro-makeup artist and the mastermind behind Euphoria’s beauty looks, considers blue eyeshadow a rite of passage into colorful makeup. “It’s universally flattering because it sits opposite flesh tones on the color wheel, making it complementary to all skin tones,” Davy previously said. Furthermore, Spickard predicts we may even start to see pastel green emerge as another popular color—but we’ll check back in on 2027 trends for pistachio shadows.
What’s new about blue shades today is their softness—sure, you could still go full-on mod matte blue—though many brands are opting for shades that impart a more diffused, almost blurred finish. Take, for example, Fara Homidi’s new Essential Eye Compact, which delivers a wash of color versus a stark, opaque effect. Meanwhile, Clé de Peau Beauté’s palette aims for a soft, light-wash demin blue with subtle pearlescence. And for extra precise application, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s eyeshadow stick offers a pale blue hue that can be applied as a liner or as a single color across the entire lid.
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Anything But Black Mascara
That’s right, there actually are other mascara shades than black. Before you clutch your pearls, this doesn’t mean stark electric blue lashes. Instead, shades like brown, gray, and even burgundy “help create a subtle contrast to your natural eye tone,” Spickard says. “At first glance you’re not going to notice it’s a colored mascara because it’s not bright or bold, but that tone is doing a lot of work to create contrast, brighten the eye, and add some additional visual interest.”
Brown mascara isn’t just for natural blondes; it’s for anyone after a more soft glam approach to their lashes. Take it from Ilia founder Sasha Plavsic, who painstakingly labored over nailing the perfect chocolate hue for her brand’s best-selling formula—one that “wasn’t too warm, yet not too cool. A brown that was rich and brought out the softness in your eyes, regardless of your eye color,” as she previously told Vogue. Meanwhile, gray mascara helps define the eyes with subtlety, while simultaneously making the whites of the eyes pop (hello, doll eyes!). And for the middle ground between statement-making and wearability, burgundy mascaras are only noticeably wine colored when catching the light just right—plus, they help to make brown and green eyes appear more saturated and sparkly. Of course, we’ve had selected an option for each shade below.
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Fun Eyeliner Colors
This is your sign to get experimental with your eyeliner colors—and you might be shocked to find that they’re more wearable than you think. Aside from the pursuit of whimsy, unexpected eyeliner shades can make your natural eye color stand out. Of the most popular yet fun shades, emerald and burgundy are surprisingly universally flattering.
“A rich burgundy brings an unexpected pop of color that’s bold, but wearable,” celebrity makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown previously said. Burgundy eyeliner looks are commonly requested from Spickard’s clientele, too. Meanwhile, he previously shared that dark green can look striking, “while still feeling elevated and intentional.” Deep blues can feel like a stone’s throw away from dark black, too, while still being experimental. To get even more playful, Violette_Fr’s liquid liner offers technicolor shades that shift with the light while creating graphic lines.
Korean Eye Makeup
As Korean makeup continues to break into the mainstream stateside, Korean eye makeup products are also trending—and they come with a host of benefits, too. As former Allure EIC and expert Michelle Lee previously noted, Korean makeup not only tends to be quite affordable, but high-performing and packed with skin-care benefits.
As for what to try, K-beauty mascara should be at the top of your “must-try” list—especially if you have straighter lashes. According to Lee, Korean and Japanese mascara formulas are renowned for their ability to hold a curl, with Clio’s volumizing waterproof formula standing out as her favorite. Unleashia’s loose glitter and eyeshadow palette is a favorite among Seoul’s trendsetters, while Rom&nd—a bestselling brand—offers an essentials eyeshadow palette with finishes ranging from matte to shimmery, and tones from warm to cool. As you explore K-beauty makeup trends, you’ll notice America is only now catching up to Aegyo Sal (which translates to “cute fat”): a look that accentuates the puffy under-eye area for a cartoon-like effect. Lee previously shared that there’s a whole product category dedicated to Aegyo Sal, which TikTok has quickly globalized; propelled even further by Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu’s viral beauty routine with Allure.
Soft Alt Aesthetics
Be it ’70s punks, ’80s and ’90s goths, or naughties grunge, alternative aesthetics have always served as a direct visual response pushing back against suppressive, prescriptive culture; and Spickard is seeing a return of the look. What do all of these styles have in common? Eyeliner. Meanwhile, eyeshadow shades skew more cool-toned like grey-ige. “There is a surge of ’90s-inspired makeup on artists like Charli xcx, Alexa Demie, and Rosalía,” celebrity makeup artist Mélanie Inglessis said, referencing an era renowned for its whimsical goth and occult-inspired aesthetics. “I think this is the perfect storm for this aesthetic to have a revival.”
Per celebrity makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, the look features dark eyes and exaggerated features, echoing themes of macabre, romance, and androgyny—all in defiance of mainstream beauty norms. “Goth isn’t just a makeup look—it’s a deeply rooted subculture with its own music, fashion, and philosophy. While soft goth borrows some of the visual language, it’s important to recognize the history and meaning behind the original movement,” Ffrench told Vogue, reminding us to honor the actual subcultures that inspired today’s downtown cool-girl style.
Everything You Need to Know
Meet the Experts
- Kasey Spickard is a professional makeup artist based in New York and Los Angeles. Spickard’s roster includes Jenna Lyons, Kamie Crawford, Brynn Whitfield, and more.
- Lisa Eldridge is a London-based celebrity makeup artist and founder of Lisa Eldridge makeup.
- Donni Davy is a professional makeup artist best known for her Emmy Award–winning makeup on HBO’s Euphoria. She is also the founder of Half Magic Beauty.
- Sasha Plavsic is the founder of Ilia Beauty.
- Tasha Reiko Brown is a Chanel makeup artist and groomer whose clients include Gabrielle Union, Michael B. Jordan, and Alicia Keys.
- Michelle Lee is a renowned Korean beauty and skin-care expert with over 25 years of industry experience. The former editor in chief of Allure and Nylon, she also served as VP of global editorial at Netflix, bringing her sharp editorial eye and deep cultural insight to every role.
- Mélanie Inglessis is a Los Angeles–based celebrity makeup artist. Her roster includes Jenna Ortega, Rosamund Pike, Ana de Armas, Ruth Negga, and more.
- Isamaya Ffrench a British makeup artist, creative director, and founder of the cosmetics brand Isamaya.
