If your Instagram feeds didn't already show you, everything from 2016 is back. And while we're on this nostalgic journey of reliving our questionable fashion and makeup choices (block brows, anyone?), one thing is for sure: eyeshadow is officially having a moment again (we did call it out as an emerging trend back in fall 2025).
While we're not necessarily going to bring back the intricate cut crease, we do miss the creativity and individuality that came with those eyeshadow looks. Frankly, we're bored with the clean girl look. We want all the artistry, the color, and the shimmer back, but without the complicated routine.
So here's how we're revamping eyeshadow for wearability: it's all about low-lift, high-impact glam. Neutrals that suit our skin tones and undertones, streamlined products that don't overcomplicate things, shades that have proven longevity 10 years later, and, of course, a little (or a lot) of glimmer.
Ahead, scroll through the chic, no-fuss eyeshadow looks we’re wearing on repeat right now.
Old Faithful: Neutral Eyeshadows
A neutral eyeshadow palette or cream shadow is a must in every makeup collection. We’ve already rounded up editor-approved neutral eyeshadows worth shopping, but the real trick to finding your perfect match? Let your undertone and eye color do the deciding.
Three of our editors (each with different skin tones) tested Patrick Ta's Major Dimension Essential Artistry Edit Eyeshadow Palettes that come in skin tone-specific color stories, and concluded that the six-pan eyeshadow palettes are worth every penny for their versatility. "I was immediately a fan of the texture of the shadows. They blend effortlessly and are perfect for someone like me who wants a high color payoff without constantly building up the shadow, yet still wants the flexibility to blend the pigment around once it hits the skin," says beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson.
If you want a streamlined, one-step neutral, assistant beauty editor Jasmine Hyman loves Merit's Solo Shadow. "It applies like a cream, and gives me that soft, lived-in matte look without ever feeling chalky. On lazy days, this plus a coat of mascara is all I need," she says.
OG Drama: A Perfect Smokey Eye
A smokey eye is never out of style, but for an everyday look, ease off the jet-black hue and create smokiness with darker browns. Makeup artist and Vieve founder, Jamie Genevieve previously told Cosmopolitan, "a smokey eye doesn’t have to be black or heavy. It’s really about blending and tone. Choosing shades that complement your eye color and building depth gradually always creates a more modern, wearable finish."
To create alluring depth, cooler tones are your best bet. We like MAC Cosmetics' Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Unfiltered Nudes for brown eyes, but it offers an array of shades that lean neutral and cool-toned, perfect for depth and dimension. If you want to create that lived-in, perfectly smudged day-after look, my go-to hack is to use eyeliner and blend it out with my fingers for a feathered, smoked-out effect. Kulfi's Underlined Kajal Eyeliner has a creamy, pigmented formula that lets you smudge it out before it sets.
Warmth: Subtle Sunset Tones and Mocha Hues
Back in 2016, sunset eyes and warm shades ruled (remember the Naked Heat palette?!). While we’re not leaning into bold oranges anymore, the essence of the warmer hues has stuck around—just softer and more wearable. Today’s take is all about warm undertones in easy neutrals like chocolate browns and bronzes.
We ranked Natasha Denona's I Need a Warm Eyeshadow Palette as our Holy Grail winner last year, and its color story exemplifies the sunset look. "The mix of matte, shimmer, and neutral shades is the most versatile, and the textures are blendable and long-lasting," says video editor, Sarah Ng. Shopping editor Meg Uy reaches for the PUROn Point Eyeshadow Palette for "casual daytime looks and when I want to build things up for a more glam moment," she says, noting that it suits her dark brown eyes and slim eye shape.
Romantic Pinks
From the OG Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette to Charlotte Tilbury's iconic Pillow Talk line, pale pinks and rose golds deliver that quintessential, feminine, soft glam look. FYI: Makeup artist Neil Scibelli previously told Cosmopolitan that these tones also complement green eyes.
Hyman loves using the Charlotte Tilbury palette. "The palette's shimmer pink shade is ideal for everyday wear on its own, and you can amp your eyes up with maroon and glitter for a full glam look," she says.
If you’ve been following TikToker Hannah Cody’s long quest to find a dupe for her now-discontinued peachy-pink Tom Ford cream shadow, same. Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Shadow isn’t an exact match, but it comes in a range of romantic pinks so you can find your perfect shade. Social media editor, Joanna Marquina, loves them because they’re "easy to blend, highly pigmented, and buildable."
A Pop of Glitter and Icy Dimension
We're utterly mesmerized by Zara Larsson's and Chappell Roan's colorful, glittery eye makeup looks. And while they're not everyday-friendly (I mean, no one is stopping us, but alas, we don't have the time), we are influenced to add a pop of shimmer and sparkle to enhance a basic look. To keep it easy, we're relying on eyeshadow toppers and cream-based formulas to create that icy dimension.
Too Faced's Disco Crush High Shine Glitter Eye + Face Sparkle, our Holy Grail winner, is a go-to for beauty editor Beth Gillette. "Just a tiny dab of this on the center of my eyelid immediately takes my look from simple to pop princess. It’s extremely sparkly but not in a chunky, old-school glittery way," she says. For a bolder look, I'm a fan of using Kulfi's Zari Cream Eyeshadows or Danessa Myricks Beauty's Colorfix Stix. All it takes is one to two swipes for a dynamic chrome look with bold pigment and staying power that no powder formula can replicate.
Too Faced Disco Crush High Shine Glitter Eye + Face Sparkle
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Magazines. She contributes commerce content across Hearst’s portfolio, including Elle, Harper's Baazar, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of experience in the commerce space, including writing detailed first-person product reviews, trend and best-of round-ups, deals and sales coverage, and more. Previously, she was an assistant editor for PS Shopping, covering beauty, home and kitchen, fashion, tech, travel, wellness, and lifestyle. In her free time, you can find her catching up on everything from reality TV to reruns of classic sitcoms, testing out viral beauty products, sharpening her cooking skills, working out, or traveling.
