Before we had Rhode and the “clean girl aesthetic,” we had 2016. A year defined by selfies with the Snapchat dog filter, choker necklaces, Rihanna’s “Work” on repeat, and statement eyeshadow. Maximalism was at an all-time high, no matter how cringe it feels now. We hadn’t Marie Kondo-ed our homes, exfoliated the living hell out of our faces, or sworn off skinny jeans. It was bliss! Then everything shifted. A global pandemic, rising conservatism, and a growing quest to look like everyone on your For Your Page took cut creases and unapologetic smokey eyes away from us. Looking “pretty” and “agreeable” became our main goal, not lids layered in pigment. Hello, subtle brown mascara. Goodbye, 10-shade eyeshadow palettes.
But as all trends go, eyeshadow has slowly found its footing again. “If 2016 was our younger, wild sibling, 2026 is the more refined, elevated but just as colorful and punchy older sister,” says makeup artist Karol Rodriguez. I first declared eyeshadow was making a comeback last fall, after I got a glimpse of colored lids at the Collina Strada runway show. Since then, I’ve watched A-listers like Teyana Taylor, Jenna Ortega, Zara Larsson, and Chappell Roan walk full-on eye looks down red carpets.
Eyeshadows’ reemergence is taking shape in the real world, too. The other night, I saw someone do a complete eye look (eyeshadow palette and blending brush in hand) on the subway. Three of my friends showed up to happy hour last weekend with their lids decorated in shimmery washes of color. And before a recent workout class, I watched a person remove blue eyeshadow from their lids with a makeup wipe. If I didn’t know better, I’d say we were living in 2016 yet again.
I’m honestly not surprised. Culturally, 2016 doesn’t feel all that off from 2026. Donald Trump is president (again), my parents are still victims of deepfakes on social media (this time through AI slop), and the general public mood is burnout. Life is heavy, and an economic crisis certainly doesn’t help. In moments like this, we look for anything that makes the world feel a little less serious—makeup included. It’s no wonder we want to paint our faces; it’s both a form of escape and a small act of defiance, a way to find pleasure amid the bleak.
While the reasons for wearing eyeshadow in 2026 may mirror those from a decade ago, the execution looks a little different this time around, Rodriguez tells me. It’s less perfected; we’re not as precious about it. Smeared lines, diffused edges, and less refined blends are all indicators that the intentionally messy look is in. “In 2026, I still see elements of the precision that 2016 taught us, but they’re now more relaxed and playful,” they say.
The products we’re using to create these looks are different, too. While we spent 2016 inside Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Modern Renaissance palette and every iteration of the Urban Decay Naked franchise, 2026 is marked by a new movement in eyeshadow. Eyeshadow sticks, like ABH’s new Glidr Eyeshadow Stick, simplify application to a single swipe. Merit’s Solo Shadow requires just a quick blend with your finger or a brush and can be worn sheer or with full opacity (and it doesn’t crease). But don’t get it twisted: Palettes are certainly flying off shelves again. Makeup By Mario’s rereleased Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette garnered a 29,000-person waitlist before it launched and sold out at Sephora in only six days. Similarly, YSL Beauty’s Couture Eyeshadow Palette sold out in just a day last month.
We invited 24 arbiters of taste (from makeup artists and content creators to musicians and actors to models and artists) to show us how they’re doing eyeshadow right now. And although the 2016 nostalgia permeated the room, the actual looks weren’t exactly reminiscent of the time. Instead, we saw fresh takes: lots of blue (!), glitter galore, soft smudges, and more.
Emira D’Spain, 29
Occupation: Model
Social handles: @xoxoemira
How long does your usual makeup routine take? Okay…lowkey, people always think it takes me a while to do my makeup, but if I’m doing my daily makeup, 30 minutes is all I need. But if I’m giving FULL glam…at least 2.5 hours!
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now: Pat McGrath. Real ones know this is the only answer!
Best eyeshadow tip: More is more.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Lay off the Anastasia Dip Brow, diva!!!
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: Patrick Starrr. Stayed above the drama and just gave us looks and glamour, honey.
Isze Cohen, 26
Occupation: Makeup artist, aesthetician, and brand consultant
Social handles: @frostiedelite
Best eyeshadow tip: Blend, blend, blend! And for a bold look made to last, Danessa Myricks’ Colorfix.
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Liquid lipstick
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: It’s okay to not be so full-coverage all of the time.
Best way to discover new beauty trends: IG Explore, but also Substack!
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: Desi Perkins
Cyrus Veyssi, 31
Occupation: Comedian, creator, and performer
Social handles: @cyrusveyssi
Best eyeshadow tip: Cover your lid with a neutral/skin tone-color base to see your shadow pigments really pop.
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now:Natasha Denona’s palettes are SICKENING.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: You become much hotter and funnier and find peace.
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Not being inclusive!
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie *Aina*
Lauren Ezersky, 71
Occupation: Retired
Social handles: @laurenezersky
Who taught you how to do makeup? My mother. She always wore makeup, but I think I outdo her.
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? MAC—I love their whole presentation, the people they hire, and the colors they do. They’re just exceptional. I’ve been wearing it since the beginning. I only wear MAC.
Best eyeshadow tip: It gets better on its own if you don’t touch it throughout the day.
Best way to discover new beauty trends: Watching people do their makeup—they’re all fabulous. Go on Instagram and just watch tutorials. Or go into a store and have someone do your makeup.
Most influential beauty moment of 2016: I can’t remember. It’s always been the dark brown and black smokey eye for me. I don’t know trends. I do my own trend.
Sophia Hernandez, 31
Occupation: Model and activist
Social handles: @flvmeprincess
Describe this look in one word: Punk
How long does your usual makeup routine take? 20 minutes if I’m going my regular look, but if I want to do shadow, two hours.
Best eyeshadow tip: Take your damn time
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette? Urban Decay Naked palette
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Stop piling on the highlighter.
Audrey Trullinger, 26
Occupation: Actor and content creator
Social handles: @audreytrullinger
Who taught you how to do makeup? 2014 YouTube beauty gurus.
Best eyeshadow tip: Don’t forget to smoke out your under-eye!
To apply: Brush or fingers? Brush always.
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard?Nina Park’s makeup looks
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Block brows. Absolutely not.
Lexa Gates, 24
Occupation: Artist
Social handles: @lexagates
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Random TikTok baddies
Describe this look in one word: Profound
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette?Tarte Tartelette
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Backwoods, BBLs, and drinking lean.
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: Nikkitutorials
Oblivion, 22
Occupation: Print specialist and influencer
Social handles: @blivxxy
Describe this look in one word: Ethereal
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Kesha and old Cobra Snake photos
Best eyeshadow tip: Blush as base!!!!!!
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Mustache motifs
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Girl, chill tf out!!!!!
Amber Mark, 32
Occupation: Singer
Social handles: @instagramber
Describe this look in one word: lol
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard?Katie Jane Hughes
Who taught you how to do makeup? The internet and embarrassing real-life experiences.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Don’t do your eyebrows like that.
To apply: brush or fingers? I go through phases. I was using a brush for a while, but I recently just switched back to my fingers.
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: IDK, Rihanna?
Ryan Bailey Potter, 27
Occupation: Creator
Social handles: @ryanbaileypotter
Describe this look in one word: Witchy
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Gabriette and Lily-Rose Depp
Best eyeshadow tip: Sparkle almost always
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now: Natasha Denona
Most influential beauty moment of 2016: Lip kits!!
Alina Timo, 30
Occupation: Model and creator
Social handles: @aalinatimo
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? I find lots of inspiration in old films or photo books.
Best eyeshadow tip: Apply it hours before you need to go anywhere so it looks lived in.
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now: Chanel, always and forever.
To apply: Brush or fingers? Fingers for face, brush for eyes
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Fear and excitement are the same physiological state.
Michelle Li, 31
Occupation: Stylist and writer
Social handles: @himichelleli
Describe this look in one word: Sparkly princess sunshine [Editor’s note: We allowed her three words].
Who taught you how to do makeup? My friend Mi Anne Chan [creative editorial director of Teen Vogue] actually helped me become comfortable trying fun, cool makeup looks.
Best eyeshadow tip: Find your best eyeshadow placement and then try different colors!
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette?Claropsyche! It was my first eyeshadow palette.
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: I always loved Berman Rock.
Yeha Leung, 34
Occupation: Designer
Social handles: @creepyyeha
How long does your usual makeup routine take? Usually, I like to give myself an hour to get ready, but the quickest I’ve ever done my makeup was about 10 to 30 minutes.
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? I was first inspired by the film Lady Vengeance.
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now: I actually rarely use real eyeshadow. I have a habit of buying lipsticks specifically for eye makeup because it is so hard for me to find red eyeshadow at local drugstores.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Stay consistent with your daily skincare routine. But I didn’t even have a routine back then.
Best way to discover new beauty trends: I love sitting in Washington Square Park and watching people come and go and witnessing what people are actually wearing in real time.
Kitty Lever, 27
Occupation: Content creator, model, writer, actor, and comedian
Social handles: @kittylever
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Chloe Cherry
Best eyeshadow tip: Do it first, then do your base after, so you can clean it up.
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Filling in brows… I’m a bleached brow girl for life.
Best way to discover new beauty trends: Asking your friend who always does their makeup to the nines, because they’ll tell you tips they don’t think to tell you online.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Every mistake gifts you a lesson—make a bunch and keep learning from them.
Lovisa Lager, 26
Occupation: Model
Social handles: @lovisallager
Describe this look in one word: Hot
How long does your usual makeup routine take? Literally two minutes. I love a messy makeup.
Who taught you how to do makeup? My mom and YouTube. I was obsessed with Bethany Mota and Michelle Phan growing up.
To apply: Brush or fingers? Brush for mattes, fingers for shimmers.
All-time favorite eyeshadow palette: Honestly, the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Palette is perfect for everyday use and to elevate, but Revolution has really nice pigmented colors and shimmers for a low price.
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Neon!
Bianca Maiocchi, 22
Occupation: Model and yoga instructor
Social handles: @biancamaiocchi
Who taught you how to do makeup? My mom [Bianca’s mom just happens to be legendary makeup artist Pati Dubroff.]
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Madonna’s thick brows, red lip, and beauty mark will always do it for me
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Mannequin challenge 😭, but I wouldn’t be mad if it did…
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: My intuition not to make my eyebrows fuller than they are was right!!!
Greatest 2016 beauty vlogger: I loved to hate James Charles
Laura Pitcher, 31
Occupation: Writer and editor
Social handles: @laurapitcher
Describe this look in one word: Smog
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Vivienne Westwood
Best eyeshadow tip: Any (makeup) product can be eyeshadow if you just put it above your eyes!
Best 2016 beauty vlogger: Kim Chi
Most influential beauty moment of 2016: Anything Rihanna was doing for ANTI.
Nico Lou Monheim Carrasquillo, 29
Occupation: Writer
Social handles: @nico.lou; @mutt.readings
Describe this look in one word: Happy :)
The brand making the best eyeshadow right now: I use Snazaroo face paint. It’s for clowns.
Who taught you to do makeup? My dad [famous makeup artist Mark Carrasquillo]
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Be nicer to yourself! Trust your gut! Go to bed!
Most influential beauty moment of 2016: Lots of girls shaved their heads that year, which I loved.
Dani Parkes, 26
Occupation: Makeup artist
Social handles: @facesbydanii
Describe this look in one word: Electric
Who taught you how to do makeup? I’m self-taught! I learned watching my sisters play with makeup growing up—I’m the youngest daughter. They taught me everything about makeup, and I started from there.
Best eyeshadow tip: Always start with a base shade. I love using an eyeliner or makeup crayon to add a base to the eye before my eyeshadow.
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette?Patrick Ta Major Dimension III palette is a classic. I use this every day on myself as well as my clients.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: One day your insecurities will become your superpower.
Ocean Vanexel, 25
Occupation: Multi-hyphenate creative (model, content creator, actor)
Social handles: @ocean.vanexel
Who taught you how to do makeup? YouTubers were my teachers. I would sit and watch countless videos on different styles and then practice with my mom’s makeup.
To apply: Brush or fingers? Fingerssss—it’s always more fun that way.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Continue to create from the heart making your own path! Trust the weirdness that’s inside because it’s so much more beautiful than you know.
Best way to discover new beauty trends: I really love Pinterest for cool looks, but most of my discoveries come from the real world and looking at what’s already around me. From one night out dancing, I’ll come home with 10 new looks to try out!
Most influential beauty moment of 2016: Cara Delevingne putting thick brows on the map!! As a bushy-brow girl, it allowed me to feel comfy rockin’ them!
Hannah Pinson, 32
Occupation: Social media manager and event producer
Social handles: @gothbimbo.jpg
Describe this look in one word: Cunt
Who taught you how to do makeup? Myself, then I taught my mom
Best eyeshadow tip: Get, like, 19 different sizes of blending brushes
Which 2016 trend do you not want to come back? Being straight
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Get a therapist—Trump is becoming president.
Eri Wakiyama, 39
Occupation: Artist
Social handles: @mermaidhair
How long does your usual makeup routine take? >20 minutes (I try to, anyway)
Who taught you to do makeup? Myself
Best eyeshadow tip: Apply with a good light on. Even when it’s nighttime, you never know when there will be some dodgy lighting at a restaurant or flash photos happening. A test selfie with flash is smart!
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? I don’t have a makeup moodboard, but it’s like a “mood/vibes” folder I have. It always includes the punky/rebel/goth/don’t-give-a-fuck vibe (Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted, Chara from the film Picnic and Swallowtail Butterfly, Gerard Way from the revenge era, lots of Tim Burton characters like the Corpse Bride and Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands, Amy Winehouse)—I could go on.
Most influential beauty moment of 2016? I can barely remember, but I quite liked my fluorescent neon-green-highlighter hair color that I had for a moment.
Yu Ling Wu, 30
Occupation: Artist and content creator
Social handles: @yulingwu
Describe this look in one word: Galactic
To apply: brush or fingers? Both ;)
Best eyeshadow tip: White eyeshadow base to make those colors pop!
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette? This is like choosing between my children...but if I had to pick, probably the Urban Decay Naked palette because it was my first palette ever and it holds a special place in my heart.
One thing you wish you could tell your 2016 self: Do not hold back.
Cassandra Lee, 29
Occupation: Makeup artist
Social handles: @cvsee
Describe this look in one word: Dreamy
Who’s always on your makeup moodboard? Mother Earth
Who taught you how to do makeup? My inner child
Best way to discover new beauty trends: I love looking at old magazines.
What’s your all-time favorite eyeshadow palette? Claropsyche The Butterfly Palette
Makeup touch-ups by Karol Rodriguez using Maybelline New York. Casting by Annabel Iwegbue. Creative director: Samantha Adler. Visual director: Scott M. Lacey. Beauty director: Lauren Balsamo. Beauty editor: Beth Gillette. Associate visual editor: Aily Zeltser. Designer: Kara Miller.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
