Colorful Eyeshadow Is Our Newest TikTok Makeup Obsession

Lauren Black

Lauren is a marketing professional, writer, and the founder of The Eye & The Edit, a weekly style and shopping newsletter. She recently found a home in New York City, where she enjoys endless people-watching and outfit inspiration. There, she can usually be found shopping in Soho, digging through vintage stores in Brooklyn, or trying a new coffee shop or natural wine bar.

Full Bio

Aug 30, 2021

From bold smokey eyes to soft pastel lids and graphic neon styles, colorful eyeshadow is our new favorite Internet craze. Thanks to a few genius TikTok hacks and beginner friendly makeup tutorials, these trends are becoming easier than ever to apply for everyday wear. Whether you keep the rest of your makeup minimal or go all-out glam, these are the most viral colorful eye makeup looks to try before the end of summer.

Simplified Smokey Eyes

@rashnakutwaroo
Since you guys loved my first one♥️ #eyeshadowhack #viral #fypシ #makeuphack #easyeyemakeup #makeupforbeginners

This summer, TikTok introduced us to a genius hack for achieving a flawless smokey eye. Simply use a flat brush to apply straight strokes of one color in dark to light shades from the outer to inner corner, then use a fluffy brush to blend from inner to outer corner. In typical Gen Z fashion, the hack is coolest when used with bright and bold palettes (but can totally be used for neutral smokey eyes, too).

$\u200bFenty Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette tiktok makeup$

Fenty Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette ($25)

We'd like to personally thank Rihanna for this perfectly-sized hot pink palette.

$\u200bNABLA Cutie Palette Midnight$

NABLA Cutie Palette Midnight ($48)

Compliment blue and brown eyes with an intense blue smokey eye.

$\u200bJuvia's Place The Violets Eyeshadow Palette$

Juvia's Place The Violets Eyeshadow Palette ($14)

Use this purple palette to give your green eyes a royal flush.

$\u200bColourPop High Tide Eyeshadow Palette$

ColourPop High Tide Eyeshadow Palette ($14)

Count on ColourPop for pigmented palettes with every range of colors you can dream up, like these especially aquatic shades.

NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($26)

Make sure you start every smokey eye with a reliable primer for some serious staying power once blended.

Soft Pastel Hues

@marthalynnn
Visit TikTok to discover videos!

Across Instagram and TikTok, everyone is swathing their lids in pretty pastel colors for a soft but unexpected touch of color. Beginners can start with one simple shade, while more seasoned artists have added colorful contouring, eyeliner, and even crystals to the look.

$\u200bMAC Eyeshadow tiktok makeup$

MAC Eyeshadow in What's the Wifi? ($19)

You don't need to splurge on a whole palette when you can pick out a single pastel color of your preference from MAC. Our favorite? This light green tone that's both earthy and opulent.

$\u200bHUDA BEAUTY Pastel Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette$

HUDA BEAUTY Pastel Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette ($29)

For a few purple and peachy options, HUDA BEAUTY has you covered.

$\u200bBH Cosmetics Lost in Los Angeles$

BH Cosmetics Lost in Los Angeles ($17)

This palette comes with every pastel shade you could want to try, plus raving reviews.

$\u200bKosas 10-Second Liquid Eyeshadow$

Kosas 10-Second Liquid Eyeshadow in Waterfall ($28)

A liquid formula means you don't have to worry about fallout.

$\u200bNYX Jumbo Eye Pencil$

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($4)

For added dimension, use this pencil to brighten up your inner corner after your lid has been applied.

Graphic Neon Shades

@tashimrod
💙

If pastel lids aren't bold enough for you, you can get even more creative with neon colors. Use different brushes to apply neon shades as graphic eyeliner, an angular, all-over lid color, or for the truly daring, a bright pop in your inner corner.