Eyeshadow has the power to completely transform your look when applied creatively. With the right blend of shades, textures, and techniques, you can create stunning eye makeup that demands attention. This season, bold, colorful eyeshadow is on trend. From sultry smoky eyes to vivid graphic liner, there are so many gorgeous styles you can try out to shake up your usual routine.

In this comprehensive article, you’ll find detailed, step-by-step instructions for 17 beautiful eyeshadow looks that are perfect for the current season. Follow the tips and tricks to take your eye makeup to the next level.

The Sultry Cut Crease Eye

The cut crease eye look is all about using two separate eyeshadow shades above and below the natural crease of your eyelid to create contrast. Blending a darker hue along the crease and a lighter one on the lid results in a striking, defined eyeshape. This technique is trending lately for its sculpting effect.

To get this intense cut crease look:

• Prepare lids by applying your favorite eye primer evenly across the entire surface up to the brow bone. This creates a smooth base for eyeshadow to grip to.
• Set the primer with a light dusting of translucent powder, concentrating on the eyelid crease. This prevents creasing throughout wear.
• Choose a medium bronze, brown or taupe eyeshadow. Use a fluffy brush to sweep the shade all over your lid, from lash line to brow bone. This transitions the lid for depth.
• Then, take a deeper matte eyeshadow in a dark chocolate, charcoal, or black. Switch to a smaller tapered crease brush. Apply the dark shade precisely within the eye crease, extending slightly above it.
• Next, go back to the fluffy brush with no additional product to softly blur and blend the edges of the dark crease color to avoid harsh lines.
• Grab your lightest shimmer eyeshadow, like a champagne, rose gold, or pearlized beige. Pat this brightly across the eyelid center only using your finger or a dense brush. Avoid the crease.
• Take a clean small brush to further diffuse and marry the edges between the light lid shade and dark crease colors. Blend until seamless.
• Finish this cut crease eye look with winged liquid liner in black and your favorite volumizing mascara on upper and lower lashes.

The color contrast between the eyelid and crease makes eyes look wider and more defined. Play around with shade combinations like bronze and peach, navy blue and soft gold, or matte purple and shimmering beige tones.

The Sultry Smokey Eye

The smokey eye is one of the most iconic makeup looks. It has an irresistible appeal and sultry allure. By using strategic eyeshadow blending to create a diffused, smudged effect, anyone can achieve bedroom eyes. Go as bold or soft as desired depending on the occasion and time of day.

Follow these steps below for a foolproof, professional smokey eye:

• It all starts with proper eyelid prep. Prime the entire surface with an eyeshadow primer or concealer to give the powders something to adhere to. This prevents creasing and fallout.
• Sweep a mid-tone neutral eyeshadow across the entire lid up to your brow bone using a big fluffy brush. Go for a color close to your natural skintone – beige, brown, or taupe typically.
• Switch to a smaller tapered crease brush. Pick a slightly darker shadow and apply it mainly to the eyelid crease, emphasizing the outer corner and extending in a V shape.
• Take a clean, fluffy blending brush to softly diffuse the edges where the darker shadow meets the neutral base. Use a light hand and circular motions.
• Define eyes further by lining the upper lashline with a dark pencil liner or liquid liner. Try black, dark brown, or charcoal. Smudge the liner with a brush or your finger before applying mascara.
• Finish with a black volumizing mascara, focusing coats on the upper lashes.

For daytime, stick to lighter brown and bronze shades with minimal lining for a work-friendly vibe. At night, go for richer shadows like burgundy, charcoal, or deep eggplant purple. The most important tip is to blend, blend, blend for that signature smokey diffused effect.

The Halo Eye

The halo eye makeup style uses strategically placed shadows to encircle your iris with color for an eye-widening effect. A darker hue envelops the center pupil in a round shape, while a light shimmery shade is precisely applied to the center of the lid right under the pupil. The result is intense and doll-like.

Follow these application tips when creating the halo eye look:

• Prep your eyelids with your favorite primer and set it well with translucent powder. This creates a crease-free base for the eyeshadow look.
• Pick a super light shimmery champagne, gold, or pearly white eyeshadow. Load up a small dense brush and pack the shade onto the center of your lid right over your iris.
• Next, take a darker eyeshadow – go for rich shades like chocolate brown, royal purple, or navy blue and apply this to the inner and outer corners of the lid as well as sweeping it through the crease.
• Switch to a clean fluffy brush. Use a very light hand and circular blending motions along the edges where the light and dark shadows meet. Continue smoothing until the colors seamlessly fade into each other.
• Finish by lining eyes with jet black liquid liner. Wing it out lightly and top lashes with black mascara.

Halo eyes grab attention. Have fun playing with color pairings like shimmering champagne and rich brown, pastel lavender blended into navy blue, or striking rose gold fading into a smokey charcoal grey.

Monochromatic Magic

Do you love donning colors? The monochromatic eyeshadow look utilizes multiple tones and finishes of the same base shade to create cohesive, fashion-forward eye makeup. From bold jewel tones to subtle pastels, the options are limitless.

Here are some application tips for monochromatic eyeshadow:

• Select an eyeshadow color family you want to use across the lid. For example, rich blues, forest greens, vibrant purples, or soft pinks.
• Sweep a medium matte shadow in your chosen hue all over the eyelid up to the brow bone using a fluffy brush. This lays your base.
• Switch to a shimmery or metallic formula of that same color. Pat this directly onto the center of the lid over the matte base using your finger or a dense brush.
• With a smaller tapered brush, run the darkest version of your chosen color through just the eyelid crease and outer corners to add definition.
• Make sure to blend the edges between the varying textures of the same shade so they fade seamlessly into each other.
• Finish by lining eyes with a coordinating or black liner. Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes.

Monochromatic eyes in striking jewel tones like sapphire blue or emerald green make the biggest impact, especially for evening glamour. On the more subtle side, pastel lavender and peach look beautiful for daytime wear.

Graphic Liner Artistry

Graphic liner involves using strongly pigmented products to draw artistic shapes and modern patterns across your eyelids. Then layer coordinating eyeshadows over the liner to make it pop. This look adds an unexpectedly creative twist to your typical eye makeup.

Follow these tips for graphic liner art:

• Start by grooming and concealing brows so your canvas is flawless. Prime lids too.
• Choose colored liquid or gel liners in shades that excite you. Think bright blue, vivid purple, neon yellow or orange, lime green, hot pink, etc.
• Reference eye charts online and use the liners to draw shapes like graphic arrows, dots, zigzags, triangles, or abstract squiggles across your lashline and lid space. You can trace above the crease too. Get creative!
• Pat matching eyeshadow colors over the liner patterns to reinforce them with fuller coverage and intensity. Make sure to blend edges for a smooth look.
• Finish with tons of black mascara and bold false lashes that accentuate your graphic look.

Graphic liner art pairs perfectly with both bright neons and pastels for different vibes. Let your creativity shine through eye makeup!

Recreate the ’60s Mod Look

For retro appeal, recreate the iconic ’60s mod makeup style. The eye look centers around intense, vivid technicolor eyeshadow paired with thick black liner and false lashes. Keep lips neutral to let the electric eyes pop even more.

Here’s how to achieve mod eyes:

• Choose eyeshadow colors that fit the ’60s aesthetic – think bold electric blues, shiny cherry reds, vibrant teals, or zesty lime greens.
• Using a fluffy brush, sweep your chosen shadow color across your lid up towards your brow bone for full impact.
• Take a black liquid or gel liner and trace a thick line along your upper lashline, flicking it out slightly at the outer corners.
• Apply dramatic false strip lashes and coat them with black mascara to blend with your real lashes.
• Finish with a neutral matte lipstick or gloss to counterbalance the eye intensity.

With color pairings like shimmery blue swept over bright orange liner or vivid purple layered on top of graphic yellow shapes, the possibilities are kaleidoscopic. Create showstopping psychedelic eyes straight from the summer of love!

Gilded Glamour Golds

When applied skillfully, champagne, bronze, and gold eyeshadows create lavish gilded eyes reminiscent of Old Hollywood. For instant allure, sweep these shimmering metallics across your lids. Follow the tips below for application.

• Always prep eyes first by applying primer and setting with translucent powder. Metallic shadows adhere best to prime, even lids. The powder prevents creasing.
• Pat shimmering golds and bronzes on using your finger or a dense eyeshadow brush rather than sweeping. This packs on richer pigment.
• Try running a deep brown shade through just the crease and outer corners to add definition to the gilded lid.
• Grace inner corners with a lighter metallic like champagne gold to make eyes look awake.
• Blend the metallic shades into the crease color thoroughly so no harsh lines remain.

Play with stunning color combos like rose gold swept over bronze, molten gold blended into blackened green, or antique copper paired with glitzy silver. With the right metallics, your eyes beam regally.

The fail-proof Neutral Smokey Eye

For an everyday, wearable take on the classic smokey eye, stick to neutral browns, taupes, and beiges. The result is a softer, office-friendly version ideal for beginners. Build up the hues slowly in layers.

Follow these easy steps to sweep on a neutral smokey eye:

• Prep lids first with your favorite primer and setting powder for smooth application.
• Sweep a light brown shadow across your entire eyelid up to the brow bone using a big fluffy eyeshadow brush. Choose a color close to your skin’s undertone.
• Switch to a pencil brush and pick up a slightly deeper neutral brown. Run this solely through the natural crease of your eyelid and into the outer corner in a diffused shape.
• Take a clean fluffy blender brush to soften any harsh edges along the darker shadow. Blend in small circles to create a smoked out effect.
• Brighten the inner corners and brow bone with a shimmery champagne or pearl hue. Keep the center lid matte.
• Line upper lashline with a dark brown liner. Soften it by smudging with a brush or your finger before applying mascara.

Go subtle with your color choices and keep lining minimal for an everyday smokey eye that’s work-friendly yet still polished and pretty. It’s flattering on all eye shapes and tones.

Play with Glitter Shadows

When you want showstopping shimmer, reach for glitter eyeshadows. The key is perfecting your application to minimize messy fallout. Follow the tips below to work glitter shadow like a pro:

• Always apply glitters over creaseless, primed lids set with powder. This helps the sparkly particles adhere properly.
• Pat the shadow on using your fingertip or a flat, dense brush rather than sweeping it on. This packs on more opaque color.
• Apply glitter shadow in very thin layers and let each coat fully dry before adding more. This builds impact without fallout.
• Have blotting papers ready – gently press them against your eyeshadow after application to catch any stray sparkles before they drop onto your cheeks.
• Finish a glitter eye look with mascara and a glossy lip.

Glitter shadow is gorgeous swept over darker bases, like silver over charcoal grey or a violet base with blue glitter on top. Feel free to mix and match for glittery galaxy eyes!

Vibrant Fuchsia Spotlight

For those bold enough to try it, vivid matte fuchsia eyeshadow grabs attention instantly. The blue-based vibrant pink flatters brown, green and hazel eyes beautifully by making them appear brighter and more prominent.

Follow these tips when applying fuchsia shadow:

• Sweep the hot pink shade across your eyelid up towards the brow bone for full impact.
• Run a deeper berry or purple shade lightly through just the crease to define eyes without dulling the fuchsia brightness.
• Make sure to blend extremely well so there are no harsh lines between shades. Fuchsia commands enough attention on its own.
• Define eyes with black liquid liner. Keep the line thin as a counterbalance to the bold shadow.
• Finish with black mascara on top and bottom lashes. Add falsies for extra flirty fluttery impact.

When eyes are the focus, keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Stick to neutral glossy lips so your neon pink eyes can take center stage.

Pretty Pastels for Daytime

Pastel eyeshadows in shades of lavender, mint, peach, sky blue and buttery yellow create soft, ethereal eyes perfect for daytime. Follow these application tips when working with chalky pastels:

• Prep lids well with primer and powder to provide a base for these light shades to build onto.
• Pat on the shadow with short pressing motions rather than sweeping to build coverage. Pastels are dense and cling to primer best when patted.
• Apply 2-3 thin layers of color rather than one thick coat for a visible yet still soft effect.
• Make sure to blend edges between shades thoroughly so there are no harsh lines, only seamless fading color.
• Finish with brown or gray pencil liner smudged outward and light black mascara. Avoid dramatic liquid liner with pastels.

To prevent a washed out look, keep the rest of your makeup minimal when wearing pastel eyeshadows. Sheer lips, groomed brows, and a hint of blush is all you need.

Earthy Autumnal Hues

As the weather cools down, warm up your eye makeup with earthy autumnal eyeshadow shades. Coppers, burnt oranges, olive greens, and rich auburns flatter fall fashion.

Follow these application tips for earth-inspired shadow:

• Sweep a medium neutral brown all over the lid up to the brow to transition the eye for depth.
• Pat a metallic rusty copper shade across the center of the lid using a dense brush or your fingertip for intense pigment.
• Run a deeper version of that copper through just the crease and outer corners.
• Make sure to blend well where the crease color meets the lid so no harsh lines remain.
• Add inner corner and brow bone pops of shimmery champagne to brighten tired eyes.
• Finish with lots of black mascara and optional dark brown liner smudged outward slightly.

Some gorgeous autumnal pairings include olive green blended into auburn, copper melted into burnt sienna orange, or a shimmering cider hue mixed with chestnut brown. Embrace the season through your eye makeup!

Graphic Cut Crease

For fashion-forward edge, combine a cut crease with graphic liner. Follow your crease shape to draw or stamp on a graphic liner pattern. Fill in the shapes with coordinating eyeshadows for an artistic look.

To get this graphic cut crease:

• Prime lids well in preparation for detailed liner work.
• Trace or stamp triangular, rectangular, winged, or graphic shapes above your natural crease using black or colored liquid liner.
• Pack on coordinating eyeshadow colors within the liner shapes using a dense brush and patting motions.
• Soften any harsh shadow or liner edges by blending thoroughly.
• Apply a lighter shimmer shadow across lids below the graphic cut crease.
• Finish with dramatic false lashes fanning out from the graphic shape.

White liner with pastel shadows or bright neons traced over black liner offer cool color pairings. Get creative with your cut creases!

Lived-In Smudgy Shadow

The messy, lived-in smoky eye skips perfection for an edgy just-out-of-bed vibe. Smudge shades inward instead of blending for undone allure.

Achieve the look by:

• Running rich black, brown, or grey cream shadow sticks along the upper and lower lashlines.
• Smudging the creamy colors inwards towards the inner corners using a brush or fingertip.
• Smoking out the lower lashline too. Apply a darker shadow below and smudge downwards.
• Sweep a metallic grey or bronze across lids messily.
• Finish with lots of black mascara and skip liner.

Embrace the deliberately imperfect application. Skip primer and powder for faster smudging. Complete the look with tousled bedhead waves.

Matte Chocolate Brown Sensuality

For intense bedroom eyes, a rich matte chocolate brown shadow blends sexily along the upper and lower lashlines. Stay within the lashline and avoid the crease for seductive shadow.

How to get this sultry look:

• Run a matte dark chocolate pencil liner along upper and lower lashlines. Stay tight to lashes.
• Using a brush or your finger, blend and smudge the liner inward towards inner corners for a smokey effect.
• Take more matte chocolate shadow on a brush and press it into the wet liner to reinforce color.
• Make sure to softly blur any harsh shadow lines while keeping color concentrated at the lashline.
• Finish with tons of black mascara on top and bottom lashes only.

Keep the rest of your makeup dewy and neutral to allow the chocolate brown lashes maximum impact. This look oozes sexy attitude.

Gilded Tangerine Dream

Vibrant tangerine eyeshadow offers a fun pop of color for summer makeup. When layered over golden shimmer, the effect is luxe gilded radiance.

To get this glowy citrus eye look:

• Sweep a champagne shimmer base across lids up to the brow bone.
• Pat concentrated tangerine shadow across the center of the lid over the shimmer using a stiff brush and pressing motions.
• Run a matte burnt orange eyeshadow lightly through the crease and along lower lashline to define the tangerine color.
• Soften any harsh crease lines by diffusing with light, blended strokes.
• Apply black liner tight to the upper lashline and smudge slightly.
• Finish with black mascara on upper and lower lashes.

The tangerine lid pops even more brilliantly against the gilded glow base. Keep the rest of your makeup minimal to allow the eyes to dazzle.

Blended Blue Beauty

Blue eyeshadow is an unexpected yet stunning choice that makes brown and green eyes pop brightly. For prettiest application, blend blue tones together for dimensional impact.

Follow these application tips when working with blue shadow:

• Sweep a matte powder blue base across lids up to the brow bone.
• Apply a shimmery royal blue concentrate on the center lid over the base using a small brush and pressing motions.
• Run a matte navy blue liner along upper and lower lashlines. Smudge lightly.
• Soften any harsh lines between the shades by blending edges until seamless.
• Finish with black mascara on upper and lower lashes only.

Blue shadow commands attention, so keep the rest of your face neutral. Let those mesmerizing blue eyes take center stage!

Conclusion

Hopefully the detailed step-by-step instructions for these 17 trendy eyeshadow looks provide ample inspiration to enhance your makeup creativity. From sultry cut creases to sparkling glitters, graphic neon liner art to earthy autumnal palettes, the options for transforming your eyes are endless.

Experiment with applying these eyeshadow styles and combining textures. Makeup artistry lets you reveal your unique inner beauty. Find the shapes, shades, and techniques that make your gorgeous eyes pop!

Which is your favorite go-to eyeshadow look? Do you prefer bold brights or soft neutrals? Sheer pastels or rich metallics? Share your beloved eye makeup tips and tricks with us! Let’s inspire each other to diversify our beauty skills.