By Alison McGill
When it comes to my holy grail of makeup musts, eyeshadow has always been in the top three, bested only by lipstick and mascara. I prefer a simple application, a slick of subtle colour on lids that gives a hit of colour, shimmer and playfulness. Current favourite shades include a sparkly champagne, rose gold, and a pretty pistachio, all of which are very on trend for the season ahead.
On global fashion runways, eyeshadow play was the biggest beauty story for Spring 2025. Not since the ‘80s have we seen such an eyeshadow moment. Back in the day, the brighter and bolder the eyeshadow the better. Statement blues, purples and pinks were the go-to favourites of the decade and everyone who was anyone—from Madonna, to Boy George, Grace Jones and Princess Diana—rocked pops of electric shades on their lids.
With the revival of so many iconic styles from the era of excess currently trending—big shoulders, cinched waists, skirt suits, menswear and leggings to name a few—it’s no surprise eyeshadow is back (on TikTok, #eyeshadow currently has over 1.4 million tagged posts). Some of the best beauty inspo has been seen on recent red carpets. A few headliners: Chappell Roan’s painterly, multi-coloured eyeshadow at the Grammy Awards; Cynthia Erivo’s mocha metallic hues at the BAFTAs; and Elle Fanning’s shimmering peach pigments at the Golden Globes.
If you are looking to up your eyeshadow game, here are few new hits and old favourites to add to your beauty stash.
The Eyeshadow Crayon
Creating dramatic eyeshadow looks a cinch with this new, eyeshadow stick. There are 20 shades to play with ranging from soft, matte nudes to deep, dark shimmers. Colour is waterproof, long wearing and feels like silk on the skin.
BUY: Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Cool Pink Shimmer, Seafood Green Shimmer, Antique Gold Shimmer, Matte Lilac Pink, Matte Beige Peach and Matte Mint Green, $44 each, sephora.com
The Essential Eyeshadow Palettes
Charlotte Tilbury’s just dropped collection of eyeshadow palettes are total perfection. There’s a mix of finishes from matte to satin, crystal and chrome which means they are fun to play with. Available in six shade ranges, each of these nine-pan lineups have everything you need to create looks from lo-fi to loud.
BUY: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Palette of Beautifying Eye Trends in Denim Dimension, $60, charlottetilbury.com
The Liquid Eyeshadow
One swipe of this highly pigmented metallic liquid shadow is all you need to make a statement. Thanks to the price point, you can afford to build a complete eyeshadow wardrobe stocked with shades (there are eight hues to choose from) from lights to dramatic brights.
BUY: e.l.f Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow, $7, elfcosemtics.ca
The Cream Eyeshadow
The thing about these cream shadows that’s so beautiful is how smoothly they glide on the lids and the incredibly buildable coverage. Use a brush or your fingers to apply and blend out to create a subtle wash of colour, or layer up to create an alluring smokey finish. Available in 23 shades.
BUY: Trinny London Eye2Eye in Fawny, $36, trinnylondon.com
