I Took Notes: 6 Chic Ways to Wear Eye Shadow This Fall, According to It Girls and Their MUAs
Our take
The cyclical nature of trends is undeniable, yet the subtle shifts in aesthetic preferences always offer a fascinating lens through which to view the broader cultural landscape. The recent resurgence of elevated, considered makeup—as highlighted in "I Took Notes: 6 Chic Ways to Wear Eye Shadow This Fall, According to It Girls and Their MUAs"—is a perfect example. It’s not about a radical departure from previous styles, but a refinement, a move away from the maximalism that dominated recent years towards a more understated, sophisticated expression. This article taps into a desire for timelessness, mirroring a wider movement towards “quiet luxury” in fashion and design, where quality and intention outweigh overt displays of wealth. We’ve observed this shift ourselves, as evidenced by the enthusiasm surrounding [The Chicest People I Know Are Already Styling Cropped Jeans With This Elegant Autumn Shoe Trend], demonstrating a parallel preference for pieces that exude effortless style. The emphasis on “it girls” and their makeup artists reinforces the importance of aspirational figures in shaping beauty trends—individuals who embody a certain lifestyle and aesthetic.
The specific trends outlined—sepia smoky eyes, icy-matte accents—feel intrinsically linked to the autumnal palette itself. These are colors and textures that evoke a sense of warmth, introspection, and a connection to nature. They are not jarring or attention-seeking, but rather subtly enhance the wearer's natural features. This aligns perfectly with the current mood of self-assuredness and understated confidence. The article’s focus on techniques rather than specific product recommendations is also noteworthy. It’s about the *how*—the artistry and skill involved—rather than simply the *what*. This reinforces the idea that beauty is an art form, a process of self-discovery and creative expression. Consider also the rising interest in runway-inspired beauty; our own piece, [Runway Experts Agree: These Beauty Trends Are Going to Be Everywhere in 2027], speaks to the growing desire to incorporate high-fashion elements into everyday looks, further fueling this movement towards elevated aesthetics.
Beyond the immediate trends, this development speaks to a broader societal shift in how we perceive beauty. There’s a growing rejection of heavily filtered images and unrealistic standards. Instead, there’s a yearning for authenticity, for celebrating individual features and embracing imperfections. This is reflected in the article's emphasis on techniques that enhance rather than mask—creating a look that feels natural and effortless, even when meticulously applied. The return to more classic makeup styles, interpreted through a modern lens, also suggests a desire for stability and enduring beauty in a world that often feels chaotic and fleeting. It’s a conscious choice to prioritize quality and intention over fleeting trends and superficiality, a sentiment that resonates deeply with our audience who value mindful consumption and timeless style.
Ultimately, the resurgence of sophisticated eyeshadow techniques isn’t just about a change in makeup application; it's a reflection of a broader cultural shift towards quiet confidence, understated elegance, and a celebration of individual beauty. As we move further into the season, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends evolve and whether the focus on artistry and intention continues to shape the beauty landscape. Will we see a further blurring of lines between makeup and skincare, prioritizing products that nourish and enhance rather than simply cover? And how will the rise of AI-generated imagery and virtual influencers impact our perception of beauty and influence future trends?
If the first sight of auburn leaves inspires you to switch up your makeup routine instead of your wardrobe, then you've come to the right place. While I, too, am looking forward to trading my tank tops for funnel-necked jackets, I've slowly been transitioning my makeup looks into fall mode with the help of my favorite It girls. As a beauty editor, it's my job to eye tastemakers as they try new looks for special outings: a kiss of lavender shadow on Zendaya, a punchy black smoky eye à la Charli XCX as she takes the stage during her ongoing Music, Fashion, Film tour… I could go on. As arbiters of taste, modern-day style icons have been slowly planting the seeds for what will soon become fall's biggest makeup moves—and the trends emerging first are all about eye shadow.
When the jackets and boots come back into rotation, it's only natural to want to pair leather and suede with coordinating makeup. Thanks to New York Fashion Week, movie premieres, and album tours, our favorite trendsetters are out and about right now—awash in everything from autumnal smoky eyes to icy matte finishes and pops of playful color. Keep reading for the six eye shadow trends sweeping fall 2026 and find out how you can re-create them all season long.
The Top 6 Fall Eye Shadow Trends of 2026
Soft Purple
Zendaya's makeup artist Ernesto Casillas recently sculpted the actress's face in a bevy of "tan and lavender hues" during a recent trip to New York, where the star wore a full face of Prada Beauty and instantly made us want to break out purple shadow. "We were inspired by Prada Beauty’s new Wisteria Makeup Collection to pop that beautiful lilac color on the eyes," Casillas said in a press release. The celebrity MUA used the Prada Dimensions Eyeshadow in Portrait to achieve this soft purple look, but you can also achieve this look at home with a pigmented purple shadow from the drugstore or a creamy lilac eye shadow stick.
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Ivory Matte
If there's one thing we can always expect from Nara Smith, it's a serve. This sculpted matte eye shadow look from her appearance at the S/S 27 Magda Butrym show is a perfect example of '90s glam made modern—a tight, sharply arched brow; a chiseled cut crease carved with cool tones; and matte, ivory eye shadow on the lids. The look is equal parts classic and editorial with the exaggerated eye shape, and the pop of white makes it oh so interesting. If you want to tell people you have taste without uttering a word, dust ivory shadow over the apex of your lids.
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Sepia Smoke
One of the most classic fall eye shadow looks is a brown smoky eye, but Charli XCX is taking this look into cool-girl territory this season. The multi-hyphenate favors a smoky, smudged look—usually fashioned by her longtime makeup artist, Yasmin Istanbouli—but this softer iteration feels like an easy way to channel Charli's rock-star glam in everyday autumnal fashion. Concentrate the product along the lash line to create the appearance of thicker lashes and eyeliner. Then blend the pigment up toward the brows for a diffused look. (This is especially easy with a brown eye shadow stick—simply swipe and blend with your fingers.)
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Pastel Pop
Iris Law is one of our favorite up-and-coming fashion girls, but her beauty looks are just as newsworthy. This recent snap from the model's Instagram instantly captured my attention thanks to her glistening gradient eye shadow look that morphs from wispy gray to ballerina-pink shimmer and glistening pale green, making us rethink what a "fall color palette" can be. Shop a few shimmery pastels that work beautifully with browns, olive greens, and other traditionally autumnal eye shadow hues below.
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Rock-Star Smudge
We can't help but be inspired by Charli's rock-star-inspired makeup looks, especially as we slip into darker clothes and bury ourselves inside leather jackets this fall. While the star established the "party-girl makeup" aesthetic on her back-to-back Sweat and Brat tours (which significantly helped shift grunge beauty into the mainstream), she's tailored her look for the Music, Fashion, Film tour into something more traditionally metal. Her recent tour looks and Instagram posts feature opaque black smoky eyes and imperfect blending—an intentional choice that celebrates imperfection. With indie sleaze and "IDGAF" eyes making waves at F/W 26 shows, it's no surprise that we're seeing rock-star eyes today.
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Cool Definition
I speak for my team of fellow beauty editors when I say that Paloma Elsesser is constantly on our inspiration boards. We know that when we see a micro-trend on the model, it's bound to get widespread attention in a matter of weeks, so consider this your sign to get on the sculpted eye trend (specifically in cool tones!) early. Chic people have been embracing "clean girl" makeup for quite some time, but cool people like Elsesser have been experimenting with angsty beauty for quite some time, and fall is the perfect season to hop on this bandwagon.
Shop Cool Definition Eye Shadows
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