Bold Eye Shadow Is Back—and These Are the Trending Colours of 2019

Beauty news flash: Colour is cool again. When it comes to my wardrobe, I’m already a huge fan of embracing the rainbow (show me a brightly striped jumper or a boldly patterned midi dress, and I’ll love it), and when it comes to lipstick, I’m not one to shy away from more experimental hues. I’ve been known to sport a lilac pout in the summer, and you’d struggle to find a handbag of mine that doesn’t have a red lippie or two inside.

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(Image credit: @MARIANNE_THEODORSEN)

This latest colour trend, however, is worn on the eyes. I’ll be honest: At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. While I’d spotted some of the coolest girls on Instagram foraying into the world of bright monochromatic eye shadow earlier this year, I chose to scroll on by and stay safe inside my neutral comfort zone. However, when the likes of Lupita Nyong’o and Lili Reinhart showed up to last month’s Golden Globe Awards sporting bright eyelids, I realized that the rainbow-coloured eye shadow trend was sticking around.

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(Image credit: @LUPITANYONGO)

At first glance, applying a race car–red eye shadow or an electric-blue eyeliner might seem like one step too far outside of your beauty comfort zone. However, I firmly believe that this look can work for every day with just a few simple tweaks. It’s also a great way to experiment with colour if you’re not ready to compromise on your all-black outfit. Scroll on to see my favourite ways fashion girls have been wearing these seven eye shadow colours in 2019 so far, and then see tips on how to make the look work for you.

1. RED

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(Image credit: @ELSYANDTHEBLOG)

Red doesn’t have to mean tomato. This brick shade works for every day when lips are left bare.

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(Image credit: @ELLESSECHAR)

The subtle metallic sheen of this red means it works beautifully on both eyelids and cheekbones.

2. YELLOW

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(Image credit: @MARIAALIA)

Pairing a coloured eyeliner with a white shade at the edges helps to brighten the eye area while dialling down the colour.

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(Image credit: @GABRIELAPELLETIER)

Colour doesn’t have to be intense. Use a fluffy blending brush and apply just a thin layer of powder shadow for a subtle take on the trend.

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3. GREEN

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(Image credit: @AUDE_JULIE)

A wash of green on the eyelid is surprisingly subtle when worn with a skirt-and-socks combo in highlighter hues.

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(Image credit: @GIAXSEO)

Contrast a neon-green eyeliner with a softer shade beneath the lashes for a fresh approach to colour.

4. BLUE

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(Image credit: @ALWAYSJUDGING)

Powder-blue is best smudged haphazardly over your eyelids for a laid-back look.

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(Image credit: @LUCYYKNELLL)

For the evening, up the ante with shades worn with a heavy dose of mascara.

5. PURPLE

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(Image credit: @CHRONICLESOFHER_)

Let your teenage love for lilac shine. Pastels are a great entry point to wearing colour and will be even lovelier once summer arrives.

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(Image credit: @ASOS_LOTTE)

I’m not sure if magenta technically counts as purple, but there’s no denying that this ’80s-inspired hue brings a strong eye shadow game.

Related: After the Longest January in History, Here's What to Wear in February

6. ORANGE

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(Image credit: @ASOS_KICKI)

Tangerine dreams. Keeping skin makeup pared-back and glowy means that orange has never looked so good.

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(Image credit: @ASOS_ELIZABETH)

Bright orange on lips and the nails pop against a casual all-black outfit.

7. PINK

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(Image credit: @JESSICAZWU)

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(Image credit: @ROSIEFORTESCUE)

Next up, the “naked” mani everyone’s getting to make their nails look longer.

Mica Ricketts