Elevate your festive look with beauty expert-attested eye makeup trends

Take it from fashion gurus - eye makeup is a game changer. While Deepika Padukone is bringing back brown in a big way at Koffee with Karan, Disha Patani is giving shimmery eyes a chance.

From Zendaya's electropop palette in Euphoria to Dua Lipa's neon-glazed bold shades, we are tuning in to the hottest eye makeup trends that are set to dominate this festive season.

This transformation is largely driven by Gen Z, which is redefining and challenging age-old beauty norms, opines the Mumbai-based beauty expert and founder of House of Makeup - Harlin Sachdeva.

For instance, consider the eye makeup featured in the American teen drama show, ‘Euphoria.' The nuanced looks boldly confront traditional gender norms and utilise makeup not for beauty or blemish correction - but to enable expression through imperfect yet striking strokes.

Midday sponged on the brains of beauty experts to unearth eye makeup trends and offer vital tips for nailing the look. After all, eye makeup essentially boils down to seamless blending and a carefully selected palette, which the experts decode for us.

Eye makeup trends for festive season

This season, we're experiencing a revival of more daring and impactful eye makeup, with a return of some nostalgic retro looks, Rashi Sethi, the founder of Skin Story tells Midday.

Beauty experts share with us six raging eye makeup trends:

1. Minimal graphic eyeliners are redefining eye makeup and finding adoption among the fashion-forward Gen Z. Sachdeva informs that this trend embraces simplicity and drama all at once, focusing on clean lines and minimalistic designs that make a powerful impact. It allows for subtle yet eye-catching artistic expressions, often utilising classic black liner, geometric shapes or negative space. Makeup artists are also embracing this trend as it offers a contemporary twist on classic eyeliner styles, enabling them to create visually stunning looks.

2. Expressive lashes are experiencing a resurgence as a prominent eye makeup trend. This revival places an emphasis on lush, voluminous lashes as a striking focal point of the overall eye look. Departing from minimalistic styles, this trend celebrates dramatised emotions. Enthusiasts can achieve this look by turning to high-quality mascara with volumising properties, exploring innovative lash extensions or opting for false lashes to amplify the impact, shares Sethi.

3. Coloured eyeliners have taken the beauty world by storm, emerging as a resoundingly popular and vibrant trend, notes Sachdeva. This trend introduces a playful and dynamic element to one's look, with a wide spectrum of colours to choose from, ranging from bright neons to soft pastels and deep jewel tones. Makeup lovers are experimenting with coloured eyeliners to express their individuality, making their eyes pop and adding a fresh twist to their routines.

This trend has been embraced by celebrities and influencers alike, seen on runways, red carpets and social media platforms, making it a raging sensation in the beauty world.

4. Striking eyeshadows continue to captivate the world with the use of vivid and dramatic shades. This trend pushes the boundaries of creativity and self-expression. It's all about making a statement and letting the eyes do the talking. An illustrious celebrity who consistently embraces this trend is the pop sensation and fashion icon, Rihanna. Known for her fearlessness in experimenting with striking eyeshadows, she often sports rich jewel-toned hues, neon shades and shimmering metallics that accentuate her overall look.

5. Bold eyes is artful way to assert oneself. A timeless trend, it can be achieved through careful palette selection and the confidence to embrace bold choices. The result is a striking look that grabs eyeballs and adds a unique touch to one's overall style. One such celebrity who consistently rocks this trend is the talented singer and actress, Lady Gaga.

6. Retro cat-eye from the '60s and '80s is a nod to the timeless appeal of classic looks, Sethi tells Midday. The charm of thick, dramatic eyeliner wings is resurging, as they add an instant touch of glamour and sophistication to any modern makeup style. Pastel eyeshadows from this era offer a soft and romantic aesthetic, making them an ideal choice for achieving a dreamy and youthful look.

Shimmering metallics, a hallmark of the '80s is resurfacing in the fashion world creating a captivating contrast with the minimalistic trends of recent years.

Eye makeup essentials

Having the right tools is paramount for achieving impeccable eye make-up, remarks Sachdeva. "An eyeliner with a precise wand that creates defined, pigmented lines will undoubtedly be your go-to tool for adding depth and enhancing the shape of your eyes." Whether you prefer a classic pencil, a liquid liner or a gel formula, the key is precision. She shares six eye makeup essentials:

A fine-tipped eyeliner allows you to craft sharp cat-eye wings, subtle definition or bold, dramatic lines with ease. It's a versatile tool that empowers you to adapt your eye make-up to various styles and occasions. Furthermore, opt for waterproof formulations that are an absolute necessity to ensure a lasting, clean look throughout the day.

A setting spray serves as the final touch that ensures your artistry remains intact, locking in your carefully crafted eye makeup to withstand the day's challenges. It not only enhances the longevity of your makeup but also delivers a fresh, smudge-free finish. The setting spray plays a pivotal role in keeping your eye makeup pristine, whether you're navigating a hectic workday or dancing the night away at an event.

In addition to the setting spray, an eyelash and brow comb is a versatile tool that elevates the definition of your eyes. This tool helps groom and separate your eyelashes, ensuring they are perfectly fanned out, free from clumps. It also contributes to the precise shaping and taming of your eyebrows, granting a well-defined and polished appearance.

A magnifying mirror is another invaluable component of your eye make-up toolkit. It provides a close-up perspective that is crucial for achieving precision in your application. Whether you're working on intricate eye make-up looks, perfecting a classic cat-eye or blending eyeshadow shades seamlessly, the magnifying mirror offers the clarity and detail necessary to attain a professional finish.

For quick fixes and efficient cleanups, Q-tips and makeup wipes are indispensable. Q-tips come to the rescue for smudging or blending eyeshadow, rectifying eyeliner errors, or removing excess mascara without disturbing the rest of your makeup. Makeup wipes are equally valuable, especially for erasing any fallout from eyeshadow or gently removing makeup at the end of the day.

Lastly, eyeshadow primer is the unsung hero that serves as the foundation for vibrant, crease-free eyeshadow. It creates a smooth canvas that allows your eyeshadow shades to pop with intensity and longevity. A quality eyeshadow primer ensures that your artistic eye makeup endeavours are not only visually striking but also resistant to creasing or fading.

Fashion tips create that 60s look

To recreate a retro '60s look, follow these five steps by Sethi to achieve the quintessential defined cat-eye and vibrant pastel eyeshadow:

Prep your eyelids: Start by applying an eyeshadow primer to ensure a smooth and long-lasting base for your eyeshadow. This will help the pastel shades adhere better and prevent creasing.

Apply pastel eyeshadow: Choose your favourite pastel eyeshadow shade, such as baby blue, mint green or soft pink. Apply it across your entire eyelid. Make sure to blend the colour for a seamless finish.

Create a defined cat-eye: The cat-eye is a signature '60s look. Use a liquid or gel eyeliner to carefully draw a sharp, elongated wing at the outer corner of your eyes. Extend the line to create a feline, almond-shaped eye.

Mascara and falsies: Apply several coats of mascara to your upper lashes for a defined and voluminous look. For an extra touch of glamour, consider adding false eyelashes to enhance the retro vibe.

Finish the look: Complete your '60s look with some pale pink or nude lipstick, and you're ready to rock this iconic, vintage style with pastel eyeshadows and a defined cat-eye liner.

Beauty tips to achieve timeless bold and vibrant eye makeup:

Use a primer: Start with an eyeshadow primer to create a smooth and even base for your eyeshadow. This will help the colours appear more vibrant and stay in place throughout the day.

Choose bold colours: Select bold and vibrant eyeshadow colours that suit your style and the occasion. Bright pinks, electric blues, fiery oranges and deep purples are popular choices for creating eye-catching looks.

Layer and blend: Apply your eyeshadow in layers, starting with a base colour and then adding more intense shades gradually. Blend the colours well to create a seamless transition between them.

Experiment with eyeliner: Get creative with your eyeliner by trying different styles, such as winged liner, graphic shapes or colourful liners. Eyeliner can add a bold and defining element to your eye makeup.

Don't forget mascara: Finish your bold eye makeup look with a few coats of mascara to enhance your lashes and make your eyes pop. Consider using volumising or lengthening mascara for added impact.