Less-Is-More: Summer 2026’s Eye Makeup Trends Are Embracing a Natural Look

If you’re a fan of the blown-out eyeshadow look from recent Gucci shows, you’re not alone. Charli XCX has also been rocking a similar style during her current Music, Fashion, Film promo — giving off ’90s rock star vibes.

“The smoky eye is back, but it’s now more about grungy and relaxed vibes rather than flawless blending or perfect symmetry,” explains Briceno. This version involves pencil smudged into the upper and lower lash lines, softened with a fingertip or brush, and left to naturally settle throughout the day or night. Whether you opt for an espresso brown like Charli XCX, slate gray, or a Gucci-worthy charcoal black, the smudged technique looks better as it wears.

Bleached brows may not be for everyone, but lightened ones could be the solution. A long-standing K-beauty trick involves lightening your brows by one shade to soften your features while keeping them defined.

“Brows are taking a step back,” notes Briceno. “The heavily filled, sharply sculpted look is giving way to something lighter.” Paired with dewy skin, a touch of rosy blush, and subtle lashes — as seen on Zendaya at The Odyssey premiere in New York City — it exudes an airy and romantic vibe.

While black mascara is the standard, there’s never been a better time to play with color. Statement lashes have been a hit on the runway, from feather extensions at Chanel’s Fall 2026 couture show to vibrant green mascara at Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2027 presentation.

“Colored mascara is trending because it adds a whimsical touch to an otherwise regular look,” says makeup artist Taffy Dube. For a daily look, choose a shade that enhances your eye color — like burgundy for hazel and green eyes or navy blue for brown eyes, as recommended by Dube.

To fully embrace this summer’s soft-grunge trend, ditch the dramatic wings in favor of tightlining. According to Briceno, this technique involves working an eyeliner pencil into the roots of your upper lashes instead of drawing a line above them. “It subtly shapes the eye and makes the lashes appear fuller without looking like obvious eyeliner,” he explains.

You can customize the look based on your desired mood: extend the liner into the inner corners for a more feline effect, confine it to the upper waterline for subtle definition, or opt for beige instead of black for brighter, wider-looking eyes.

While baby blue eyeshadow may seem like an ’80s throwback, the finish is anything but. Instead of heavy pigment, this season’s approach is sheer enough to allow the skin underneath to show through.

“It appears suspended over the eye, not packed onto it,” says Briceno. “I keep the edges light, extending the shadow slightly into the inner corner without adding intense color to the crease.” This watercolor-like finish makes the baby blue shade less intimidating, even for those who typically stick to bronze tones on their lids.