This bold eyeshadow look is beauty’s biggest - and most unexpected - summer trend

rodarte-ss19-neon-eyeshadow-trend

Credit: Brand

Beauty


This bold eyeshadow look is beauty’s biggest - and most unexpected - summer trend

By Hanna Ibraheem

6 years ago

This summer, fluorescent eyes are key. Here’s how to tailor the trend to your style.

While it may strike up memories of university parties and face paint, neon is the buzzword of the summer.

From acid green and bright-than-sunshine yellow to fluorescent pink and blazing orange; bright and bold shades have dominated Spring/Summer runways and, consequently, our wardrobes. Now, the cheerful neon trend is trickling into our beauty routines.

Just last week, singer Billie Elish debuted effortless lime green hair. And throughout the summer, the beauty team has seen numerous neon beauty launches hit its desks. So, it’s no surprise that neon eyeshadow is the latest trend to blow up.

Pinterest reports that searches for ‘neon eyeshadow’ are up a staggering 824% year-on-year. At first glance, the trend can seem a bit intimidating to dive into but Stabilo-hued eyes suit everybody.

Here are three ways that you can interpret neon eyeshadow to best suit you and your style - plus, the best tools to achieve the look.


WAYS TO WEAR THE TREND

Neon on the inner corners 

Popping a dash of neon eyeshadow onto your inner corners is the perfect baby step into the trend.

Use a small detail brush to gently dab it on.


Neon eyeliner 

If you prefer a slightly more prominent dash of colour, try neon eyeliner.

Coloured eyeliner was a huge trend on SS/19 runways and, judging by the AW/19 catwalks, it’s a trend that won’t be dying down any time soon.

Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to ditch your fail-safe black pencil.

Neon all-over 

For those who are feeling brave, try a wash of neon shadow all over the eyelid.

Prep your lids with an eyeshadow primer and sweep on the shadow, building up the pigment until you reach the level of intensity you’re comfortable with.

To avoid it looking too stark, buff out the edges with a fluffy blending brush.



THE TOOLS

Best neon eyeshadow palettes

huda-beauty-orange-obsessions-neon-eyeshadow-palette

Huda Beauty Neon Orange Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette

A mixture of shimmers and mattes, this palette has all the makings for the ultimate neon eye look.

£27 at Cult Beauty

Suva Beauty Hydra FX in Dance Party

Activate the formula with water for a blindingly-bright finish.

£12.50 at Beauty Bay

Viseart-08-Editorial-Brights-Matte-Eyeshadow-Palette

Viseart 08 Editorial Brights Matte Eyeshadow Palette

From electric blue to emerald green, this palette has all the shades you could need for a bold look.

£69 at Cult Beauty

Morphe 25L Live in Colour Artistry Palette

Not only does this Morphe palette house incredible shades, 100% of net proceeds will go to The Trevor Project, a US-based nonprofit, to help fund 24/7 suicide prevention & crisis intervention services for LGBTQ+ youth.

£20 at Morphe

juvias-place-the-zulu-palette

Juvia's Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette

Juvia’s Place eyeshadows are so pigmented and creamy, they deliver bold colour when wet or dry.

£20 at Beauty Bay

Best neon eyeliners

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Fenty Beauty Vivid Liquid Eyeliner Trio in Baeside

Fenty’s Baeside trio set includes vibrant papaya, lime and periwinkle.

£27 at Harvey Nichols

tarte limited-edition clay pot waterproof shadow liner

Amazonian clay and mineral pigments make this tarte liner last through anything.

£13 at Tarte Cosmetics

diorshow-dior-eyeliner-in-matte-pink

Dior Diorshow On Stage Eyeliner in Matte Pink

Dior’s Diorshow collection is inspired by the beauty looks seen on the catwalks.

£27.50 at Selfridges

mac-chromacake-in-cyan

MAC Chromacake in Cyan

MAC’s iconic Chromacakes are best applied with a wet brush or sponge.

£22.50 at MAC Cosmetics

NYX-Vivid-Brights-in-Vivid-Halo

NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Eyeliner in Vivid Halo

The extreme pointed brush makes application a whole lot easier.

£6.50 at Boots

Best make-up brushes for neon eyeshadow 

mac-217-blending-brush

Best for blending: MAC 217 Blending Brush

Densely packed, yet soft, MAC’s cult 217 brush blurs out harsh eyeshadow edges with a simple windscreen wiper motion.

£21 at Selfridges

morphe-e36-detail-brush

Best for inner corners: Morphe E36 Elite Detail Crease Brush

The small tip makes it the perfect tool to add inner corner detail and crease definition without ruining the rest of your make-up.

£5.50 at Cult Beauty

zoeva-317-Wing-Liner-Brush

Best for winged liner: Zoeva Wing Liner Brush

This brush has the perfect angle to make drawing on winged liner a doddle.

£8 at Beauty Bay

Best primers for neon eyeshadow 

urban-decay-eyeshadow-primer-potion-original

Best non-budge primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

A cult product for a reason. Apply this primer to your lids and your eyeshadow will not budge.

£17.50 at Urban Decay

Best matte-finish primer: NARS Cosmetics Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

If you struggle with oily eyelids, this NARS primer creates a matte base, making it ready for your eyeshadows.

£21 at Look Fantastic

Best neutralising primer: MAC Pro-Longwear Paint Pot

Blend this MAC Paint Pot all over the eyelids to help neutralise your skin.

£16.50 at MAC Cosmetics


Main image: Getty

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