In the ever-evolving world of beauty, celebrity red carpets and social media appearances are the ultimate runways for trendsetting eye makeup looks. From timeless smoky eyes to futuristic graphic liners, celebrities continue to push the boundaries, inspiring both makeup enthusiasts and professionals to recreate—and reinvent—the styles they see on their favorite icons. Whether it’s a music video, a high-fashion editorial, or a casual street-style post, the right eye makeup can define an entire aesthetic. Here’s an in-depth look at the top 10 celebrity-inspired eye makeup trends dominating the beauty scene today, complete with tips, background stories, and the artistry behind each look.
1. The Classic Smoky Eye – Angelina Jolie’s Red Carpet Staple
The smoky eye remains one of the most iconic makeup trends, largely thanks to celebrities like Angelina Jolie who have mastered its sultry appeal. This look blends rich, dark eyeshadows seamlessly across the lid and into the crease, creating depth and allure. Jolie’s signature version often pairs earthy charcoals and deep browns with a hint of shimmer near the inner corners, adding a touch of glamour to her timeless beauty.
The power of the smoky eye lies in its adaptability—it can be dramatic for evening events or softened for daytime wear. Celebrities often work with top makeup artists to customize the intensity to suit their outfit, lighting conditions, and camera angles. The result is a look that never feels outdated, continuing to dominate award show carpets and magazine covers.
2. Glitter and Metallic Lids – Lady Gaga’s Dazzling Performance Look
Lady Gaga is no stranger to theatrical beauty, and her penchant for glitter and metallic eye makeup has influenced countless runway collections and festival styles. The shimmering lid trend she champions is not just about adding sparkle—it’s about creating dimension that reflects light from every angle. Under stage lighting or flash photography, glitter-infused pigments catch the eye immediately, making them perfect for high-impact moments.
This style often uses cream or gel formulas to ensure the glitter adheres flawlessly without fallout, and it can range from soft champagne tones to bold foils in gold, silver, or holographic shades. Gaga’s fearless approach has encouraged everyday wearers to embrace sparkle, proving that metallic lids aren’t just for concerts—they can elevate even a simple dinner look.
3. Cat-Eye Flicks – Taylor Swift’s Signature Wing
Taylor Swift’s signature winged eyeliner is a masterclass in precision and retro glamour. The cat-eye flick, perfected with a liquid or gel liner, elongates the eyes and adds a touch of sophistication to any makeup look. Swift often pairs her bold liner with neutral shadows and a bright red lip, creating a balance between vintage and modern.
The key to this celebrity-inspired style is the upward flick, which opens the eyes and gives them an instant lift. Makeup artists often cite 1960s fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn as inspiration, but Swift’s contemporary twist keeps it relevant. This look has become a go-to for anyone seeking a polished yet playful aesthetic.
4. Color-Blocking Eyeshadow – Zendaya’s Editorial Brilliance
Zendaya has built a reputation as a beauty chameleon, and her use of bold, color-blocked eyeshadow has turned heads on red carpets and in fashion spreads. This trend involves applying contrasting or complementary colors on the eyelid in distinct, clean sections without blending them into one muddy shade. The result is a modern, artistic statement that photographs beautifully.
Bright yellows, cobalt blues, and magentas are common choices, though Zendaya often works with tones that complement her outfit. This style requires confidence and a steady hand, but when done right, it becomes the focal point of the entire look. It’s a celebration of makeup as an art form, rather than just a beauty enhancement.
5. The Monochromatic Eye – Hailey Bieber’s Soft Glam Favorite
Hailey Bieber’s soft glam aesthetic often features monochromatic eye looks, where the eyelid, crease, and lower lash line are all dressed in the same color family. This technique creates a harmonious, seamless finish that’s elegant yet understated. Shades like peach, terracotta, mauve, and taupe are popular for achieving this look.
What makes the monochromatic eye trend so appealing is its versatility—it flatters all skin tones and works for both minimalists and maximalists. Bieber’s choice to keep her tones warm and muted aligns with her overall effortless style, but the trend can easily be amped up with deeper hues for a nighttime effect.
6. Graphic Eyeliner – Doja Cat’s Avant-Garde Statements
Few celebrities embrace makeup as a form of bold self-expression quite like Doja Cat. Her graphic eyeliner looks range from sharp geometric designs to whimsical floating lines that defy traditional placement. This trend challenges the conventional boundaries of eyeliner, making the eyes a true canvas for creativity.
Graphic eyeliner requires precision, but it also offers endless opportunities for personalization. Shapes can echo architectural forms, nature motifs, or abstract art. By popularizing this style on social media and in music videos, Doja Cat has inspired a new generation to think outside the box—or in this case, outside the lash line.
7. Inner Corner Highlighting – Rihanna’s Radiant Glow
Rihanna has long been a beauty innovator, and one of her most influential eye makeup touches is the strategic highlighting of the inner corners. By placing a pop of shimmer—often in gold, silver, or champagne—at the tear duct area, she instantly brightens and enlarges the eyes. This subtle detail can transform an entire look, making it fresher and more youthful.
The inner corner highlight works beautifully with smoky eyes, colorful lids, or even bare-eyed mascara-only days. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line has even released products specifically designed to achieve this effect, cementing its place as a modern beauty staple.
8. Jewel-Toned Eyes – Lupita Nyong’o’s Bold Color Confidence
Lupita Nyong’o consistently wows with her fearless embrace of jewel-toned eyeshadow, wearing emerald greens, sapphire blues, and rich amethysts with stunning confidence. Jewel tones bring out the richness in brown eyes, complement lighter eye colors, and work across all skin tones.
This celebrity-inspired look is perfect for special occasions because it communicates luxury and sophistication. High-pigment formulas and metallic finishes help these colors pop, especially under evening lighting. Lupita’s makeup choices prove that bold eyeshadow doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be regal, refined, and incredibly wearable.
9. Feathered Brows with Minimal Shadow – Cara Delevingne’s Model Off-Duty Look
Cara Delevingne’s iconic brows have inspired an entire generation to embrace fuller, more natural arches. One of her most influential trends pairs these feathery brows with minimal eyeshadow, allowing the brows to take center stage. This look is fresh, youthful, and ideal for those who prefer subtlety.
While the eyeshadow is kept understated—often just a soft wash of neutral beige or taupe—the lashes are typically defined with mascara, and the brows are brushed upward for maximum volume. This creates a balanced look that feels chic without trying too hard, making it perfect for everyday wear.
10. Ombre Eyeshadow – Beyoncé’s Stage-Ready Glam
Beyoncé’s stage performances demand makeup that can be seen from the back row, and her ombre eyeshadow looks deliver just that. Blending multiple shades from light to dark across the lid, this trend creates depth, drama, and movement. Often, the lightest shades are placed near the inner corner, transitioning to medium tones at the center, and deepest hues at the outer corner.
The ombre technique is not only visually stunning but also adaptable to countless color palettes—from bronzy neutrals to fiery reds or oceanic blues. Beyoncé’s makeup artists frequently enhance the look with false lashes and precise liner, ensuring her eyes remain expressive under bright stage lights.
The Enduring Influence of Celebrity Eye Makeup
Celebrity-inspired eye makeup trends aren’t just fleeting fads—they reflect the artistry, innovation, and cultural moments of their time. Social media platforms amplify these looks instantly, allowing fans worldwide to study and replicate them with ease. Whether it’s a subtle detail like Rihanna’s inner corner highlight or a dramatic statement like Doja Cat’s graphic liner, these trends remind us that eye makeup is one of the most powerful tools in self-expression.
The beauty of these celebrity trends is that they can be adapted to suit personal styles, skill levels, and occasions. The key is to identify the elements that resonate most with you—be it the color palette, shape, or finish—and make them your own. Just as celebrities collaborate with artists to bring their vision to life, everyday makeup wearers can experiment, play, and discover new ways to define their eyes.
