Fashion

The Eye Shadow Apocalypse Is Over—Maximalist Eyes Are Trending


“When did we all stop wearing eye shadow?” The Digital Fairy (a UK-based creative studio with a knack for trend forecasting) poses over TikTok. “It feels like the past few years have been all about bold, graphic looks, often created using eyeliner, or when eye shadow is involved, it’s often used as eyeliner.” They certainly aren’t wrong. Gone are the days of an immaculate cut crease or intricate shadow looks that require expert-level blending circa 2016; for years, beauty fans have resorted to liner-only lids or a dust of blush and/or bronzer for a “clean girl” effect.

The viral clip is titled “The Eyeshadow Apocalypse,” referring to the ultimate destruction of the traditional 12-pan palette. (Dramatic? Perhaps, but that’s what it takes to attract eyeballs!) But beauty trends exist on a pendulum swing, as you likely know, and experts predict maximalist eyes will face a major resurrection in the months ahead. Eye shadow is back, baby. Some may argue it never left, but one thing is true: In 2025, it’s all about the eyes.

What caused the eye shadow apocalypse?