For months, blue eyeshadow ruled social media and runways, driven by the return of Y2K looks and glossy makeup. And then, a magazine cover changed everything, with a single color as the absolute star.
On the cover of , Rihanna poses with a look saturated with a vibrant shade that blew up Google: searches for “purple makeup” jumped 229%. In 2026, this wave establishes purple eyeshadow as a new makeup obsession.
Why Rihanna’s purple eyeshadow makes you forget the blue
Until now, blue dominated tutorials and fashion shows. The arrival of Rihanna in an intense purple look served as the trigger. Annabelle Taurua reminds us that, explains Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert from Fresha, to Here.
For her, this desire for color is seen everywhere, from makeup inspired by ube, purple yam star of the networks, to millions of monthly searches on purple looks.
Who is purple eyeshadow really for in 2026?
Purple sometimes impresses, yet Annabelle Taurua reassures: A decisive advantage compared to blue.
On fair skin, translucent lavender and lilac offer a very soft halo, ideal for daytime makeup. Medium complexions gain intensity with deep purples such as amethyst, while matte and dark skin is enhanced with deep plums or aubergines.
How to wear purple eyeshadow like Rihanna
For a discreet approach, place the purple in a small touch in the inner corner to highlight with a lavender, almost like a colored highlighter. The most daring opt for a solid color on the mobile eyelid, like Rihanna on the cover of , for a fashionable look.
You can also draw a dark purple iridescent eyeliner along the eyelashes to bring out the brown irises. This taste for color ties in with Rihanna’s other beauty obsession, the double gloss popularized by Fenty Beauty, which combines nourished lips and maximum shine while maintaining a neat look.
Does purple eyeshadow suit all skin tones?
Yes, by playing with the shade: lavender on fair skin, deep purple on medium complexion, plum or aubergine on dark and dark skin.
How to recreate Rihanna’s purple makeup on the cover of W Magazine?
Apply a bright purple shadow all over the eyelid, blend the edges towards the crease, then keep the rest of the face quite nude and bright.
Is blue eyeshadow outdated in 2026?
Blue isn’t disappearing, but it’s dropping from the top spot: searches and shared looks show that purple is clearly stealing the show.
