Eyeshadow Palettes Are Back — But They Look a Little Different
With nostalgic beauty trends rampant, the beloved eyeshadow palette is getting a major makeover.
Eyeshadow palettes were huge in the 2010s — both literally and metaphorically. In 2026, beauty fans of all ages are feeling nostalgic for makeup trends of the past, which of course includes bold glam executed with the bulky, 10-year-old Urban Decay Naked and Too Faced palettes we once frequented. As clean girl fatigue becomes even more widespread, the maximalist makeup staple is making its way back into our routines — but not exactly how we remember them.
For many makeup lovers, the palette craze never ended. In fact, some TikTok users admit that they still use the same eyeshadow palettes they purchased over a decade ago. However, beauty experts warn that makeup products aren’t typically made to carry you from adolescence to adulthood, and prolonging their use can in fact cause more harm than good. When it comes to exact timelines, Dr. Trevor Cates, Founder of The Spa Dr, says that most eyeshadow palettes are designed to be safely used for about 12 to 24 months after opening. “If you can’t remember when you bought it, that’s usually your answer,” she tells Hypebae.
Similarly, certified scientist and brand advisor Dr. Ekta Yadav warns that the eyes are far more sensitive than we’re often led to believe. “In skincare, we’re very explicit: avoid the eye area because the skin is thinner, more permeable, and biologically reactive,” she says. “Yet in makeup, we’re remarkably lenient, even when applying products daily to the lash line and lids. From a scientific perspective, that disconnect doesn’t really make sense.”
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While some collectors find comfort in the nostalgia of a decade-old, chocolate-scented palette — others view the bulky kits as an outdated relic of the past. The truth is, a lot has changed in the beauty world in the past decade, and that’s evident in the products we use today. Beauty fans in 2026 are incredibly conscious of their environmental impact, and as a result, they’ve sworn off anything deemed as wasteful or excessive.
In the 2010s, however, our maximalist approach to makeup meant that huge eyeshadow palettes were not only functional — they were a bang for our buck. “Makeup trends at the time demanded it. Cut creases, bold eyes, heavy blending, and high contrast were the look, and you needed multiple shades to achieve that,” celebrity makeup artist Kim Baker says. “Eyeshadow was the focal point of the face. For consumers, palettes also felt like value. One purchase gave you multiple looks, which made it feel like a smart buy.”
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When it comes to the resurgence of palettes, Baker believes that eyeshadows can make a comeback — as long as they’re a bit more intentional than the 28-color palettes of the past. “Today’s makeup trends are more skin focused and minimal, so eyeshadow is no longer the hero product. When palettes do perform well now, it is because they are intentional and edited. Think wearable neutrals, versatile shades, or an artist driven color story. Large, overloaded palettes are no longer the default,” she says.
Evident in newer (and smaller) iterations like r.e.m. Beauty‘s minimalistic Sweet Dreams Eyeshadow Quads and Anastasia Beverly Hills‘ ultra-curated Mini Eyeshadow Palettes, the eyeshadow palette isn’t dead — it’s just evolved. “Today’s palettes feel more refined and intentional, smaller, with cohesive color stories. There’s more of an emphasis on versatility rather than having endless shades,” celebrity makeup artist Christopher Georges says.
In the era of minimalism over excess, beauty lovers aren’t just remaking nostalgic beauty trends — they’re reinventing them to fit today’s standards.
While you’re here, read about Charli XCX’s YSL Beauty look.
