The eyeshadow trend all beauty fans need to know about
- Posted by
- Roberta Lister
- Published

If you’re still struggling to perfect that precisely contoured, cut-crease eyeshadow look that everyone on Instagram seems to have nailed, we’ve got good news for you.
You can put down that supersized eyeshadow palette for now, because there’s a simpler beauty look on the horizon.
In recent seasons, few products have garnered as much mass make-up hysteria as the eyeshadow palette – Urban Decay sells a Naked palette every five seconds, while Huda Beauty’s new releases all require a waiting list. But now it seems we’re all ready to relax a little and rediscover the simple appeal of the single eyeshadow.
The individual eyeshadow signals a return to a more achievable beauty look – the antithesis to the perfectly blended, multi-shade eye artistry that has been dominating our feeds for what feels like forever. The appeal is manifold: you can swipe one on in seconds (perfect for a groggy Monday morning) and they don’t require an arsenal of brushes to apply, which makes them perfectly placed for make-up on the move. In fact, a simplistic swipe of colour is often all it takes to transform a beauty look from dull to statement-worthy – try a wash of gold over the eyes with a postbox-red lip and you’ll see what we mean.
And while these petite products may come with pared-back appeal, they’re no less covetable than those blockbuster palettes. With weighty, gilded cases and some of the most pigmented powders around, they’re clearly a thing to be treasured.
Ready to clear some space on your beauty shelf? Scroll down to discover the single shadows worth snapping up now…
Tom Ford Private Shadow, £29
Tom Ford’s ultra-luxe new launch comprises 30 single shadows in a spectrum of shades, from office-appropriate neutrals to after-dark metallics. Equipped with an in-built mirror and small enough to slip into a clutch, they’re a perfect choice for nights out.
YSL Full Metal Shadow, £22 (available from January)
Two limited-edition shades of YSL’s beloved Full Metal Shadow will launch in January – a warm gold and an ice-cool blue. Simply swipe over lids using the in-built applicator for maximum impact with minimal faff.
3ina The Eyeshadow, £6.95
These no-nonsense shadows deliver perfectly smooth texture and rich, even pigment in a single swipe. There’s an excellent shade range, too.
Trinny London Eye2Eye, £18
Perfect for those who prefer a gentle, glowy finish. Plus, you can mix and match with the rest of the line to create your own personalised ‘stack’.
Bobbi Brown Luxe Eye Shadow, £27
One for the magpies, Bobbi Brown’s new Luxe Eye Shadows collection contains 12 multi-dimensional metallic hues. Be quick though – they sold out overnight on initial release.
Images: Supplied