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Courtesy of Natasha Denona
Grunge is so back. Whether it's on the red carpet or fashion's most famous steps, we've seen the grungy, smokey eye look making a comeback. Slowly (but surely), eyeshadow looks have become full of dark mattes, shimmering silvers, blended out greys, and gilded golds. Is this the official resurgence of 2015 glam makeup combined with '90s grunge?
While clean-girl makeup is still going strong in pop culture right now. There's been an undeniable growth of bold eyeshadow looks, with an emphasis on colorful lids and black shadow blurred on the crease and lower lashline—and a distinct lack of mascara. While the complexion stays fresh and hydrated, the eyes give off a barely-slept, after-party vibe.
- Best Under-$30 Eyeshadow Palette for a Smokey Eye: Natasha Denona Mini Xenon Eyeshadow Palette
- Best Single Eyeshadow for a Grunge Look: VIOLETTE_FR PLUME EYESHADOW
- Best Liquid Eyeshadow for a Smokey Eye: Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix
- Best Eyeshadow Founded by a Celebrity Makeup Artist: MAKEUP BY MARIO Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette
Prep your lids
Start with an eye primer or a bit of concealer and set it lightly with powder. This keeps your shadow from creasing and makes blending way easier.
Build a soft transition
Sweep a neutral matte shade (close to your skin tone or slightly deeper) through the crease. This creates a gradient so the smokey eye looks diffused—not harsh.
Pack on the depth
Apply a darker shadow (charcoal, deep brown, or black) to the outer corner and along the lash line. Focus the intensity near the lashes and outer edge.
Blend, then blend again
Use a fluffy brush to soften all edges in small circular motions. The key to a perfect smokey eye is no visible lines—just a smooth fade from dark to light.
Smoke out the lower lash line
Run the darker shade along your lower lash line, connect it to the outer corner, then add eyeliner and mascara (or lashes) to complete the look.
Best Soft Grunge & Smokey Eye Shadows
Natasha Denona Mini Xenon Eyeshadow Palette
This mini eyeshadow palette by Natasha Denona features five creamy, blendable shadows in a deep black, medium dark gray, off-white cream, and a metallic silver. "I have tried lots of gray and black eyeshadows in search of the perfect smoky eye look. But holy wow… this eyeshadow has ended my search," a reviewer wrote.
MAC Cosmetics Dazzleshadow 12HR Eyeshadow Stick
This eyeshadow stick gives you creamy, bold, metallic pigment eyeshadow that blends and diffuses easily, but won't smudge or crease for 12 hours after it dries. Any of its eight available shades work for your look, but we're particular about Demure Diamonds, a true silver shade.
NYX Ultimate Color Shadow Palette Vintage Jean Baby
Looking for something with a little more color? This drugstore staple brand has this 16-pan eyeshadow palette in Vintage Jean Baby with its variety of cool-toned neutrals and bright blues in matte, metallic, and shimmery finishes.
VIOLETTE_FR PLUME EYESHADOW
If you want a fully diffused and blurring shadow that seamlessly blends out for that smoky eye look, Violette_FR's new cream-to-powder eyeshadow is available in soft matte and shimmer shades. All of its eight available shades would be perfect, but our favorite is Charbon Fumé, a deep smoky charcoal shade.
HUNG VANNGO BEAUTY Color Story Eyeshadow Palette
Created by Selena Gomez's makeup artist, Hung Vanngo Beauty offers creamy matte, soft satin, and bold metallic shadows with its formula filled with carnauba vegan wax, skin conditioners, and vitamin E. The Composed Cool palette features a blend of eight cool-toned silver, gray, and black shades.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment
Grunge doesn't have to be soft and diffused, either. If you want glossy and bold, Danessa Myricks' Colorfix liquid pigment with its 48 shade range (!!!) across high shine, matte, and metallic finishes. The shade Stargazer, a shimmering transparent black gloss, is a fan-favorite!
MAKEUP BY MARIO Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
Created by Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, this Makeup by Mario eyeshadow palette offers 12 cool-toned shades with glossy shimmers (which are infused with pearls), sueded matte, and shiny metallic finishes. The Ethereal Eyes palette has more pinks and browns than other shadows in this list, perfect for those looking for a more feminine touch.
about-face Matte Fluid Eye Paint
This affordable liquid matte eyeshadow by about-face (a brand created by Halsey) is available in 29 bold shades. The shade Hidden Garden is a matte deep greige, a trendy neutral blend of gray and beige.
HUDA BEAUTY Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
Named after the grunge trend, this Huda Beauty eyeshadow palette features 18 shadows across cool-toned neutral and black shades in soft matte, multichromatic shimmer, and bold metallic finishes (all with minimal fallout).
Chanel LES 9 OMBRES High Intensity Eyeshadow Palette
Used in many celebrity looks, this limited-edition Chanel eyeshadow palette in The Space Traveler features nine bold colors in shimmery, matte, and metallic finishes. The color story for this palette has everything from oranges and blues to metallic silvers and golds.
Looking for more artistic makeup recommendations? Shop Danessa Myricks' secrets to glowy skin!
How We Choose
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