5 Best Abstract Makeup Products for Graphic, Colorful Eye Looks

Abstract makeup was the surprise beauty trend of 2023.

That’s the call from the Refinery29 makeup trend report, which named embracing the abstract the most surprising trend of that year. The idea is simple: shapes, lines and color take the place of the usual rules.

The good news? You don’t need a pro kit to try it, just a little creativity.

Below are 5 picks, ranked by how much of a look each covers alone, each with the technique it suits.

Quick picks by situation:

• Starting from an empty makeup bag, go with #1 and a small angled brush.
• Your eyes water around most liners, so #5, tested on sensitive eyes, fits best.
• Sharp black shapes and floating wings are the plan, which makes #4 the match.

Quick Comparison Chart

How to Pick Abstract Makeup Products

Abstract makeup products cover three jobs: bright color for blocks and washes, a sharp liner for lines and dots, and small brushes to place both. The look borrows from abstract art, so treat the palette as paint and the liner as a pencil.

For opaque shapes, makeup artist William Grande told Glamour UK that water-activated liners work best for symmetry and abstract shapes. None of the picks below is one, so add one later if you fall for crisp edges.

Grande also stressed detailed and angled brushes, and an affordable set of drugstore makeup brushes covers both.

Short on time? Half Magic co-founder Donni Davy told Refinery29 that matte eye paints are “the lazy girl’s eyeshadow,” because the color pops fast without fall-out.

I judged the picks below on what each Amazon listing states, not on lab tests:

• Color range and finishes for blocks, washes and sparkle
• Which abstract technique each product suits best
• Eye-area claims, such as sensitive-eye testing or talc-free formulas

For everyday neutrals, a general eyeshadow palette roundup fits better than this list.

1. ColourPop Fade Into Hue Eyeshadow Palette

The ColourPop Fade Into Hue palette is best for a first abstract kit, because one rainbow covers color blocks, swirls and a glitter accent. Compared with Marigold (#2), it leans brighter, while Marigold adds natural shades.

The listing suggests flat, firm brushes for the most payoff and a small angled brush for lines.

2. Profusion Cosmetics Marigold 35 Shade Eyeshadow Palette

The Profusion Marigold palette is best if you want one palette for both work days and weekend art. Its 35 shades cover natural looks, smoky eyes and festival glam, according to the listing.

Pick it over #1 when you want neutrals for the base, and save the metallics for a single dot or line.

3. Profusion Cosmetics Harvest 20-Shade Multi-Finish Palette

The Profusion Harvest palette is best for soft watercolor looks, where color bleeds gently around the eye. Its cool floral pigments build from sheer, so you can deepen one area at a time or drift color onto the cheeks.

Against Marigold (#2), you get fewer colors but a softer set that forgives shaky edges.

4. Tintark Midnight Masquerade Black Spectrum Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

The Tintark Midnight Masquerade palette is best for black graphic cuts, floating wings and outlines. Its listing names graphic liner effects and editorial makeup styles among its uses.

Pair it with #1 instead of choosing between them, since black edges make bright shapes look planned.

5. ILIA Thru Line Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Abstract

The ILIA Thru Line pencil in Abstract is best if your eyes react to most liners. The listing says it was clinically tested on sensitive eyes and the waterline.

It draws softer lines than the black shades in #4, so use it for squiggles, dots and smudged floating lines. For the rest of a reactive-eye routine, see these makeup for sensitive eyes picks.

How to Do Abstract Makeup as a Beginner

Abstract makeup for beginners works best as one simple shape on one eye area, such as a floating line or a color block on the lid, drawn with a small angled brush. Here’s a starter routine:

1. Prime your eyelids and keep the rest of the skin, blush and lip color light.
2. Sketch the shapes lightly with a sheer shadow.
3. Fill it with one bright color, then sharpen the edge with black or a cotton swab.
4. Leave bare skin in the design, since negative space makes it read as art.
5. Add mascara, then finish with a makeup setting spray.

There’s no wrong shape, either. Makeup artist Terri Bryant told Refinery29 that the trend in eyeliner is “stylized with no rules.”

Start on one eye, take a photo, then copy it on the other. For bare-skin outlines, try a few white eyeliner looks or an easy pencil from the best eyeliners for beginners.

Full-face costume designs are a different job that calls for face painting ideas and paints made for skin. Abstract liner also pairs with other makeup tutorials and looks, from soft glam to grunge.