If you’ve ever wondered why some natural makeup launches fly off the shelves while others barely make a ripple, the answer is often in one word – trends.
As a professional formulator, I’ve learned that even the purest, most skin-loving ingredients won’t grab attention unless they align with what consumers visually desire right now. Especially in eye makeup, color is everything. It’s where mood meets identity, and more than ever, today’s conscious consumers want their palettes to reflect both their values and vibe.
That’s where clean beauty is having its moment. People no longer want just pretty pigments, they’re asking: Is it safe? Is it natural? Is it kind to the planet? And while the performance of your formula matters, staying ahead of color trends gives your natural eye shadow a reason to be picked, posted, and purchased.
In this blog, I’m walking you through the top trending eye shadow hues you need to start formulating with now, shades that don’t just look good but align with everything the clean beauty movement stands for.
Let’s dive into the future of earthy glam, botanical brights, and mindful makeup artistry.
Understanding the Shift to Natural Colorants in Makeup
Let’s be honest, there was a time when “natural makeup” meant bland shades, questionable performance, and limited choice. But not anymore. The clean beauty revolution has completely changed the game, especially when it comes to color.
As formulators, we’ve seen a massive shift in how pigments are chosen, not just for their hue, but for what they stand for. Gone are the days when synthetic dyes like FD&C reds and blues dominated every palette. Today, we’re working with beautiful, safe alternatives like mica, iron oxides, ultramarines, and even botanical powders that bring nature’s vibrancy right into our jars.
But this shift isn’t just aesthetic, it’s ethical. Consumers are asking deeper questions: Is this pigment safe for sensitive skin? Is it ethically sourced? Is it biodegradable? That’s where natural and mineral pigments shine. They don’t just provide stunning payoff, they align with clean label claims, transparency, and eco-conscious values.
Of course, formulating with natural pigments isn’t always a walk in the park. They behave differently, and stability, texture, and dispersion all require extra care. But when you get it right? The result is something truly powerful, a product that looks good, feels good, and does good.
Forecasting the Top Eye Shadow Color Trends for the Next 5 Years
Now this is the fun part, let’s talk color! As a formulator, this is where art meets science and intuition meets insight.
Color forecasting isn’t just a guessing game. It’s rooted in global movements, social shifts, emotional needs, lifestyle trends, and yes, even climate concerns. When I look at what’s coming next in natural eye shadows, I see a beautiful blend of grounded tones, soothing botanicals, and radiant pigments that feel like extensions of the earth and spirit.
So, what are we looking at for the next five years?
Earthy Neutrals with Depth
Think clay, cinnamon, terracotta, bark, and beige, but with warmth and soul. These shades bring a comforting, grounded vibe that pairs beautifully with all skin tones and speaks to the “back to nature” mindset.
Botanical Mauves and Berry Blends
Soft lavenders, dusty roses, hibiscus pinks, and plum undertones are making a comeback, but in a muted, nature-inspired way. These are perfect for everyday wear with a romantic edge.
Oceanic Blues and Teal Greens
We’re seeing a rise in marine influences, seafoam green, deep teal, and shimmering blue-grey. They bring freshness and individuality while still being wearable when balanced with neutrals.
Sun-Kissed Metallics
Bronze, champagne, and golden copper tones are big, especially for warm skin tones and festive looks. Think soft shimmer that’s more nature-glow than disco ball.
Soft Moss and Sage Greens
Greens are becoming the new neutrals. Moss, sage, olive, they’re grounding, flattering, and feel like walking through a forest in a jar. These tones connect deeply with the eco-conscious consumer.
These colors aren’t just beautiful, they tell stories. They reflect sustainability, softness, inner strength, and a desire to reconnect with nature and self. And when we, as formulators, align our pigment choices with these deeper trends, we don’t just follow the market, we shape it.
Choosing the Right Natural Pigments for Each Trend
So now that we’ve explored the color trends that are about to take over, let’s get into the real heart of formulation, choosing the pigments that make those trends come to life, the clean and conscious way.
Formulating with natural pigments is kind of like being a chef in a gourmet kitchen, you have fewer ingredients, but if you know how to use them right, the results can be absolutely stunning.
Here’s how I approach pigment selection for trend-forward, natural eye shadow palettes:
For Earthy Neutrals
You’ll want to lean into iron oxides, they’re your go-to for terracotta, sienna, burnt orange, deep brown, and sandy tones. They’re safe, stable, and incredibly blendable. You can also soften the look with a touch of mica to bring a satin finish that still feels grounded.
For Botanical Mauves and Berry Tones
This is where it gets creative. You can achieve soft pinks, muted mauves, and berry washes using carmine (if you’re okay with non-vegan options), or build your own soft tones by blending red iron oxide with ultramarine blue or manganese violet. For fully botanical inspiration, beetroot powder can offer a beautiful hint, but be mindful, it’s water-soluble and can fade over time.
For Oceanic Blues and Teals
These shades are all about balance. Use ultramarine blue, chromium oxide green, or hydrated chromium oxide to create depth and blendability. If you want a jewel-like shimmer, layer with mica coated with natural pigments to give that ocean-light twinkle.
For Sun-Kissed Metallics
This is mica’s time to shine, literally. Use mica coated with iron oxide, titanium dioxide, or tin oxide to create shimmering champagne, bronze, and gold tones. These pigments give that radiant glow without the fallout you sometimes get from synthetic metallics.
For Moss and Sage Greens
Earthy greens are easy to get wrong if your pigment quality is off. Go for chromium oxide green for mossy depth, and blend with yellow iron oxide to adjust warmth. You can add a mica layer for light play, but even in matte form, these greens are magic.
Pro Tip as a Formulator
Always check pigment safety guidelines, especially for eye use. Not all natural pigments are automatically approved globally (especially in the EU or for waterline use). Stick to CI numbers and INCI names you can trust, and when in doubt, test, tweak, and test again.
Also, don’t forget about your base! A good pigment needs a smooth, stable base to show up properly. Whether you’re working with pressed powders or creamy balms, your dispersion technique matters just as much as your pigment choice.
Tips for Formulating Trend-Forward Natural Eye Shadows
Now that you’ve got your color story and pigment palette in place, it’s time to get into the real magic, formulating those eye shadows so they’re not only clean and gorgeous, but perform like a dream. Because let’s be real, no one wants a crumbly, chalky shadow, no matter how natural it is.
Here are my go-to tips for formulating eye shadows that feel modern, luxurious, and totally in tune with clean beauty trends:
1. Start With a Silky Base
The base sets the stage. For pressed powder shadows, I like to work with a combo of sericite mica, magnesium stearate, and rice or arrowroot powder. They create that smooth, glide-on feel and help pigments bind better to the skin.
If you’re making a cream or balm-based eye shadow, go for light oils like jojoba or meadowfoam, paired with natural thickeners like candelilla wax, carnauba, or rice bran wax for structure and staying power.
2. Balance Payoff and Blendability
You don’t want a shadow that disappears into the skin or one that’s so pigmented it stains. Strike the right balance by slowly building pigment percentages, most eye shadows perform beautifully at 10–20% pigment load, depending on the intensity you want.
Blend multiple pigments together to get depth, dimension, and tone variation. Think of it like layering a painting, you want more than just one flat color.
3. Add Subtle Shimmer for a Trendy Touch
Even in clean beauty, shimmer is in, but the key is to keep it elegant. Use mica that’s ethically sourced and has a soft sheen, not chunky glitter. These give a luminous, light-catching finish that feels luxe and wearable across all ages and skin tones.
4. Embrace Plant-Based Add-Ins
Want to add a signature herbal twist? Infuse the base with botanical extracts like chamomile, green tea, or rosehip oil, especially in cream-based shadows. They not only elevate the product story but also nourish the delicate eye area.
5. Don’t Skip a Natural Binder
If your powder shadow isn’t pressing well or crumbles easily, add a small percentage of natural binders like zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, or even a drop of jojoba ester or lecithin in a dry oil spray before pressing. This improves cohesion and wear without compromising purity.
6. Test Like a Pro
Always test your formulation for:
- Payoff (how well the pigment shows on different skin tones)
- Blendability (how smooth it applies with a brush or fingertip)
- Longevity (especially on oily lids)
- Fallout (you want zero mess)
And yes, patch testing and microbial stability are essential even for anhydrous formulas. You’re still creating a product meant for the sensitive eye area, so safety first, always.Your formulation should not only look trendy, it should also feel amazing and work effortlessly. When you pair beautiful pigments with skin-loving ingredients and smart technique, you create products that people don’t just use… they come back for.
Packaging Trends to Complement Your Color Story
Let’s be honest, first impressions do matter. You could have the most gorgeous, well-formulated natural eye shadow on the planet, but if the packaging doesn’t match the vibe… it’s easy to get overlooked.
In the world of clean beauty, your packaging is part of your storytelling. It reflects your brand values just as much as your INCI list does. And today’s conscious consumer is paying attention, to everything from sustainability to aesthetics to usability.
Here’s what’s trending (and what I personally love) when it comes to packaging that elevates your natural eye shadow palette:
1. Sustainability Is Non-Negotiable
The clean beauty crowd doesn’t just want a pretty compact, they want to know it won’t end up in a landfill. Refillable palettes, biodegradable pans, aluminum tins, and FSC-certified paperboard are becoming the new standard. Brands that embrace eco-packaging not only gain trust, they earn loyalty.
2. Minimal, Earthy Aesthetics Are In
Visuals are going back to the roots, literally. Consumers are drawn to neutral tones, raw textures, and botanical prints that feel grounded and calming. Matte finishes, hand-drawn elements, kraft paper tones, or terracotta-colored cases really speak to the “nature meets luxury” feel.
3. Palette Design That Mirrors Your Colors
Here’s a fun strategy I always suggest, let your packaging reflect the mood of the shades inside. For example:
- A “Forest Calm” palette with sage, olive, and bark shades in a pressed bamboo compact
- A “Sunset Bloom” palette with mauves and golds wrapped in soft pink vegan leather
- A “Coastal Light” shimmer trio packaged in a seafoam tin with ocean-inspired etching
The story begins before they even open the lid.
4. Function Meets Form
Trendy doesn’t mean impractical. Customers love mirrors inside lids, magnetic closures, and snap-lock safety for travel. Consider magnetic refill pans that click into place, super functional, super chic.
If you’re going the cream route, glass jars with wooden caps or aluminum tubes give a premium, eco-luxe feel.
5. Instagrammable and Shareable
Let’s not forget, we live in the age of flat lays and unboxing videos. If your packaging makes someone say, “Wait, where did you get that?”, you’ve already won half the marketing battle. Think about how it photographs, how it feels in the hand, and whether it sparks joy on a makeup shelf.In the end, the goal is to make your natural eye shadow palette feel like a treasure. Something they’ll want to use, display, and tell their friends about. And when your packaging is as intentional and thoughtful as your formula? That’s when clean beauty becomes unforgettable.
Sample Palette Concepts Inspired by Future Trends
Now this is where we get to play! I always say formulating is a little like painting with nature, and creating a cohesive, on-trend palette is your chance to make that art speak.
So based on the color trends we’ve been seeing, here are a few sample natural eye shadow palette concepts that blend forecasting with beautiful storytelling. Each one is built around emotion, visual impact, and earthy integrity, with pigments and shades that are totally clean-beauty friendly.
Let’s dive in!
“Wild Terrains” – The Grounded Neutral Collection
Inspired by the tones of soil, rock, and sunset cliffs, this palette speaks to the inner adventurer.
Shades:
- Clay Dust – matte red oxide
- Driftwood – satin taupe with mica shimmer
- Canyon Burn – terracotta with a hint of gold sheen
- Soft Soil – matte deep brown
- Riverbed – matte beige for base blending
Perfect For: Those who love versatile, earthy neutrals with a raw, natural elegance.
“Petal Ritual” – The Soft Botanical Romantic
Soft, dreamy, and ultra-feminine, this one’s for the lover of flowers and rituals.
Shades:
- Blushed Rose – matte soft pink with a hint of carmine or beetroot
- Lavender Fog – dusty violet from manganese violet
- Hibiscus Dust – muted magenta with iron oxide
- Peony Glow – soft shimmer rose gold
- Inner Light – radiant champagne mica
Perfect For: Everyday romantic wear, bridal looks, and mood-lifting color therapy.
“Forest Calm” – The Botanical Green Series
Rooted in deep greens and nature’s stillness, this palette is grounding and meditative.
Shades:
- Moss Veil – matte moss green with chromium oxide
- Fern Touch – light olive matte
- Lichen Glow – shimmer pale gold with mica
- Bark Trail – dark matte brown
- Forest Sky – teal shimmer with ultramarine + mica
Perfect For: Eco-conscious consumers craving harmony, earthy depth, and natural glam.
“Sea Reverie” – The Ocean-Inspired Collection
A dreamy dive into coastal hues, perfect for fresh, modern looks.
Shades:
- Salt Air – icy pearl shimmer
- Tide Blue – muted marine with ultramarine
- Seaweed Skin – satin sage green
- Coral Cloud – peachy neutral with iron oxide
- Deep Water – charcoal grey-blue
Perfect For: Trendy looks, Gen Z appeal, and that effortless “beach-to-brunch” glow.
Each of these palettes can be fully formulated using safe, stable mineral and botanical pigments, and paired with sustainable, intentional packaging for that complete clean beauty story.Feel free to mix, match, or modify based on your brand’s personality, just remember, it’s not just about what’s trending… it’s about what feels timeless through a clean, conscious lens.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this beautiful journey as a formulator, it’s that clean beauty doesn’t mean compromising on creativity. In fact, it challenges us to innovate with integrity, and that’s where the real magic happens.
Natural eye shadow formulation is no longer just about “safe” and “simple.” It’s about curating stories through color, rooted in nature and elevated by purpose. With the right pigments, a strong understanding of trends, and a clear formulation strategy, we can create products that aren’t just relevant today, but also resonate five years from now.
Remember, the future of beauty is not only clean and green, it’s also bold, expressive, and deeply personal. So trust your instincts, keep learning, and let your creativity bloom alongside the color stories of tomorrow.
And as always, keep asking: What would nature do, if she were a makeup artist?
Here’s to crafting color with conscience, and building palettes that people don’t just wear, but feel good about.
