Get In on the Multichrome Eyeshadow Trend With These Eye-Catching Picks
It’s a moment to remember. You’re admiring a pigmented eyeshadow when the color shifts—and shifts again. Maybe it moves from green to yellow to rose gold or purple to blue to green. No matter the color, the pigment takes on a chrome-like effect that’s simply mesmerizing. So, what is this magical makeup called? Meet multichrome eyeshadow. Unlike a textured or two-tones eyeshadow, multichrome eyeshadow shifts between three and four colors as you move it. And it’s seriously cool.
Makeup lovers credit indie brands including Devinah Cosmetics, JD Glow, and Notoriously Morbid for pushing multichrome eyeshadow into the mainstream. These colorful hues come in single, loose pigments or loose multichromes, pressed eyeshadow singles, eyeshadow palettes, and even liquid eyeshadow. Now, dozens of brands are creating their versions of multichrome eyeshadows in matte and shimmer shades.
Multichrome vs. Duochrome Eyeshadow
You’ve probably seen eyeshadows that shift from one color to another (like silver to black). These are definitely chromatic eyeshadows, but because they only shift between two colors, they’re called duochrome. They can be just as cool to incorporate into your makeup routine and maybe even easier if you’re new to a chromatic look. A multicolored-lid look can be a little intimidating, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered (read on below).
Wearing Multichrome Eyeshadow IRL
Wearing a few eyeshadow colors at once can seem daunting enough, but when you throw in a shade that color shifts you’re talking a whole different game. Good news, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Multichrome eyeshadows are super versatile. Use multichrome eyeshadow alone for a multicolor look by applying it to the lids just above the lashes, and then blending it into the crease. This will allow each color shift to stand out.
You can also apply your usual eye makeup and add a chromatic topper to the middle of each eyelid for a pop of multichrome color. Just be sure to choose a complimentary hue that won’t clash with your other eyeshadow. We also love applying neutral matte shades with a colorful chromatic shade on top.
Ready to dive into multichrome eyeshadows? Here are some of our favorite formulas to get you started.
Our Top 8 Multichrome and Duochrome Eyeshadow Picks
1. Boldest Multichrome Liquid Eyeshadow Shades
You might not be used to seeing liquid eyeshadow and color shift in the same sentence, but NATASHA DENONA Chromium Liquid Eyeshadow is the real deal. Each pearlized shade has three shifts, one main and two additional, to seamlessly go from bold color to color.
2. Most Colorful Eyeshadow Palette
VIOLET VOSS Sugar Crystals Pressed Pigment Palette contains 18 pigmented mattes and duochromes. Some vibrant shades look gorgeous worn alone and others make perfect toppers. You won’t find a wider range of chromatic shades in any other palette.
3. Best Chromatic Topper
Add MILANI Hypnotic Lights Eye Topper on your favorite eyeshadow color and turn it into a head-turning chromatic hue. You’re going to want to add this duochrome liquid shimmer to your summer makeup wishlist.
4. Easiest Multichrome Liquid Eyeshadow
CIATÉ LONDON Shadow Flip Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow is seriously fun to use. It’s lightweight, creamy and dries down in seconds to easily fit into any makeup look.
5. Best Cruelty-Free Liquid Eyeshadow
DOMINIQUE COSMETICS Beautiful Mess Liquid Eyeshadow doesn’t just feature wearable duochrome hues, but the formula is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan so it’s makeup you can feel good about.
6. Best Duochrome Singles
There are 17 gorgeous shades of PAT MCGRATH LABS Eyedols™ Eye Shadow to choose from but for this look, we’re sticking with the duochrome shades. The high-impact pearlescent shimmers have a shocking amount of pigment with just one swipe.
7. Biggest Single Shadow Range
Choose from a whopping 60+ shades of ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Eyeshadow Singles to add to cart and you won’t be sorry. There are six duochrome shades to add to any of the matte or shimmer hues for a multi-dimensional look. We especially like using the gold and silver shades as highlighter.
8. Most Affordable Shadow Shades
COLOURPOP Super Shock Shadow is a fan-favorite for its bouncy texture and crease-free formula. Check out the offerings closely and you’ll even find a few duochrome shades, including our favorite in Moonwalk—a trendy rusted orange that switches to a gorgeous yellow.
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