When it comes to beauty, toasty makeup and neutral palettes have become tired clichés, just like “quiet luxury” has in fashion. While reliable, they’re undeniably predictable. Makeup is meant to be fun—especially during the height of our Euro girl summer adventures. Enter our newest fixation: orchid eyes.
Celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng created this look on budding beauty star Nico Parker’s look for Lancôme’s latest campaign, and we haven’t stopped thinking about the lavender-and-shimmer combo since. Contrary to what you might think, one of the most surprising things about lavender eyeshadow is how easy it is to pull off. As Cheng explains, “Lavender can work beautifully on all skin tones.” It creates soft-lit, cool-girl effect without committing to a ten-step eyeshadow regimen and gives off a flirty summery vibe with very little effort.
We caught up with Cheng, and spoiler alert: recreating the orchid eyes look on yourself is far easier than it seems. “Lavender may seem bold at first, but when done right, it’s the perfect mix of fresh and effortless,” says the makeup pro. Ahead, she shares her expert tricks for mastering this season’s coolest trend (even if you’ve never picked up an eyeshadow brush).
Lancôme
1. Pick Your Product
The good news: the lavender shimmer on Nico’s lids is a one and done thing. All you need to get started is a liquid eyeshadow with a hint of shimmer. For Parker, Cheng used Lancôme’s Idôle Tint in 10 Lavender Latte. But as Cheng points out, “A little goes a long way with this product,” which is key to keeping the shimmer fresh without it veering into disco ball territory. “For Nico, I applied just enough to give a solid pop of color," she says. "If you want a more subtle effect, start with a tiny amount and build up.” This layering technique ensures you have complete control over the intensity of the shimmer.
Don't have a liquid eyeshadow? Cheng has a clever hack for recreating the orchid eyes look at home: “Try wetting a powder shadow," she says. "It really intensifies the pigment and gives you that same bold pop.” The best part? You don’t need to have the exact shades to get the look—just experiment with layering and blending products you already have.
2. Apply With A Brush
Soft, diffused eyeshadow is the secret to making pastel shades like lavender look effortlessly chic, and Cheng has a simple hack for achieving that dreamy finish. “I pressed the shadow onto the lid with a flat shadow brush, then gently buffed out the edges with a clean blending brush,” she says. This trick ensures the lavender stays soft and smooth, without looking harsh or overly structured. Yes, it might be easier to dab on and blend with a finger when you're in a pinch, but if you want a pro-level finish, a brush is key.
3. Add Dimension
Don’t skip this step—it’s all about that touch of brightness in the inner corners to lift the eyes and add dimension. “I used the lightest shade from the Lancôme Hypnôse 5-Color Palette in 06 Reflet D’Amethyste,” Cheng explains. “It has a lavender tint that ties in beautifully with the rest of the look.” A subtle sweep in the inner corners can transform your eyes and give you an angel-tears effect.
To finish, Cheng keeps the lips and cheeks soft to maintain that cohesive, monochromatic vibe. “Since the eyes are the main focus, I kept the lip and cheek tones soft and subtle to complement, not compete,” she says. “Using shades from the same color family, but with varying textures and depths, keeps it fresh without looking too matchy.” She uses Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Lavender Latte, or try Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss in Holographic Lavender for a brighter pop.
