Style and Grooming
Willow Smith's Lilac Eye and Brown Liner: Her Makeup Artist's Concert Look, and How to Wear Purple Shadow
How do you wear lilac eyeshadow like Willow Smith? In an October 10, 2026 Who What Wear interview, makeup artist Dee Carrion said she uses "shimmers, sparkle, soft pastels, and washes of color" for Smith's new era. The concert look was a bright lilac eye with brown feline liner and icy highlight. [1] The brown liner is the secret. It keeps purple soft instead of harsh.
Short answer
- The look: bright lilac shadow, brown winged liner, frosted highlight on cheeks and eyes. [1]
- Why brown liner: black can look heavy with pastels. Brown blends with them.
- Easiest version: one lilac shadow, one brown pencil, one highlighter.
What Carrion and Smith said
Carrion, who has also worked with Doja Cat and Doechii, told Who What Wear her goal is to "translate the ethereal energy" of Smith's music into makeup. [1] The products named were Dior eye products, including a five pan palette, a shimmer stick and a waterproof liquid liner in brown. [1] Smith is a Dior ambassador, so treat the brand list as part of that deal.
Smith said there is a "color-blocking element" in her style right now, and called herself a fan of highlighter because "a good highlight always hits the light so well." [1]
Why purple is having a moment
Pinterest's October 6, 2026 beauty report listed "pastel blue eyeshadow" up 51% and "multichrome eyeshadow" up 82% in its searches, as part of a wider push toward color. [2] Those are Pinterest's own numbers without raw counts.
How to do the lilac eye (original steps)
- Prime the lid. Pastels look patchy on oily lids without primer.
- Neutral transition shade. A soft taupe in the crease first. This keeps the purple from looking like a bruise.
- Lilac on the lid. Pat it on with a flat brush or your finger. Build in two thin layers.
- Brown wing. Short and soft. Smudge the end slightly with a pencil brush.
- Shimmer in the center of the lid, or a little highlighter on the brow bone.
- Brown mascara or black on top only.
- Cheeks: a cool pink blush plus a light highlight on the top of the cheekbone.
- Lips: a sheer pink or clear gloss. Let the eyes lead.
Purple for every eye color
| Eye color | Best purple | |---|---| | Brown | Almost any, especially plum and violet | | Green or hazel | Plum, eggplant, warm violet | | Blue | Lavender with a pink tone, or mauve | | Gray | Cool lilac, smoky purple |
Purple for every skin tone
- Fair: soft lavender and mauve. Very bright violet can look stark, so sheer it out.
- Medium: lilac, orchid and violet all work.
- Deep: rich violet and metallic purple pop. Very pale chalky lilac can look gray, so pick one with shimmer or pink in it.
Mistakes that make purple look bruised
- Putting it under the eye with no liner to separate it.
- Using a red toned purple on red, irritated lids. Use concealer on the lid first.
- Skipping the neutral crease shade.
Make it daytime friendly
Keep the lilac to a wash on the lid only, skip the wing, and use brown mascara. It reads as "pretty color," not "concert."
Getting pastel shadow to show up (original)
Pastels are tricky because they are light and chalky. If your lilac looks patchy:
- Use a white or light base. A pale cream shadow or concealer on the lid makes pastels show true color.
- Press, do not sweep. Pat the color on with a flat brush.
- Spray the brush. A light mist of setting spray on the brush makes the color brighter.
- Build in layers. Two thin layers look smoother than one thick one.
The brown feline wing, step by step
- With a brown pencil, draw a short line from the outer corner, angled toward the end of your brow.
- Connect it to the top lash line, thicker at the outer third.
- Smudge the top edge with a pencil brush.
- Trace over the line with a brown liquid liner only at the very outer tip for a sharp point.
The soft base plus sharp tip is what makes it look "feline" but still gentle.
What to wear it with
Lilac eyes look best when the rest of the face stays soft. Skip heavy contour and red lips. A pink cheek and a glossy lip balance it. If you wear glasses, add a touch more liner, since frames can make shadow look lighter.
Budget version
You do not need a luxury palette. One lilac single shadow, one brown pencil and one highlighter can do the whole look.
Quick takeaway
Dee Carrion paired Willow Smith's lilac lids with brown feline liner and icy highlight.
Brown liner keeps pastels soft. Black can look heavy.
Use a neutral crease shade first so purple never looks bruised.
Match the purple to your eye color and skin tone.