Executive Overview
As the seasons shift from the vibrant warmth of late summer into the crisp, cooler days of autumn and winter, the fashion and beauty industries undergo a predictable yet exciting metamorphosis. Out go the stark, icy pastels and neon pops of warmer months, replaced swiftly by richer, more grounded, and undeniably moodier palettes. For the upcoming 2026 and 2027 colder seasons, a singular color family has decisively stolen the spotlight across social media feeds, international runways, and red-carpet appearances alike: the deep, decadent spectrum of burgundy.
Encompassing everything from eggplant brown and cherry mocha to robust merlot red, this color trend has officially graduated from a seasonal apparel staple to a powerhouse beauty phenomenon. Chief among its manifestations is the viral surge of burgundy eye makeup—a sophisticated, multi-dimensional alternative to the traditional black and dark brown smokey eyes that have dominated cosmetics for decades.
To unpack the mechanics of this trend, E! turned to seasoned celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin, whose enviable client roster includes household names like Rachel Brosnahan and Kristin Cavallari. According to Patinkin and industry insiders, burgundy’s staying power lies in its unique ability to impart warmth, dimension, and festive luxury to cold-weather makeup looks. With the holiday party season rapidly approaching, mastering this rich, jewel-toned trend has become an essential goal for beauty enthusiasts eager to elevate their everyday aesthetics.
Detailed Chronology & Evolution of the Trend
The journey of deep, wine-inspired hues into modern cosmetic consciousness is rooted in a rich historical lineage that has evolved significantly over the past three decades.
The 1990s Roots: The Chanel Vamp Era
To understand why burgundy feels both nostalgically familiar and strikingly modern, one must look back to the mid-1990s. This era gave birth to the legendary "Chanel Vamp" nail polish phenomenon—a dark, brooding, nearly black-red shade that instantly revolutionized the beauty landscape. It was an aesthetic defined by grunge-adjacent glamour, moody sophistication, and an unapologetic departure from traditional brights.
According to Jenny Patinkin, today’s obsession with burgundy, plum, and wine eye makeup draws direct inspiration from that era. "It always reminds me of the Chanel Vamp days in the mid-1990s when dark, moody colors were all the rage," Patinkin notes. While the ’90s iteration primarily lived on fingernails and lips, the contemporary movement has smartly migrated upward, transforming the eyelids, lashes, and lash lines into canvases for rich red-purple undertones.
The TikTok Acceleration (2025–2027)
Fast forward to the mid-2020s, and the resurgence of the trend has been supercharged by digital platforms, most notably TikTok. Beauty creators and influencers—particularly brunettes seeking to amplify their natural warmth—began championing "burgundy eye makeup" as the ultimate low-contrast, high-impact aesthetic.
Search queries for wine-toned liners, berry-brown mascaras, and mahogany liquid shadows skyrocketed into the thousands. What began as an experimental subculture trend among autumn-obsessed creators quickly codified into a mainstream winter mandate. By late 2026, major cosmetic houses and indie darlings alike had expanded their portfolios to include dedicated burgundy formulations, paving the way for a fully realized trend cycle that extends well into the 2027 winter calendar.
Supporting Context, Metrics, and Expert Analysis
The transition toward burgundy and its derivative shades is not happening in a vacuum; it is supported by color theory, shifts in consumer psychology, and practical cosmetic engineering.
The Color Theory of Burgundy: Why It Flatters
From a technical standpoint, burgundy succeeds because of its complex undertones. Balancing deep reds, browns, and subtle blues, burgundy acts as a warm anchor against the skin.
Patinkin emphasizes that the tone is exceptionally forgiving and flattering, particularly for individuals with darker features. "Deep red-purple undertones complement brown eyes or hair, emphasizing amber and gold tones—making it an easy way to add warmth to cold-weather makeup," she explains.
When applied correctly, burgundy softens the face compared to the harsh lines often created by jet-black liners. It introduces a velvety, tactile dimension that mimics the heavy, luxurious fabrics—like velvet, silk brocade, and heavy wool—associated with autumn and winter wardrobes.
Universal Appeal vs. Targeted Nuance
While burgundy is widely celebrated for its low-contrast harmony with brunettes and deeper skin tones, its versatility extends across the spectrum:
- Green Eyes: Patinkin points out that burgundy can make green eyes "really pop," acting as a contrasting color wheel counterpart that intensifies emerald and olive flecks in the iris.
- Fair Complexions: For those with lighter hair and skin, a sheer wash of burgundy or a targeted swipe of berry-brown mascara offers a subtle, sophisticated warmth without overwhelming delicate features.
- The One Caveat: Despite its near-universal adaptability, Patinkin issues a vital warning regarding redness. "It can be problematic on anyone who has any redness around their eyes, especially on the inner rims, as it can make them just look irritated and inflamed." The fix? A simple application of anti-redness eye drops before beginning the makeup routine.
Official Statements and Professional Recommendations
To help consumers navigate the crowded marketplace of wine-toned cosmetics, Jenny Patinkin has curated a definitive list of professional-approved products. These items span drugstore accessibility to luxury prestige, offering entry points for both beginners and seasoned pros.
1. Mascaras: The Subtle Entry Point
For those hesitant to commit to a full eyeshadow look, tinted mascaras offer an effortless gateway.
- L’Oréal Voluminous Original Washable Mascara in Deep Burgundy: A beloved staple in professional kits. Patinkin notes it can be worn alone for a subtle purple-brown tint, layered over black, or applied strictly to the tips of the lashes for dimensional contrast.
- Clinique Black Honey High Impact High-Fi™ Full Volume Mascara: Bringing the legendary cult-classic "Black Honey" shade to the lashes, this fiber-infused formula offers length and a wearable berry-brown hue.
- Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara (Plum Hue): A TikTok-favorite budget option ($5) that delivers high-impact volume in a dreamy plum shade.
- Thrive Liquid Extensions Tubing Mascara: A clump-free, flake-free tubing formula in a soft berry-brown that washes off easily with warm water.
- ColourPop BFF Volumizing Mascara in Wine O’Clock: An affordable ($10) way to experiment with high-pigment wine tones without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Eyeliners: Precision and Drama
Eyeliner provides a structural framework for the burgundy trend, perfect for tightlining or creating graphic shapes.
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux: Praised for its effortless glide and blendability, ideal for smoking out at the lash base.
- Diorshow Waterproof Liquid Liner in Satin Burgundy: A high-end option that excels in creating sharp cat eyes or graphic socket-line accents.
- Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Stick Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner + Brush in Wine Spill: A dual-ended gel liner and brush combo offering 24-hour waterproof wear.
- HALF MAGIC Velvet Flik Eyeliner Pencil in Goth Girlfriend Burgundy: Created by Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy, this pencil features a slim almond-shaped tip designed for precise wing creation.
- Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Black Honey: Waterline-safe, ultra-pigmented, and tug-free for up to 24 hours of wear.
3. Eyeshadows, Sticks, and Palettes
For those ready to embrace full-lid washes or dramatic smoky eyes:
- Armani Beauty Eye Tint in Mahogany: Patinkin’s personal favorite. A water-infused liquid shadow that offers buildable, long-lasting drama when concentrated at the outer corners.
- Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Stick in Port Leather: Exceptional for achieving a quick, sheer wash of color diffused smoothly into the eye socket.
- Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez All of the Above Eyeshadow Stick in Compassion: A weightless, highly blendable stick that makes one-step burgundy eyes accessible on the go.
- Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Rich: A compact nine-pan palette mixing mattes and metallics for versatile daily or dramatic looks.
- IL MAKIAGE Color Boss Eyeshadow in Showstopper: A hybrid formula that glides on like cream, blends like liquid, and finishes like a powder.
- Physicians Formula Rosé All Play Eyeshadow Bouquet: A 12-pan palette providing incredible value under $20, usable wet or dry for varied intensity.
Future Outlook: The Longevity of Burgundy in Beauty
As beauty trends accelerate through digital channels, the lifespan of a seasonal craze is often scrutinized for its staying power. However, industry forecasters and makeup professionals agree that burgundy’s entrenchment in the cold-weather canon goes far beyond a fleeting TikTok micro-trend.
Because burgundy serves as a direct evolution of the classic neutral eye—sitting comfortably between traditional brown and dramatic black—it occupies a pragmatic space in everyday consumer routines. It provides the psychological comfort of a dark, moody aesthetic while injecting the necessary warmth required to combat the visual chill of winter months.
Furthermore, as the beauty industry continues to embrace inclusive shade ranges that honor undertones—particularly for olive, tan, and deep complexions—versatile jewel tones like merlot, mahogany, and plum will remain essential tools in professional and personal kits alike. Whether worn as a sheer whisper of berry-brown mascara on a casual Tuesday morning or sculpted into a high-drama metallic smoky eye for a holiday gala, burgundy has secured its status as a timeless, perennial heavyweight in the modern cosmetic lexicon.
