Blue eyeshadow is so back
Fashion and celebrities are rediscovering it, do you know how to wear it?
G-Club
September 12th, 2024
September 12th, 2024
Minimalist makeup remains a classic, perfect for every occasion. We’ll keep buying blush, mascara, lipsticks, and searching for the perfect foundation. But what if, for once, taking advantage of the changing season, we started playing with colors and brushes again, like when we were younger, and dared with a make-up statement? The latest runway shows suggest we do just that, as the autumn beauty trends recommend trying blue eyeshadow to add a twist to our usual look. Midnight blue, light blue, cerulean, ice, sapphire—every brand has proposed its ideal match: Chanel paired it with pink, Versace chose a pastel shade to complement sixties outfits, Jil Sander and Etro went for graphic Klein blue accents, Antonio Marras was inspired by Twiggy with metallic blue shadow and dramatic lashes, Giorgio Armani went for turquoise and spider lashes, Connor Ives dusted a powder blue on the models' eyelids, while Maison Margiela used it on their "porcelain dolls".
Even at the recently concluded NYFW SS25, Christian Cowan and Ulla Johnson showcased the fashion world’s passion for the entire blue palette, a love shared by many celebrities. Just recently, Daisy Edgar-Jones appeared at the premiere of On Swift Horses wearing a delicate ice-blue shade that matched her ethereal Gucci dress. She’s not the only one donning blue eyeshadow lately. Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa, the Hadid sisters, Emrata, Victoria Beckham, Taylor Swift, and Kendall Jenner have all embraced this trend, confirming blue as a 2024 staple, as predicted months ago by Pinterest, which reported a 65% increase in searches for "blue eyeshadow aesthetic" and a 100% rise for "aquamarine makeup look". These trends are also making waves on TikTok, where #blueeyeshadow has garnered 266.3 million views, followed by #bluemascara with 131.5 million.
@iamalinamorozova I wanted to recreate this for so long! #katemoss #katemossmakeup #90skatemoss #guccimakeup #makeupinspo #partymakeup #blueeyeshadow Girls Just Wanna Have Some - Chromatics
Blue Eyeshadow: A Timeless Staple Through Centuries and Trends
Some love it, some hate it. Some consider it tacky, clownish, while others see it as glamorous. For some, it’s a symbol of rebellion and provocation, while others prefer to tone it down, blending it into an ethereal effect. The truth is, over time, blue eyeshadow has gained the status of a timeless classic, and when interpreted well, it can make a bold beauty statement. Every decade of the 20th century (and beyond) has had its version, adapting the color, texture, and application to the fashion of the time. It has been worn by pop stars, actors, drag queens, and style icons. The first to do so? Barbie in her original 1959 version, sporting a deep blue eyeshadow. After her came Cleopatra as portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe with Andy Warhol’s acid-blue eyes, and Liza Minelli in her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. British designer Mary Quant dedicated an entire eyeshadow palette to the color, while Twiggy reinvented it for the '70s, and New Romantics, along with icons like Grace Jones and Princess Diana (who had a penchant for blue eyeliner), kept it popular in the '80s.
Blue makeup was also a favorite of Drag Queen Divine, as well as PJ Harvey, who wore it theatrically with red lipstick, and the supermodels of the '90s. Who could forget Kate Moss capturing everyone’s attention with her slightly grunge blue smokey eyes on Gucci’s SS96 runway? By the early 2000s, blue had evolved into denim or ice tones, often enhanced by metallic reflections, as seen on Aaliyah, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. Recently, cinema has brought it back, particularly with its obsession with blue eyeshadow. Alexa Demie in Euphoria and Mia Goth in Ti West’s horror films have also made it a signature look.
VIOLETTE - Yeux Paint
37€
VERA LAB - Light Vertigo
20,70€
PIXI - Glitter-y Eye Quad
16€
ASTRA - DUOVERSITY - Mascara + Eyeliner
9,90€
LANCÔME - Hypnôse - Palette of 5 highly pigmented eyeshadows
65,50€
FENTY BEAUTY - FLYPENCIL Longwear Pencil Eyeliner
23€
HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA - Hy-Power Eye, Cheek & Lip Pigment Paint
26€
SEPHORA COLLECTION - Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow
12,99€
KESS - One Swipe Kajal Liner
19€
DIOR - Diorshow Iconic Overcurl
39,99€
Who Suits Blue Eyeshadow?
"The great thing about blue is that I’ve never seen anyone who didn’t look good in it" says Donni Davy, co-founder of Half-Magic and makeup artist for Euphoria. "There are so many options within the blue world, from warm electric blues to gritty navy shades, to icy baby blues". According to her, blue enhances dark eyes and works even for blue-eyed individuals, though it can be trickier for green eyes. It’s all about finding the right shade. Some prefer cobalt and aquamarine, perfect for the mermaid beauty trend, while others look to the past or are inspired by cinema icons like Christina Ricci in Buffalo '66 or Anna Karina in Une Femme est une femme, pairing their favorite shade of blue eyeshadow with red lipstick or a shimmering powder palette to add light and brightness to the gaze.
How to Wear Blue Eyeshadow
Wondering how to wear blue eyeshadow? It depends on your style and mood. You can opt for maximalist looks that recall drag aesthetics and the '80s, like Chappell Roan, or wear a light wash of color on the eyelid for an ethereal look. Another minimal option is applying a matte light blue shade only to the inner corner of the eye, which works similarly to traditional highlighter, making the eyes appear larger. You can follow Billie Eilish idea by adding a pop of color with just a royal blue eyeliner along the upper and lower lash lines. For a statement look, blue pigment fills the eyelid space with an intense shade that draws all attention to the eyes. Want to try a classic? Smokey eyes are the way to go, achieved by mixing different shades of blue, preferably in a highly pigmented matte formula. The most intense color is applied to the center of the eyelid, a lighter shade is blended across the upper lid, and the same color is used to outline the eye along the lower lash line. Finish with a light blue or silver shadow in the inner corner, and a coat of mascara. The secret? Blend with your fingers for a messier result. Lastly, if you want to sparkle, grab a holographic shimmer or liquid eyeshadow that will make your eyes pop with minimal effort. And why not try the combo of sky blue shadow and red lips?
