27 Blue Eyeshadow Looks You Should Try Immediately
When it comes to everyday eyeshadow looks, we tend to use a lot of soft pinks, subtle browns, and maybe shimmery golds. Cobalt and icy blue shades don't usually make the cut. But why not? While this bold eyeshadow color can certainly be more intimidating than more neutral favorites, there's still a place for it in everyday wear. The trick is finding a shade that works for you and an eyeshadow look you feel comfortable with. Maybe that's just a splash of blue via a metallic eyeliner or perhaps you're ready to fully commit with an all-over lid look.
When choosing the right shade of blue for you, celebrity makeup artist Deborah Altizio suggests taking a moment to consider your eye and skin color. "I tend to like a stronger pop of color for someone who has dark hair and eyes with olive skin," she says. "For lighter hair colors and fairer skin tones, I like to use more of a 70s-style pale blue or green depending on their individual coloring."
If you're not sure where to start when it comes to blue eye makeup, we're sharing 27must-try blue eyeshadow looks and a quick how-to on how to recreate each. Soak up the inspiration and get ready to step outside of your comfort zone.
Meet the Expert
Deborah Altizio is a New York-based celebrity and fashion makeup artist.
1. Fairy Shadow
The key to nailing the blue eyeshadow look of your fairy dreams is to not only use a variety of shades of blue, but to also make glitter the name of the game. The more glitter, the better. Plus, for a look like this one, add a super pink blush that compliments your skin tone and ultra-glossy lip to finish up the whimsical look.
2. Full Glam
There’s nothing like a full beat—and when you add the perfect shade of pastel blue eyeshadow to the mix? You’ll have yourself a look that’ll definitely break necks. A blue eyeshadow look like this one also calls for a razor sharp wing and inner corner liner to really tie everything together.
3. Graphic Liner
The best thing about a graphic liner (besides it always looking amazing, of course) is that you can have fun with it. Your eyelids are your canvas to do and draw as you please—and the more creative you get with it, the better. This blue eyeshadow look calls for a seriously sharp liquid liner (waterproof is a must too) to make sharp, how-ever-you-like lines along your lid. Once you’ve got your liner down, we suggest patting a little shimmer to the negative space on your lid to really make the blue eyeshadow pop.
4. Primary Colors
Using two primary colors together is a thing, and don’t let anyone tell you differently. This super-cute blue eyeshadow combo is all the proof you need. Adding one primary color eyeshadow to the lid, and a different primary color eyeshadow to the bottom lash line is one of the many ways to achieve this out-of-the-box look. Once you’ve dusted on your two eyeshadow shades, we recommend adding a little (or dramatic) wing along your upper lash line to give that cat-eye effect.
5. Blue & Brown Combo
Something about blue and brown together does things to us—it’s the perfect mix of unexpected and editorial and we’re obsessed with it. This look is absolutely gorgeous (and the NATASHA DENONA Fez Eyeshadow Palette is perfect for it), thanks to the contouring reddish-brown eyeshadow shades on the lids and the shimmery blue eyeshadow around the entire eye. Plus, the pop of gold in the inner corner adds that extra “wow” effect. What really takes this eyeshadow look to the next level though? The blue bottom lashes. If you’re looking for another sign to sport some blue mascara (we know you’ve seen it all over your FYP), this is it.
6. Mod Liner
One thing about us, we love a modern take on any makeup look. And this blue eye liner right here—it’s as modern as it gets, so it’s a no-brainer why we’re obsessed. The best way to achieve this modern, abstract vibe is to pick contrasting eyeliner and eyeshadow shades and let your imagination do the rest.
7. Smoky, But Make It Blue
A smoky eyeshadow look is a classic fave for a reason—there’s always an occasion to rock one. Combine the technique with different hues of blue eyeshadow, and you’ll have everyone wondering which celeb makeup artist did your glam. This one calls for a gradient of blue eyeshadows blended all the way up and out to the brow bone for that sultry vibe. And don’t forget your liner—eye liner is a smoky eye staple.
8. Made for Vogue
Blend the creamiest, pigmented blue eyeshadows you can find across the lids to the temples, and you’ll have yourself a makeup look that’s straight out of Vogue. The best thing about editorial makeup looks is that they’re a little funky, with a lot of room to play with shades, shapes, and placement. This eyeshadow look is definitely pinned to our inspo board.
9. Channeling the ‘90s
The casting call for your next romcom-esque outing should definitely feature this ‘90s-inspired blue eyeshadow look. A simple blend of a dusty blue over the lid is all it takes to achieve it. There’s no catch—this blue eye shadow looks good on everyone and is bound to land you a starring role wherever you go.
10. Grey-Blue Glam
This is like a more fun version of a traditional smokey eye. Instead of slathering matte grey color all of your lids, add some metallic blue eyeshadow that sparkles. Start by sweeping a matte grey eyeshadow color over the lids, like one from this NO.7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Palette. Then, with a flat eyeshadow brush, lightly tap on a blue metallic color like ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS eyeshadow singles in Venice.
11. Ocean Cat Eyes
Don’t you feel like jumping into the deep blue hues dusted over Sophie Turner’s lids? Create sharp lines easily by using tape. Just place the tape diagonally upwards starting at your lower lash line. Then dust eyeshadow over the entire lid and work it out to the side over the tape which creates the sharp cat-eye look.
12. Green-Blue Lines
Using a dual-ended blending eyeshadow brush like this one from GLOSSIER, start by patting color on your eyelids and blend upwards and out to bring the color towards the crease of your eyes. Once you’re finished, line the shadow under your bottom lashes with the more blunt side of the brush. This shadow shade dubbed “Peacock Metallic” from MAKE UP FOR EVER is the perfect green-blue hue to achieve this look.
13. Almost-Black Liner
For this barely-there blue look, do your everyday makeup as you normally would, and then instead of topping off your lash line with your favorite eyeliner, reach for a subtle blue eyeliner like ESTEE LAUDER’S Double Wear Waterproof eyeliner in blackened sapphire.
14. Go Bold
Adding bold sharp eyeliner wings to an all-over blue shadow look is an easy way to clean it up and make it look like a professional application job. It doesn’t matter how messy you are with the shadow because you’re going to clean it up with a sharp black ink eyeliner wing.
15. Embellished Lids
If you don’t have 3D pearls just lying around at home, don’t worry. Go for a mod, fun party look by adding white dots to your all-over blue shadow color. After applying eyeshadow, reach for an ABOUT FACE eye-paint color to dab on pops of white or any color of your choice.
16. White Blue Lines
Dab white eyeshadow on first all over the lid to truly make the baby blue hue pop. Start with JONES BEAUTY eyeshadow color in chic and then top it off by dabbing on GLOSSIER Skywash color in pool.
17. Smoky Lower Lids
Make a statement by only showing color on your lower lash line. You can go as smoky or as bold as you want on the top of the eye, and then to finish out the look, run a metallic pencil just underneath your bottom eyelashes. We love the smooth and creamy formula of CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S magic matte metallic pencil in the shade super blue.
18. Royal Blue
Update the classic smoky eye with a vibrant jolt of blue. To recreate this look, use one of the deep, sparkly eyeshadow shades in the HUDA BEAUTY Obsessions Palette in Sapphire all over the lid. To create that iconic, smudgy, smoky effect, you'll want to use a dark pencil eyeliner on the upper and lower lash line. If you feel like taking the drama up a notch, extend the liner of the upper lash line beyond the eye to create a winged tip.
19. Silvery Shimmer
A bold, blue eyeshadow look doesn't have to be complicated. Case in point: this cool blue makeup. Here, all you'll need to do is apply a pale to medium-toned blue eyeshadow shade like OFRA COSMETICS Sky Blue and all over the top lid. Then, using a smaller shader brush, you'll apply a little bit of that same color blue under the lower lash line. It should be thicker than a subtle liner but still precise. Top with a bold lengthening mascara to make those eyelashes pop.
20. Molten Blue
Ready for a runway-approved eye makeup look? This high fashion option creates a geometric shape around the eyelid for a modern alternative to everyday makeup. When creating something that requires this much precision, a cream eyeshadow or eyeliner is the way to go. These tend to offer more control and saturation with less fallout. Try using something like the SUVA BEAUTY Blue Steel Hydra Liner.
To apply, wet an eyeshadow brush water and mix it into the liner pot. Once you've achieved a creamy consistency, paint it onto your lid in your desired shape. Make sure to let the product air dry before you pack it back up.
21. Out of the Blue
Who says you have to use the same shade of blue on both eyes? Makeup is all about having fun after all. Try stepping outside of your comfort zone by applying an abstract shape in one shade of blue to one eye and another shape in another color on the other eye. If you're a beginner, a cream eyeshadow will allow for the most control here. Alternatively, you could also use the HUDA BEAUTY Obsessions Palette in Sapphire to easily find two complementary colors to play with. To create clean, saturated lines, simply wet a liner or small shader brush before dipping it into the color of your choice.
22. Blue Haze
The beauty of blue eye makeup is that it doesn't take much to create a visually striking style. If you're a makeup newbie or you're simply short on time, do as this model does: swipe a pale shade of matte or metallic blue shadow (like the OFRA COSMETICS Eyeshadow in Mystic Blue) all over the lid, going from the upper lash line all the way up to the brow bone. You can leave this look just like this or you can waterline the lower lash line with a white liner to help brighten up the overall look.
23. Peek-a-Blue
Throw it back to the 60s mod era with a dramatic cut crease like this. This blue and white combo brightens up the eyes while adding a playful amount of drama and fun. Apply a shimmery white on the lid, up to the crease. Then, create a sharp contrast by using cream blue eyeshadow like ABSOLUTE NEW YORK Créme Stylo Shadow Wand. This product goes on super smooth and saturated, easily creating a dramatic eye look Twiggy would be proud of.
24. Bold Blue Liner
"The best way to ease into using a blue eyeshadow color is to use it as a liner on the eyes," Altizio says. "Simply wet the shadow and use it as a liner."
For something super subtle, keep the eyes bare and only use a bit of blue liner to make them pop. If you want to go a little bit bolder, but you're still not ready to commit to covering your full lid in blue, opt for something like this look. To create something similar to this, apply a complementary blended eyeshadow look on top and use a liner brush or a blue eyeliner like the PALLADIO BEAUTY Retractable Eyeliner Vault along the lower lash line to weave in an unexpected twist.
25. Teal Blue Meets Brick Red
When creating a harmonious makeup look, you'll want to incorporate a little bit of color theory. First, find where your chosen color falls on the color wheel. Then look for the color that sits opposite it on the wheel. Those two colors will always make a great pair. Case in point: this teal and brick-red makeup look.
To recreate something like this duo-toned makeup look, it's a great idea to look for a palette that features a range of complementary shades. We love using the NOMAD COSMETICS Berlin Underground Intense Eyeshadow Palette, which happens to feature both a chalky red and a bold blue-green.
26. Chic Cobalt
If that first smoky eye is a little bit too heavy for your liking, here's a softer alternative. Using a palette featuring a range of blues like the MORPHE 35V Stunning Vibes Artistry Palette, apply a deep shade of blue all over the lid, a brighter shade as the highlighter color, and a dark, smoky shade in the outer corner. Keep things light by leaving the bottom lash line bare except for a quick swipe of mascara.
27. Seeing Violet
Play up the whimsical side of blue makeup by pairing it with a shimmery violet eyeshadow like OFRA COSMETICS Eyeshadow in Ultra Violet. Altizio recommends combining these two shades to soften up a blue makeup look overall.
Blend a soft purple with a light blue like this PINK PEWTER eyeshadow for a soft but bright custom eye color or create a fluid transition from blue to violet from the inner corner to the outer corner for a striking, colorful effect.
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