Blue Eyeliner: Everything You Need to Know About the Bold Makeup Trend

After Barbie-core pink and fiery reds caught our attention earlier this year, another color seems to be vying for the crown – the serene but slightly edgy blue. However, this time we are focused wholly on beauty, as blue eyeliner emerges as the perfect look for fall. But for anyone thinking that the superiority of this look is a recent development associated with TikTok and Gen-Z’s penchant for experimentation, you couldn’t be more wrong. Below, we take you through the history of it, and how to wear it.

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When was blue eyeliner popular?

From the ever-graceful Princess Diana, to the hedonism and psychedelia of the 1960s, blue eyeliner has always been considered a daring expression of going against the tide. Of course, there is also the fact that there is something distinctively alluring about a pop of blue on your lids. Whatever it is that attracts you to the bold look, there is no argument against the fact that it is certainly having a moment of late. A moment that has been in the making since shades of blue eyeliner first appeared on the SS23 runways of Off-White, Alexander McQueen, Richard Quinn, and more. However, there is plenty of inspiration on how to wing this look off the runway as well. From Deepika Padukone to Meghan Markle, celebrities seem to be jumping on the blue bandwagon.

Which shade of blue eyeliner is best for your skintone?

Blue is a universally flattering color, so there’s really no one who can’t give this trend a try. The key, however, is to pick the right shade of liner for your skin tone.

What shade of blue eyeliner works best for light skin?

More often than not, blue eyeliner pops the strongest on warmer skin tones and brown eyes, because warm hues are the perfect opposite to cool tones.
That being said, the correct shade can look just as beautiful on cooler, or fairer skin tones. Keep reading to find out which shade of blue eyeliner promises to highlight your eyes most effectively.
The best blue eyeliner shade for blue eyes: Take it from Princess Diana — blue eyeliner can look beautiful on blue eyes. If you’re not afraid of going matchy-matchy, look to light cerulean hues. But if you prefer to go slightly more subtle, a deep navy blue liquid liner is your best match.
The best blue eyeliner shade for brown eyes: Made for blue eyeliner pencils, brown eyes can carry off just about any shade of this beauty staple. Go as bright as you like — strong blues contrast beautifully with dark pupils.
The best blue eyeliner shade for hazel eyes: A mix of green and brown hues, hazel eyes make the ideal canvas for cobalt blue eyeliner. Electric blue also makes a winning choice for this eye color, as do slightly more green tones like aquamarine or teal.
The best blue eyeliner shade for green eyes: Who doesn’t love the color combination of green and blue? Dark blue eyeliner work best with green eyes, adding a nice intensity to the mix.

Blue eyeliner makeup looks seen on celebrities

Princess Diana

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For some hardcore nostalgia, look towards the original ambassador of blue eyeliner, Princess Diana. To recreate her signature beauty look, apply an electric blue eyeliner pencil to your waterline and see just how much it accentuates your eyes (especially, if they are blue).

Rihanna

The queen of all-eyes-on-me makeup, Rihanna has never shied away from a bold color. In 2020, the musician and beauty mogul went all-out with a cobalt blue winged eye liner, which she matched perfectly with her outfit.

Deepika Padukone

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For the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Bollywood style icon Deepika Padukone made the case for bold contrast as she paired a feathered fuchsia dress with sparkling electric blue.

Meghan Markle

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A few months after Deepika Padukone, Meghan Markle channeled the beauty aesthetic of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana for a much more minimalist take on the trend, using a darker blue as she stepped outside for her husband’s birthday.

Cardi B

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No one does bold makeup quite like Cardi B — which is why her 2023 Grammys beauty look was just the right inspiration for anyone who loves this eye makeup look. In an iconic moment, the rapper was spotted with striking cobalt blue liner on her lids that matched her structured dress perfectly.

Hailey Bieber

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Since blue lined eyes are not just a recent favorite, there’s nothing wrong with looking for inspiration in the past. Just last year, Hailey Bieber took inspiration from the ’90s obsession with butterfly liner that stretched out to create a delicate wing.

Jessica Kahawaty

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A great way to wear blue eyeliner if graphic lines are too bold for you is to smudge the product out to create a subtle eyeshadow effect. Closer to home, Jessica Kahawaty did exactly this, taking a different route by draping blue across her lids to create a glimmering pastel look just in line with our glowy-everything obsession.

Balqees Fathi

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Taking the trend to the next level, Balqees Fathi provides full lid inspiration with this smoky look that treads the line between blue and purple to create a stunning galactic shade.

Addison Rae

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This youthful graphic eyeliner from Addison Rae in 2021 is likely still sitting on many Pinterest boards. Whether you are hanging out with friends or heading to a concert, now might just be the time to give a double cat eye like hers a try.

Jessica Kahawaty

Photo: Instagram.com

For another blast from the past, once again follow Jessica Kahawaty’s footsteps as you opt for light blue eyeliner reminiscent of the swinging ’60s and everything they stood for.

How do you wear blue eyeliner? Inspiration from makeup artists

While celebrities can certainly inspire how we dress or wear our makeup, oftentimes, true creativity is found on social media when makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts share their takes on trends. Below, take a look at how some of the best artists in the region and beyond have made a case for this eye makeup look.

Blue eyeliner ideas from the professionals

Chloe Morello

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Chloe Morello kept things simple by using her deep blue pencil to create a classic cat eye. What really took her look to the next level, however, was her use of blue mascara for an intense makeup look you can’t miss.

Kelsey

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Glitter lover Kelsey gave the trend a sparkly twist by pairing her baby blue liner with lots of press-on glitter. To keep the look balanced, Kelsey went easy on the liner itself, using it only to accentuate the shape of her eyes. A hint on the inner corners, and a wing on the outer tips, finished off with a few dots around the eye was all the makeup pro needed to create a look that was serene, yet edgy.

Shur

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For those who are a bit more creative, going graphic like makeup lover Shur is the answer. Pick up different shades and recreate her starry look with an ombré effect for your next big occasion…

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…Or smudge the same liners to create a more diffused look that blends many shades of blue together.

Mona Alnouman

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For a more sophisticated look, take cues from celebrity-loved makeup artist Mona Alnouman. Her shimmering liner + gunmetal eyeshadow combo perfectly highlights the shape of the eye, and is elegant enough to also win the votes of brides in the region.

Ru Blackwell

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We’ve all been obsessed with siren eyes in recent months, so why not take a bolder approach to the sensual beauty look with cobalt blue eyeliner? Look to makeup artist Ru Blackwell for inspiration. This intense eye stands out twice as much against bleached brows.

When to wear blue eyeliner

This trend is anything but basic, so it works wonderfully for special occasions like parties and dinner outings.
Given the shade you’re working with, however, blue eyeliner can also be made appropriate for day occasions.
Dark blue eyeliners, like navy blue liquid liners, or glittery cobalt blue liners, are ideal for formal outings.
Light blue eyeliners, like turquoise or cerulean blue, are great for day occasions.

What to wear with blue eyeliner

Blue eyeliner makes a strong statement, so it’s a good idea to wear with complementary outfits.
It works well with matching blue outfits, or even neutral tones like white, black, and gray.
A simple white dress will always look good with blue cat eyes.
An all-black outfit also works well with dark blue winged eyeliner.
It’s best to avoid pairing bold blue eyeliner with contrasting hues like red or yellow.

What goes well with blue eyeliner?

If you’re wearing blue eyeliner for the first time, it’s a good idea to keep the rest of your makeup simple to ensure you don’t go overboard with your beauty look.
Nude lips or a soft peachy pink lip color makes a great choice with bold eyes.
If you find your eye makeup looks too harsh, you can always diffuse the beauty look with eyeshadow. But what color eyeshadow goes with blue eyeliner? Opt for smoky grays or purples to blend your eyeliner out seamlessly.

The best blue eyeliners to buy now

You’ve seen your favorite stars wearing blue eyeliner, and you’ve checked out how makeup artists like to wear the trend. Now it’s time to make the investment. If you’re ready to add a playful shade of blue to your eye makeup collection, we’ve got you covered. Scroll to discover some of the best blue eyeliners in stores right now.