Channel Your Inner '90s Kate Moss, Princess Diana, and Embrace Blue Eyeshadow
Move over, clean girl makeup. It's time for blue eyeshadow to have its moment.
Like it or hate it, blue eyeshadow is back for 2024. While style icons like Princess Diana and Kate Moss made blue eyeshadow a '90s staple, today's It-girls Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Iris Law are proving that Gen Z can do blue eyeshadow in a fresh new way.
Minimalist, "clean girl" makeup will always have its appeal, and has ruled makeup trends for the last year, plus. Not that there's anything wrong with nude colors, but did we really have to stash our once-beloved shimmers and vibrant shades at the back of our vanity drawers?
Let's face it, as much as clean girl makeup has had its well-deserved reign, we're yearning for the playful creativity that colorful makeup brings to our beauty routines. With the arrival of Spring 2024, our favorite celebs are now leading the charge, embracing a renewed sense of adventure and diving back into the world of bold, expressive hues. And their eyeshadow color trend of the season? All of the many dreamy shades of blue.
As the blue eyeshadow color trend resurfaces this season, let's not forget where it all began. While bold makeup was already gaining traction in the '50s, it was Elizabeth Taylor's iconic role in Cleopatra (1963) that truly popularized blue eyeshadow. Even a decade later, she continuously sported the color, cementing its status as a timeless classic.
Blue eye makeup never really goes out of style. However, it was the favorite makeup color all throughout the '90s. Despite the strict Royal Family dress code rules, Princess Diana's signature makeup look featured blue eyeliner. And who could forget Kate Moss walking the Gucci Spring/Summer 1996 Ready-to-Wear show? In case you didn't notice then, she donned a striking cobalt blue shimmer all over her lids. By the late '90s, supermodels like Tyra Banks and actresses like Jennifer Lopez couldn't get their hands off the vibrant hue—even sporting different shades at various red carpet events.
The trend endured throughout Y2K and into the mid-aughts. And what better proof of this than the nostalgic looks from the 2000s queens, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? Whether or not you're a fan of Y2K fashion and its resurgence, there's no denying that their blue eye makeup moments left a lasting impression on the era's beauty trends.
Ready to take a plunge into the world of blue eyeshadow? L'OFFICIEL has compiled some of the best inspo photos for you to recreate, courtesy of top models like Kendall Jenner and beauty influencers like Steph Hui. And to make your search even simpler, we've also curated the perfect list of blue eye makeup so you can hop onto the trend, stat.
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Ah, the best blue eyeshadow splurge. Don't underestimate Dior's 5-pan eyeshadow palette. Yes, it's compact and travel-friendly. But its real draw is the luxurious, long-wearing, creamy shades of blue, all suitable for any skin tone and skin type. It also comes with a gold hue to add more dimension to your look.
Dior Diorshow 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in 279 Denim, $68, Sephora
When high-end makeup suddenly dominated our social media feeds and favorite beauty retailers in 2021, the fun affordable brands were no longer anywhere to be brand. Among those brands was Colourpop. But we're here to remind you of the reason why Colourpop was oh-so-popular in 2018. This palette, in particular, has all the shades you need to recreate any of the blue eye makeup inspo photos we shared. Plus, like all Colourpop palettes, it has a rich, blendable, long-lasting pigment. And for $14? It's certainly a steal!
Colourpop Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Palette in Blue Velvet, $14, Colourpop
Love a good shimmer? Take a look at Ariana Grande's beauty brand, R.E.M. Beauty. R.E.M. offers a shimmery liquid shadow that's perfect for adding a touch of glamor to your nighttime look. Whether you use it all over your lids or as a finishing touch, this versatile product is sure to elevate your makeup game with its dazzling shine.
R.E.M. Beauty Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow in Milky Way, $17, R.E.M. Beauty
If you have a penchant for the monochrome moment, this Haus Labs by Lady Gaga eyeshadow is the one for you. Well, technically, it's a multi-purpose paint that works for eyes, lips, and cheeks. So, whether you're in the mood for a single color all over the lid or feeling more experimental, like trying a blue lip, this versatile product has you covered.
Haus Labs Hy-Power Eye, Cheek & Lip Pigment Paint in Sapphire Matte, $24, Sephora
But maybe cobalt blue isn't quite your style. No need to fret, we've got a sky-blue option just for you. One of our favorite blue eyeshadow looks was Lily-Rose Depp's, so naturally, we had to find the easiest product to help us achieve the look. So can you. The beauty of this Glossier liquid-to-powder eyeshadow, aside from its travel-friendly size, is that it doesn't set too quickly. Unlike many liquid eyeshadows, it allows you ample time to blend it to your desired effect.
Glossier Skywash Liquid-to-Powder Sheer Matte Eyeshadow Tint in Pool, $18, Glossier
We get it, you might not be too comfortable with liquid eyeshadows, especially not when you're traveling or just simply always on the go. But that doesn't mean powder eyeshadows are the quickest way to get the job done either. Though they are the traditional formula, they might not always be beginner-friendly. Enter the Victoria Beckham Beauty eyeshadow stick. With its blendable formula, you can even use it as an eyeliner.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow Stick in Ballet, $34, Victoria Beckham Beauty
If you can't stop thinking about Princess Diana's signature eye look, head to your nearest Sephora and pick up this blue double-ended eyeliner, courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury. While many pencil eyeliners can feel a little drying, this eyeliner is incredibly creamy, so you can easily glide this onto your lower lash line.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte & Metallic Double Ended Eyeliner in Super Blue, $32, Sephora
If you prefer something more precise, look no further than this Gucci pencil eyeliner. Though it's equally creamy and as long-lasting as the Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner, this Gucci eyeliner is more on the lighter side, so it's more suitable for the icy, sky-blue type of look.
Gucci Stylo Contour Des Yeux Khol Eyeliner in 06 Céleste, $39, Sephora
Then there's the mascara. If you're not ready to fully commit to eclectic blue lids, dip your toes in the water with blue mascara. You've probably seen YSL Beauty's viral lash clash mascara all over TikTok these past few weeks, but did you know they offered an electric blue option too? It's the easiest way to join the trend without feeling like you're going overboard. Blue mascara is runway-approved, after all.
YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Electric Blue, $32, Sephora