13 Eyeshadow Looks for Blue Eyes

by Jessica Alberto
Eyeshadow Looks for Blue Eyes

Using shadows that work with your eye color is a fun way to do your makeup. When it comes to eyeshadow for blue eyes, all you blue-eyed babes will be happy to know that you have a ton of options! From vibrant orange to luminous silver, there are a variety of eyeshadow shades that work well with your gorgeous eyes. Whether you prefer rocking a minimalist pop of color or a sultry smokey eye, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ve compiled 13 of the best eyeshadow looks for blue eyes, plus give you some basic color theory tips for doing your eye makeup.

Baby Blue

Baby Blue Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Contrary to popular belief, wearing the same color of eyeshadow as your eye color doesn’t dull them out. In fact, applying a matching blue shade on your lids is a super easy way to bring out your baby blues. Simply blend a bright blue eyeshadow over your entire eyelid, then finish the look with a winged liner and mascara.

Orange

Orange Eyeshadow Look for Blue Eyes
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Orange lies directly opposite blue on the color wheel, making them complementary colors. Unlike other vibrant shades, orange eyeshadow brings out the blue in your eyes without overpowering them. If this color is too intimidating to wear, go for soft orange shades like creamsicle. Warm neutrals with orange undertones also work (think: terracotta or rust.) Apply several layers of orange shadow to intensify the pigment or keep it sheer for a light wash of color. Pair this look with a sharp cat-eye and mascara for a colorful spring or summer eye makeup look.

Silver

Silver Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Silver eyeshadow can bring out the icy tones in blue eyes. Whether you’re applying it as a single-color eyeshadow or pairing it with smokey grey shades, this cool-toned metallic shadow will definitely highlight your blue eyes. For a bit of contrast, use a brown pencil liner to define your top and bottom lash lines or create a double-winged eyeliner. Get this soft glam look by pairing your silver eye makeup with soft contour, groomed brows, and nude lips.

Purple

Purple Smokey Eye
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Purple is a universally flattering color that looks great on any skin tone and eye color. But with such a wide and eclectic variety of purple eyeshadows, it’s important to choose a shade that suits your specific eye color. Deep purples like amethyst and violet accentuate dark blue eyes beautifully, whereas lighter shades such as lilac or lavender are better suited for light blue eyes. Use a combination of shimmery and matte eyeshadows to create a vibrant smokey eye.

Sage

Sage Green Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Green might not be your first choice for eye makeup, but it’s actually one of the best eyeshadow colors for blue eyes. According to color theory, adjacent hues on the color wheel (such as blue and green) harmonize well. If shades like jade and emerald are too intense for you, soft greens are a great alternative. A shimmery sage green eyeshadow will bring out the icy tones in your cool blue eyes and make them shine.

Apply a liquid or cream shadow over the entire eyelid and blend it out toward the brow. Keep the look super soft with nude lips and minimal blush.

Peach

Peach Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Peach is a great alternative to orange eyeshadow. This orangey-pink hue beautifully complements blue eyes and adds warmth to your skin, making it one of the best eyeshadow colors to use for everyday makeup. Best of all, you only need one product to create this gorgeous monochromatic makeup look. Simply take a peach cream blush or lipstick and apply this onto your lids, cheeks, and lips. Highlight the inner corners and define the lower waterline with a peach-colored pencil liner for a bright-eyed look.

Electric Blue Wings

Blue Winged Eyeliner Makeup for Blue Eyes
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Another way to rock blue eyeshadow is to choose shades that are deeper than your eye color. An electric blue hue can intensify blue eyes and create a vibrant statement. But if the thought of rocking such a bold color on your lids seems daunting, then try this winged eyeliner look instead. Use an angled eyeshadow brush to line the upper lash line with a blue shadow, then extend this out from the outer corner of your eye to create your wing. Additionally, you can smudge the top edge of the wing to create a smoky look.

Gold

Gold Eye Makeup for Blue Eyes
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A wash of gold eyeshadow paired with your favorite neutral lipstick is a great way to wear some sparkle without looking too bold or over-the-top. This warm metal shade can enhance the gold flecks in blue eyes and bring out the warm tones in your complexion. You can re-create the look using just two shades of eyeshadow. Apply brown eyeshadow on the outer corners of your eyes, then sweep a gold shadow onto the inner two-thirds of your lid. Transform this into the perfect evening makeup look by lining the upper and lower waterline with waterproof kohl liner.

Plum

Plum Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Another shade of purple that blue-eyed beauties must try is plum. This deep, muted purple is perfect for creating a smoky look that, compared to darker shades like black, won’t overwhelm light blue eyes. Find a plum-colored powder or cream shadow and sweep it lightly from your lash line to the brow. Complete the look with eyeliner, mascara, and a mauve-pink lip.

Rose Gold Cat Eyes

Rose Gold Eye Makeup for Blue Eyes
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If you love a bit of sparkle, you can’t go wrong with rose gold. This metallic eyeshadow packs just enough color to bring out the various tones in blue eyes without overwhelming them. Apply brown eyeshadows to contour the lid, creating a “V” shape on the outer corners for a cat eye effect. Press a rose gold eyeshadow onto the inner two-thirds of your lids, then dab a highlighter onto the inner corners. This romantic eye makeup look is perfect for day or night.

Earthy Neutrals

Earth-Toned Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Earth-toned neutrals pair perfectly with blue eyes because they can create intensity without overwhelming them. Just remember that the darker you go, the more dramatic the look, so try experimenting with different neutral eyeshadow shades to find the most flattering look. Warm browns are perfect for warming up the lid or creating a smokey eye. Sweep a chocolate brown shade on your upper and lower lids, then blend a dark brown eyeshadow into the crease. Line the upper and lower lash lines with black eyeliner to complete the look.

Yellow Cut Crease

Yellow Cut Crease for Blue Eyes
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Yellow might not be the first shade you’d reach for in your eyeshadow palette, but blue-eyed babes should definitely try it out. This sunny hue creates a soft contrast that can really brighten up your gaze. You can apply it all over your lids as a single wash of color or create this stunning cut-crease if you’re up for a challenge.

To re-create this look, define your crease line with brown shades. Take a concealer that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone and use this to clean up your lids and “cut” the crease. Then, use a dense eyeshadow brush to apply yellow eyeshadow all over your lids. To keep the look more natural, swap out your black liquid liner for a brown shade. Define the upper lash line and draw a wing that follows the shape of the cut-crease. Coat your top and bottom lashes with brown mascara, and you’re all set.

Pink Glossy Lids

Pinky Glossy Eyeshadow Look for Blue Eyes
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From cotton candy to bubblegum, pink eyeshadow provides a soft wash of color that makes blue eyes pop. This versatile eyeshadow color can be worn in a variety of ways, but you put an editorial twist to a single-color eyeshadow look by applying gloss over it.

After priming your eyelids, apply your pink eyeshadow and built it up to the desired coverage. Then, use a flat eyeshadow brush to coat your lids with gloss. Professional makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes suggests keeping the gloss away from your lashes to prevent it from smudging your mascara.

Champagne

Champagne Eyeshadow Look for Blue Eyes
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Champagne is a great alternative to yellow and gold eyeshadow; it has just the right amount of warmth and shimmer to make your blue eyes pop — but in a more subtle way. This metallic shadow works almost like a neutral. Combine it with deep brown, bronze, or neutral tones to create a sultry smokey eye, or apply it all over the eyelids for a soft wash of color and sparkle.

Red

Red Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
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Red is a bold color that can be pretty intimidating to wear on your lids, but this fiery hue creates a stunning contrast against cool blue eyes that will definitely make them pop. If you’re feeling adventurous, try creating this statement look by sweeping a red shadow on your eyelids then blending the pigment up towards your temples for a swept-up effect.

Emerald Smokey Eyes

Emerald Smokey Eye
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Bold and vibrant jewel tones are often considered too overwhelming for blue eyes, but this emerald green smokey eye proves that cool tones have a magical way of making dark blue eyes pop. Blend a neutral shade along your crease, then sweep a matte green shadow over the entire eyelid and lower lash line. Deepen the outer corner with a darker shade, then highlight the inner corner and center of your lid to add dimension to your eyes.

Pastel

Pastel Eye Makeup for Blue Eyes
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Lighter eye colors can easily be overwhelmed by bold eyeshadow, which is why pastel shades work really well on blue eyes. If you can’t decide on a shade, why not try them all? Re-create this pastel-colored rainbow eye makeup by using a flat shadow brush to pat cool pastels on one lid and warmer tones on the other. Finish with black eyeliner and mascara.

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