Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes: 4 Colors to Make Blue Eyes Pop

Eyeshadows are available in all colors of the rainbow, so finding the right color palette for your eye color may require time and patience. As a general rule of thumb, select options on the color wheel—a circle diagram illustrating the relationships between different colors—that oppose your eye color to create a pleasing visual contrast.

For example, warmer tones, like pale orange, yellow, or gold, are a dynamic accent for blue eyes, as they oppose blue on the color wheel. However, the best way to highlight the color of your eyes is to select shades that reflect your natural hues.

Eye shadows are available in powder and cream formulations, but it’s best to stick to one texture when layering multiple products for a seamless finish. Once you select your preferred eyeshadow texture, consider the following factors before choosing a palette:

1. 1. Eye color: Different eyeshadow colors can alter the appearance of your eye color. Warmer tones accentuate darker blue eyes, while lighter blue eyes with a grey hue pair best with cool tones, such as lilac, silver, and baby blue. When selecting eyeshadow colors, choose shades that will brighten your eyes. Skip the black eyeshadow, which can overwhelm blue eyes, and blend beige and brown shades to create a timeless smokey eye look. Finish the look with brown eyeliner and mascara.
2. 2. Undertone: Skin tone refers to your skin color, and the undertone is the shade within that color, just below your skin’s surface. There are three types of undertones: warm, cold, and neutral. For skin tones with a cooler hue, choose a taupe or ivory eyeshadow as a blend base. For warmer skin tones, use pink or brown shades, such as mauve or beige. People with neutral skin tones can play around with a combination of these colors to create a look that appears most natural. Learn how to identify your skin’s undertone.
3. 3. Hair color: Hair color is another factor to consider when selecting an eyeshadow palette. For instance, blue eyes may blend in with darker hair colors, so consider using warmer eyeshadows to make your eyes pop. For lighter hair colors, use cooler eyeshadow tones to complement the natural brightness of your hair.

Different eyeshadow colors can affect the appearance of blue eyes, so experiment with various palettes to find the most suitable option for your needs. Here are some colors to try:

1. 1. Orange tones: Warm orange tones oppose blue on the color wheel, so using orange eyeshadow is a great way to highlight blue eyes. Unlike some darker eyeshadow colors, orange tones won’t overwhelm or mask the shade of blue eyes. Blend orange with a pale beige or pink eyeshadow to highlight the bold blue of your eye color. Some gold eyeshadows also have an orange tint, so consider adding a shimmery gold layer for a dramatic look.
2. 2. Blue tones: Applying blue eyeshadow is a simple way to enhance the natural intensity of your blue eyes. If you have blue eyes with a grey hue, mix a light blue eyeshadow with silver shimmer to create a day or evening look. For a more dramatic look, consider applying navy blue eyeshadow along the lower lash line of your eyes. Play with different shades, blending lighter blue eyeshadows near the inner corners of your eyes and darker blue eyeshadows near the outer corners.
3. 3. Matte brown: Matte eyeshadows are great for daytime looks because they seamlessly blend into the texture of your skin. Gentle brown tones accentuate blue eyes, so blend soft shades of matte beige and brown eyeshadows for a natural appearance. Aim to use shades of brown that reflect your natural skin tone to match your makeup to your complexion.
4. 4. Green shades: If your eyes change from blue to green under different types of lighting, consider using a soft green eyeshadow. Lighter greens, such as turquoise and teal, complement blue eyes, while darker, more intense shades, such as emerald green, may be overwhelming.

For this bright daytime look, you’ll need an eyeshadow brush, brown eyeliner, and pink and beige eyeshadows. Instead of using pastel pink, select a pink shade with an orange hue, like coral, to make your blue eyes pop. Here’s how to apply:

1. 1. Prep: Prep the eye area with eye cream, concealer, and eyeshadow primer. Your lightest shadow can act as an eye primer, or you can use a dedicated eye shadow primer to ensure your makeup stays on all day. Certain primers can also prevent makeup from sticking to any fine lines or dry skin.
2. 2. Apply: Using an eyeshadow brush, start with a beige base, apply the eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes, and work your way toward the middle of your eyelid. Follow the beige with the pink shade, brushing the pink eyeshadow along the outer portions of your eyelids. Adding the lighter beige to your inner eye and the brighter pink to your outer eye will create depth and dimension.
3. 3. Blend: Blend the two shades in the middle portion of your eye to create a uniform transition between the two colors.
4. 4. Liner application: Follow the bottom line of your eyes with eyeliner to highlight the natural shape of your eyes.
5. 5. Finishing touches: You can also add other finishing touches to your eye makeup look. A dot of shimmery highlighter at the inner corner of the eyes, carefully applied winged eyeliner or cat eye (use liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner) to the outer corner, or a coat of mascara can make the eyes pop.
6. 6. Set: Spray a gentle makeup setting spray to prevent your eye makeup from coming off throughout the day.

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