The Best Blue Eyeshadow for Never-Ending Cool Makeup Looks
You might think blue eyeshadow evokes your mom’s throwback ’80s looks at first, but blue is actually a surprisingly modern hue all year round. And considering there are so many types of blue eyeshadow colors to play with, this shade can work on all skin tones, too. Feeling a light and pretty makeup look? Swipe on baby blue shadow with a shimmery finish. Feeling dark and edgy? Throw a midnight blue matte eyeshadow all over your lids.
Blue is also a great alternative to black eyeshadow, eyeliner, and even mascara. When inky black feels a little too intense, blue provides a similar look that makes all eye colors more vibrant. Use royal blue eyeshadow as liner across the lash line, or use deep blue colors in a smoky eye. If you want more inspo for creating never-ending blue makeup looks, read below to check out the best eyeshadow colors and palettes that do just the trick. Cool-toned shadow has never been better.
The Best Blue Eyeshadows
1. Best from a Sustainable Eyeshadow Palette
The way this shimmery blue shade in PYT BEAUTY The Upcycle Eyeshadow Palette in Party In The Nude pops against the browns and golds? *Chef’s kiss.* Add to this gorgeous blue hue that it comes in a cruelty-free eyeshadow palette with packaging made from 15% recycled plastic and pre-degraded plastic, and you get a total winner.
2. Best Matte Teal
COLOURED RAINE COSMETICS Matte Teal Eyeshadow in Majestic is a rich, unique shade that’s more wearable than you might first think. Buff it all over your lids for a statement look, or use it to line your eyes for a bright pop of color. This is one color that gets you maximum attention for minimal effort.
3. Best Stick Shadow
WET ‘N WILD Color Icon Multi-Stick in Blue Lah Lah is the royal blue eyeshadow color you’ve been sleeping on. The vibrant blue shade comes in a handy shadow stick that allows you to easily line the lash line or do a full blue eyeshadow look with ease. Pro tip: Apply it all over your lids as a base and follow with a shimmery blue shadow to bump up the wow-factor.
4. Best Vegan Shimmer
The color payoff from URBAN DECAY 24/7 Shadow in Charged had us shook—and with just one swipe, you’ll understand why. Aside from being richly pigmented and longlasting (for up to 12 hours of wear!), this formula also happens to be vegan and cruelty free.
5. Best from a Glam Eyeshadow Palette
This palette was inspired by the beauty of gemstones. Not only is there a perfect royal blue shimmer eyeshadow color in TOO FACED Pretty Rich Diamond Light Eyeshadow Palette, but there are also silver and coal colors to help you create the perfect cool-toned smoky eye.
6. Best Liquid Eyeshadow
Can you say “mermaid vibes”? TARTE Rainforest of the Sea Seaglass Eyeshadow in Shady Beach a vibrant metallic blue eyeshadow that applies like a liquid and dries down to a powder. Swipe it on your lids or lashline with the handy doe-foot applicator to create a bright, popping eye looks that feel weightless on your skin.
7. Best from a Colorful Eyeshadow Palette
SMASHBOX Cover Shot Eye Palette in Bold features two base shades and six bold eyeshadow colors to let your creativity go wild. Whether you dip into the pigmented blue shade or choose a different color of the rainbow, you’re sure to create something unique.
8. Best Easy-to-Use Eyeshadow Quad
With four sparkly shades, PIXI BEAUTY Glitter-y Eye Quad in Blue Pearl makes it so easy to create a glam blue eyeshadow look. Even if you’re new to blue eyeshadows, you can’t go wrong with this palette: Each of the four colors blend together seamlessly.
9. Best Powder Eyeshadow to Use as Eyeliner
You can create hundreds of makeup looks with the ONE/SIZE Patrick Starrr Visionary Eyeshadow Palette. But one of our favorite ways to use it is to take the ultra-pigmented, creamy blue shade and use it as eyeliner with a skinny liner brush.
10. Best Creamy Blue Eyeliner
NEUTROGENA Smokey Kohl Eyeliner in Deep Navy is a must-have product for any blue smoky eye thanks to its ultra creamy formula. The smudge-proof and long-wearing formula is also formulated with vitamin E for a smooth application—no tugging or pulling here.
11. Best Variety in a Blue Eyeshadow Palette
Looking for sapphire, royal blue, baby blue, and bright blue eyeshadow colors all in one place? Say hello to MORPHE 35H Hot Spot Artistry Palette. It has all your fave blue eyeshadow shades, plus pigmented corals, browns, and nudes with matte and shimmer finishes. What more could we really ask for?
12. Best Cream-to-Powder Formula
You don’t even need makeup brushes to apply MAYBELLINE Color Strike Cream-To-Powder Eye Shadow Pen Makeup in Ace. Simply glide the applicator across your lids with no fallout, no mess, and no creasing—just 12 hours of bold pigment.
13. Best Vibrant Blue Eyeshadow Palette
JUVIA’S PLACE Warrior 3 Palette is eye-catching in all the best ways. And we’re not just talking about the glam packaging—the pretty cerulean blue color pops with shades of pink, red, and purple to take your look to whole new levels of fierce.
14. Best Bright Blue Cream Shadow
FLOWER BEAUTY Pop Fanatic Eye Pigment in Splash is so bright, it’s best worn alone to let the pigment stand out. Plus, the vegan and cruelty-free formula won’t smudge or budge once you apply it.
15. Best Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow
Real talk: We couldn’t stop staring at this shade in the tube. The pigments in DOMINIQUE COSMETICS Cold Heart Beautiful Mess Liquid Eyeshadow in Cold Heart are so bold, they look like liquid metal. Blend it out for a more laid-back look, or use the applicator to create a graphic eyeliner look.
16. Best Soft Satin Shadow
COLOURPOP Super Shock Shadow in Coconut is a bright satin teal that goes on silky smooth and dries to a powder eyeshadow finish. For maximum coverage, apply it to your lids with your finger; for a lighter wash of color, buff it out with a brush. This pretty pigment delivers standout color on all skin tones.
Want in on the blue eyeshadow trend? Get the prettiest shades in the IPSY Glam Bag! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.
Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!
