In the beauty world, the 1970s have been welcomed back: Blue eyeshadow is the coolest makeup trend right now for a pop of color. Across red carpets and on everyday makeup wearers over the past few months, pops of color have shown up consistently, often in the form of this blue eyeshadow look. Blue eyeshadow first rose to popularity in the 1970s in the form of shimmery, cool-toned pastel blues that reflected the metallic disco-ready era, eventually evolving to brighter, deeper and more electric blues in the 1980s. It then popped back up in the 1990s with those frosty finishes. Now, we’re seeing a modern resurgence of icy-blue eyeshadow as people search for nostalgia in their makeup looks (it’s even been spotted on celebs like Kendall Jenner, Zendaya and more). Read on to learn more about the fun eyeshadow trend and how to wear it for 2026.
Featured Expert
- Ash K. Holm is a celebrity makeup artist and educator in Los Angeles
Why Is Blue Makeup Trending?
Makeup has experienced a fun and noticeable shift this last year. It started on the runway: “We saw blue makeup everywhere this past season on the runway, and that always trickles down to the red carpet,” says celebrity makeup artist and educator Ash K. Holm. “But I also think people are just ready to have fun with makeup again.” Moving away from minimal makeup, people are wanting to go all out with their looks lately and have fun with color. Blue has risen to the top as one of the most popular colors to do that with. “We had a long stretch of ‘clean girl’ and the natural look, which I love, but there’s a real appetite right now for something bigger,” says Holm. How did blue become the color of choice? It’s simplicity, really: “Blue is the perfect entry point because it’s unexpected without being intimidating,” she says.
How to Wear Blue Makeup
As Holm mentioned, blue isn’t super difficult to work with, which makes it beginner-friendly and easy to play with. There are plenty of ways to do so depending on how bold you’re comfortable with. “The easiest is a pop at the inner corner—a shimmery shade brightens the eye instantly and reads as a fresh detail rather than a full color story,” she says. Simply dot a bit of blue eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eye and you’ve officially tried the trend.
You can also try a non-eyeshadow option. “Smudging a blue liner along the upper lash line is another favorite of mine,” says Holm. We love Makeup by Mario’s Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner in Midnight Blue ($26). “It gives you definition, with just a hint of color and works beautifully on every eye shape.” Though blue eye makeup looks great on any eye color, it makes brown eyes pop especially. It’s also flattering on blue eyes for a complementary look.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to wear a full blue eyeshadow look: “For something really editorial, a wash of color across the entire lid—think a soft denim blue—paired with clean skin and a neutral lip is a beautiful way to wear the trend,” says Holm.
Tips for Beginners
It can feel daunting to play around with vivid colors for the first time (or even the first several times), but it’s really not at all. “Don’t overthink it,” says Holm. “Makeup washes off. Some of my favorite looks I’ve done on clients started as experiments. Give yourself permission to play and find what works best for you.”
When you’re first starting out, it can be helpful to follow a guide and use some tips to make it as easy and approachable as possible. “I’d start with a cream formula,” says Holm. “You can apply with a brush or your finger, build the color slowly, and you don’t have to worry about fallout. I love the Fara Homidi Essential Eye Trio in Bleue ($98) for this.” Before applying any eyeshadow or liner, she recommends prepping your lid first. “Use a dedicated eyeshadow primer so the color goes on evenly and stays put,” she says.
Once you’re applying the eyeshadow, “build in thin layers rather than packing it on at once,” she says. “With any bold shade, less is more on the first pass—you can always add more, but it’s harder to take away.”
Lastly, let the eyes be the focal point of the look. “Keep the rest of the look balanced,” says Holm. “If the eye is the statement, pair it with glowing skin, a soft cheek and a neutral lip.”
