The 15 Best Eyeshadows for Blue Eyes to Make Them Pop
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Shades of gold, copper, and peach are your best friend.
InStyle / Kevin Liang
Blue eyes have a way of capturing attention, but you can make icy hues stand out even more by having certain eyeshadow shades in your arsenal. “If you go off of the color wheel, you’ll notice how the opposite color of your eye color can really create that contrast and make your eyes pop,” says celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli. “Some of my go-to eyeshadow colors for blue eyes are golds, champagnes, coppers, browns, and even warm peach tones.” On the other hand, dark eyeliners and smoky shadows offer more dramatic contrast for an evening look, he says.
Whether you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette or a one-and-done cream shadow, we’ve got options. Below, Scibelli and two other makeup artists share the eyeshadow colors for blue eyes that you’ll want in your cart ASAP.
Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette
What We Love: Each shade has a gorgeous, finely milled shimmer.
What We Don’t Love: The shades can read a bit ashy on deeper complexions.
Palette Shade Name: The Golden Goddess
This palette features four shimmery shades of champagne, taupe, bronze, and copper. Each shade is made from a buildable, non-creasing formula, so you can use as much or as little shadow as you’d like to create your desired opacity. Wear one for a simple look or all four for something more complex. “I have lost count of how many years I have been using this palette. It is so beautiful!” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney. “I personally love wearing it to make my blue eyes pop.”
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 4 | Formula Highlights: Vegan｜Size: 0.18 oz
Best Budget: Neutrogena Sensitive Skin 2-in-1 Eyeshadow + Primer
What We Love: The formula doesn’t crease or smudge.
What We Don’t Love: It dries down quickly, so you have to work fast.
Shade Name: Soft Pearl
“I have been obsessed with Neutrogena's Eyeshadow + Primers, which are perfect for blue and light eyes because they come in a soft pearl tone,” says Scibelli. “The formula acts as both a primer and a liquid eyeshadow, and one of my favorite features is that once it dries, it doesn't crease or smudge. Plus, it has a beautiful light-reflecting finish.” The formula is also boosted with pro-vitamin B5 to keep your delicate eyelid skin nourished.
Type: Liquid | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Vegan｜Size: 0.22 oz
Best for Blue-Green Eyes: Urban Decay Naked3 Palette
What We Love: It’s perfect for creating neutral looks.
What We Don’t Love: The palette could have a few a more deeper shades.
Green sits across from red on the color wheel, so if you have a hint of green in your blue eyes, pink shadows can help to bring that out. To help you do that, this palette is full of rosy hues. “It’s a longtime favorite and an easy all-in-one option for light eyes,” says Scibelli. “It includes a range of neutrals, champagnes, and rose golds and can be worn individually or blended with multiple colors in the palette.” The shadows have a velvety texture, are well-pigmented, and blend with ease.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Shimmer and Matte｜Number of Shadows: 12 | Formula Highlights: Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free｜Size: 0.05 oz each
Best for Blue-Gray Eyes: Glossier Monochromes
What We Love: It’s a refillable palette.
What We Don’t Love: The shades are intentionally similar, so it’s not great if you’re looking for variation.
Palette Shade Name: Mesa
The coppery, orange-tinged hues of this palette look stunning against blue-gray eyes. The popular Glossier product includes three versions of the same shade—matte (no sheen), satin (subtle sheen), and metallic (sparkly.) Each has a smooth finish, so they glide on with minimal fallout or creasing. “These three warm, orange shades can take you anywhere from natural to glam,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Amick.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Matte, Satin, and Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 3 | Formula Highlights: Cruelty-Free, Vegan｜Size: 0.04 oz each
Best for Blue Eyes and Blonde Hair: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette
What We Love: The palette has a great balance of light to dark shades.
What We Don’t Love: The included brushes are very small.
Palette Shade Name: De La Créme
When you have blonde hair and blue eyes, you can create a ton of contrast by going dark with your eyes. This palette includes deep browns and metallics so that a dark look can be achieved without looking too harsh. The shadows can be worn alone or together, sheer or opaque, to create a range of soft-to-bold looks. “This is such a staple in my kit, and I use it a lot for different natural-leaning eye looks,” says Henney.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Sheer Sparkle, Satin, Shimmer, and Matte｜Number of Shadows: 4 | Formula Highlights: Paraben-Free, Mineral Oil-Free, Sulfate-Free｜Size: 0.32 oz
Best for Blue Eyes and Brown Hair: NARS Laguna Eyeshadow Quad
What We Love: The shades can be applied dry for minimal impact or wet for maximum impact.
What We Don’t Love: The lighter shades may read ashy on deeper complexions.
Palette Shade Name: Laguna
The gold and copper shades in this palette look beautiful when paired with blue eyes and brown hair. The NARS product includes shadows that have a velvety texture that allows you to create even, effortless, and long-lasting eyeshadow looks. “The NARS Laguna Bronzer is a cult favorite, and this eyeshadow quad plays off that classic shade,” says Amick. ”It has great orange undertones that flatter blue eyes.”
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Matte, Shimmer, and Glitter｜Number of Shadows: 4 | Formula Highlights: None｜Size: 0.16 oz
Best for Blue Eyes and Red Hair: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow
What We Love: It provides a ton of pigment in one swipe.
What We Don’t Love: Pot/jar formulas are less hygienic than pressed powders.
Shade Name: Oyster Pearl
“Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerize cream eyeshadows are so beautiful and come in a range of champagne and rose gold tones,” says Scibelli. “The shades Oyster Pearl and Champagne are some of my go-to's for blue eyes.” Oyster Pearl is especially gorgeous for those with blue eyes and red hair because the shade has subtle green undertones. This allows the shade to really pop against red strands.
Type: Cream | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Vegan, Long-Lasting, and Paraben-Free｜Size: 0.24 oz
Best Matte Palette: Viseart Petites Mattes
What We Love: The shadows are wildly pigmented yet easily blendable.
What We Don’t Love: It only has matte shades, so it may not be a fit if you want some shimmer.
Although it was nearly a decade ago, I remember the Christmas I got my very first Viseart Palette. The brand makes such pigmented shadows in shades so versatile that they become integral in any routine. Don’t tell a single cosmetic chemist…I am still using that very same palette many, many years because it’s just that good.
According to Henney, the Mattes palette is especially integral for those with blue eyes. “These are great for more experienced makeup lovers as they are quite a high-quality product, and they have a lot of colors,” she says. The shadows are extremely saturated and smooth, allowing for seamless application.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Matte｜Number of Shadows: 12 | Formula Highlights: Vegan｜Size: 0.04 oz each
Best Metallic Palette: Byredo Eyeshadow 5 Colours
What We Love: Creamy and long-lasting shadows.
What We Don’t Love: It only has shimmer shades, so it may not be a fit if you matte as well.
Shade Name: Dysco
Think of this neutral eyeshadow palette as your metallic arsenal. It covers all your bases with five classic shimmer shades—champagne, rose gold, gold, bronze, and deep bronze. “I am obsessed with Byredo eyeshadows, and these bronze and brown tones are beautiful for a smoky eye look on blue eyes,” says Henney. The shadows are lightweight yet intense, providing a long-lasting and even finish. Plus, they’re easy to blend.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 5 | Formula Highlights: Vegan｜Size: 0.04 oz each
Best Stick Eyeshadow: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow
What We Love: The stick makes it super easy to apply and touch up.
What We Don’t Love: The formula sets super fast, which can make it difficult to blend.
Shade Names: Strapless and Cocoa
Stick eyeshadows are amazing because they allow you to create a shadow look with minimal effort. Just swipe the pen across your lids a few times, blend out the edges with your finger, and you’re done. This stick from Laura Mercier gets Scibelli’s stamp of approval thanks to its creamy formula. “Laura Mercier's Caviar sticks are beautiful for blue eyes since they come in a range of champagnes, maroons, and light coppers,” he says. “I love the shades Strapless and Cocoa.”
Type: Stick | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Waterproof｜Size: 0.05 oz
Best Colored Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
What We Love: The liner glides on so easily.
What We Don’t Love: The recommended shades are shimmer, so may not be a fit if you prefer matte.
Shade Names: Bourbon and Smog
“I love Urban Decay's 24/7 liners in the shades Bourbon and Smog, which are warm brown tones for blue eyes,” says Scibelli. “I always keep these liners in my kit because they're gorgeously pigmented and waterproof.” Use the precise eyeliner pencil to create a gorgeous wing, or bring it up higher on the lid for a super-long-lasting shadow look. The pencil goes on smooth and creamy, allowing you to blend out harsh lines for a diffused look before it sets.
Type: Pencil | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Vegan｜Size: 0.04 oz
Best Copper: Violette_Fr Yeux Paint Liquid Eyeshadow
What We Love: The applicator allows the paint to be applied as a liner or shadow.
What We Don’t Love: The formula stays put super well, which can make it difficult to remove.
Shade Name: Cuivre de l’Aube
Amick loves the way this copper shade pops against baby blues. “It’s a true copper paint for a bold contrast against blue eyes,” she says. Founder Violette Serrat created this formula because she wanted a liquid shadow with pigment and stay-power akin to liquid lipstick. Although this paint is lightweight and smooth, the color packs a serious punch, especially the glitter eyeshadow shades, and once it dries down, it will not budge.
Type: Liquid | Finish: Shimmer｜ Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Vegan and Cruelty-Free｜Size: 0.10 oz
Best Champagne: Tarte Amazonian Clay Cream Shadow
What We Love: The texture is smooth and creamy, like a soufflé.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t come with the recommended brush.
Shade Name: Champagne
Because champagne has such rich undertones, it’s beautiful on so many complexions. That’s why Amick loves this shadow from Tarte. “It’s a golden cream shimmer with slightly coral hues that’s flattering on all skin tones,” she says. The formula is super creamy and goes on smooth with either a brush or your fingers. It’s also super pigmented, allowing you to create a stunning look in seconds.
Type: Cream | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Vegan and Waterproof｜Size: 0.12 oz
Best Peach: MAC Eye Shadow
What We Love: Can be applied wet or dry.
What We Don’t Love: When compared to the price of some palettes, the price is steep for a single shadow.
Shade Name: Honey Lust
“MAC's Honey Lust eyeshadow is one of my longtime staples, and it works great for blue eyes because it's a blend of both gold and peach, which has a warm, metallic finish,” says Scibelli. Thanks to the warm hints of peach, this shadow leans a bit deeper than champagne. The formula is smooth, super pigmented, and blends well.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Dermatologist- and Ophthalmologist-tested｜Size: 0.05 oz
Best Bronze: MAC Eye Shadow
What We Love: Can be applied wet or dry.
What We Don’t Love: When compared to the price of some palettes, the price is steep for a single shadow.
Shade Name: Woodwinked
For a deeper bronze-y metallic, Henney loves this shadow in Woodwinked. “This is a staple in my kit, and the bronze-gold metallic finish is so perfect for blue eyes,” she says. It’s a warm, antique shade that brings a lot of depth to blue eyes.
Type: Pressed Powder | Finish: Shimmer｜Number of Shadows: 1 | Formula Highlights: Dermatologist- and Ophthalmologist-tested｜Size: 0.05 oz
What to Keep in Mind
Formula and Finish: Eyeshadow comes in three main formulas: powder, cream (stick or pot), and liquid. Within those formulas, you’ll find two main finishes: matte and shimmer. Deciding which to use comes down to personal preference. If you don’t love brushes and prefer to do your makeup with your fingers, cream and liquid formulas are for you. If you love to take your time creating a look and don’t want to race against drying time, then grab powder formulas.
Desired Look: We know the above recommendations look gorgeous on blue eyes, but that might not mean they’re all the best for you. Plus, “not one color fits all when it comes to blue eyes,” says Scibelli, “so it can be a bit of trial and error to see exactly where your favorite fit is.” As fun as it is to play with color theory to amp up your eyes, these are just suggestions, not guidelines. “It all goes back to personal style and what makes you look and feel your best,” says Scibelli. “If you have a signature color that you love, I say go for it.”
Your Questions, Answered
Why do shades of orange look so good with blue eyes?
“Orange sits opposite of blue on the color wheel, so those contrasting colors next to each other give you that pop,” says Amick. Even if you don’t want to go with a pure orange shadow, you can look for shadows with orange undertones. “Think terracotta, peach, and champagne.”
Why Shop With Us
Kara Jillian Brown is the beauty editor at InStyle and has worked in the industry for nearly five years. For this piece, she interviewed celebrity makeup artists Tobi Henney, Neil Scibelli, and Emily Amick. The three have worked on blue-eyed beauties like Megan Fox, Barbara Palvin, Lucy Woodward, and Raffey Cassidy. Bonus points: Henney herself has blue eyes.
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