Blue eye make-up is back: how to find the perfect shade for your skintone

ABOUT THE TREND

The beauty industry has yet to let go of its love affair with blue. The colour in all its shades continues to appear, more powerful than ever, on the catwalk. 

In the latest shows there was an "anything goes" approach to the use of blue, as makeup artists chose to either go full throttle into an '80s throwback with wild sweeps of vivid blues across lids, or opted for a more modern look with statement flicks and lines of the colour hugging the lash line or as an accent on the lids.

This contemporary approach ranged from Tibi's subtle half wing on the outer corner of the eye to Prada's dramatic two-toned winged eye shadow, Dries van Noten's pastel lashes and Jour Ne and Marni's baby-blue shadow washed up from lid to brow bone.

WHY YOU SHOULD GET ON BOARD

"Blue is trending because it's daring and an accesible way to wear colour," says make-up artist Raine Tauber.

Nervous to go all out with a bright, bold blue hue? Ease into this trend by picking eye make-up in deeper hues like sapphire; these are easier to wear as they're similar to black, explains Tauber.

Another reason to embrace the blue eye trend is that it's a versatile beauty look that can be dressed up or down.

"Minimal equals modern when it comes to dressing down this trend," says Tauber. She recommends rimming the eye with a blue liner and smudging the edges, or using just a flick of blue liquid liner. "The rest of the face should be pared down with a nude lip and a subtle cheek."

For a dressier effect, Tauber suggests using smoky eye techniques and winging the eye out a bit using a more shimmery sapphire blue, before adding lots of mascara or even false lashes. "If you feel daring pair this with a red lip for maximum impact. The inspiration is definitely '80s sex appeal," she adds.

FIND YOUR PERFECT BLUE HUE

PALE SKIN TONE

Best colours to try: powder, navy or royal blues. The cool tone of these hues complement the pink undertones of a pale skin tone and really allow everything to pop rather than look washed-out.

How to wear these shades: go for a more graphic approach with solid stripe-like washes along the lid, stopping at the crease, or a simple cat eye flick of blue liner.

OLIVE SKIN TONE

Best colours to try: teals or aqua blues. Let the golden undertone of your skin shine with blues that have a slight green undertone to warm up the whole complexion.

How to wear these shades: these blues look particularly eye-catching rimmed along the waterline or smoked up around the eye in shimmery formulations.

DARK SKIN TONE

Best colours to try: turquoise or cyan blues. Never do a half job with colour when it comes to a darker skin tone. Although restraint should be practised when it comes to other instances of colour to avoid looking too theatrical, blue is not one of those colours.

How to wear these shades: as long as you choose blues that will really pop against that melanin - like cyan or a jewel-toned royal blue in matte or shimmery textures in bold sweeps over the lid to just past the crease or as a smoky eye - the sky's the limit.

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY

Clockwise from top left:

• Inglot Colour Play Mascara in 03, R279.
• Maybelline Color Sensational Loaded Bolds Lipstick in Midnight Blue, R135.
• Chanel Ombre Essentielle, R525.
• Dior 5 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette in Cool Down, R1,000.
• Diorshow Blue Pump ‘n Volume Mascara, R595.
• Dolce and Gabbana The Nail Lacquer in 730 Peacock, R425.
• Smashbox Always On Gel Eye Liner in Bouncer, R275.
• Diorshow On Stage Matte Liner in Pop Blue, R565.
• Bobbi Brown Longwear Waterproof Liner in Deep Sea, R435.