What is the best makeup for blue eyes?

Close-up of a woman with light-blue eyes, smiling

The best makeup for blue eyes is all about using colors that show them off. Our first tip: contrary t o popular belief, blue eyeshadow isn't always the best choice. And there are plenty of more tips where that one came from.

Let’s take a closer look at the best color palettes for eye makeup (and other products) to make those baby blues pop!

What eyeshadow techniques work well for blue eyes

It doesn’t matter if they’re baby, cornflower, sky, or Caribbean blue – blue eyes tend to go with a cool skin tone, fair, or medium skin tone. The best eye makeup colors for blue eyes are ones that warm up your natural cooler tones. You can start with an eye makeup look that incorporates orange tones. The orange eyeshadow color wheel goes from pumpkin orange all the way through coral, copper, and bronze.

For softer daywear, if you have a fair or cool skin tone, opt for a light taupe shade or nude eyeshadow. If you have a medium skin tone, use a warmer shade of light brown eyeshadow as a complement. Use the same guidelines for special occasion or nighttime eyeshadow ideas. Stick with the cooler shades of orange eyeshadow for cool skin tones—think peachy-pink eyeshadow looks, coral, and silver. For a medium skin tone, opt for copper, bronze, and burnt orange. You may be shocked to discover that the best eye makeup for blue eyes doesn’t always have to be a warm color. Blue eyes also look good dressed in cooler tones like navy blue, turquoise, and silvery gray. The eyeshadow shades we’d recommend for blue eye makeup looks is 01 fairy tale nude gradation, 03 flame gradation, and 06 midnight gradation.

Enhancing blue eyes goes beyond simply using the right tones. The tone is important, but the right makeup techniques can make them truly pop. Try a soft, smudged eyeliner in deep bronze or espresso for a defined yet natural look (black can sometimes be too harsh). Light-reflecting eyeshadows, like champagne or rose gold, add brightness, while a subtle shimmer on the inner corners enhances the eye's shape. For mascara, brown or navy can be a softer alternative to black, complementing blue eyes beautifully. And don’t forget brows—well-groomed, softly filled-in brows frame the eyes and make their color stand out even more.

Each Clarins 4-Color Eyeshadow Palette comes with four intensely pigmented eyeshadows and everything needed to prime, shade, line, and define—delivering intense color payoffs with finishes of velvet, satin, foil, and metallic. Its 2-in-1 formula is enriched with the priming properties of natural Bamboo Powder to keep your look fresh, crease-proof, and stay-put.

How can I make my blue eyes stand out with makeup?

If your best makeup look is the classic smoky eye – instead of using black eyeshadow that can overpower blue eyes, switch up your black for a more flattering brown eyeshadow instead. Blend shades of beige, bronze, and chocolate across your lids, and complete with dark brown eyeliner and two coats of black mascara. We recommend Supra Volume Mascara – a double volume effect mascara for an intense, full, fanned-out lash look. The gentle formula is enriched with Cassie Flower and Panthenol to visibly thicken and smooth lashes. How to apply mascara? Starting as close to the lash line as possible, move the mascara brush from side to side in a zigzag motion – working your way toward the tips of the lashes.

So you just can’t get enough of blue? Choose a shimmering navy blue for a dramatic evening eye makeup look. Apply to your lids and along your lower lash line. For a more subtle look, opt for a soft pastel blue shade with gray undertones – so long as the color you choose is lighter than your natural eye color.

Pulling off those feminine pink eyeshadow looks is all about selecting the right tone for your eye color. For blue eyes, avoid using light and cool pastel pinks – these draw attention to redness and can make you look tired. Instead, choose a warm pink tone like coral, which is not only flattering for blue-eyed beauties but also stylishly modern and on-trend.

Another blue eye makeup color hitting the catwalks is terracotta. The warmth of this earthy orange shade is the quickest way to make blue eyes stand out. Remember, blue and orange are on opposite sides of the color wheel for maximum contrast. You can deepen the effects of terracotta eyeshadow on blue eyes by adding a touch of gold eyeshadow to the middle of the lid and finishing with brown mascara and eyeliner. Try Clarins Waterproof Pencil in 02 Chestnut. This extreme-wear gel eyeliner pencil is infused with skin-loving pure plant extracts. The rich pigments and soft texture that glides on effortlessly , delivering a fluid line and an immediate, intense color boost. The pencil’s sleek design includes a fine retractable tip for structured lining, a built-in sharpener, and a smudger for blending.

Copper is another color you’ll want to include in your eye makeup for blue eyes. Intensely beautiful copper shades can be blended with orange or worn on their own to set blue eyes ablaze. Again, avoid black eyeliner and opt for brown eyeliner instead. Another gorgeous eyeshadow color for blue eyes is burgundy. Think lilac, amethyst, and royal purple to accentuate your blue—and use burgundy eyeshadow and eyeliner.

How to apply eyeshadow? Once you’ve primed the lids with your eyeshadow primer, use a flat eyeshadow brush to apply a neutral matte base color. Next, apply your eyeshadow, keeping darker tones to the outer half of the eye and the crease. Complete with a dot of cream highlighter on the inner corners of your eyes to add brightness.

You’ll also want to tailor your eye makeup technique based on your eyes. Here is how you can customize your application to accentuate your eye’s natural shape:

• Hooded Eyes: Keep eyeshadow placement slightly above the crease to create the illusion of more lid space. A soft, smoky liner that lifts at the outer corners helps open up the eyes.

• Almond Eyes: This balanced shape suits almost any look! Try a classic winged liner to enhance symmetry or a halo eyeshadow technique (darker on the inner and outer corners, lighter in the center) for extra dimension.

• Round Eyes: To elongate the shape, use a soft winged liner or a deeper shadow in the outer corners to create a subtle lift. Avoid heavy liner on the lower lash line, making eyes look smaller.

• Monolid Eyes: A gradient eyeshadow look (darkest near the lash line, fading upward) creates natural depth. Thin, lifted eyeliner with a micro-wing enhances definition.

• Downturned Eyes: Focus on lifting the outer corners with a slightly upturned eyeliner flick and highlight the brow bone to draw attention upward.

For more information on topics like how to apply eyeshadow or how to apply liquid eyeliner, have a look online for makeup tutorials that take you through the steps and will have you painting, drawing, and blending like a pro in no time at all.

The general rule for finishing off your best makeup looks is with a lipstick or lip gloss. For intense eyes, opt for lighter lip colors or turn up the color intensity on the lips to balance those lighter eye-makeup looks. But, then again, rules were made to be broken, and the joy of makeup is its potential for self-expression. So, go ahead – have fun and make Clarins’ color ideas your own.

Are there specific eyeliner colors suited for blue eyes?

Traditionally, the best eyeliner colors for blue eyes are warm tones like bronze, copper, and rich brown, which enhance their vibrancy, and deep navy or plum, which create contrast while complementing the eye color. Metallic gold and warm taupe add dimension and sparkle. Avoid cool grays, which can make blue eyes look dull. Blue orchid makes a striking statement for a bold touch, while softer shades like espresso offer a more subtle enhancement.

What products should I avoid when doing makeup for blue eyes?

When considering the best makeup for blue eyes, certain colors and techniques can dull their brightness rather than enhance them. Avoid overly cool grays or silver-heavy shadows, which can wash out blue eyes instead of making them pop. Similarly, very pale or ashy browns can lack contrast and make blue eyes appear flat. Instead, opt for warmer neutrals like taupe, bronze, or caramel.

Overly bright blues, especially frosty shades, can compete with the natural eye color rather than complementing it. If you love blue, try a deep blue liner rather than icy or pastel blues.

Embrace your natural beauty with our expert tips on the best makeup for blue eyes

If you’re looking for the best makeup for blue eyes, warm orange or copper tones are the look for you. If you want to go for a bolder, more non-traditional look, you can try working in cooler tones like a deep blue.

Ultimately, your makeup is yours and yours alone, and it should be a fun process. These guidelines are here to get you started on the right track but don’t be afraid to experiment.

Of course, to get the best performance out of your best blue-eyed look, there’s Clarins. All of our products are formulated with the best in nutrient-rich botanicals and are backed by over 70 years of research. Start shopping today to find the products and colors to help you pull off your best look yet.