15 Eye Makeup Must-Haves: The Best Eyeliners For Blue Eyes
Whether you have light icy blues (light blue w/silver), blue-hazels (predominantly blue or blue-gray with hints of green and yellow), or the very deepest of blues, from eyeliners to eyeshadow, makeup can be an alluring and creative way to play up your eyes!!
You can make them appear a little brighter, sparkly, vibrant, more intense, bluer, and grayer, or turn them into deep pools of beauteous seduction, just from the colors you select.
So, how do you find the perfect eyeliners to make your blues sing in all these glorious ways??
Well, to help, we’ve rounded up the most in-demand & makeup-lover-approved eyeliners in the best colors to ensure those baby blues stand out boldly!! Without a doubt, you’ll effortlessly command some eye-catching attention with these top picks!!
However, do not worry if you happen to be a “less is more” kind of makeup gal… We’ve also got some slightly less bold, understated, & natural yet still irresistibly flattering options for you ladies as well!!
But first, let’s go over a few overall basics and makeup tips to help you when selecting your eye makeup colors!!
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Selecting Eye Makeup For Blue Eyes
Though I’ll mostly be talking about eyeliners today, I do want to touch on eyeshadow colors a bit. You see when considering eye makeup (eyeshadows & eyeliners), there are generally two approaches for color selection.
The first approach is using colors to create drama and more intensity. Meanwhile, the second approach is using colors to create harmony. These happen to be a few of the strategies I teach in The Essential Master Your Eyeshadow Guide because they are undoubtedly the best ways to make eye makeup selections when you want to bring eye color into play.
For drama, we will use the color wheel to determine colors. For harmony, your focus should be on using a mirror to see which colors are naturally most apparent in your iris.
Let’s start with Drama, shall we??
We’ll use this color wheel to find complementary colors. Complementary colors are colors that fall opposite one another on the color wheel. They can be used to create the most contrast. Essentially, these are the ones that will make those blue eyes pop and stand out the most, Beauties!
You can see the colors blue and orange are opposite one another on the color wheel. To make things easier, from this point on, let’s refer to them as contrasting colors. So, when selecting eyeliner and eyeshadow, warm shades with orange undertones work best for contrast and, thus, drama.
Related: Best Eyeshadow For Blue Eyes: 14 Absolutely Irresistible Makeup Finds!
For eyeliner, this means colors like copper, gold, bronze, earthy browns, terracotta, and possibly coral, apricot, or peach.
Now, I’m sure you remember from elementary school that the color orange is a combination of a mix of yellow and red. And since yellow and red make orange, for eyeliner selection, you should also think about ones that have some red or yellow undertones as well. Think champagne, red-browns, burgundy, or cranberry.
Blue Eyes & Eyeliners PRO Makeup TIP (Bonus Color):
An additional surprising color with red undertones that can make your blue eyes enchanting and that you may want to look for in eyeliners is purple! Think plum, lilac, royal purple, lavender, eggplant (aubergine), or jewel-toned amethyst!
Related: Eyeshadow Looks For Blue Eyes: 31 Stunning Ideas You Need To Try!
Now for a little Harmony…
When you look closely at the iris in a mirror, in addition to blue, you may see gray or silver tones. One way to make eyes appear brighter is to play with those tones using light gray or silvers for eyeshadow. And for eyes that are icy blue or steel blue naturally, adding gray eyeliner can truly bring out the gray even more.
Now, there is often a slight debate on the issue of using blue eye makeup with blue eyes. Some makeup artists feel it can accentuate and bring out the various shades of blue in the eye. While others think that blue eye makeup can, unfortunately, make your eyes look a bit dull.
As a makeup artist, I believe the outcome depends on various factors, such as blue eyeshadow vs. blue eyeliner, other colors used, and the extent to which (or how much of) the lid is covered with blue eyeshadow. For makeup beginners, I usually suggest airing on the side of caution before adding in blues until they get the hang of their eyeshadow application.
But I think blue eyeliner is totally fine to experiment with since it takes up a smaller portion of the eye area than eyeshadow. There is less room for going overboard when it’s just an eyeliner, right??!!
Keep scrolling… I’ll get into the best blue eyeliners for blue eyes further down!!
Eye Makeup For Blue Eyes: The Eyeliner Approach!!
If you are anything like me (even though I have brown eyes), some days you want to take a tad simpler approach to your makeup look. On those days, I often find that an eyeliner and some mascara can do the trick!!
Perhaps you may simply want to line the top and smudge it out a bit. Maybe try an edgy winged look, sexy cat-eye, or a subtle curvy outer flick?
Whichever the case is for you, the goal is to use that perfect eyeliner rather than colorful & bold eyeshadows to draw attention to your eyes, right?! Well, gals, these next top picks are just the thing to reach that eye makeup goal!
Related: Different Types Of Eyeliner: The Perfect Guide To Formula & Styles
The Best Eyeliners To Make Blue Eyes Stand Out!!
1) Charlotte Tilbury’s Copper Charge
Copper eyeliner is a must-have makeup product for all blue-eyed gals looking to take their look up a few gorgeous notches! As a warm metallic, this one provides a solid contrast to your blues for the most vibrant and captivating intensity!
If you’d rather keep it simple, try just lining your upper lash line and then give a nice little flick at the end. But if you’d like to really amp up your “eye-popping” appeal, go full-out cat-eye!! Then curl your lashes, apply some mascara, and you are good to go!!
GET THE LOOK: This pencil features dual-sided options using a matte russet brown on one side and a metallic rose copper. For the exact cat-eye look (above), line the top with the russet brown and the bottom with the rose copper shade.
2) Charlotte Tilbury’s Colour Chameleon Pencil in Champagne Diamonds
For a slightly more subtle but flattering look, this champagne-colored pencil does not fail!! Its thicker shape and consistency give you the option of using it as a liner or an eyeshadow. It has an absolutely breathtaking shimmer effect that picks up the natural light as it hits your eyes!!
And it’s excellent for a daytime natural look for every blue-eyed Beauty!! **It dries after thirty seconds, so if you’re using it for eyeshadow, make sure you work quickly.
3) URBAN DECAY (Goldmine) Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner
Give your baby blues a lovely luminosity with this glittery gold!! The warm tones of this gold are magnificent for balancing out the natural cooler tones of your blues! This multi-tasking product can be used solo, or you can add some dazzle to a basic eyeshadow shade by applying this product over it!! For a super, fine, thin line to your upper lash line, this brush is superb!!
Other Gold Eyeliner Top Picks:
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner in Goldmine – golden sparkly shimmer in pencil form.
4) Fenty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner in Puppy Eyez
A bronze eyeliner like this one from Fenty will bring out the shine and color of your eyes, giving you the most ravishing, blazing blues!! You see, the color bronze is basically a warm brown with a slight yellow-based tint to it. And while it won’t create as much contrast as copper, it can certainly still make them pop!
You can opt for a winged look, go for a smudged liner effect, or keep it super simple by defining your upper lash line subtly. Just twist, glide, and go! This particular eyeliner is incredibly easy to use, long-wearing, and water-resistant!
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5) Stila’s Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Liner – Plumfull
Remember those bonus purples we talked about for drama? Well, this beautiful plum eyeliner with its red undertones will look stunning against blue eyes, giving just enough contrast to still make them stand out.
If you’re not familiar with gel liners, they offer a creamy consistency with a smoother application than traditional pencil liners. While gels are typically seen in a little pot (like eyeliner #8 below), sometimes they can be found in mechanical pencil form like this.
Ultimately, this gives you the best of both worlds, as it’s easy to use like a pencil but offers smoother application and longer-lasting power! This eyeliner lasts up to 12 hours and is waterproof and sweat-proof! Ahem….this equals less smearing and creasing, which is a must for any fierce liner look!
Other Plum Eyeliner Top Picks:
- Julep When Pencil Met Gel All-Day Long-wear Eyeliner in Smokey Plum (cooler plum tone)
6) Chanel STYLO OMBRE ET CONTOUR Liner – Khôl – 46 NÉON DAHLIA
This multipurpose pencil creates both eye-catching color and definition with its thick liner tip! You can use it as a liner or eyeshadow, depending on your mood and preference!
I find this cool-toned violet color refreshing and unique for blue-eyed beauties! It’s perfect for seriously dialing up the intensity of your eyes, whether they are gray-blue, true blue, or dark blue! For longer-lasting power, just layer over an eyeshadow primer!
7) URBAN DECAY 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil In Double Life
Urban Decay’s eyeliners are another fantastic option if you are looking for a pencil with a formula that makes for smooth glide & application!! If you want to play with warm earthy tones or red-browns, this pencil is the winning option since it is just that….a medium-dark reddish-brown!!
It’s far from a typical muted or dull brown. Also, being metallic and having that extra infusion of red brings out a fresh spark to your blues that most browns won’t!
8) Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Shimmer Ink
Now, ladies, brown eyeliner can often be a better option than black for a day-to-day look that’s more natural and understated. Additionally, those with fair skin often find black eyeliner to look too harsh, which brings us to this next liner pick from Bobbi Brown!
Chocolate Shimmer Ink is a dark red-toned brown with a subtle shimmer. It’s an excellent option for every shade of blue out there! You’ll need a brush for this liner, unlike some of the other liners on this list. But the result is worth it! You can achieve a sharp winged look or a precise line with this long-wearing and waterproof gel formula!
Other Brown Eyeliner Top Picks:
- Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner in Espresso Ink (matte black brown)
- HUDA BEAUTY Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil in Very Brown (matte rich chocolate)
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Bourbon (glimmery dark brown – shimmer finish)
- Stila’s Waterproof Liquid Liner in Dark Brown (matte, very dark & chocolatey brown)
- Tilbury’s ROCK ‘N’ KOHL in Barbarella Brown (deep dark brown – perfect for smudged or a smokey liner look)
9) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Empire
Now, if you’re looking for a dark matte purple eyeliner that’s bewitching against blue eyes, look no further!! Empire is a cool-toned deep purple infused with a subtle blue.
As an added bonus, this pencil is not only waterproof but also long-lasting, providing up to 16 hours of wear! So you can rock the look all day without worrying about smudging or fading! You can use it as a liner, eyeshadow base, eyeshadow, or for a smokey eye effect, giving you so many options to play around with!
10)Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Liquid Eyeliner in Aubergine
For those of you Beauties looking to experiment with trendy liner looks, this liquid liner from Anastasia may be just what you need! This deep aubergine (eggplant) shade is an excellent option to add bold depth and dimension to your blue eyes!
The precise, ultra-thin brush tip makes it easy to create sharp wings, thin lines, or any other creative graphic liner looks you want to try out! Plus, the highly pigmented formula is long-lasting and water-resistant! So why not try something fun and different with this vibrant aubergine eyeliner?!
Other Purple Eyeliner Top Picks:
The Best Eyeliners To Enhance The Natural Tones In Blue Eyes
11) MAKE UP FOREVER Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner in Lagoon
If you have blue-green eyes, eyeliners that fall in the blue-green color family are a wonderful way to play on those natural tones in your eyes, enriching those colors and adding more depth & dimension.
So, for example, turquoise eyeliners, typically being predominantly green with a little bit of blue, will emphasize the hints of green in your eyes, transforming them into deep aquatic pools!! This eyeliner from Make Up Forever does just that while offering a stay-put pack with a punch color payoff.
12) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil In Deep End
This seductive, vibrant metallic teal (blue with a touch of green) colored eyeliner will not only enhance blue-green eyes but also draw out extraordinary sea blue tones!! Urban Decay’s liners are also known and loved by beauty buffs for their smoothness, creaminess, and effortless application. Keep the line crisp, or smudge it out for a uniquely bright eye look!!
PRO Tip: Want two simple makeup looks for your baby blues that use blue-green eyeliners?
- Look 1: Apply it to the upper lash line for a winged liner look; add a volumizing dark blue or navy mascara, some glowy bronzer, and a nude lip!!
- Look 2: Apply this turquoise eyeliner to the inner and outer corners of your eyes ONLY (See the image below for an example). Skip the middle section of your lash line. Once again, add some mascara and bronzer, and go for a nude lip!!
13) Makeup For Ever Aqua Resist Color Ink 24HR Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Matte Midnight (matte dark blue)
With blue eyes, a trick to avoid a somewhat dull look that comes from using blue-on-blue, as mentioned previously, is to opt for blue eyeliner that’s a few shades darker than your iris. A navy or dark blue can work especially well, as it will create a bit more contrast to the natural blue tones in your eyes.
It’s also useful if you want something a little softer than a stark black liner look. Black liners can sometimes make blue eyes look grayer rather than bring out their natural blues, as this one can. You’ll love how this particular liner’s applicator tip can help you create a thin and detailed line kept very close to your lash line!!
Other Dark & Deep Blue Eyeliner Top Picks:
- Soulgazer Intensifying Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Enigma (blackened blue)
- Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner in Parisian Night (navy with a gorgeous metallic finish)
- Stila’s Waterproof Liquid Liner in Midnight (dark navy blue)
14) Epic Wear Liner Stick Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil – Silver Lining
Want brighter eyes?? Are you looking to boost any gray tones in your blue eyes? Look no further!! This silver liner will work its magic to brighten and pull out those smokey gray tones!! This one is easy to use and a life-saver when you’re short on time but want a quick glistening look!!
Other Silvery Gray Top Picks:
15) SEPHORA COLLECTION Waterproof 12HR Retractable Eyeliner Pencil in 15 – Shimmer Slate Gray
When it comes to grays, in addition to light gray or silvers, slate gray (which is a gray with a blue undertone) is an excellent option to play with for blue eyes. You’ll get a softer look than black eyeliner but still get the added beautiful definition to the shape of your eyes. In fact, this can also be a great option for lining your eyes when you’re also wearing eyeshadow.
Other Slate Gray/ Dark Gray Top Picks:
- Clinique Quickliner For Eyes Eyeliner – Slate
- Epic Smoke Liner Sticks Vegan Smokey Eyeliner – Slate Smoke
- Stila’s Waterproof Liquid Liner in Alloy (matte charcoal gray)
Honorable Mentions:
PRO Tip: Another Tilbury double-sided eyeliner that has nude champagne & black (if you’re in the mood for a fierce winged liner look) is the Hollywood EXAGGER-EYES Duo. Check out the image below for ideas on how to create this eye makeup style. You’d use black on top to make your wing and the nude champagne under your lower lash line.
- Tilbury’s THE CLASSIC in Shimmering Brown (soft, medium brown)
- PILLOW TALK EYELINER (berry-brown that is deeper and darker than the next top pick, almost moving towards a plum-like brown or burgundy)
- WALK OF NO SHAME Eyeliner (warm berry-russet, a bit more red-toned than the previous pick)
Best Eyeliners For Blue Eyes: The Wrap-Up!!
If you want to add a little extra drama to your blue eyes, make them appear brighter, more dynamic, and twinkly, or channel your inner mermaid and bring out those sea-like hues, these must-have eyeliners are the secret to achieving those makeup goals! Give these colors a try; you might be surprised just how stylishly they revamp and refine your blues, ladies!!
We’d Love To Hear From You: Which of these eyeliners is your favorite for bringing out your blue eyes, ladies?? Leave a comment below.
Related Articles:
- The 8 Best Eyeliners For Hooded Eyes, Makeup Artists Swear By
- Eyeshadow Tips For Beginners
- How To Apply Eyeshadow Like A Pro
- Beginner Makeup For The Everyday Woman
- Eye Makeup For Beginners: Step-By-Step Looks You Can Easily Pull Off!!
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Hi. Excellent post! I really appreciate how you break down blue eyes into being, upon closer examination, made up of other colors as well. So many good ideas here with shapes and pencil color choices.
I am smitten with the new Natasha Denona Golden Eye Shadow palette and wanted something to make my blues stand out. I have light skin, blonde-highlighted hair and, what an Irish woman told me recently, Irish-blue eyes. Still not sure what she meant exactly, but they’re more oceanic that bright blue and change color to more of a blue-grey at times.
Any suggestions working with golden shadow shades welcomed since this is new territory for me. Much appreciated!
Hi Kay, Hmmm well I would first recommend grabbing my eyeshadow cheat sheet for each eye color… you can find it here https://thebeautydeeplife.com/best-eyeshadow-colors-guide/ If you want to send me a photo opf your eyes I can really narrow down options for you…my email is [email protected]. I did a little googling and from what I read the actor Cillian Murphy is supposed to have “Irish-blue eyes”. Do yours look like his (they have a darkish blue tone right about the pupil and then get lighter moving outward into the iris)? If you notice a dark blue directly around the pupil like that then yes gold will be lovely. But peach, pink, coral, and orange tones can really make them pop.
I have blue eyes and have been wearing Urban Decay Rockstar for years. It is gorgeous and always my go to
Hi! I have blue eyes the colour of sky blue to medium dark blue with a dark ring around the iris. I only wear lower lash eyeliner. What would be the best to bring out the blue? Also, what is better to put the pencil just use the lower lid or inside the lash line inside? My eyes water quite a bit, so your advice would be appreciated. I was told I should wear slate-grey by Clinique. Brows used to pop the eye but I’m finding this less so.
Hi Suzanne…to make them really pop you should go with a copper. Orange toned shades are most complementary to blue eyes. Try option 1 (copper charge) for sure! But if you want something more subtle then you could go with the slate gray. It’s better to stick to under the lash line rather than in your waterline. Just go in every so lightly right below the roots of your lower lashes. Also if option 1 seems too bright for your liking try option 6 (double life).
I have a question. I have ocean blue eyes, with gold around the pupil and a dark blue ring around the entire iris. It’s difficult to tell (other than brown, copper and gold) what other shades such as blue would do. With ALL these colors going on do you have any suggestions?
Well, first you can bring out the dark blue ring around your iris, which could look quite beautiful if you use a deep navy blue eyeliner. Also yes, warm metallic colors like copper (particularly #1 under the list of “10 eyeliners that make them stand out”) and bronze will look gorgeous as well, and give your eyes a flicker/sparkle. If you tried champagne eyeliner or gold eyeliner it will bring out the natural gold that’s around your pupil and be quite flattering too. Another thing, about the gold around your pupils, for contrast you could try purply eyeliners like plum or raspberry etc. like options #8 or #9 in the list…have you tried shades like those?
I went this morning and purchased Urban Decay in “Rockstar” and makeup forever deep blue. Let me tell ya, they were amazing! The deep blue didn’t look ‘jump out at you’ blue but it was just enough to enhance my eye color. I’m very surprised. Thank you so very much for the response and advice. I’ll try the Urban Decay tomorrow but for now, the Makeup Forever is doing the trick and I’m loving it.
Hi Courtney!
Great post! I’m no make-up novice and I found your article both interesting and extremely informative. I do have one favor, if possible, please. You are probably aware all of the Marc Jacobs liners mentioned have been discontinued and are EXTREMELY hard to find. Would you please update with items currently available? Again, Love this post. It’s so helpful and indepth! Thank you!!
Hi there Shawn! Thanks for the lovely comment. Sure I’ll definitely put that on my to-do list! 🙂
You are awesome!! I will look forward to the update. Thank you. ❤
Great tips! Love your blog!
https://www.modernlashsupply.com
Thank you!!