Blue Eyed Girl: Top Tips For Embracing Spring’s Beauty Trend

Blue eye shadow used to screamed €1980s?, but now, it’s totally fresh, cool, modern and super sexy. Whether you dare to go bold, or play it safe, follow make-up artist KIRSTIN PIGGOTT‘s top tips for embracing spring’s brightest beauty trend.

For the exhibitionist?
Have fun with your make-up, and select vibrant shades of blue. Apply eye make-up either as a gorgeous wash of colour, a statement jewel-toned smoky eye, a bold or playful graphic line, or mascaraed lashes in electric blue. Team with flawless skin, softly contoured cheeks, and either a nude lip or – for the more daring – a bright poppy pink.

For the conservative?
If the runway looks are too daring for you, don’t worry, as there are beautiful but subtle alternatives. You can always do a classic smoky eye and add a little pop of blue to the centre of the lid. Or select a gorgeous eyeliner or mascara in navy. This instantly gives you a subtle hint of colour. Keep the rest of your make-up minimal.

Blue eyeliner – how to choose the right shade?
There’s no one shade this season, so really, there’s a look for everyone. If you want something fun and vibrant, electric, royal and turquoise look super-striking; sapphire, cobalt, cerulean, and teal are stunning shades that look beautiful against the skin; whilst navy gives you a gorgeous subtle hint of colour.

Liner in the waterline – how to do it without going blind?
Always sharpen your eye pencil before applying it to the eye area, as this will help prevent cross contamination. Place your middle finger just under your lash line, pressing softly to push your lash line slightly forward and down – this creates a little space to ensure you don’t touch the eye with your pencil. Looking straight into the mirror, apply your eyeliner along the inside waterline.

Your favourite runway ?blue eye? look?
There were so many amazing ones for spring/summer, but my three favourites were from Diane von Furstenberg, who did beautiful jewel-toned blue and green eye shadow with well-defined lashes and a glossy nude lip; Marc Jacobs, whose girls rocked smudgy, morning-after eyes in blue with clumpy lashes and stained red lips; and Mary Katrantzou, whose models went for lashings of blue mascara applied to the top and bottom of the centre lashes, with the rest of the make-up kept minimal.

What lip goes with a strong blue eye?
To keep a strong blue eye looking ultra-fresh and modern, add a nude lip in either a sheer, creamy texture or gloss finish. This will make blue eyes the focal, unchallenged feature.

And what about complexion/blush/contour?
Because it’s all about the statement blue eyes, keep the rest of your make-up simple, with flawless, luminous skin, groomed eyebrows, and softly sculpted cheeks – no heavy contour or strobing here.

Role models for this look?
Rihanna, Rita Ora and Lupita Nyong?o.

Get the look
Kirstin Piggott’s key products for?nailing the trend

1. Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal eyeliner, €4.99
2. MAC Dazzleglass in Girl’s Delight, €22
3. Nars Illuminator in Copacabana, €30
4. Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation, €11.29
5. YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Extreme Blue, €32.50
6. Stila Convertible Color in Lilium, €21.50
7. Rimmel London Kate Moss Nude Lipstick, €6.99

This article originally appeared in the April issue of IMAGE Magazine.