I know, I know – me? Blue eyeshadow? It’s something that hasn’t occurred since the ’90’s when I begged my Dad to let me buy an eyeshadow palette in the shape of a lipstick from Claire’s Accessories that housed three hues of baby blue. But after spotting the New York Fashion Week sported look that Pat McGrath created for the Anna Sui AW14 runway on Allure’s Instagram – it got me thinking. The look was really quite beautiful; eye-catching, but wearably so. Truth be told, although my lipstick-shaped compact is gone but not forgotten I actually hold on to quite a few blues in my eyeshadow stash – neutrals-aside, it’s one of very few colours I feel comfortable wearing when the right occasion rolls around (a.k.a it happens once every few years).
I’m no McGrath so I kept things simple; swiping on a cream base with the Jouer Creme Eyeshadow Crayon in Avant Garde. This. Is. Gorgeous. On its own it creates a metallic cobalt blue shine to the lids then blends beautifully and does not budge. If I was to do this all over again I would just use this alone, but trying to recreate the colour McGrath used I ended up packing on the blue shadow from the Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Trio in Blueprint over the top to create a cooler, more cornflower shade. My experience taught me a few things that I thought I’d share incase you ever get the appetite for azure:
1) Though Pat McGrath went for an upper and lower lash blue hue, to ease myself in I went just for a lid smudge to keep it unarguably wearable. Another tip I’d throw in if you’re usually a neutral kinda gal is to keep the colour from not creeping up too close to the brow bone. A peek-a-boo blue is trés chic don’t you know.
2) There’s always a way to amp it up or down to your preference. A pastel blue is a parred back way to wear it, plus conform to the spring trend reports – you go gurl. Whereas a darker navy will suit those who rock the smokey look all the darn time.
3) You’ve got to pair it with a darker shade in the crease. If not, it can get a little ’80’s aerobics teacher. I personally went for MAC Eyeshadow in Smut; a purpley grey that gave a black-ish tone to the outer corners.
4) Mascara is required – and lots of it. A general rule of thumb when wearing a colourful choice of shadow.
5) Don’t forget that you’re wearing it, then rub your eyes and without looking at a mirror go to open to the door to your postman. V.embarrassing.
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