Everyone from Florence Pugh to Zendaya have signalled the return of blue eyeliner - and it's more wearable than it sounds. Here's how to make your eyes pop
It’s a Saturday night and I’ve found myself applying blue eyeliner. This, dear reader, is wild. I am someone who is decidedly unadventurous when it comes to make-up.
Give me aand I’m all good. Nothing too dramatic. So the fact that I am tracing a bright, sky-blue liner along my upper lash line, tongue poking out in concentration, is, I repeat, quite something. There’s no denying I’ve been heavily influenced by the modern ways celebrities are wearing the look.
Gone is the haughty, finger-pat application of the 1980s and the saccharine shades that often appeared chalky or flat. In its place is a fresher, more chic take. Take the supermodel Elsa Hosk, who recently stepped out with tousled, air-dried hair and a sweep of bright baby-blue eyeliner that perfectly complemented her colouring.
Then there was Florence Pugh, whosewas set off by a flash of turquoise that felt the embodiment of a care free island girl. While Hosk’s look was polished and elegant and Pugh’s playful and vibrant, Zendaya offered an entirely different take. Her blue liner came in the form of a deeper, denser shade. It was more graphic, slightly smudged and softly metallic, melting across her lids beautifully.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 02: Zendaya attends the New York premiere of "The Drama" at Regal Union Square on April 02, 2026 in New York City. Of course, this is proof that blue eyeliner has come a very long way. Today, there are countless ways to wear the trend, whether you prefer something subtle or statement-making, with shades and finishes that can be tailored to just about every occasion, mood, skin tone and eye colour.
, blue is an ideal choice for summer, offering drama without the heaviness of black liner.
‘It brings a youthful, nostalgic quality to a look, evoking a carefree, playful spirit,’ she says. She also notes how new, more modern formulations have transformed the trend.
‘Rather than the stark, highly pigmented blues of decades past, today’s liners are available in softer tones and longer-wearing formulas that maintain their vibrancy throughout the day, making them flattering across a broad range of skin tones and eye colours. ’Gucci's Stylo Contour des Yeux is kohl eyeliner pencil is foolproof - sweep across lids for beautifully blendable colour that still allows for playtime. The key to making blue eyeliner feel contemporary?
‘It’s all in its simplicity,’ she explains. ‘Allow the colour to take centre stage while keeping the rest of the look understated. ’ Think fresh, dewy skin subtle highlights and a natural lip help create balance. You can also add mascara to anchor the look and adds definition.
’When it comes to application, restraint is key. Nguyen-Grealis recommends starting small and gradually building intensity along the lash line, ensuring the effect feels deliberate rather than veering into eyeshadow territory. Try a small, neat, angled eyeliner brush to achieve this. As for choosing the right shade?
‘Navy and cobalt are among the most universally flattering blues, with the final effect depending largely on how much colour is applied. Teal and brighter turquoise tones, meanwhile, tend to work particularly beautifully against tan and golden skin tones,’ says Nguyen-Grealis. If you prefer Zendaya's moodier, more metallic take on blue liner then the shade 'surfside' could be just the ticket.is Grazia’s Beauty director.
Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism. Like this? Get more Grazia content straight to your browser. Click here to add Grazia as a preferred source on Google.
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