Blue eyeshadow and colour as rebellion?

LJP

I'm not sure I've ever worn blue eyeshadow in my life.

Roberta

Ha, even when I had a bowl full of Biba eyeshadows in the 80s, I never wore blue. We were absolutely convinced it was the tackiest look possible.

3 weeks ago

anchie

Veteran

I did wear blue eye shadow once to a friend birthday party in ‘80. I shudder every time I see the photos. Not a good look on me.

3 weeks ago

MsMary

Veteran

Haha I grew up in the 70s and blue was the default color for eyeshadow!!

3 weeks ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

It is one of my strongest colors for eyeshadow, and because of the versatility of artistic/bohemian culture, I have been able to wear it in any setting I want, without feeling self-conscious. The idea that it is still somehow "tacky" feels very outdated to me, as high-fashion magazines cycle through all make-up looks, including blue eyeshadow. If a smoky eye is not trashy, then neither is blue eyeshadow!

I know it is associated with people like...Dolly Parton, but in today's age we recognize her music and look are iconic--to be taken seriously.

3 weeks ago

JAileen

Veteran

Sorry, but tacky is what comes to mind, since and including the 70s.

Dolly Parton gets a pass because not only is she a character she plays, but she’s just an outstanding person. She can do no wrong.

3 weeks ago

slim cat

Veteran

I did wear pale blue eye shadow with dark grey/blue contrast in the end of 80s - beginning of 90s ( I don't mind it now - it was a "look" ). I may even look for very pale - barely there version now .

3 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’ve worn eye shadow once! In 1987 for a school dance. And it was pink and white!

3 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

i have a secret love for blue eyeshadow Maybe not so secret - I loved wearing both light blue and navy shadows (not together) in the late 90s, when it was on trend as a retro look!

I know one of my aunties was considered a rebel back in the day for wearing colourful makeup rather than the subtle colours her sister felt were appropriate. Blue eyeshadow, red lippie, red nails. Still her signature and I am here for it! She wears it like the extraordinary rebel she continues to be!

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3 weeks ago

MsMary

Veteran

Helena, I happen to think the makeup in your photo looks awesome! Must be the 70s girl in me coming out...

3 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

MsMary - me too! Kate Moss looks great always, but I think it's a super-cool look!

3 weeks ago

Irina

Veteran

I tried a blue eyeshadow when I was probably 15 and was very disappointed with the results Never since! I wear a subtle, slightly shimmery light brown or beige eyeshadow often. It’s my signature look.

3 weeks ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I had this exact pot of Bourjois eye shadow in teal. It was quite bright, almost turquoise. I used to wear it very liberally around 1999-2002 or so if my memory serves me well. I thought and still think that it was awesome! I really wish I had some pictures.

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3 weeks ago

Kate

Veteran

I was a teenager in the 70s, and experimented with blue, yellow, and electric green eyeshadow. Helena, Kate Moss looks fabulous in that photo. I'm afraid my teenage experiments with blue fell far short of the mark she established.

3 weeks ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Oh Helena, I think we are talking about the same period. I believe colorful eye shadow was quite trendy then.

3 weeks ago

Dee

Veteran

I definitely wore blue eyeshadow back in the day, it was de rigueur back in 70s and early 80s where I lived. I also enjoyed wearing violet eye shadow too. It never felt rebellious.

3 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

I have worn blue eyeshadow and liked it on me. I think with any makeup it comes down to what suits you and how it relates to you and the skill in the application.

I admire creative makeup looks - I am not good at them but I really enjoy them on others. I think it’s a great form of self expression not aimed at the male gaze.

3 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vividly remember how fantastic blue eye shadow was and looked in the '70s and '80s! I also remember the dark smoky eye of the '90s. Although I don't wear eye shadow, it's fun going down memory lane!

Gen Z today generally wears a lot of make-up, in my experience! Across the genders. (Much like in the '80s). And nails, styled long hair and scent are big too - all while they sport sweats. Juxtaposition

3 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

High five, Ms. Mary!

I wore blue eyeshadow, absolutely. I guess it was tacky. But it was fun. And you know, they don't call me Queen Blue for nothing!!

3 weeks ago

Ket

Veteran

I think the only blue shadow I have loved and worn is a very warm version from the Viseart Dark Mattes palette. Swatched in photo 1, it's colors Myrtille and Minuit. Minuit on lid and Myrtille in outer corner, some crease, and as liner. It is my very favorite though I don't wear it often. (Application takes some work, not something I just pop on.)

I love these images I once found of mature women wearing bright pops of eyeshadow in blue and turquoise. So very cool! Looks rather editorial, but I believe it can be achieved for everyday, personally. Just depends on one's comfort level with standing out. It is rebellious!

Helena, what a wonderful auntie to have!

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3 weeks ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

I use blue eyeliner daily. I soften it with cocoa cream shadow.
I have a memory of sneaking into my mother's makeup drawer and admiring a beautiful (to me) light blue shimmery eye shadow compact and loving it and imaging how I would use is when I was "old enough"
Compacts...how fun are they?

3 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I associate blue eyeshadow with my late grandmother, who had quite a look and I have realized belatedly was a huge influence on my style. I would for sure try it if I wore eye makeup at all. Why not?

3 weeks ago

Lisa

Veteran

Another member of team blue who has worn blue eyeshadow. At some point I remember advice saying blue eyeshadow helps bring out blue eyes, along with blue eyeliner too. So of course, having blue eyes and being on team blue, I've given it a try in the past!

3 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, if we are talking eyeliner, I definitely wear blue. Still!

Also, Ket, those are cool images!

3 weeks ago

Bijou

Veteran

I happily wore it when young and still love the look.

Blue eyeshadow is nostalgic for me.

At 13 years of age, my sister gifted me an eyeshadow palette with a very soft and muted blue colour and a soft pink lipstick for my birthday. I occasionally wear blue eyeliner and mascara despite not currently owning any blue eyeshadow palettes. Chanel recently launched a blue denim inspired make-up collection which caught my eye.

Kate Moss and those pictures by Ket are inspirational. I'm not sure if I have the skill to apply blue eyeshadow well, but bravo to those that do wear it well.

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3 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

Bella, high five, I remember those Boujois pots, and Ket, yep, she's an absolute legend to this day! What a fun thread, thanks Carla!

3 weeks ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Definitely the very thing in ‘60’s & ‘70’s.
Yardley!

Tacky? . But so many other, ahem, “tacky” or unfortunate clothes, stylings are fine, just DYOT?
Hmmm….

3 weeks ago

Star (Lise)

Veteran

As a young teen I did experiment with blue eye shadow but have never worn it seriously. I did have a turquoise similar to the one mentioned above in the early 00s. I only wore it two or three times. It felt like a bit too much for me, but I recall getting compliments on the occasions I wore it. I did not listen to the podcast in full. My rebellious make up, as a young teen, was almost black lipstick, long before being Goth was a thing, which I never was btw. I just wore my dark lipstick with regular clothes, ha, quite a sight I guess. Oh and I have worn blue nail polish often.

3 weeks ago

Carla

Veteran

Never wore blue eyeshadow, however anything in the purple family was and still is my go-to. Navy blue polish for fingers, and toes is probably my favourite, although I do mix it up!

3 weeks ago

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