Baby's Got Blue Eyes...

3 min read

…and nails, but let’s get to that later. Blue eyes are a massive trend for this Autumn, so be prepared. We’ve come a long way from the pale blue eyeshadow of our teenage years, thankfully. Blue is a brilliant colour for an alternative smoky eye, and I’ve been looking at two very different blue palettes this week.

First up is The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes (£16), which are innovative palettes, of shimmery eye colours. Each is made up of four separate little cubes, which you can take out of the palette box if you want to just carry one or two with you. The colours can be used wet and dry depending on the intensity you want. I have tried them dry, for a subtle but sparkly daytime eye.

The new Blue Moon palette contains Indigo Blue, Starlight Silver, Snow White and Midnight Black.

Internationally renowned make-up maestro Chase Aston, known for working his magic on a host of stars, from Kate Moss to Heidi Klum, has a few tips on how to get the most out of this palette.

“Using Indigo Blue, blend from the lash-line to just above the crease of the eye, from the inner corner to past the outer corner of the top eye-lid, and underneath lower lashes all around the eyes,” explained Chase. “Sweep a damp eye-liner brush over the Midnight Black and trace a fine line along the top and bottom lash-line, all around the eye. Smooth and blend Snow White along the brow bone and underneath the arch of the brow. Apply Starlight Silver to the top and bottom inner corners of the eyes, for drama.”

The palettes are available in three other colourways as well – Bunch of Violets, Green Light and Chocolate Box.

Over at Dior however, there is no getting away from blue this Autumn. The Blue Tie look focuses on blue, blue and blue!

The Limited Edition Dior Blue Tie (£52) is a a palette of four eyeshadows and a gloss, presented in an elegant metal case that suggests glamour with a masculine edge. It contains a bold blue eyeshadow, enhanced by another three in shades of blue-grey.

The collection also has another eyeshadow palette, the 3 Couleurs Smoky – the Smoky Navy has a pale blue base shadow and two darker shades, one matte and one iridescent, perfect for creating a gorgeous eye.

Dior’s International Beauty Expert Shane Paish shares his  top three 3 tips on how to get the perfect smoky eye:

“My thing is that I always use a slightly metallic base eyeshadow, rather than a matte or sparkly one, as it make powder look like a part of the skin rather than an obvious layer of make-up,” says Shane, of his first tip. “My second tip is about creating definition. When someone doesn’t have a very defined upper eyelid or much of a lash line, shading does not tend to show that well, so I balance this by intensifying the smokiness underneath the eye too, with a small brush.

“And my third tip is to do with the mascara – I usually place a couple of big blobs of mascara, with the point of the brush, right at the base of the outer lashes. You won’t see it, but you’ll get a lot of thickness at the base of the lashes, giving the effect of two false lashes!”

So, whatever way you create your smoky eye this Autumn, and whatever intensity it is, the only thing you have to make sure is that it’s blue!

Oh, and the nails I mentioned in the first paragraph! Dior Vernis Couleur Extreme Wear Nail Lacquer (£17.50) comes in two shades in the Blue Tie collection; Tuxedo – the deep blue pictured, and Blue Denim, a lighter shade. Both are limited edition.

Dior Blue Tie is available from August 16th at Dior counters nationwide.

The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes are available now, from The Body Shop.