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Once beauty lovers discovered how flattering coloured mascara was, it was practically game over for the quintessential black tube. It only takes one look at the eyes of your coolest girlfriend to realise no one’s really wearing it anymore; in place of these inky flutters you’ll likely find cool-toned espressos, warm russets and even electric cobalt blues.
It was the TikTok crowd that co-signed brown mascara’s official admission to the clean-girl makeup circle, and it wasn’t long before our feeds were full of people trying burgundy and lilac shades, too. Yes, coloured mascara is fun to play around with, but it’s also a really simple trick for making your eye colour stand out more. Our current favourite hue for this? Blue, hands down.
Blue mascara was a hallmark of the bold 80s and 90s, continuing into the Noughties via influential names like Reese Witherspoon and Christina Aguilera, but it’s the power of the runway that brought the technique back into trend cycles. Trailing back as early as Stella McCartney AW12, where makeup artist Pat McGrath coated models’ lashes in a vibrant cerulean, through to Jonathon Saunders and Mary Katrantzou SS16, the hue has popped up sporadically in the last few decades, but never quite translated off-runway with Gen Z. That was until recently when the shade reemerged in the shows of the season, making loud appearances at the likes of Matty Bovan and AZ Factory SS24.
Bold as these demonstrations may be (Bovan’s streaky cyan tears might be a little much for a Monday morning), onlookers are realising there’s no reason to be afraid of the hue, and now they’re making it their own. Here’s how we’re wearing it, plus the very best blue mascaras to try now...
How to wear blue mascara
Blue mascara instantly adds a touch of drama to any look, but knowing how to balance the beauty ensemble is key to working the trend. ‘You can keep your complexion and eyes fairly neutral, because once you’ve added the touch of blue the eyes become the statement,’ says Melanie Barrese, global education director at By Terry.
‘To get this right, the skin should look fresh and healthy, so the overall look is playful and not makeup-y,’ says Iconic London makeup artist Stephen Solitto. ‘Try Iconic’s Blurring Skin Tint for the perfect clean backdrop to your dramatic eye.’
‘One of my favourite ways to use blue mascara is to pair it with a bronzed look,’ adds Melanie. ‘Simply add a chocolatey shadow, like By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon, all over the lid and across the upper lash line, and finish with a blue mascara like Mascara Terrybly in Terrybleu, for a sultry smoky eye. The warmth contrasts the coolness of blue mascara and the final look is striking.’
Top Tip: ‘Start with a coat of black mascara first, then layer the blue mascara on top for a multi-dimensional take on the trend,’ advises Lauren Hogsden, brow and beauty expert at Benefit Cosmetics UK and Ireland. ‘Alternatively, try coating just your lower lashes with the blue mascara for a more subtle look.’
Who does blue mascara look good on?
The beauty of blue mascara is that it’s universally flattering. ‘It can make brown or hazel eyes ‘pop’ especially, since brown and blue are contrasting colours,’ adds Melanie. ‘But for the most part, it draws attention to your eye colour and makes them look brighter, so people with blue or green eyes will still benefit from its enhancing abilities.’
The Blue Mascaras We Love
Nothing quite does it like Benefit's cult classic. For those unafraid of taking up space, Benefit's major mascara brings even more drama in blue. Don't be fooled by the thin tower brush: this is maximum volume in just one swipe.
Turns out, you really can do good while looking good. By Terry's offering is formulated with a growth-boosting complex of glycoproteins, collagen and hyaluronic acid to help improve lash regrowth while adding instant volume and length. Win-win.
YSL Mascara Lash Clash in Blue
It doesn't get much chicer than this. YSL's cobalt mascara houses a large double-conical brush, meaning more formula is deposited and fewer strokes are needed for high-impact results, as it sweeps through the lashes to encourage a wide-eyed, fanned-out effect.
Blue mascara newbies, ease yourself in with a darker denim hue. Extremely wearable and flattering on every eye colour, navy blue still says cool-girl, but with more of an edge. And thanks to its creamy yet light texture and slim brush, it's easy to apply to even the shortest lashes.
For an electric, fanned-out effect that lasts all day, Dior's Pump 'N' Volume mascara brings intense, XXL volume to limp, downward-facing lashes. You don't have to worry about mid-afternoon panda eyes, either: this creamy mascara promises a no-transfer finish.
This does-it-all mascara thickens, lengthens and curls lashes with ease, leaving behind a powdery azure finish. Pair with a 90s-nude lip and a gleaming complexion to complete the look.
Flirty, fluttery lashes: now available in electric blue. The unique American football-shaped brush fits snugly beneath the lash line to catch hairs you didn't know you had, plus you can layer this formula over and over, and still find beautifully defined and separated lashes after, that's the beauty of it.
Shiseido can do little wrong in our eyes, but this mascara *really* is good. The unique brush design features two concave sides to boost volume and two flat sides for extra lift, making for clean and precise application. Expect no smudging, clumping or flaking with this one.
Wielding a wand has never felt easier than this. Slim, sleek and lightweight is Hermès' classy offering, featuring a narrow brush perfect for getting close to the lash root. It's pretty to look at, we know, but the stuff inside is even better.
If you're after a subtler effect, go for this one. The brush is small but mighty, and manages to cling onto lashes from inner to outer corner, depositing a slightly softer pigment amongst hairs.
Chloe Woodland is the Group Beauty Assistant at , , and , working across print and digital features. She’s worked in the industry for two years, beginning her career writing for trade publications and Professional Beauty. When she’s not demystifying the science behind growing your hair, gathering the best make-up products of all time or investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, you’ll most likely find her rewatching Modern Family for the thousandth time or trying to tame her two working cockers (who’ve never worked a day in their lives).
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