How to Get Away With Wearing Blue Eye Makeup Without Looking Tacky

Non-crazy ways to paint your face with shades of cobalt

We can't all be blessed with piercing baby blues, but we sure can fake it.

We don't know about you, but ever since Taylor Swift stepped out at this year's Grammys, we've had a hankering for all things cobalt. Summer especially has seen some unique red carpet interpretations of the blue eyeliner trend, with brighter shades (as seen on Emma Stone and Kim Kardashian) taking center stage.

Now that basic black and muted brown eyeliners are going to the wayside and stars are favoring more adventurous shades of rainbow blues, we asked MAKE UP FOR EVER's Consulting Pro Artist Melanie Inglessis how to implement the daring hue without going overboard.

For the remainder of summer, Melanie recommended getting mileage out of your lighter baby blues, teals and pastel paints. Then switch it up with deeper shades of royal, navy, sapphire and midnight blue as we head into fall. "Colors are about how you wear them, not really if they suit your skin tone or not," assured Melanie. 

The one rule? If you're going to wear a bold blue around the eyes, it's imperative that you keep the rest of your look light and in the barely-there category, keeping the focus on your eyes.

Graphic liner is everywhere right now, so why not trade your usual swipe of black for an outline of blue? Kim Kardashian's turquoise version traced along the waterline is a modern pop of color that's spunky but universally flattering. Pairing electric blue with a touch of frosted beige shadow and contoured cheeks strikes the perfect balance of bright on the eyes and light everywhere else. 

To smoke out your blue eye similar to Taylor Swift's, "smudge a dark-blue pigment on your lower lash line, incorporating blue eye shadow with other colors while blending for a unique shadow effect," directed Melanie. Incorporating darker indigo shades on the outer corners and upper lid achieves a sultry, vamped up look. However, if you're after an everyday smoky blue, leave the top lid neutral, confining the smolder to just the waterline area instead of the entire lid. Pair the intense azure eye with matte skin and a nude lip to keep the attention where it belongs. 

So there you have it. When it comes to gliding on sky-colored liner, a statement shade teamed with less-is-more makeup is a legit standalone beauty trick that (thankfully) doesn't have to end it's run come fall.