I remember, back in the day as a little kid, when the movie My Girl came out, the girl was given the advice from a tacky white trash 80′s mom that blue eye shadow is always in fashion. I remember her applying shimmery Mary Kay blue eye shadow on the girl, and the girl strutting about a paint chipped port.

Things have changed since then. Blue, though once the victim of social stigma, relegated to 70s and 80s fashion night and “vilified TV characters and moms in need of makeovers” (Elle), has make a total comeback on and off the runway.

Says Maura Lynch of Elle, “blue eyeshadow was once considered a bigger faux pas than a muffin top.” But now blue is everywhere.

Attribute that to the fact that blue, in its varying hues is universally flattering–almost every complexion, eye colour, hair colour. Says Lynch, “The hue has a rather magical ability to brighten bloodshot eyes, perk up sallow-looking skin, and neutralize under eye circles, thus performing an impressive age-rewinding hat trick. ” It is true, sallow looking skin often has yellow-ish undertones, and the blue counteracts this, making the skin appear brighter and more luminous. Have you ever worn a bright pop of Turkish teal without looking totally awake? No. You could be sleep walking and the hue will still be a punch in the face shock of colour to those around you.

Blue has had a special pull on people since before Caesar.

Blue, in its many shades and forms, has more or less been on the runway and making a huge resurgence as of late. Says Lancôme makeup artist Sandy Linter, “Blue is a very optimistic color, and I think that’s what everyone wants to feel right now. You put it on, and it instantly changes your mood for the better.” In this economic climate, who wouldn’t want that? Reports Lynch, “The trend-forecasting firm Pantone Color Institute named a brilliant, blue-green turquoise 2010’s color of the year.”

To pull off blue, keep your complexion in mind.

Darker skin is complimented best with gold-flecked hues. Aquamarine, turquoise. Our pale sisters should stick to cooler colours, like cobalt and periwinkle, corn flower blue. But how you want to wear it is up to you. Splash it on, dab a bit, use it as eyeliner. The sky is the limit and anything goes. It’s like martial arts, but with colour.

Below are some of the best ways to wear it.

Chanel Iman (I think) at Gucci. A bright Turquoise with gold reflected specks, nude lips and luminous gold highlighting.

On the runway at Proenza Schouler. Electric blue lined, smoky eyes. Imprecise, haphazard lining with blended on top for a rigid, edgy effect.

Icy, metallic blue with silver higlighting on Alicia Keys.

At Derek Lam, the artist blended velvet navy and oceanic hues together to create a sultry, extreme smoky blue eye look.

An updated take on the sexy vintage blue lidded bombshell. Think 'Barbie', but more sexy, less plastic, and way more real.

Buy your own blue.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Ombre Solo Smoothing Effect Eyeshadow in Mogador Blue

Shimmery aqua shades in Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Burn It Blue

Lancôme Color Design Eye Shadow, to create a great navy smoky eye.

Estée Lauder Pure Color Five Color Palette in Blue Dahlia contains silky taupe, black, and white powders with two blues so you can blend a customizable shade.

Photos credit Steven Krause, Imaxtree, Ben Ritter, Everest Collection via Elle Magazine.

Source, by Maura Lynch.