Loved, reviled, worn to excess across several decades and even immortalized in film, blue eye shadow has a storied past and, no doubt, a promising future. The hottest stars are wearing it right now, and it is an integral part of 70s disco costumes—in case you’re thinking of throwing a party.
Blue shadow comes in endless shades, and a look around reveals that Mode Cosmetics is Moonstruck, Avon has the Denim Blues, Camp Cosmetics looks to Seduce and tarte yells, nostalgically, Luuucy I’m Home. Coming up with names for color cosmetics must be either an envied task or a job to be avoided. Urban Decay stays in the shallow end with Kiddie Pool, Nars has Island Fever and MAC has Idol Eyes for you. You can have it crème or stick, matte and full of glitter, and now you can have it made from minerals. Skin care may be hot, but color cosmetics is definitely where the fun is at! And eye shadow is only part of the story.
Euromonitor calls eye makeup the “engine of dynamism in the global color cosmetics market during 2002–2006,” and reports category-leading growth of 6% in 2007. Read about eye makeup and more in “Putting the Color in Cosmetics Sales.” We all know there’s more to cosmetics than blue eye shadow, and contributor Sara Mason points a finger at nail polish. She tells how colors and application technology offer nail polish brands new hope in reviving sales depressed by prevailing natural trends in her story, “At Your Fingertips.” GCI magazine senior editor Jeff Falk sharpens our understanding of advances in cosmetic pencils and pens in “In Step.”.
In the 1991 movie My Girl, Jamie Lee Curtis’ Shelly uttered the words “The first rule of makeup is that you can never wear enough blue eye shadow.” I know I’ve worn my share! So, keep it coming. The world needs your blue eye shadow and your lipstick and nail polish and a whole paintbox full of color cosmetics.
