Exorcise 2022 From Your Life This NYE With These Washed Denim Eyeshadows

Best blue eye makeup 2022
A24/Getty/Dior/MECCA/MAC Cosmetics

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Everything cringingly millennial has been rinsed and refreshed in 2022, and it seems frosted blue eyeshadow is the latest (and possibly last) beauty trend of the year to get a Y2K club-queen refresh. The washed denim eyeshadow trend has arrived at the tail end of 2022 as one of the more challenging moments of the 2022 trend cycle for those who lived it the first time.

What is it? It’s a frosted, Levi’s inspired icy blue that, despite appearing for decades in “Worst Beauty Mistakes You Probably Made in the 90s” and “The Most Embarrassing 90s Beauty Trends” lists, is receiving celebrity endorsements from Dua Lipa, Cardi B, and Kendall Jenner. According to BeautyTok expert Victoria Lynn, washed denim eyes are serving “early 2000s glam,” telling BeautyTok, “if you have the holiday blues, keep watching.” Consider us tuned in.

@victorialyn Get your baby blue shadows out! #WashedDenim is here to slay this winter❄️👖#MACtrend #makeup #beauty #eyeshadow #MadeWithKeurigContest ♬ Calm LoFi song(882353) – S_R

Why Frosted “Washed Denim” Eyes Are The Best Way To Wave “Ta Ta” To 2022

Best blue eye makeup: Paris Hilton sits on phone while shimmery eyeshadow is applied on her in 2003
Telling 2022 to frost off, Image Credit: Getty/Lester Cohen/Wire Image

This frosted blue eye look takes inspiration from the sparkling lids and sapphire lashes of resurrected Y2K club queens. It’s serving Paris Hilton leaving the club shrieking into two Motorola Razrs, forlorn “Lucky” era Britney Spears, and Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell as captured by David Bennett, skulking in the wings backstage at 90s fashion weeks.

In its resurgence, we first spotted the shimmering blue shadow earlier this year on Mia Goth, in Ti West’s gruesome 70s geriatric-horror “X”. Here, Goth’s patchy pastel shadow, hastily applied with fingers, told us everything we needed to know about sweet and slightly unhinged wannabe pornstar Maxine Minx. Just like Goth’s reptilian co-star, this fun, frosted shade was creeping up on us.

Related: Blue Eyeshadow Is Trending and Terrifying, Here’s How to Wear It

Next, Taylor Swift appeared on the cover of “Midnights.” Disheveled and self-loathing, her translucent sparkling shadow twinkled, lending Swifty a rock n’ roll edge we didn’t know she had in her.

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell head to the club
Image Credit: Getty/David Bennett

Then, Elizabeth Debicki popped onto our screens as Princess Diana in “The Crown”, in all her brittle, vulnerable glory, gazing at us from under her side-swept fringe with scratchy blue eyeliner. Most recently, Lucia of “The White Lotus” hotel has been skipping around Taormina matching her shadow to the clear blue Mediterranean skies and pastel shirts of rich guys with missing wallets.

Related: How “The Crown” Re-Created Princess Diana’s Look

One hundred TikToks later, we’re here for it. 

The Best Blue Eye Makeup Currently on Shelves:

Best blue eye makeup 2022: Britney Spears poses on the set of "Lucky"
Image Credit: Instagram user @fatal.lust

Hannah Rosie Bennet, trend forecaster and MUA, shared that much like Pennywise the clown in “It” terrorises the children of Derry every 27 years, “blue eyeshadow trends every 20 to 30 years”, noting the powdery blue shadows of the 60s, the baby blues of the 90s and early 2000s, and the “super frosted, super metallic and really pale,” washed denim of today.

Bennett recommends MAC, Eyeshadow in “Tilt” as the best product for this look. Not sold on “Tilt”? Victoria Lyn tells us “Everybody’s jeans are different so that’s okay.” Thank goodness. Below, find the best Levis-inspired shadows to ring in 2023 with.

Best Cream Eye Makeup For A “Washed Denim” Look

Laura Mercier, Eye Basics in “Bright”

Best washed denim cream and pencil shadows: Laura Mercier Eye Basics in 'Bright"
Laura Mercier, Eye Basics in “Bright” ($42) Image Credit: MECCA

Danesss Myricks Beauty Colorfix Mattes 24-Hour Cream Colour in “Beaches”

Best washed denim eyeshadows cream and pencil: Danesss Myricks Beauty Colorfix Mattes 24-Hour Cream Colour in "Beaches" ($30)
Danessa Myricks Beauty, Colorfix Mattes 24-Hour Cream Colour in “Beaches” ($30) Image Credit: Daness Myricks Beauty

NYX Professional, Epic Wear Liner Stick in “Chill Blue”

Best Washed Denim Cream Shadows: NYX Professional, Epic Wear Liner Stick in "Chill Blue" Image Credit: NYX Professional
NYX Professional, Epic Wear Liner Stick in “Chill Blue” Image Credit: NYX Professional

Danessa Myricks Beauty, Infinite Chrome Flakes in “Midnight”

Washed Denim eye makeup trend: Danessa Myricks Beauty, Infinite Chrome Flakes in "Midnight" ($46) Image Credit: Danessa Myricks Beauty
Danessa Myricks Beauty, Infinite Chrome Flakes in “Midnight” ($46) Image Credit: Danessa Myricks Beauty

Best Blue Single Eyeshadows for a “Washed Denim” Look:

MAC Cosmetics, Single Shadow in “Tilt”

Best washed denim eyeshadows: MAC Cosmetics, Eye Shadow in "Tilt" ($30) Image Credit: MAC Cosmetics
MAC Cosmetics, Eye Shadow in “Tilt” ($30) Image Credit: MAC Cosmetics

Flavedo & Albedo, Velvet Eyeshadow in “Sky”

Best Washed Denim Eyeshadows single: 
Flavedo & Albedo, Velvet Eyeshadow in "Sky" ($33)
Flavedo & Albedo, Velvet Eyeshadow in “Sky” ($33) Image Credit: Flavedo & Albedo

Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in “Lustre”

Best Washed Denim Single Eyeshadows: Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in "Lustre" ($6) Image Credit: Barry M
Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in “Lustre” ($6) Image Credit: Barry M

Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in “Midnight”

Denim Washed Eyeshadow: Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in Midnight ($6)
Barry M, Clickable Eyeshadow in “Midnight” ($6) Image Credit: Barry M

Surratt Beauty, Artistique Eyeshadow in “Minuit”

Best washed denim eyeshadows: Surratt Beauty, Artistique Eyeshadow in "Minuit" ($33)
Surratt Beauty, Artistique Eyeshadow in “Minuit” ($33) Image Credit: MECCA

Mecca Max Single Shadow in “90s Kid”

Denim Washed Eyeshadows: Mecca Max, Single Shadow in "90S Kid", ($8)
Mecca Max, Single Shadow in “90S Kid”, ($8) Image Credit: MECCA

Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow Mono, in “Starlight Blue”

Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow Mono, in "Starlight Blue" ($14) Image Credit: Sephora
Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow Mono, in “Starlight Blue” ($14) Image Credit: Sephora

Diorshow Mono Couleur Couture High-Colour Eyeshadow in “Denim”

Denim wash eyeshadow: Dior Diorshow Mono Coleur Couture High-Colour Eyeshadow, ($55)
Dior Diorshow Mono Coleur Couture High-Colour Eyeshadow, ($55) Image Credit: Dior

Best Eyeshadow Palettes for a Washed Denim Look:

MAC Cosmetics, Eye Love Surprises Eyeshadow Palette in “Regal Rosé”

Washed Denim eyeshadow palettes: MAC Cosmetics, Eye Love Surprises Eyeshadow Palette in "Regal Rosé", ($89) Image Credit: MAC Cosmetics
MAC Cosmetics, Eye Love Surprises Eyeshadow Palette in “Regal Rosé”, ($89) Image Credit: MAC Cosmetics

Morphe, M2 Ready in 5 Eyeshadow Palette in “Ocean Avenue”

Best Denim Wash Eyeshadow Palettes: Morphe, M2 Ready in 5 Eyeshadow Palette in "Ocean Avenue" ($11) Image Credit: MECCA
Morphe, M2 Ready in 5 Eyeshadow Palette in “Ocean Avenue” ($11) Image Credit: MECCA

Dior 5 Coleaurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in “279 Denim”

Best denim wash shadow palettes: Dior 5 Coleaurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in "279 Denim", ($115)
Dior 5 Coleaurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in “279 Denim”, ($115) Image Credit: Dior

Fenty Beauty, Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palettes in “Pastel Frost”

Fenty Beauty, Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palettes in "Pastel Frost"
Fenty Beauty, Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palettes in “Pastel Frost” ($41) Image Credit: Fenty Beauty

Revlon, Photoready Eyeshadow Contour Kit in “Avant Garde”

Revlon, Photoready Eyeshadow Contour Kit in "Avant Garde" ($14)
Revlon, Photoready Eyeshadow Contour Kit in “Avant Garde” ($14) Image Credit: Revlon

REVOLUTION, Reloaded Palette in “Sugar Pie”

REVOLUTION Reloaded Palette Sugar Pie, ($10) Image Credit: Revolution

REVOLUTION Reloaded Palette Sugar Pie, ($10) Image Credit: Revolution

NYX Professional, Avatar: The Way of Water, “I See You” Palette, Limited Edition

NYX Profesional, Avatar 2, "I See You" Palette, Limited Edition ($50) Image Credit: NYX Professional
NYX Professional, Avatar 2, “I See You” Palette, Limited Edition ($50) Image Credit: NYX Professional

Pat McGrath Labs, Mothership 1: Subliminal Palette

Pat McGrath Labs, Mothership 1: Subliminal Palette, ($213)
Pat McGrath Labs, Mothership 1: Subliminal Palette, ($213) Image Credit: Pat McGrath Labs

Natasha Denona, Pastel Eyeshadow Palette

Natasha Denona, Pastel Eyeshadow Palette, ($106) Image Credit: Natasha Denona
Natasha Denona, Pastel Eyeshadow Palette, ($106) Image Credit: Natasha Denona
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