Denim is trending this season—in fashion and beauty.
“Washed denim” makeup, a look defined by Y2K-inspired light blue eyeshadow, is on track to become the next viral beauty trend to win over Gen Z.
In an interview with Popsugar, Cat Quinn, MAC Cosmetics executive director of trends, said the colorful eye look is spurred by denim’s post-pandemic comeback.
“We’re in the middle of a denim revolution,” Quinn said. “For the first time since the early 2000s, Canadian tuxedos are chic, and light denim has gone from daytime casual to red carpet worthy.”
Indeed, denim is back in the spotlight. Katy Perry walked the red carpet in a Marques’Almeida denim corset top and jeans at the CMA Awards this month. Actress Jodie Turner-Smith wore a washed denim Balmain gown to the Venice Film Festival with matching blue eyeliner.
Washed denim makeup already has a roster of celebrity fans. Taylor Swift dons the icy look on the cover of her latest album, “Midnights.” Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Adowoa Aboah and Maddie Ziegler have also been spotted wearing this fresh take on blue eyeshadow.
The Popsugar article goes on to say that, like jeans, washed denim makeup is “universally flattering” and is easy to recreate as it requires only one product: blue eyeshadow.
“Use your finger or a brush to sweep it onto your lids, blending just past the crease and along your lower lash line,” Quinn told Popsugar.
The makeup guru advised those trying the trend to keep the rest of the beauty look modern with glowing highlighted skin and nude lipstick. She warned that too matte foundation or too strong blush veers into ’80s ice-skater territory, which is not the look most are going for.