Elizabeth Taylor knew exactly how to make her famous violet‑blue eyes look even more striking. Instead of competing with her eye colour, she used makeup to enhance it. The result was soft, elegant, and unmistakably Elizabeth.
Step 1: Prep the Eye Area
Apply a light eye primer or concealer from the lash line to the brow bone. Set lightly with translucent powder to create a smooth canvas.
Step 2: Apply a Soft Neutral Base
Sweep a beige or light taupe shadow across the entire eyelid. This creates an even foundation for the colour work to follow.
Step 3: Define the Crease with Plum
Blend a muted plum or soft aubergine shade through the crease. Keep the application soft and diffused. Elizabeth’s look was glamorous, not graphic.
Step 4: Add Violet‑Enhancing Tones
Apply a lavender, mauve, or dusty violet shadow to the lid. These shades help bring out blue and violet tones in the eyes while maintaining a sophisticated finish.
Step 5: Line with Reddish‑Brown Liner
Skip harsh black. Instead, use a soft reddish‑brown or plum eyeliner along the upper lash line. Gently smudge it for a softer, more romantic effect.
Step 6: Highlight the Inner Corner
Apply a touch of champagne or ivory shimmer to the inner corners of the eyes to brighten and open the gaze.
Step 7: Perfect the Lashes
Curl the lashes and apply two coats of mascara. Focus on definition rather than dramatic volume. Elizabeth’s lashes framed her eyes without overwhelming them.
Step 8: Finish with Strong Brows
Fill the brows with a medium‑to‑dark brown pencil or powder. Keep them softly structured and elegant.
Stacey’s Tip
Even if your eyes aren’t violet, this colour combination works beautifully on blue, grey, green, and hazel eyes. The magic is in the contrast. Elizabeth’s makeup wasn’t about hiding her features—it was about making them impossible to ignore.
