When you’re born in a black-and-white era, really weird debates take place. For example? One of the things that always drove me absolutely crazy when I was little was my grandmother talking about Elizabeth Taylor’s “violet” eyes.

First of all, most of the pictures I’d seen of Elizabeth Taylor at that point were in black and white. Second of all, she had purple eyes? Saywhatnow?

It would have made more sense if she’d said Liz had black eyes. At least that’s, you know, an actual(-ish) color for eyes, and it would have backed up the photos of the star I saw.

Let’s be clear: I was a unique child, but I was no dummy. It only took me, oh, a year or two to learn not to expect eyes this color:

Or even this color (and yes, I know it’s not really a violet!):

But if an entire generation’s claiming you’ve got violet eyes, I don’t think this…

…is too much to expect.

So imagine my shock and disappointment when I saw pictures of Liz Taylor with decidedly unviolet eyes!

So let’s open the debate, people.

Were Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes Really Violet?

Here’s one tricky thing about determining Elizabeth Taylor’s true eye color (other than never having seen her in person, met her, kissed her feet, etc.): because so many classic Hollywood pics were in black and white, and even then people thought black and white was boring, editors colorized pictures. That’s basically just what it sounds like. Coloring books, advanced edition. For example, in the photo below, the colors are a little too saturated–they’ve definitely been messed with somehow. (Same is true for this post’s cover photo, so don’t use that as an argument against me!) Do I think Taylor’s eyes were this blue? No. But do I think they were kind of blue? Uh…yeah. More evidence for “blue,” or even hazel:

But then again… Were Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes Really Blue? On behalf of the defense, I present:

EXHIBIT A.

To be fair, that one may be colorized. I’m pretty sure this one’s not: Even pics of a young (very young) Elizabeth Taylor emphasize the purple in her eyes, studio-enhanced: WHAT’S THE VERDICT? I’m going to go way out on a limb here and declare Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes NOT VIOLET. The “violet” tones that you see in publicity pics were usually touched up to make them look more purple. If you watch Taylor’s movies, particularly her later ones where color processes were more true to “nature,” it’s pretty clear: they’re blue, bordering on hazel. They are, however, still totally gorgeous. So What’s So Special About Liz Taylor’s Eyes? Like some other people’s, Taylor’s eyes do appear to shift color depending on what she’s wearing. That’s why that purple satin dress above makes the warm tones in her eyes stand out. While millions of young girls and women might have mourned the fact that, unlike her raven hair, there was absolutely nothing they could do to get Elizabeth Taylor’s violet eyes, the uniqueness of her eyes actually goes way beyond their color: That shape. Slightly elongated, deep-lidded. So mysterious, so elegant.

Those lashes! Real or not. And those eyebrows! (Going to assume those were real.)

And, above all, the expression. Sleepy or wide-eyed, Taylor was an incredible actress who used her eyes as a primary tool of her craft. How Can I Get Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes? (Or something way less creepy to that effect.)

Again, Liz was famous for her eyes, and she made the most of them. And throughout her long career, there were a few constants she used to accentuate what was arguably her best feature, while other tricks (like crazy Cleopatra mascara) came and went.

Full lashes, probably with some individual falsies thrown in and a heaping pile of mascara added to both top and bottom lashes;

Dark liner on the top lid, thickly applied, AND;

Additional liner (thinner or thicker depending on your mood) on the inside of the bottom lid (not hygienic, just FYI, but it looks pretty cool), or (less frequently) on the outside.

But, as we’ve seen–you can skip the violet contact lenses.