Category: eyes

Diorshow New Look Mascara

Christian Dior established himself with a feminine and rich collection that revolutionized fashion in 1947. His clothes quickly became known as the “New Look.” Dior channeled this revolutionary tenor with the launch of Diorshow New Look mascara.

The most unusual feature of this new mascara is the nano brush. Unlike the huge brush on the original Diorshow mascara, the nano brush is more nimble and precisce, allowing for maximum coverage.

I’m not sure how thickening this mascara is, but I love the lengthening and definition. My lashes are long, but thin and blond at the end. Using New Look, my lashes were emphasized, lengthened and stretched. Dior’s exclusive 3D effect, Dior Black Glass pigment, makes the black version super inky and shiny.

There are long term benefits to this mascara as well. Royal jelly extract works to repair damaged parts of the lash fiber. Diorshow New Look reacts to body heat, allowing the serum to release its potent active ingredients as close as possible to the lash line. My lashes have been more resiliant and I can’t wait to see what even longer term use will provide.

If you somehow missed the Dior mascara craze over the past 10 years, here’s some mandatory reading:

In 2002, Dior introduced Diorshow, the first Dior mascara directly inspired by professional makeup artist’s techniques. Backstage at fashion shows, artists would use a toothbrush to create a dramatic, voluminous lash look. With its one-of-a-kind XL brush, Diorshow created explosive volume for a stunning catwalk look and has since become a cult favorite. 

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Color Palette

The Laura Mercier Baked Eye Color Palette is a great alternative for those who like to use shadow both wet and dry. When you use them dry, they achieve a neutral wash of color. But when you use them wet, they become vibrant and playful. The included, double-ended brush includes a curved Allover Eye Color Brush (used for dry application) and more pointed Creme Eye Color Brush (used to achieve a more dramatic, wet application).

While this was part of the holiday collection, the soft colors like lilac and pink petal are perfect for a spring look. They do have some glitter to them.

  • Sienna (coffee brown)
  • Terracotta (reddish copper)
  • Ballet Pink (very pale fleshy pink)
  • Pink Petal (baby pink)
  • Lilac (pale lavender)

These aren’t super creamy shadows so if you have a heavy hand and use them dry, watch out for some glitter fall out. This doesn’t bother me as I prefer a light wash of shadow – I think the palette was designed for this type of use. Austin has had a strange winter weather (well into the 70s this week). So I have been using Pink Petal and Lilac alone as a wash all over my lid in honor of the early spring. This palette has also come in handy to tote around in my purse for a quick touch up.

I can’t believe I dropped the ball on reviewing this palette over the holiday season. But on the plus side, it is now on sale for $36 at lauramercier.com.

Esteé Lauder ‘Pure Color’ Intense Kajal Eye Crayon

When I hear something is flying off the shelves, I immediately want to get my hands on it. We always want what we can’t have, right? So, when I heard that the new Esteé Lauder ‘Pure Color’ Intense Kajal Eye Crayon (especially the teal shade), was going to be hard to find, I ran out to pick up both of the available shades.

This is the same idea as the Guerlain ‘Terracotta – Terra Inca’ Khôl Kajal, but the Esteé Lauder offers more precision via a true pencil/crayon packaging. The shorter, chubbier crayon is actually easier to handle and maneuver than a traditional long eyeliner pencil. The included sharpener ensures you will always have a sharp point to get fine line. But the formula also works great if you want to blend out for a smokier look.

The Dramatic Teal is fresh and vibrant on the lower inner-rim of the eyelash. I also have been wearing the Dramatic Black along my top lash line with just a touch of smudge. For a product that isn’t waterproof, I am surprised how much staying power these pencils have. And the colors are incredibly rich and velvety. Let’s just say, I’m glad I got my paws on these while they were still around.

Dior Beauty Three-Color Smoky Eye Shadow in Smoky Violet (Spring)

Dior has managed to create an easy-to-open palette with an intelligent and sturdy mirror that pops up when you slide the palatte open. And this “ready-to-wear” palette in Smoky Violet from their Spring collection is all you need to achieve a smoky eye (or neutral violet) look.  It certainly isn’t the only fool-proof palette out there, but the construction and base color make this one stand out.

I’ve found myself reaching for Smoky Violet just to take advantage of the creamy, powder base. The very slightly pink shade brightens my eyes immediately and is so easy to use just using a finger. The second shade (top left) is a very sheer and equally blendable eggplant. Using these two together is perfect for those who don’t want a dramatic look. The third shade (top right) is deeper and with serious shimmer. At first, I didn’t think I would ever use this shade, but over the holidays the bit of drama and sparkle was a welcome addition.

Lastly, violet does loads of favors to my hazel eyes.  I love using purples to make the green in there really pop. The added benefit is this palm-sized palette is a breeze to travel with and all you could ever need for a casual vacation.

 

Estée Lauder ‘Pure Color’ Gelée Powder Eyeshadow

These eyeshadows are so pretty, that was almost reason enough for me to buy them.  What a pleasant surprise: they are just as beautiful to use as they are in the compact.  The shadows are described as a “tri-blend formula that’s gel, powder and liquid in one.” In the images they look as if they could be a gel, but they are closer to a traditional powder eyeshadow in my opinion. But you can see how they are revolutionary in how they blend.

They apply so smoothly and can easily be layered.  I have found applying them with my finger actually works best. My favorite look is using Cyber Pink and Cyber Copper dry. But the Cyber Copper wet makes for a beautiful, dramatic liner. The wetter and heavier the application, the shinier and more metallic the appearance. I never would have thought a pinkish shade would work with my reddish undertones.  But it is my favorite new shade for the very corner of my inner eyes. For a truly revolutionary eyeshadow, these are a steal at $24. Plus, it only takes one to create a unique look.

 

 

 

Maybelline Favorites

Today, I am thrilled to be guest blogging at the fashionable Style Me Thrifty! Madeline curates a collection of affordable fashion finds, which can always come in handy, especially this year.  I encourage you to check out her blog.  She asked me to come up with some drugstore gems, and naturally they were all Maybelline.  I am a huge fan, if you didn’t know.

Head over to Style Me Thrifty or check out the post below:

Some of the best drugstore finds these days are by Maybelline.  Not only are they a great bargain, but are serious performance powerhouses.  These four favorites have earned a permanent place on my vanity:

1.  Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealers – nothing refreshes my face like covering those dark circles and this is SO easy to use

2.  BabyLips SPF 20 Moisturizing Balm – such adorable packaging and it really heals dry winter, lips

3.  Eye Studio Master drama – creamy, high intensity liner perfect for the evening cat eye (and comes in fun colors like Sapphire)

4.  Colorsensational LipColor – incredibly rich colors that don’t dry out