Category: eyes

tarte Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadow

This shadow promises to lock in color with a two-step application process. On one end of the wand is a cream shadow that comes out on what looks like a lip-gloss brush. After applying the cream color, you switch to the other side and apply a powder with a roller ball. Only problem is the brush is unwieldy and imprecise. The roller ball comes out with big chunks of powder. If you can get it on correctly, it does have staying power. However, you have lost about 30% of product in the messy application process. I appreciate that this product does quality for Sephora’s natural seal, but it doesn’t do much good if it is a mess to apply.

Anastasia Brow Gel

Full brows are in and I embrace it with my (somewhat) unruly and full, brown brows. I have had them shaped, tweezed and even (gasp) waxed. My best solution is frequently tweezing the outliers and using a good brow gel to keep them in place. The “brow queen”, Anastasia, makes the best in my opinion. It is clear, eliminating the possibility of mistakes. The hold is effective without the crispy effect of gelled brows. For the natural look I embrace, I think this simple approach is organic, clean and simple.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics

I’m not really a primer type of girl. Call me lazy but I just resist that extra step. But I struggle with dark eyelids. Many years ago, my grandmother, mom and I hit the Laura Mercier counter and I was introduced to Eye Basics in Wheat. This weekend at the Dallas Neiman Marcus, I was reintroduced again. Why had this product slipped out of my makeup repertoire?! When I shared this “Eureka” moment with mom, she said it had never left her makeup regime – I know, moms are smart. This looks great alone with the Laura Mercier “tight lid” and a berry lip (try Laura Mercier Stickgloss Lip Color in Pink Jewel) for a clean, easy and quick look.

smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

I don’t usually use lid primer because a good friend/makeup artist once told me to embrace my dark lids. But this one snuck into my vanity, somehow. I have the Golden Nude shade, and I like that it is wearable on its own. That said, if I don’t put shadow over it, it will crease in a couple of hours. I am also one of those people that rubs their eyes (I know it is a no-no…. I can’t help it!) and this primer did not stay on through that abuse. I do like this better than Urban Decay’s primer, mostly because it is more substantial. In short, nice product but I don’t think this is a must have in my beauty routine.

Urban Decay Naked Palette – I am a bit shy when it comes to pigment, so I snapped up this “neu

Urban Decay Naked Palette – I am a bit shy when it comes to pigment, so I snapped up this “neutral” palette without a second thought. I obviously love Urban Decay’s 24/7 pencil (see below) but wasn’t as familiar with their shadows. The shadow is well-pigmented and blends nicely. I am immediately drawn to shades like Naked, Virgin and Smog, which give a natural but smoky looking eye. There are also five new shades in the palette including Darkhorse with is a glittery, dark brown and Buck, a smooth carmel. All in all, I LOVE!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Hi, my name is Belle and I am addicted to eyeliner. Not in that goopy, thick application way. More like I can’t stop buying it in the hopes that it just might be better than anything I have tried before. I did rejoice when I tried MUFE Aqua Liner last month. I still use it and still love it. But over the holidays I could help but try 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Ransom (bright iridescent purple). Didn’t hurt that these liners are flying off the shelves and many colors are out of stock online. It had to be good. And it was. I am not adventurous when it comes to liner colors, but this purple was subtle and gave a glow. It also made my hazel eyes look more green. The pencil is smooth and creamy but the pigment stayed on throughout the day.