Tag: eyeliner

Le Métier de Beauté introduces The Beauty Vault for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

My adoration of  Le Métier de Beauté is no secret. I think the boutique cosmetic brand continues to chrun out innovative and well-made makeup that channels cutting edge technology. But all that science ratchets up the price point. Now, there is a great opprotunity for newcomers to the brand to try out the cult classics without breaking the bank. This whole set is only $49!!!

To celebrate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Le Métier de Beauté is offering a collection with travel sized:

  • Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer (Shade 2)
  • Precision Liquid Liner
  • Anamorphic Lash Mascara

The Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer works like a tinted moisturizer, letting the skin show through but blending away imperfections. It is on the sheer side of coverage. The formula combines the anti-aging benefits of retinol with the innovative Syntoc Actif delivery system to effectively plump and smooth wrinkles from the inside out for soft, beautiful skin.

Precision Liquid Liner in Noir, perhaps my all time favorite eyeliner, has a Mont Blanc crafted pen. What makes it unique is the calligraphic precision. This is perfect for that precise cat-eye that we are seeing everywhere for fall.

Anamorphic Lash Mascara mini in Black is made with beeswax and has a full brush. The effect is lashes full of volume that isn’t a total pain to remove.

The Beauty Vault is available, as a set only, at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com from July 22 to August 1, 2012 (but I hear it is already on counters and I found it online here).

CoverGirl Eyes

I’ve found a new drugstore duo from CoverGirl that can’t be beat for summer days. I love the crease-proof, sheer look of CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast Eyeshadow in Brown Bling. No need to fuss with a primer – it is already built in! This is perfect for those long, hot days. Not only is it water-proof but stays like a champ. The brush is spongy and a breeze to maneuver.

Follow up with CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Blackfire. This pencil is super creamy and doesn’t tug at your skin as you apply it. The shade is a blendable, grey black – not too severe for summer days. The other end is a smudger which I actually use. It isn’t too stiff and does the job blending out the pigment.

Both for under $15 at drugstore.com

by Lindsay Rogers

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.

Eyeliner tips with Dior Beauty Waterproof Eyeliner and Diorshow Iconic Mascara

I’ve received so many requests lately for the perfect lined eye tutorial.  I am working on a video, but wanted to give you guys some tips I learned in the meantime.  I was at a Dior event at Neiman Marcus recently, and their artist introduced me to some real headache-savers when trying to create a great lined eye.

The Dior Beauty Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner Pencil is packaged as a pencil.  I adore this as there is nothing better for me than an old fashion sharpening.  But past that, this is no ordinary pencil.  The consistency is a creamy gel with none of that dryness you find with a waterproof formula.  The reason waterproof is important here, is the first step to the lined eye is application on the inside of the lashes.  The only thing that will really stay is something that can withstand the natural wetness of your eye.   I never use the blending brush on the other end, although I supposed it is nice to have.  The included sharpener definitely is the one that works best for the pencil.

So your first step is to rim the entire eye with Dior Beauty Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner Pencil. On the inside of your upper lashes, place the pencil at the base of the lashes and stroke the eyeliner on each lash moving away from the eye.   On the inside of the bottom lashes, edge the pencil along the very base of the lashes from corner to corner.  Connect the bottom and top line at the very outer corner of your eye.  This is an easy way to get a good, even line without irritating the eye.  Blinking will also help blend the two lines.  You can stop here if you want a neat, daytime tight-line look.

Next, make a line on your bottom lash line, just below your lashes. Don’t worry about getting it perfect.  When using Dior Pencil, it will do the work for you.   This is where you establish your wing.  Using the exact angle at the end of your bottom lash line, just extend slightly towards the brow.  I like to make my wing approximately fourth of an inch.

Line your top outer lash line, again just along the lashes but this time along the outer edge.  Connect the top line with the end of the wing you created with your bottom lash line.   Keep the line fairly thin on the inner half of your eyes while very slightly increasing thickness to meet the end of the wing.  The great thing about this liner, it is works wonderful with all three tasks and will last throughout the evening.

Of course, we can’t forget mascara.  Dior’s Diorshow Iconic Mascara blew me away.  It is a great fit for my lashes.  It creates the perfect curve and adds tremendous length.  It isn’t as thick and clumpy as others, so my lashes still look individual in their volume.

I’m all for being adventurous in color, but for this look nothing but Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Noir and Dior Beauty Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner Pencil Trinidad Black would do the line justice.

 

 

 

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner

I am madly crushing on the classic look with a nod to retro style for makeup these days.  And no one does classic like Laura Mercier.  One of my old favorites is the Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony.  I spray some Shu Uemura Depsea Water Facial Mist in Bergamot on the Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush.  Some recommend working the liner into a paste, but I prefer swiping the brush in the cake to get more of a gel.  Instead of drawing the liner across the lash base, tuck the brush into the lash roots.  I usually start on the top side of lashes, but you can also line the underneath of the root.  Move the brush along the lash line, tucking at each stop.  The final product is subtle, but defining.  For a little more drama, reapply.  This also makes the line a little more solid.

If you use Laura Mercier Eye Colour, you can pop out the liner and keep everything together in a three or six-well custom compact for a customized color palette.

Avon Eyeliners

Watching a makeup tutorial the other day, I was blown away by the Avon eyeliners, particularly for application right in the lash line.  I had to try them out for myself.  I test-drove the MVPs of their extensive liner lineup – Extra Lasting liner and glimmersticks.

Extra Lasting is a classic liquid liner.  For the full inky line, it requires two swipes.  But I actually find this preferable.  You are able to correct and customize the line.  After a minute or two of drying time, this liner is NOT budging.  You absolutely get the promised 12 hours of wear. In fact, this rivals the staying-power of any liner I’ve tried, no matter the price point.  It took quite the scrubbing with eye makeup remover to get this swatch off my hand.  Extra Lasting liquid liner is $9.

Glimmersticks are a retractable, self-sharpening pencils.  They don’t have the staying power of the liquid liner, but are pretty impresive for a pencil.  These are perfect for a smudged eye line and dramatic lashes.  These are now on sale for $2.99 – perfect excuse to pick up all five colors.