Tag: eyes

RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow

The big question here is “does it crease?”.  I am so  happy to report: “NO!”.  I have been working with this product for a couple weeks because I wanted to be absolutely sure I could report no crease.  As long as you follow founder and makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift’s directions for nothing under the product, there will be zero gathering, clumping or creaseing. 

There really is no need to pile anything on before, because this doubles as eye cream. The shadow moisturizes on its own and will work more effectively without interference of other products.  Contact with other products can “affect its relationship with the skin.”

With all the hoopla behind mineral makeup, we know there is probably some benefit. But if you are like me, I find it drying on my dry to combo skin. This gem provides the benefit of minerals without drying with the addition of some team players: coconut oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil, and cocoa seed butter.

Birchbox offers the Cream Shadow in the following colors: 

  •  Lunar, a shimmery nude 
  • Magnetic, a violet-toned slate 
  • Solar, a luminous gold 

    The color I chose was Lunar, but all the Birchbox offerings are very neutral. Lunar gives a brightness with just a slight shimmer.

    NARS ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ Eyeshadow Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

    Guys, if you are near a Nordstrom, this is worth a trip.  This NARS palette is outstanding – if I sounds really enthusastic, good.  I am positively giddy over this. I actually was planning on checking out some of the summer trios: Okinawa and Cap Ferrat, which are both gorgeous. 

    But the Bright Lights, Big City is sophisticated, timeless and so wearable and captured my heart. I am shy with darker colors but I literally dove into Night Clubbing to my crease and it is HOT. I adore Cyprus on the brow bone and Fathom in corners.  Finally, I used Night Breed as a liner – just a small amount of sparkle literally luminates my lashes.

    For a day look, I love Biarritz all over the lid with Coconut Grove as liner or blended in the crease.  If you want darker liner, Night Clubbing would be a perfect tight line. 

    These colors are all available as single eyeshadows for $23.  I would literally buy every single one, so for all six (albeit a smaller quantity) for $55 is a steal.

    Top Row (left to right): Cyprus, Biarritz, Fathom

    Bottom Row (left to right): Night Clubbing, Coconut Grove and Night Breed

    MAC Cleanse Off Oil

    This was an adventure for me – I am new to MAC skin care and really have never embraced the oil on the face approach.  But at The Makeup Show this year, the MAC counter was aflutter for requests and raving reviews were being thrown around.  So a snatched some oil up for myself.

    For $10, you a 1oz bottle (which has lasted me forever!) of industry-strength oil-based makeup remover.  Unlike the regular Almay pads, the oil isn’t greasy or difficult to handle. If anything, it is like kindness to the skin. 

    The oil is a blend including olive, evening primrose and jojoba seed – there is ZERO mineral-oil (which I like to hear).  I use this on a tissue, but it would also work on a cotton pad.  But I am working on adopting the artists’ approach: massage onto the skin to loosen and remove any (including waterproof mascara).

    One of the reasons it doesn’t become greasy is that it emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water.  So, you are actually left with soft and conditioned skin. Don’t worry if you are oily – this is good for all skin types.  But I especially like it for my “dry in the winter” sensitive skin.

    Stila Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer

    Ever want something that can make eyeshadow stick and withstand summer heat? And, to boot, no creases? My new, little Prime Pot is just what the doctor ordered.  Right now, I am using this for a clean and neutral look that can withstand the pool and sweat.  Over the last couple of days, it is also come in handy for a more awake look (crucial while battling this obnoxious cold).  Expect a matte look that covers imperfections.  I am fair and the Tawny matches my red-undertoned complexion.  Carmel would work with deeper complexion and a more olive undertone.  Stila claims the formula “sticks” to eyeshadow and keeps it from creasing and facilitates easy blending.  It lives up to these claims.  But right now, my favorite look is the smudge pot just on its own.  The product is dry (hence the matte look), but I have no problem blending it with my finger and adjusting coverage.  It isn’t a powder, but it’s not the creamiest of creams.  Definitely a new summer staple for me.

    Cle de Peau Beaute The Mascara

    It was impossible for me to resist a mascara that could potentially improve the health of my lashes.  I got lucky in that department – my lashes are full and long – and I would prefer to keep it that way, thank you very much!  The Mascara by Cle de Peau Beaute contains the exclusive Cle de Peau Beaute advanced moisturizing ingredient, Hydro-Wrap Complex, and Argan Tree Oil to promote lash health through hydration and smooth application. I definitely do not get that “crispy” feel to my lashes that can occur with other formula.  There is no tugging required to remove mascara.  At the same time, the mascara has massive staying power.  I have not noticed one speck of stray color below my eyes.  An added bonus is the large brush that makes coating the lashes almost fool-proof. The effect is natural – you won’t get the mega-watt, false lash look.  But for day wear or when you would like to be a little more understated, this mascara is genius.

    YSL Dessin du Regard Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil

    A pencil that looks like liquid? I am in! I have two colors of this powerhouse liner and have been really pleased, especially on these hot summer days. What really shines about this product are the colors. I always love a deeply inky black, but have fallen hard for the Ultramarine.  Although they call it aqua, I think it has a hint of navy or true blue.  It really does look neutral on my eyes, but just adds that slight bit of unexpected.  In some ways, it adds a subtle sparkle and shimmer.

    Because these are such soft pencils, all it takes for a beautiful application is a quick sketch of a line. The application does mimic liquid, with a deep, very pigmented look. However, you can’t get that really fine line that is possible with a liquid eyeliner, so don’t recommend it for lower lids because it ends up looking rather thick (unless you are up for a deeply smokey eye). I think the staying power is great. I do find some migration below my eye on those really long nights, but for a pigment, I think its worth the trade off.

    • 1 Black Ink (inky black)       
    • 2 Patent Leather (deep brown)
    • 3 Ultramarine (fresh aqua blue)
    • 5 Shimmering Burgundy (plum brown)
    • 6 Amazon Green (rich blue green)