My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Eight

December 22, 2011 by

Make an entrance with Lasting Drama eyeliner.

OK, I’ll just say it. I like a little drama, especially around my eyes, especially for holiday parties. Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio gel eyeliner, $10 for a pot of bold color and a brush, is a fun way to amplify your look without spending a lot. Billed as waterproof and smudgeproof, I do admire its staying power. The liner comes off easily with eye makeup remover.

Though called a gel, the color seems to me more of a thick cream. Use the color sparingly, a little at a time. It’s a snap to apply to the lower lash line; on top takes a bit more practice.

Lasting Drama comes in four colors (black, brown, charcoal and eggplant) in case you’re planning to play a few different characters between now and New Year’s.

Product Source: I received a review sample of this product; I did not receive compensation.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Seven

November 14, 2011 by

Artliner by Lancôme is a go-to tube.

Looking to perfect your cat eye or create some subtle definition? Lancôme’s Artliner eyeliner, $29, is a go-to tube whether you’re going for full-on glamour or understated élan.

The liquid pen with a slender foam tip is easy to use and the rich, intense color leaves a soft, pretty finish. Artliner goes on smoothly, layers nicely and stays put without streaking or flaking.

I was excited to find out it comes in nine colors – two variations of black as well as aubergine, brown, gray and navy as well as three metallics – forest green, baby blue and amber.

Such a palette, such pigment! Who knows what inspiration you might find?

Product Source: I received a review sample from Lancôme. I did not receive compensation for this post.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Six

August 19, 2011 by

Dior Style Liner is long lasting.

“Take a cue from the femmes fatales of the red carpet and play the card of pure seduction,” says the ad copy for Dior’s Style Liner Intense Liquid Eyeliner, $33.

OK, I’ll bite. It’s hard-core research for my job, no? Happily I was not disappointed. The product is easy to apply, dries quickly and leaves you with a supple line that lasts for several hours.

As promised, Style Liner is an intense black so use sparingly for daytime – just a bit of liner will likely be enough. (When you pull the brush from the tube, the brush is fully loaded and you probably won’t need all that.) I’m a bit puzzled as to why it doesn’t come in at least one other color. From time to time, I like to spice up my playing cards with a rich cobalt or forest green.

Product Source: From my own collection. I did not receive product or compensation from Dior.

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High praise for Tightline from a makeup junkie

July 26, 2011 by

Laura Mercier's cake liner comes in six stunning colors.

I figure that a cosmetic, or really any product, that has the word cake in its name is worth a try. And Laura Mercier’s Tightline Cake Eye Liner is suitably decadent, the makeup equivalent of a coconut-lemon layered confection.

You add a drop or two of Tightline Activator to the cake and mix with a flat brush to form a lightweight paste. It takes a few extra minutes to apply (compared with liquid liners) and you may need a few practice rounds, trying different brushes, to get the precise line you want. But to a makeup junkie like me, that’s a plus.

And the color is gorgeous, vibrant but not over the top. In fact, the best thing about Mercier’s cake is the choice of colors: black (duh!), mahogany brown, plum, forest green, charcoal grey and, my favorite, bleu marine.

The activator contains a polymer to make the liner last longer, so once it’s on, it sticks. That said, it doesn’t blend very easily so be careful until you really have the hang of it. As much fun as it is to play with, this product is pricey. The cake is $22, the activator is $20 and the Mercier flat brush is $25, so almost $70. (I used other brushes.)

Still, it’s a chance to have dessert first thing in the morning without an actual sugar fix. How can that be bad?

Product source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from Laura Mercier. (This post is part five in my quest for the perfect eyeliner.)

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Four

June 26, 2011 by

Stiletto by Maybelline is a high-performance product.

Paris was a great chance to test a few products and Maybelline Stiletto Ultimate Precision liquid eyeliner, $7.50, was a fab find.

After lounging too long over coffee and pain au chocolat, I’d often be in a hurry to get ready and Stiletto was quick to apply. The thin felt tip is easy to control so you can create a soft feathery line or a thick dramatic band. The color is sheer, soft and stays put, without flakes or smears, even after a busy day of exploring the city.

Alas, the stilettos shown in this picture didn’t fare as well. Flats were my shoe of choice and the heels stayed parked outside my suitcase.

Product Source: I received a review sample from Maybelline. I did not receive compensation.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Three

June 6, 2011 by

I realize I’ve been remiss in my eyeliner updates. There have been so many noir movie events in April and May, I have, alas, fallen behind. But I have squirreling away tubes and sampling them when I can.

L’Oréal’s Voluminous Eyeliner has a slanted applicator.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Voluminous Eyeliner Mistake-Proof Marker by L’Oréal, $7. The felt tip is slanted so you can choose a thin line (use the pointed tip) or a thick line (use the slanted side).

Once you get it on, it does stay put and wears well; it also removes easily. But mistake proof? Not so much. Though the company says the flow of liquid is controlled and continuous, the tip itself doesn’t give you much juice so, in terms of ease of use, I was a little disappointed.

The key, I found, is a light touch. Because it’s a marker I was tending to hold the tube with the same strong grip that I would hold a Sharpie. That is not the way to apply – instead, easy does it! Voluminous is pretty good for a soft line, especially along lower lashes. Only $7, it’s worth a try, especially if you want to go a bit lighter for summer.

Product Source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from L’Oréal.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Two

April 25, 2011 by

Despite my long-standing devotion to classic black eyeliner, I’ve recently become smitten with midnight blue. It still defines and opens the eye, but gives you a slightly softer, lighter look that’s perfect for summer. Yves Saint Laurent’s Eyeliner Moiré liquid liner in No. 8/Marine Reflections, $34, is a great color to try. Deep blue and tinged with purple, it’s flattering for any eye color.

YSL Eyeliner Moiré liquid liner is pretty for summer.

The small, squared-off brush lends itself to precision. It lets you grab a nice dollop of liquid or a just a little bit, depending on how thick you want your line to be. It’s also very easy to layer so that you can start with a gentle daub and add more to heighten intensity. The proportions of cap to tube, a seemingly minor point, make a difference in terms of holding and handling the brush and YSL has nailed this aspect.

YSL’s formula is long wearing and flake-resistant, though it seems to do a better job staying put on my top lash line than on the bottom. With hot weather approaching, I may skip the bottom line and just use a little waterproof mascara on the bottom lashes.

Product Source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from YSL.

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