Today I'm writing on Long Wearing Eye Liners. I received a request on this one, and it is a great one since we all are on the lookout for the best formula of liner. I was constantly on the search for a formula that exists in the form of a pencil, that glides on smooth and easy, no tugging, and darl color deposit. The Guerlain Kohl liner (available at Sephora) has been the result of my search to fulfill all of these attributes. The packaging is also very different -- it comes in a small, stout canister with exotic flair that almost resembles a lipstick case. This product is great for lashline and waterline! I usually use it over a liquid liner base to give it more "oomph", but even as a standalone, it really delivers. Kohl has been around for a long time (since 3100 BC in Egypt). Those assuming a prominent role in late predynastic Egyptian culture wore Kohl. It was also assumed that wearing kohl around the eyes protected people since there was a belief that darkening around the eyes would protect one from the harsh rays of the sun or evil spirits. Moving away from the usual black liner is Chanel's Le Crayon Kohl in Khaki Dore. This pencil is truly a versatile, everyday super product to frame the eyes without a lot of intensity. I often use this pencil as a base liner, or just wear it alone with mascara for a perfect weekend look. The Khaki color is a great way to "dress" the eyes while adding some gilded highlights to them. To dress the eyes even more, you can start with the Khaki liner all around the eye, and use the Black Kohl on the water and lashlines for more drama.
Last night I stopped into Saks to try the Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara. Being a Chanel cosmetics maven, Armani beauty is totally new for me so this was an adventure. Finding the right mascara formula has always been somewhat of an enigma to me, since it was very obvious early on that none of the drug-store formulas worked (always clumping) and thus began my journey into the higher end formulas. My first stop was Lancome Definicils, followed by Clinique High Definition Mascara, Dior DiorShow, Buxom Lashes, Benefit Bad Girl Lash, and finally Chanel Inimitable. There were a few in between there, but those I probably did not hold onto for more than 24 hours. The unveiling of Chanel's Inimitable formula was a monumental event, as Chanel really hadn't produced a great mascara formula at all. The claim of Inimitable is "Volume, Length, Curl, Separation" in one product. Whenever I choose a mascara, I look at the brush bristle structure and shape. The Inimitable brush is rather misleading, however. Upon first glance, the brush is small and bristles are short. However, once I applied the product, there was absolutely little to no clumping -- this to me is a sign of a good mascara. I have owned both the regular and waterproof versions and I can safely say that I prefer the waterproof formula (even if I have to deal with extra scrubbing at night to take it off) because it is much darker in color and does not cake by noon. Chanel Inimitable Waterproof has been my go-to formula for daily work makeup and weekend makeup. The curiosity I had last night, however, led me to venture into the world of Armani Beauty, as the Eyes to Kill mascara has been on my radar for quite some time. The mascara tagline boasts that the formula "dresses the eye with powerful, plush, separated, voluminous lashes. Fine, fluid Microfil technology creates intensely captivating lash texture. Micro-waxes combined with a "fineness agent" allow for smooth and easy application, revealing weightless volume". The Armani brush is definitely different from the Chanel brush: it appears longer and more coarser in the bristle structure. There was little to no clump factor here, and I did not purchase the Waterproof formula as I was recommended the original formula to start. Upon first application, I was satisfied with the one coat that I applied -- I didn't get a spider effect, and there wasn't any caking by noontime. The Armani formula definitely lifted my lashes out and UP at the same time, so I did not have to use an eyelash curler (nor do I do these days as its bad for the lashes). I will need to give it a few more applications to really come up with a decision of which of the two is my favorite. Has anyone tried Armani Eyes to Kill?
If there's way to capture feeling like royalty, I would say I have found it in a bottle. I love perfume, but it is a well-known fact that body chemistry plays a large part in how long perfume stays on. When I spray perfume in the morning, I feel like I cannot smell it at all by lunchtime. That's probably my chemistry. So my Plan B to find a longer lasting scent came in the form of Body Lotion. I own a bevy of Chanel fragrances (Coco Mademoiselle being my ultimate favorite) so decided to take a leap with Dior. I own a few Dior makeup products and have been satisfied with them. There weren't many Dior body lotions to choose from at the Macy's I was at. I had read about this particular scent in a beauty magazine and wanted to check it out. The lotion itself was luxuriously soft, and the scent seemed to be just enough perfume to stay on without being in the form of a perfume. Not only that, this scent has an ethereal essence to it. Some products make you feel a lot more feminine than others. This product has a soft, pillowy type feeling to it but just enough scent to make a statement. I apply it following a shower in the morning and since I have bought it and use it, I can still catch the scent throughout the day. I recommend all you ladies to head to Sephora and at least obtain a sample of the product to try!
Rarely do I find a product that really "does it all" -- with a slogan that it can enhance cheeks, eyes and lips. Granted I have not used this product on my lids, but I can say with confidence that this product really does it for my cheeks and lips without looking kitschy. I bought this product prior to a Miami weekend trip for that eau de beach feeling and effect... I wanted minimal foundation, minimal shadow, just some waterproof mascara, concealer, and a really well textured color on the cheek. When I was in Sephora picking out the correct hue, I gravitated towards bubble-gummy pinks (always have) but really the color that brings out my skin the best is this Portofino shade. It is the perfect mix of pink with highlights. I am not even sure I would go as far as calling it pink -- it really is a refined neutral shade between pink and red. Oh and it also has some specks of bronze, which kick up the cheeks even more when you are out on the town at night. It's a versatile product, as I use it for work as well as those evenings out to dinner or drinks. You can intensify it based on how much rouge you would like to wear. The silky formula onto lips -- making it perfect for the beach. I have found on the mornings when I look more tired than usual, this product really perks me up and gives me a youthful glow. I love NARS products and had somehow avoided purchasing this product (all the Orgasm hype rather tuned me out) but I would definitely purchase another shade for my travel bag or purse. I know Francois Nars comes out with new shades now and then so I will have to keep my eyes open. Every woman should own a Multiple!
Today I'm writing on Long Wearing Eye Liners. I received a request on this one, and it is a great one since we all are on the lookout for the best formula of liner. I was constantly on the search for a formula that exists in the form of a pencil, that glides on smooth and easy, no tugging, and darl color deposit. The Guerlain Kohl liner (available at Sephora) has been the result of my search to fulfill all of these attributes. The packaging is also very different -- it comes in a small, stout canister with exotic flair that almost resembles a lipstick case. This product is great for lashline and waterline! I usually use it over a liquid liner base to give it more "oomph", but even as a standalone, it really delivers. Kohl has been around for a long time (since 3100 BC in Egypt). Those assuming a prominent role in late predynastic Egyptian culture wore Kohl. It was also assumed that wearing kohl around the eyes protected people since there was a belief that darkening around the eyes would protect one from the harsh rays of the sun or evil spirits. Moving away from the usual black liner is Chanel's Le Crayon Kohl in Khaki Dore. This pencil is truly a versatile, everyday super product to frame the eyes without a lot of intensity. I often use this pencil as a base liner, or just wear it alone with mascara for a perfect weekend look. The Khaki color is a great way to "dress" the eyes while adding some gilded highlights to them. To dress the eyes even more, you can start with the Khaki liner all around the eye, and use the Black Kohl on the water and lashlines for more drama.
