Recently in Eye Liner Category

The Tarte EmphasEYES™ High Definition Eye Pencil is probably one of the only pencil liners that I have been able to use.  It is a super skinny retractable eye pencil, so it never gives a fat dull line.  I typically never use a pencil liner because with most of them, to get a nice smooth line, you have to pull at the eye and I just refuse to do that in fear of getting fine lines and wrinkles.  I mean what's the use on spending $200 on an eye cream when you're just going to abuse your face anyways.  This liner applies on really smooth and I get a nice thin line without having to touch my eyes at all.  It stays put pretty well because it's made for the waterline, but I don't put liner there because it tends to close up my eyes.  Get Tarte EmphasEYES™ High Definition Eye Pencil for $18.

To start off the New Year right I thought it would be great to highlight some of the most exciting new brands and product launches that we've come across these past 12 months. Can't wait to see what's in store from these brands for 2010! Check back tomorrow to see more on fragrances.


Estee Lauder's Opulent Shimmer Powder -- It was hard to pick just one Estee Lauder product, but given that I no longer leave my house without a swoop of this Shimmer Powder this one had to take the cake.

Dashing Diva and Deborah Lippmann -- Both brands came-out with the most amazing colors this year. Dashing Diva with Jazz Nights (a bright ruby red glitter) and Deborah Lippmann with Happy Birthday (sheer with multi-colored flecks), Marquee Moon (silver with silver flecks), and her 10th Anniversary limited edition colors...so fun and flirty! No wonder Deborah Lippmann is known as the manicurist to the stars. Jump for more! 

If you are a Make Up Forever eyeliner addict, you will want this limited edition 25 color, 25th anniversary Aqua Eyes collection. I use the Aqua Eyes eyeliner in black during the summer when I know I'll be at the pool or beach, I swim with it for hours and it will not smudge or run!  It also has a creamy consistency and does not dry (just make sure you don't leave it in the car like I did).   It's a $425 value for $249, still very very expensive but if you are a make up artist it will actually save you money :)  At Sephora.com

I've never really given Estée Lauder much thought until recently; when I was a kid, it was my aunt's favorite (White Linen anyone?) and I always thought of it as the brand for the mature set.  That's all changing, however, under the direction of the very young and very chic Aerin Lauder (I see her at the Oscar show each season and she is so poised and beautiful, no tantrums from her when they ask her to get in line, she stood behind us at the last show!).  The latest collaboration with Michael Kors, Very Hollywood, is a stunning collection of modern palettes in shades of pinks and corals.  Even the packaging has been redesigned with Michael's modern glam sensibilities. 
 
I had the chance to play with the collection a couple of weeks ago at a press event and became obsessed with the Rodeo Pink palette.  I'm happy to report that the lip glosses no longer have a strange scent and are ultra moisturizing and shiny!  I'm not usually a coral girl but this coral is very natural without any tinge of orange-y ness, the entire collection is very neutral and perfect for all skin colors.  Read on for a quick Q & A with Michael Kors!

The collection will be at counters starting in January.  Sign up for Estee Lauder newsletter here to be notified when it becomes available on line.

Diva Snob

Bobbi Brown Exclusive Black Plum Beauty Trunk ($1000) is the ultimate for the Diva in your life.  It has everything but the kitchen sink in it!  Gorgeous plummy shades of eye shadows, liners, blush, lipstick and glosses, shimmer brick and so much more.  It would take a week just to play and try out everything! 

This is just such a glamour puss set-- the Touche Eclat is a perennial favorite and you can't go wrong with a sparkling gloss and smoky black eyeliner at night.  I love the cosmetic bag, too.  So chic!  Yves Saint Laurent Holiday Collection 2009 $60

Of course you can not mention Diva snob without adding a little bit of La Mer to the mix.  La Mer The Connoisseur Skincare Collection $395

This set will allow your Diva friend to sparkle as brightly as the gems she wears.  Laura Mercier does jewel tones so well, the colors are never to sheer nor too opaque and I love the nice creamy quality to the powder shadows.  Laura Mercier Gemstone Eye Collection$125

Who else but a Diva would take the time to airbrush her make up on each day?  Of course she is not doing it herself, she has people who do things like that for her.  Platinum Airbrush System $365

Check out these adorable holiday palettes from Shu Uemura!! Collaborating with acclaimed fashion designer Tsumori Chisato, shu has created a very special makeup collection called "Wish Upon a Star".  These will make perfect stocking stuffers and are will be great for traveling.  I like putting cream highlighter around the outer and inner corners of the eyes-- makes them sparkle and takes attention away from any unsightly lines. 

PLANET CAT COUTURE PALETTE

• Price : $65.00
• Available: Shu Uemera tsumori chisato limited edition planet cat couture palette

 

RADIANT RIBBON COUTURE PALETTE

• 3 Pressed eye shadows, 1 cream eyeliner, 1 cream highlighter, 2 double-ended applicators, 1 glow on
• Price: $65.00
• Available: Shu Uemera tsumori chisato limited edition radiant ribbon couture palette 

I'm obsessed with Sharpie fine point pens, nothing writes as smoothly or easily!  That is how I felt about Le Metier de Beaute's felt point liquid liner when I tested it out (exclusively at Neiman Marcus!) today.  The tip makes a very smooth line (not jagged like some felt tip liners can get) and it will not budge unless you wash it off with make up remover.  I got the BLEU cuz it was just so fun and funky-- very Valley Girl circa 1985.  The NOIR is a deep deep black, blends really well with fake lashes and look striking on its own.  Have you tried this line?  Tell me what you think!

I am addicted to dark polish right now.  Have OPI's Black Cherry Chutney on today and I feel very vampire-ish-- really like how it makes my skin look pale and flawless.  Am very excited about the launch of CHANEL's "Noirs Obscurs" this month.  CHANEL does amazing dark polishes (remember Vamp!?!?) and shadow quads but I don't know about the black lipstick.  Ahead of her time as an arbiter of style and color authority, Mademoiselle Chanel recognized and revered the color black as a symbol of luxury, modernity, sophistication and seduction.

Today, Peter Philips creates a tribute to black with an avant-garde collection of trend-defining eye, lip and nail shades, uncovering the many nuances and undertones of this iconic shade. Not many of us can carry off an entire face of rouge noirs, so we suggest choosing one feature to focus on the face to go with the dark nails. All at CHANEL.com (Jump for colors and prices!)

MAC's latest and greatest showed up at my door this weekend and I was transported back to my high school days in the 80's. The Greasepaint sticks in black and blue? Reminded me of my Robert Smith of The Cure moments. Blue flame eye shadow? I did that, with the black eyeliner (I didn't say I looked pretty!). The only thing I stopped at was black lipstick back then, way too Goth for me. I was just trendy, never rebellious or strange (I remember the Goth kids with black lipstick and safety pins in their noses, yikes!). What's worthy of checking out is the Glimmer glass lip glosses. The 'Bling Black' is actually a pale gold with flecks of dark silver. Could be very sexy on date night! Even the skincare is black, I loved the Volcanic Ash exfoliator and mask, very gentle yet gets all that gunk out of your poors. I am definitely giving the black lipstick and black lip gloss to my niece though. Can't imagine what the hubby would do if I showed up at dinner with black lips. What about you? Will you try the black lipstick and black lip gloss? MAC Style Black Collection here.