Recently in Eye Liner Category

All photos from people.com

I love trying out new shadows and eyeliners and I totally owe my current infatuation with teal eye liner to Beauty Snob Tina! Ever since she gave me Estee Lauder's Aqua Teal eye liner I've been nothing short of obsessed with the color -- so perfect for sunny spring days! Seems I'm not the only one -- Rachel Bilson looks cute with a touch of teal and though I could never pull-off the all over-color look that Demi Lovato has got going on, she wears it well. Besides Estee Lauder 's teal liner, Elizabeth Arden's Color Intrigue Gel Eyeliner in Ocean Teal is a great find. I usually stick with pencils, but this gel liner glides on super easily and makes for a very vivid color that complements my blue eyes nicely. It also includes an eyeliner brush and it's surprisingly long lasting (as is the Estee Lauder one) -- for the most part I didn't need to re-apply all day/night. I know a lot of people are scared of trying bold eye liner colors, but I've been pairing the teal with a mix of Prescriptives' Pongee, Bellini, and a touch of Sage and the result is a light airy eye that's truly nothing to be nervous about! How do you wear you color eye liner?

Clé de Peau has been on my radar since I first tried the iconic "La Creme" years ago. I had never tried its color collection, however, until the Beauty Event last week at Neiman Marcus North Park.  I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Clé de Peau National Make Up consultant Kyriaki Savrani that day and she helped me pick out make up colors (is there anything more fun than playing with make up all day?). A native of Greece, make up artist Kyriaki Savrani's resume extends across all corridors of the beauty industry. The sophisticated beauty got her start in 1992 while attending art school in Paris and assisting Stephen Marais. Since then Kyriaki has built an extensive list celebrity clientele (Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, Anne Hathaway, Audrey Tautou and many others) and work with designers such as Chanel, Valentino, Dior and Karl Lagerfeld.  Yet no matter how "haute" the couture, Kyriaki brings her own unique perspective to her craft. 

During our interview, I learned a lot about the brand and its devoted followers.  Kate Moss apparently swipes a tube of the uber popular Extra Silky lipstick-$50 everytime they do her make up.  I wonder if I can get away with same at the counter?  I'm all about new shade 118 (Lily of the Nile)-- it's a soft pinkish beige that looks really natural!  Plus the formula has a shine to it so you don't need lip gloss.  Kyriaki declared that the era of heavy gooey gloss that bubble when you talk is over!  A hint of shine is much more sexy though she is all about the matte lipstick (in red no less!)


Another exciting newly formulated product is the Cream Foundation. ($118).  It now comes with a twist applicator that gives you the exact dosage you need (in the shape of the Cle de peau logo) so you won't waste a drop of this amazingly velvety foundation.  Kyriaki put O10 on me (at lunch she predicted I'd be O10 by looking at my chest.  Apparently the chest is the perfect spot to match foundation!) and it was the perfect shade for me.  (Just a warning, you'll read the word "perfect" a lot in this post.)  I was with a friend before going to Neiman Marcus and told her I was interviewing Kyriaki and she squealed, "I love the Cream Foundation, it's all I wear!  Tell them it's my favorite brand!"  

Get Slumdog sexy with Guerlain's Intense Indian Kohl! This is a mineral eyeliner that will be gentle even for contact lens wearers (are people still wearing contacts? I got LASIK 12 years ago and never looked back!). I got my make up done by Guerlain artist Cheri (at Waldorf Astoria boutique) during Fashion Week and I'm now obsessed with everything Guerlain. This creamy glide on kohl stick is highly concentrated in mineral pigments and will give you that smoldering sexy look. I put this on and it lasted all night without smudging nor smearing. Intense! Now I just need to master my dance moves (kidding!). $35 at Sephora.com Oops, here is the correct link!

It matters not how long you've been married or dating, when it comes to date night (especially on Valentine's Day) you've got to pull out all the stops!  Make Up Forever makes it easy and fun to get all dolled up with just a few essentials (for less than $100!).  A pouty red lip (Aqua lips #8C and lipstick 205), smoldering eyes (Aqua Eyes #0L), flushed pink cheeks (sculpting blush #8) and a set of flirty lashes (Faux Lash Alexandra #110).  I love the Aqua eyes eyeliner for rimming the inside edge of the upper eyes, it makes the fake lashes blend in better.  And hello-- nothing is sexier than red hot lips-- but line them after applying your lipstick!  Lastly, I love a very pink and very flushed cheek-- smile and apply in circular motion on the apples of your cheeks to get that youthful cherub look.  All at Sephora.com 

I can't get enough of Jane Iredale mineral make up! I stopped by the Cooper Spa again last week to play with more stuff and found a few more can't live without items.
 

First up is the "Lip Drink"-- my hubby and son have taken it from me for their golf outings so I need to get another one. It's SPF 15 so I am relieved they're using it.  It has the slightest hint of lemon and herbs and makes lips smooth, immediately. Jane Iredale LipDrink Lip Balm SPF 15 for $11.60. This has replaced my Fresh sugar lip balm. And hello, it's half the price! Delish!

Next up is the 24kt Gold Dust for $12-- if you already have the Cotton Candy blush you know that the real flecks of gold give you a flawless sheen like not other.  This may be used all over your body and you won't glitter like the Strip, I promise-- it's subtle!  This will flatter any skin tone no matter how light/dark your complexion is! Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust

Lastly, the Eye Highlighter pencil that I now keep in my bag to perk me up mid day.  I don't drink coffee nor tea (caffeine intolerance) so I depend on my products to give me that zing and zip at 5pm.  I use this all over my face actually, it lightens hollow areas and gives me a youth like fullness. Use the white tip on the cupid bow of your lips and on the inner corners of the eyes. You'll see what I mean! Jane Iredale Eye Highlighter Pencil, White/Pink $15

Cheap fun but amazing results!

I spent Saturday afternoon at Barneys doing 'research' (it's shameful how much I can get away with nowadays with the hubby!) in the cosmetic department and I am now in total awe Serge Lutens.  Long known for its  ultra luxe fragrance, the brand's beauty essentials are now a major force to be reckoned with.  Innovative and luxurious (not to mention tres expensive)-- it's Hermes for beauty junkies! 

I needed a liquid liner refill and was persuaded to try Serge Lutens' 'Fard' kohl eyeliner.  The SA (Dean) handed me the applicator; a spongy wedge shaped felt tip that created a soft and natural liner with a rounded tip on the other end for blending, and showed me how precisely it applied.  I have to say it went on evenly, there was no smudging (unless you want to do so with the opposite tip) and no streaking.  I had no idea what it cost but should have been clued in when he repeatedly said "it will last you forever, just make sure you keep the lid closed so it doesn't dry out".  Famous last words huh.

I fell in love with the way the kohl liner looked and bought it; when I signed my receipt I almost had a heart attack.  $75 for eye liner!!!!!  It'd better last me forever!  Talk to me in a few months and I'll tell you if it was worth it but thus far-- love it!  Try for yourself but I prefer using my Shu Uemura slanted eyeliner brush to apply rather than the sponge applicator.  The best part is-- it doesn't fade!  By the end of an active Sunday (running around on a golf course after my son and hubby) I still looked sane.  At Barneys.com or your local Barneys New York.  

Update: release is in Feb. Apologies for the error in date! The eagerly anticipated Hello Kitty collaboration from MAC arrives at stores today. There is a "Mild" Kitty collection of muted shades and a "Wild" Kitty collection of bold and neon hues. Choose your poison and your Hello Kitty tote/make up bags/accessories along with a 14" Hello Kitty plush doll so you can overdose in Kitty style. I am a bit old to be playing with Hello Kitty (don't ask why there is a pink Hello Kitty beach cruiser in my garage!) but a glittery lip gloss or two will keep me young and happy. The icon adored by millions will arrive at MAC counters today with its limited edition collection of color, finishes, glitter, and shine! Or check out MAC Cosmetics online.

What do you think?  Is it normal for grown women like me to love Hello Kitty?

I was so excited to read in WWD that Kanebo is gearing-up to launch Sensai Colours, a new treatment makeup line consisting of 22 eye, lip and cheek items with formulas that draw on water and silk to address moisturization and impart a silk-like glow! Sensai Colours lip items consist of two ranges: Lasting Treatment Rouge and Deep Moist Shine Rouge. Lasting Treatment is offered in 18 shades and is formulated to provide long-staying, vivid color with pigments coated with kanten, a jellylike substance obtained from red seaweed and often used as a thickener in Japanese food. The Deep Moist Shine items aim to moisturize lips with a translucent film of color with Phyto Volumising Oil. It is available in 12 shades. There will also be a silky lip gloss in two shades, a lip base with SPF 15, three eye shadow palettes each with four shadow choices, five cheek blush, two eyebrow pencils, two liquid eyeliners, two eyeliner pencils, six lip liner pencils, and a fragrance-free gentle makeup remover. After the jump see photos of Scarlett Johansson in the upcoming film, The Spirit, where she's decked-out in Kanebo!

One of my all time favorite celebs is Jennifer Aniston. She has amazing skin and a body to die for (if you must know, I always tell my trainer Lara to "Make my body rock like Jennifer Aniston!). Jen works hard for that body (with a mix of yoga, pilates and running) and despite turmoil in her personal life, she's always carried herself with grace and dignity. She's Vogue's cover girl this month and we found the products that Gucci Westman used on her for that carefree California girl glow.  Have to say I am not crazy about the photo they chose for the cover (red dress upper right).  I prefer the more casual one below right (in shorts sitting with knee up- tres sexy!).  To get Jen's beach chic look:
 

Brows- L'Oréal Brow Stylist 3-in-1 in medium dark brown, $12.99 ($9.99 at drugstore.com)

Eyes- Physicians Formula Organic Wear Origin Eyeshadow Duo in Brown Eyes, $7.95
 
Face- L'Oréal Glam Bronze bronzing powder in Seductive Sunset, $12.99 and Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine SPF 20 Honey Matte 002, $40
 
Lips- L'Oréal HiP Jelly Balm in Luscious, $9

Images via Vogue.com

I have found the best liquid liner, I am serious, this is it. I've used Chanel and Shu Uemura, both work well but I have a problem with their floppy brush, it makes it hard to get a perfect line and I have to be really careful because if I push too hard the line becomes too thick. This liner from Hourglass has a felt tip so it is very firm, it is like a Sharpie but very pointy. I can swish the pen back and forth in a hurry to get a perfectly tight line right above my lash line. It goes on completely opaque, there is nothing watery or runny about this. It is also great for fixing gaps when using fake eyelashes. I got this at Barneys and they ran out of black, which was a blessing in disguise - my very helpful sales associate convinced me to get the Indigo and I thought it would be too blue but instead, it is the distinct line I want without the harshness. Throw away everything you have and go out and get this!! I would not recommend the Cognac, it is too metallic and oddly too similar to skin tone (well, at least mine). These are going to be my stocking stuffers this Christmas, but that means these will always be out of stock now that I'm turning everyone on to this. At Barneys for $32.

I like to use a silver eye liner at the corners of my eyes to make them look sparkly but every time I sharpen it, it crumbles and/or bits and pieces of liner end up in my eyes which always freaks me out. My solution is to put it in the freezer for 15 minutes PRIOR to sharpening which gives it a perfect point without crumbling!!!

This works with both lip liners and eye liners. Keeping your liners sharp will also ensure you don't make messy mistakes! Try Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil 1999 in a shade that flatters your skin tone and eye color. It's a quick and easy way to create a glamorous evening look!

I am going to Bobbi Brown's studio in SoHo to interview Bobbi and have my make up done tomorrow morning.  Needless to say I am beyond excited; I've been obsessed with Bobbi since college and am so looking forward to meeting her!  In addition to preparing questions for the Make Up Guru, I've been testing out her new products in order to discuss them with her.  I just got three things from the limited edition Holiday collection (shown above).  My favorite is the "Night Sky" longwear eye palette compact with two gel liners and two shadows, each has a cap so it stays mess free.  I hate when wet liners smudge on the compact mirror.  I also got the lip gloss trio shades ranging from beige, bronze to sparkling pink- yummy!  The double decker lip and eye palette are flattering on any skintone and is perfect for traveling (yes, I am taking it to New York with me today though there is a hurricane and hail so I don't know when I'll get there) and touch ups inflight. These limited edition items are fabulous stocking stuffers- there is something for everyone on my gift-giving list from the "Multi-Taskers" to the "Glamour Girls." (I am not giving any names so my girlfriends can be surprised when they receive theirs!) Check out the entire Holiday collection on Bobbi Brown.com-- they won't last long so order asap!

I thought it would be fun to let our readers ask Bobbi a few questions-- so if you have any questions for Bobbi Brown please leave them in comments!