Eye Liner | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner and Swatches

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes are, in my opinion, the absolute best eyeliners out there. As you can see from the swatches, Aqua Eyes are seriously waterproof, sometimes wonderfully luminous, other times perfectly matte, highly pigmented, and they come in 25 shades. They are soft and apply wonderfully. There is no tugging or pulling involved with Makeup Forever eyeliners. As a result, they tend to be highly rated. Although waterproof and smudge proof, if you smudge the eyeliners right away, you can blend them. But they do set quickly.

I played with a bunch of Makeup Forever eyeliners at Sephora and took these Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes swatches, which represent 16 of the shades:

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Swatches from left to right: Iridescent Navy Blue 3L, Champagne 23L, Gold 9L, Turquoise 7L, Pistachio 17L, Light Brown 19L, Bronze 10L, Pearly Brown 2L, Shimmering Plum 4L, Bronze Green 5L, Black Purple 6L (I think, not guaranteed on that one), Purple 11L, Blue with green Highlights 12L, Light Taupe 24L, Burgundy 18L, and Silver 8L.

I hadn’t played with Makeup Forever much before that Sephora field trip and I ended up rather impressed, not just with Aqua Eyes, but also with some of Makeup Forever’s other cosmetics. I purchased a powder foundation that I love and will review soon. I also tried some of the lip products and was left wishing that my budget could accommodate a bit more shopping.

Much to my amusement, when I later tried to wash the swatches off in a restroom, they proved just how waterproof Aqua Eyes are. The makeup swatches wouldn’t budge! I didn’t want to trudge back to Sephora for makeup remover, so I just went home with lovelyeyeliner swatches on my arm for the world to see. Once home, I removed the swatches with Exuviance Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover, which took them off in seconds, so there is another shout out for that very nice eye makeup remover! You can read my previous review here: Bioelements Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover. Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Collector Set

If you are looking for a serious splurge, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes are available in a set: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes Collector Set, which at $249 is actually a darn good deal considering if sold separately the eyeliners would be worth $425. But you can by them individually for $17 each: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes.

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MAC Trend F/W 09

The MAC Trend Collection puts together a nice look using smoky blue and grays, coupled with dark lip shades.

The collection also has a particularly nice blue/gray MAC Trend Eye Shadow Palette . Below is the palette and swatches of the shades.

Looking for a good liner to pair it up with? Check out this Greasepaint Stick in Bright Blue Violet from the MAC DSquared 2 collection. This grease pencil is rather amazing. It can do a thick or thin line with bold, luminous color, and you could pretty much go swimming with it on and have it last perfectly (it doesn’t come off easily—so use eye makeup remover). It also has a sharpener hidden in the end.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition For Fall

Elizabeth Arden has a nice selection of limited edition duo eye shadows for fall, along with a nice gel eyeliner, eye primer, and other items.

I tried out one of the duos in Illusion (center left above) and loved it. Elizabeth Arden shadows are always quality. They are finely milled and have a particularly good color payoff. Arden’s packaging is also always nice, with heavier attractive cases and many choices in palettes. The duo I tried is perfect for a light smoky effect. Pictured below are swatches from the duo:

I also was impressed with the gel liner,which comes packaged with a brush. The brush is useable, but I preferred to use my favorite, a Smashbox Arced Liner Brush. The gel goes on smooth and is easy to work with to create either a sharp or smudged line. There is an eye primer too that I have not tested yet. So keep an eye out for a later review of that!

Elizabeth Arden is available at better department stores, specialized beauty stores such as ULTA Beauty , and various online sources.

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Essence of Beauty Brush Kit With Press Eyeliner Brush

Essence of Beauty makeup brushes come from a quality drugstore line that can be found at CVS stores. For more on them in general, see my previous review: Essence of Beauty Makeup Brushes.

When I was in CVS the other day, I noticed that the Essence of Beauty line had a travel kit on sale that included a press eyeliner brush (also known as a push liner). If you are unfamiliar with what a press eyeliner brush is, it is a stiff, flat makeup brush, that allows the user to push eyeshadow or liner up under the lashes. Having one is a great way to use dark shadow easily as a eyeliner. Pictured is one from NARS that is a bit expensive, but that I also rather like.

It looks like the only way to get the more affordable Essence of Beauty eyeliner brush is to buy the travel kit set. If the brush is sold separately, my local CVS did not have it. But the kit was only $9.99. So, anyone wanting an affordable press liner brush might want to take a look at the specials isle at their local CVS (the kit not in the brush section at my local CVS–it was only in the specials area)

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M.A.C. N Collection Colour

I am madly in love with M.A.C.’s N collection, which was quite popular at the spring collection fashion week shows. One example of a look from the J. Mendel fashion week show that I really like is below. Consisting of all neutral and nude shades, the collection is perfect for neutral lovers like myself, and can also provide a great backdrop for adding a splash of color.

J. Mendel designer Spring Collection MAC Face Chart

For example, if you want to do a striking red lip, you could pair it up with a neutral eye. Or do a natural looking lid and lips, but add a bright splash of color along the lash line (I suggest Parrot from the originals collection). In the look above, an overall neutral look is used.

Below are some swatches, taken mostly in sunlight. The shadows are all gorgeous, with the brown Dark Edge being my favorite. Nanogold is very, very light, especially in sunlight. It is also more shimmery than the picture shows. It is great as a highlighter under the brow.

The collection also features three paint pots. Groundwork, which was already out, has been one of my all time favorite eye colors. I also love the previously released shade Painterly, which is another great neutral shade. With the addition of two more neutral shades, my paint pot love continues to grow. For more on the paint pots in general see my previous review. As you can see, soft ochre is almost the same shade as my skin, which is quite pale. I particularly love the Quite Natural shade.

The collection also has a couple of nice creamy eyeliners and some great lip shades. For that, and for another face chart look, head on over to my post at Girl Gloss. Keep an eye out for an upcoming look at the nail polish as well.

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New Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Cream Eyeliner

Shiseido’s 2007 fall makeup collection has a nice selection of items. I tried two new items from the collection and was left highly impressed.

The Shiseido Accentuating Cream Eyeliner is wonderful stuff. I tried the brown shade, which is a nice rich chocolate brown. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the eyeliner comes with a perfectly usable brush that utilizes the cap to give the brush length. The eyeliner itself is smooth and creamy. It goes on with no tugging or clumping, and provides a nice smooth line. It can also be smudged for a smoky effect. I love most cream and gel liners, but I think this is about the best that I have used yet.

At $25, it is a bit pricey, but not overly high, and this is an item that will last for some time. I find it well worth the cost. Shiseido is available at fine department stores and specialty stores.

For a look at Shiseido lip gloss, head on over to my post at GirlGloss!

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M.A.C. Cosmetics Antiquitease Holiday Collection Part Two: Eyes and Lips

Yesterday, I looked at the nail effects from the Antiquitease collection. Today I cover the rest! The collection is available beginning today, October 18, 2007!

M.A.C. Cosmetics Antiquities Holdiay Collection Makeup

I normally don’t like to think about the holidays before Halloween, but this entire collection is amazing and it definitely put this makeup lover in a holiday mood! I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview when I went backstage with M.A.C. before the first Chicago Fashion week show, so I decided to put a bit of extra effort into getting some photos out there of the shades that I have! Plus I really wanted to play with the colors! For the eyes, the collection features the following mineralize eyeshadow duos:

Silversmith: A silver blue with dirty mid-tone blue and white veining (frost)
Earthly Riches: A deep plum and dirty deep grey with pink veining (frost)
Engaging: A pinky beige and yellow gold with rose veining (frost)
Family Silver: A dirty light silver and mid-tone
Mi’ Lady: An intense blood red and rich purple with white veining (frost)

Because the mineralize colors work so well blended and have some blending already going on in the case, I didn’t try to swatch each side of the duos separately. Instead, I went ahead and blended them for the below photo. The colors can be used without mixing though and are pretty true to how they look in the case when that is done.

From left to right below: Mi Lady, Earthly Riches, Family Silver, and Engaging

M.A.C. Cosmetics Holiday Antiquitease Eye Mineralize Duos

The collection also has a nice set of three pigments, which are quite light and sheer when used dry, and become darker and more brilliant when wet. They are also quite true to how they appear in the pot. From left to right below are:

Sweet Sienna : A dirty brown with grey pearl
Gold Stroke: A mid-tone chocolate brown with red pearl
Your Ladyship Creamy white with gold pearl

M.A.C. Holiday Collection Antiquities Pigments

In addition to the shadows and pigments, the collection includes a gorgeous gold eyeliner and features M.A.C. Fibre Rich Lash Mascara. For the lips, there are a number of very pretty shimmery lipsticks and a set of lipglass shades, described as follows:

Lipstick
Gilty Kiss: Yellow gold with gold pearl (frost)
Her Fancy: Sheer light pink with gold pearl (frost)
Antiquitease: Copper with red pearl (frost)
Queen’s Sin: Intense red with red pearl (frost)
Budding Lust: Deep neutral plum (frost)

Lipglass
Red Romp: Mid-tone red with red pearl (frost)
Corsette: Dirty grey brown with gold pearl (frost)
Trifle: White pink with pink pearl (frost)
Majestic: Yellow gold with gold pearl (frost)

Below are the lipsticks. From left right: Her Fancy, Gilty Kiss, Antiquitease, Queens Sin, Budding Lust.

M.A.C. Lipsticks Holiday Antiquitease Collection

I also have swatches of three of the four Lipglass shades. To view those, head on over to Girl Gloss! for my report on the lipstick and lipglass shades.

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