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Burberry Beauty

Eye Makeup

Burberry Beauty Wet & Dry Glow Shadows

February 26, 2015

Burberry has replaced all of their single eyeshadows with two new formulas. The original powder shadows have been replaced with a Wet & Dry Silk Shadow ($29 each for 2.7g/0.09 oz) formula which is a powder shadow that has a texture you can apply wet or dry. I have several of these I’ll be testing in the next week or so. In addition to this reformulation, there is another formula called the Wet & Dry Glow Shadow ($29 each for 1.8g/0.06 oz). These are metallic shadows with a unique gel-like texture similar to the NARS Dual Intensity Eye Shadows but not quite as sharp in the shimmer. I have the Wet & Dry Glow shadows to share with you today.

There are four colors in the Wet & Dry Glow Formula:

  • Optic White No. 000 is a soft silvery white pearl shimmer
  • Gold Pearl No. 001 is a pale neutral gold shimmer
  • Nude No. 002 is a taupey-tan nude shimmer
  • Shell No. 003 is a soft champagne pink nude shimmer
The shimmer in these colors is stunning. The pigment is almost creamy but has a powder feel. You can apply these dry with a brush or fingers much like you would apply a cream shadow. If you dampen the brush it will intensify the colors and change it slightly to look more dramatic on the skin. The texture is very smooth and the shimmer is finely milled making these a softer less intense version of the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows or other gelee/cream to powder metallics. The shimmer is still very noticeable but these are really quite lovely on the eyes. Alone or layered or combined with other colors.

These are multi-dimensional colors which makes them glow. The colors look different in the pan depending on how the light hits them. Here they are in full sunlight:

Indoors with artificial light to show how they glimmer:

Swatched with the sponge tip applicator and blended with the fingers:

Applied dry:

Applied wet:

Close ups of each color:

My personal two favorites are Nude and Shell. Nude is deep enough to wear on its own by layering it on the eyes. Shell is also a lovely neutral that works as an all over easy wash. On my skin Optic White and Gold Pearl are so pale they have a very similar effect on my skin, I have a slight preference for the Gold Pearl color, although Optic White is a stunning white color.

Some comparisons swatches (you can click for larger viewing):

Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Shadows in Volver + Au Revoir (review)

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold (also seen here)
MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque
Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Starlight (also swatched here)

I’m really pleased with all four shades. The formula is consistent among all colors and the texture is easy to layer which allows you to control the level of shimmer/color on your lids. The wet/dry formula is quite beautiful in the way it transforms when you apply with a damp brush. Lasting power with these was all day for me. It didn’t budge, fade or slide off from morning well until late evening.

You can find these Wet & Dry Glow Shadows at select Saks, Nordstrom and Burberry Boutiques. Online now at Saks and Nordstrom (some on backorder).

Optic White and Shell were provided for review consideration.
Gold Pearl and Nude purchased by me.

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On My Radar / New In Beauty

February 25, 2015
Some new items on my radar this week that have popped up. I’m still working my way through photographing and swatching items from Marc Jacobs Beauty, Hourglass, Burberry, Chanel and Charlotte Tilbury. There’s not enough hours in the day for all the fun stuff. As usual I’d love to hear what’s on your beauty radar right now. I’m in the process of testing out some eye creams (sample packets and a few I’ve bought) – if you have any favorite eye creams I’d love to hear your recs in the comments.

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8  /  9
  1. NARS will release six shades of Dual-Intensity Blush next week at online at Sephora, NARS Cosmetics and NARS Boutiques on March 4th and at all other locations April 1st. As someone who is obsessed with the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, I’m beyond excited for these.
  2. Chanel has some new items in skincare. The entire Le Blanc line has been reformulated so if you have some staples I recommend you check your counter as soon as possible to see if they have the older formulas to stock up. I just ran out of my go-to Estee Lauder toner so I decided to give the Le Blanc Brightening Moisturizing Lotion a try. I’ll have a more detailed report once I give it a test drive. 
  3. Another new item from Chanel is the Hydra Beauty Micro Serum. From what I’ve heard, it will not replace the current Hydra Beauty Serum, but is simply an addition to the line for more moisture. I bought the Micro Serum yesterday and can’t wait to try it out.
  4. The Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipsticks are now available for everyone to purchase (no longer a VIB/VIB Rouge exclusive). There are eight shades of nudes and mauves which are super tempting. Given the fact that I have acquired a number of Chanel Rouge Cocos, Dior Glosses and Marc Jacobs Lipsticks buying another lipstick just seems silly. But many of you keep raving about Bite so I might check out 1 or 2.
  5. Dior has three new Gel-Shine Vernis Nail Lacquers launched with the release of the lip glosses.  The three colors are Rose, Pink and Corail. I’ll have swatches for you next week.
  6. Bobbi Brown has new Cheek Palettes with different color themes in Berry, Pink and Calypso. These are so stunning and well pigmented. I haven’t splurged yet but these are on my radar.
  7. Tatcha’s latest is the Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder for sensitive skin. It’s also available in a travel size. I’m a huge fan of the regular version (reviewed here) and this new one looks promising for days that my skin is experiencing extra sensitivity.
  8. Burberry has reformulated all of their shadows. In addition to their powder shadows, there is another new formula called Wet & Dry Glow Shadows in Optic White, Gold Pearl, Nude and Shell which are mind blowingly gorgeous. I’m working on swatches this week.
  9. Clinique has two Chubby Sticks out. There is a Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight and Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour. I like the look of the packaging and they look like they are really easy to use but reviews are mixed. Have you tried these? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What’s on your beauty radar this week?
Beauty Nordstrom

The Beauty Look Book’s Guide to Building a Makeup Wardrobe

December 16, 2014

This year I’ve received quite a few e-mails from new readers who just started getting into higher-end cosmetic brands. Being a beauty junkie and beauty blogger, I put dozens of products to the test each mont. This allows me to offer comparisons in order to help others determine differences or similarities across brands, formulas and product families.

For the makeup newbie it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through all the options. Finding good makeup that works for you often has to be done through trial and error. I think we’ve all been at that place where we bought something that ended up not working so well for our skin tone or skin type. Finding a store with a wide range of brands to choose from with a good return/exchange policy is one of the main reasons I really love to shop at Nordstrom. Today I’ve teamed up with them to create a personal beauty guide on how to start building a makeup wardrobe.

Most of my makeup preferences are for natural colors that will enhance features. New readers frequently e-mail me requesting a customized shopping list of my top beauty picks for them to take to the counter. Picking favorites is almost impossible for me since I really do love a lot of brands, but I’ve compiled an edited list that I think will be good for the makeup newbie. I’ve split my guide into three categories: Lips, Eyes and Cheeks.

For lips, if you’re just starting to get into makeup, my recommendations would depend on what kind of look you want. Even if you want a natural color, texture and finish plays a major part in picking out the right lip product. Do you prefer sheer, glossy, velvety, full-coverage? Are you a lipstick or lipgloss kind of person? Do you like shimmer or prefer creams?
Chanel Rouge Allure Glosses offer rich pigment with high shine and flawless coverage. My favorite soft pink is Sensible 15. If you want a no-fuss medium to full coverage lip gloss that stays put, these will give a really pretty shine while adding a good amount of color. There are naturals and brights in this formula to suit a wide range of skin tones. Another really good full coverage lip gloss is the Dior Addict Fluid Stick. These are a hybrid lipstick + lipgloss and it packs in a ton of color with high shine. Whisper Beige 219 is a good natural beige nude that won’t wash out the complexion.

If you prefer to ease into color and want just a tint of color and shine, Chanel Glossimers are among my favorite out of all the lip glosses in the market. Shades range from sparkling light pinks, bright corals, soft rose, beiges to plums. The holiday Chanel Give It Shine Glossimer Lip Trio has the perfect collection of shades to start your lip wardrobe. It has Amour (soft peach), Sweet Beige (nude beige shimmer) and Wild Rose (the perfect rose pink shine). These have a smooth texture with a naturally glossy sheen.

If you want a more budget-friendly lip gloss, MAC Lipglasses are hard to pass up. These are a bit sticky and tacky, but there are a lot of colors and finishes to choose from. Lovechild Lipglass is one of the most universally flattering colors I’ve seen. It’s a soft plum with pink tones and gold shimmer. On me it pulls very natural, on fair skin it’s the perfect plum, on darker or deeper skin tones it also looks good. Laura Mercier Lip Glacés also offer a wide range of colors with a natural finish. Pink Pop is a bright but sheer pink which brings the complexion to life with a sheer wash of bright color.

If you are more of a lipstick kind of person but want something natural, Chanel Rouge Coco Shines are my favorite no fuss swipe-and-go kind of lipstick. Boy 54 is the best classic rose pink shade that adds the prettiest hint of color and shine. The sheer formula won’t be as long lasting as a regular lipstick but the color is flawless and formula is hydrating. These are really good if you’re timid with bold colors and want something to ease into for lips. The sheer glossy formula is slightly transparent and lets you natural lip shine through.

If you want a full coverage lipstick but still want something that looks natural, the NARS Audacious Lipstick formula is hands down the best that has been released this year. The formula is full coverage with an amazing coverage that melds with the lip. If you have dry lips or peeling flakes you will need to moisturize or prep with a lip balm first, but if your lip is smooth, these are the best I have tried. It has a semi-matte and semi-velvety finish but there is a slight sheen to these which prevents it from looking flat. Raquel is my perfect nude pink. Brigitte is a nude pink beige that has more color but is still very natural.

For the eyes, there are a lot of different eyeshadows and liners that I adore. If I were pressed to pick my current top three favorites for eyeshadow, they would be Urban Decay Naked3, Chanel Tisse Rivoli and Dolce & Gabbana Smoky.

The Urban Decay Naked3 Palette is my most reached-for palette. It has 12 shades of neutral rosy-toned neutrals that can create a wide range of looks. There are shimmers, sparkles and mattes all of which have really incredible pigment. The texture of Urban Decay eyeshadows is buttery smooth and this particular palette doesn’t have any glitter shades which is a huge plus for me (and any neutral makeup lover). This is the one palette that goes with me on almost every trip. It’s a palette I find can go with everything. Pink shadow can be hard for me to wear (it often gives me a pink-eye look) but Naked3 is neutral enough to be very wearable. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing rose-colored shadow the next best option is Naked2 which is more neutral and taupe-based.

If having 12 shadows to play with in one palette is too overwhelming and you need something more edited, Chanel Tisse Rivoli is my favorite neutral quad. The texture adheres well to the eyes and layers well. The colors are smooth and pigmented. For something with more dramatic color, Dolce & Gabbana Smoky (swatched here) is my holy grail smoky eyeshadow quad.
For a cream shadow that is a good over wash shadow the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Rosegold is a good pick. It’s a soft shimmery champagne with rose and gold tones. It is creamy and blends easily on the eyes. You do need to let it sit for a minute or so to dry and then afterwards they last pretty well. It also works as an eye base for powder shadows and helps bring out the pigment.
For liners and mascara, a simple classic black is a good place to start. Not all black eyeliners are good though. Some pull grey in undertone or can smudge easily. Finding good eye makeup that you don’t have to worry about throughout the day is essential. My favorite mascara is the Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch because it grabs every little lash and volumizes, holds the curl, doesn’t smudge, doesn’t clump and defines the lashes really well. For me this one lasts all day without budging.
For liners, the Tom Ford Liquid Eyeliner is hands down the best liquid liner I’ve tried. It’s extremely pricey but it is worth every penny and will last you a very long time. There are two ends with different sizes of tips which allows for precise application and complete control. If you’re new to liquid liners, this hands down is the best one I’ve tested. It makes applying liquid liner super easy. If you prefer a pencil liner, Burberry’s Effortless Kohl Eyeliners were just released this year. Jet Black is one of the deepest and richest black liners I’ve tried and it stays put all day from morning to night. It comes in a twist up pencil format with a built in sharpener at the end which I find very convenient (especially if you carry it on the go or when you travel).

Out of all the beauty products I own, I would say blush, bronzer and highlighters dominate my makeup collection by far. Picking out a few favorites was a difficult task. For the face I’ve narrowed down my recommendations to a few items that will multi-task.

If I could only wear one blush palette for the rest of my life I would pick out the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette. It has three shades in a mirrored compact that cover all the shades you could need to go with any look. Luminous Flush is a coral pink, Incandescent Electra is a soft peach, Mood Exposure is a plum rose. The colors are very pigmented with easy to control buildable color. There is a bit of highlighter mixed into each blush which gives these a luminous glow. Those who don’t like shimmer need not fear with this one. The shimmer is finely milled and very natural on the face. It’s impossible to overdo but the pigment is rich enough to add visible color.

For a bronzer and highlighter, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow offers both in one  convenient mirrored compact. The bronzey shade can be used as a contouring powder, although I like it as a bronzer on me. The highlighter is a pale warm gold champagne which has a high frost but looks very natural on the skin. The two combined can be used on the cheeks, temples and eyes.

Liquid illuminators are also something I consider in a makeup wardrobe. They can be used as highlighters on top of powder/foundation to add a glow or they can be used under blush to help color adhere better. I like to use these on the eyes occasionally to highlight. If you need a bit of shimmer in your foundation these can be mixed in. My favorite liquid highlighter is the Soleil Tan de Chanel in Sunkissed. It’s a pale golden champagne that dries to a semi-matte finish which means it stays put all day long. If you want more color options or want something more dewy, Armani Fluid Sheers are classic staples that will give you that glow from within look.

I hope you found this introductory guide useful! Whether you are new to higher-end makeup or want to know what my current favorites are, I hope this provides an edited list of recommendations for you to start exploring. If you could recommend your top 5 beauty picks to a makeup newbie, what would they be? I would really love to hear what your favorites are!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All opinions are my own.
For more information please refer to my Disclosures

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Burberry Beauty Gold No. 25 Complete Eye Palette

December 11, 2014

For the holiday season Burberry Beauty has released a stunning Complete Eye Palette quad called Gold No. 25 ($60 for 5.4 g/0.19 oz, limited-edition, made in Italy). It’s one of the prettiest eye palettes I’ve seen this season for the holiday (for me it’s tied with Chanel Rêve D’Orient). Gold No. 25 is an interesting quad of gold, sage, bronze and chocolate. The shades combined create unique and modern twist on a golden nude eye. It comes cased in a gold-colored compact with the Burberry check pattern (which has been designed specifically for the holiday beauty collection).

All the shades are shimmery in this palette with extremely good pigment. The shadows are buttery smooth with a rich velvety texture that adheres well to the lids. The color is easy to build, layer, and blend. Together the light gold and sage-gold shades create the perfect soft wash while the bronze and chocolate define the eye and can be layered for a soft smokey look.

I know many of my readers are conservative when it comes to shimmer for the eyes. I’m still at a point in my life where I love a good shimmer (even some frosts are good for me). I don’t know that I will ever stop wearing shimmer (right now I’m in my early 30’s). I think the shimmer in this palette is finely milled enough that it will be wearable even for those timid of shimmery shadows.

The colors in this palette include a cool-toned creamy gold, an olive gold metallic, a soft warm bronze and a sparkling deep chocolate.

Two more close ups, the top without a flash in natural light. The bottom is in direct sunlight.The colors are so beautiful and the combination is genius in my mind.

Swatches:

When I saw the promo photos online, I thought it looked remarkably similar to Charlotte Tilbury The Golden Goddess. I’ve purchased a few of her quads and really like them, although most of the palettes contain a sparkle/glitter shade which I know will be a bit too glitzy for some. I personally find the sparkle wearable and conservative enough when layered over the other shades. A swatch comparison shows the Charlotte Tilbury to be a lot warmer in color compared to the Burberry. I think they are different enough to justify both, but if I had to pick just one, it would hands down be the Burberry Gold Complete Eye Palette.

One last shot:

I give Burberry Gold No. 25 a huge thumbs up. It’s the perfect mix of warm, neutral and cool, all in one palette. The colors layer together very well and the texture is smooth and easy to blend. I think it’s definitely worth checking out. It is limited-edition but still seems to be available online at many places including Net-A-Porter, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue (on backorder).

The Gold No. 25 quad was provided courtesy of Burberry for review consideration.

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Burberry Beauty Winter Glow // Shades of Gold and Oxblood for Lips and Nails

December 10, 2014

Burberry’s holiday collection this year focuses on shades of gold and oxblood. There are two color sets for lips and nails, each with matching shades of their Lip Glow ($29 each), Lip Mist ($33 each) and Nail Polish ($22 each). Each item in the holiday collection comes with a special limited-edition gold colored check pattern on the packaging. The Oxblood Look colors are repromoted shades but the Gold Look items are new this year.

The Gold colors in this year’s collection are sheer cool-toned golds. I found the shades unique for a gold color. Typically golds for holidays are brighter or warmer. The items from Burberry have a pale tinge to them making them different than most.

  • Gold No. 27 Lip Mist is a unique pale gold. It has a sheer formula which makes it forgiving but on my lips it applies like a cool nude with gold shimmer. I prefer this one dabbed on the lips in a sheer wash. If I layer this too much, it makes my pigmented lips look a bit too pale-looking.
  • Gold No. 25 Lip Glow is a sheer sparkling gold. The sparkles are larger than finely milled shimmer with add a beautiful sparkle to the lips. While the shimmer is on the heavy side, the gloss is smooth in texture and I find the shimmer to be very wearable, even for those conservative on shimmer for the lips. I found it best layered over another lipstick. It’s a bit sheer when worn alone.
  • Gold No. 447 Nail Polish is a pale yellow beige gold shimmer. The formula is excellent with smooth and rich coverage. It applies flawlessly on the nail and with two coats you get full coverage with a slight hint of silver sparkle. Unfortunately it doesn’t work so well with my olive skin tone. I suspect colors like this will work better on those with pink undertones in the skin. For me the yellow clashes with my olive skin. It is a wearable color and I’ve asked a few friends for their input. They like it, but don’t love it on me.

Swatches:

Comparisons for the lip glosses: MAC Gold Mirror Lipglass (discontinued), Dior Gold Rain Addict Lip Gloss (holiday, limited-edition), Burberry Nude Gold Lip Glow, NARS Greek Holiday Lip Gloss, NARS Gold Digger Larger Than Life Lip Gloss

The Oxblood colors are repromoted shades. I’ve reviewed the original Oxblood line before, but reswatched everything from this year’s collection to see if the colors are the same. They are.

  • Oxblood No. 214 Lip Mist is a gel-like lipstick formula. The Lip Mists are sheerer than the Lip Covers but still have very good pigment. I find the Lip Mist adheres better to the lip even though it has a glossy finish. There is a semi-transparent quality but the colors still cover the lip entirely and evenly with a few swipes back and forth. Oxblood looks like a deep vampy color in the tube. On the lips it’s a brighter sheer red. It deepens if you layer it. If you apply one swipe the color is a sheer red.
  • Oxblood No. 23 Lip Glow is another color that applies sheerer on the lips than what you see in the tube. This is a lovely sheer pink red with a hint of vamp. It wears well alone but looks good layered over the lipstick for added intensity and shine.
  • Oxblood No. 303 Nail Polish is a deep vampy red. It seems to have improved in formula over the original one released several years ago with better smoother coverage. The brush is still wide and flat but seems easier to use than what I remember from my original review. The color is still identical to the original version.

Swatches:

Comparisons on the lips to: Burberry Hibiscus Lip Glow (slightly deeper than oxblood), Oxblood Lip Cover (is deeper and darker), Blueberry Lip Mist (is less blue/red but similar in effect):

Both the Gold and Oxblood are beautiful classics for the holidays giving you options for subtle or dramatic looks. My favorite items are the Gold Lip Glow, Oxblood Lip Mist and Oxblood Lip Glow. If you already own the Oxblood shades, the good news is you can shop your stash for a lovely understated but still slightly bold holiday red that isn’t too garish or bright.
All the items are limited-edition. Right now Burberry has all the items in stock online. Burberry Beauty is also carried at other retailers such as Nordstrom, Saks and Net-A-Porter, but some of the holiday pieces have started to sell out so you may need to shop around to pick out the pieces you want.
Have you checked out the Burberry Winter Glow collection yet? What did you think?
The Burberry Winter Glow items in this review were provided free of charge from Burberry for review consideration. All other items purchased by me.
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Holiday Beauty: Reds for Lips and Nails

December 3, 2014

The holiday season is in full swing and I have another holiday inspired beauty post to share with you today. Last month I shared some Champagne and Gold Shimmer favorites from Nordstrom. I’m a neutral makeup lover at heart but still like to like to wear brighter colors. Red is very much in season although finding a good red nail color is easy with so many good options, finding a good red lip can be challenging for me. I have full lips that tend to pull a lot of pink with lipsticks and glosses. Many reds can be too bright, pull orange, or turn fuchsia pink if they have too much blue.

I’ve pulled seven of my favorite reds ranging from soft pink red to a deep berry red for lips that I’d recommend for neutral lip lovers. They have enough pigment for those who want a bolder lip, but still natural enough to be wearable for even the most conservative makeup wearer.

If you’re super scared of red, opt for a pink red. YSL Volupté Sheer Candy Succulent Pomegranate #4 (1) is a super sheer but hot pink with some red. It has a sheer glossy finish which makes it more wearable. Burberry Oxblood Lip Glow Lip Gloss (2) looks super dark in the tube but has a jelly finish making it a super sheer jelly pink red.

If you’re braver for more color, NARS Tech Fashion Gloss Shade IV (3) is a warm red, there is a hint of a natural shimmer in it making it not a pure red. The warmth also makes it softer.

For those who want a true red with shine, I’d recommend Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Seduction (4) which stays put quite well for a gloss formula. It’s layerable for rich color but still has a hint of pink making it a youthful red. NARS Burning Love Lip Gloss (5) is a true red that packs a punch. For a gloss, this is also very pigmented. This is the true-est red I have that is the perfect in between of warm and cool. For me, this is the perfect holiday red.

If you want a lush brighter red, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Sugar Cherry (6) is surprisingly pigmented on the lips. Swatched on the arms or hands it looks like it will barely show up, but the Fresh Sugar Lips tend to adhere really well to the lips which brings out the color. This one just glows.

For those who want a deeper berry red, Burberry Beauty Lip Mist in Oxblood (7) is as perfect as it gets for deep reds. It’s a hybrid gel formula so it’s supposed to be sheer, but the formula hugs the lips and swiping back and forth brings out the color. Burberry Blueberry Lip Mist is a redder and deeper option. Oxblood also comes in a more pigmented Lip Cover version as well.

If you still are convinced you can’t pull of red lips but still want to wear red, nail polish is the easiest way to incorporate a bit of red into your holiday beauty routine. The best thing about red nail polish is that it’s timeless. There’s no need to buy a new color if you already own reds, you can always shop your stash from spring or summer. That being said, I do always look forward to what brands release each holiday for their version of what they think is the latest and greatest modern red. Three I’m loving right now include:

Burberry Oxblood is re-promoted this season with gold packaging for holiday. It’s a jelly deep oxblood color. Two coats will give you a deep plum red. Chanel Expression (from late fall) is the perfect hybrid of red and pink. On me it definitely leans more red, but the pink tone brightens the colors and makes the hands look alive (not drab). YSL Rouge Pablo was a release from spring. It’s a bright and very warm red but festive.

Some inspiration on what to coordinate with a red lip. Keep the eyes and cheeks simple since the statement color will be on your lips. Neutral earthy eyes can be dressed up with deeper smokey browns or blacks.  For cheeks, I’ve always found earthy, peachy or soft bronzed colors work well with any undertone of red.

Do you like to wear reds for lips and nails for holiday? Please let me know what your favorite go-to’s are! Or if you have any new recent discoveries I’d love to hear about those too.

Special thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Burberry Oxblood Lip Glow, Lip Mist and Nail Polish were provided for review consideration. All other items purchased by me. As always, all opinions are my own. For more info, you can refer to my Disclosures.

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New Additions to the Burberry Beauty Eyes Collection | Bold Lash Mascara, Effortless Liquid Liner + Effortless Kohl Eyeliners

November 17, 2014

Burberry Beauty recently added some items to their Eye Makeup lineup, including new eyeliners, mascaras and brow definers. All of the items are beautifully packaged in sleek and modern gunmetal-colored tubes. These should be available at all Burberry Beauty counters now, online at Nordstrom, Saks and Burberry. I’ve been playing with some of the new items for a few weeks now and have some to share thoughts on today.

Shown below:

Bold Lash Mascara ($29) comes in two shades, Ebony No. 1 and Chestnut Brown No. 2, I’ve been testing out Ebony and was really surprised with how easily it defined the lashes. It’s not the thickest most volumizing mascara I have used but it does add very good volume. The color is a true black (many turn grey on me) and stays the same deep color once it dries. I didn’t have any smudging or flaking and it came off the lashes easily at the end of the day with a bi-phase makeup remover. The brush grabs the lashes easily, even at the base, application is clump-free.

Effortless Liquid Liner ($34) is a liquid liner that has a pointed felt tip applicator. It comes in one color Jet Black No. 1 and is one of the deepest colors of liquid liners I’ve tried. The handle of the pen has a slightly groove making it easier to grip when you apply it. The handle + shape of the tip allows for super precise application. If you’re a liquid liner pro, you will really like this one. If you’re more of a novice like me, it will take a bit of feathering to get an even line, but I found it easy to control and apply on the lash line. Lasting power is really good. I swatched on the back of my hand in the morning and it didn’t budge from around 5:30 am until 8:45 pm no matter how much I rubbed it. It did come off with a bit of water. On the eyes the liner lasted really well looking as fresh in the evening as it did in the morning. No smudging or creeping. Being a liquid product, I would say treat this like mascara when you apply. It will be wet when you apply, so let it sit for a minute. If your mascara is prone to transfer when you first apply when you blink, this will have a similar result. Try to let it set for a minute and dry.

Close up of the felt tip:

Effortless Kohl Eyeliners ($29 each) come in four colors, Jet Black No. 1, Chestnut Brown No. 2, Storm Grey No. 3 and Pale Grape No. 4. Burberry sent me Jet Black and Storm Grey for review and I’ve been extremely pleased. I’ve been a fan of the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof liners, but many have commented that the quality isn’t consistent among all colors. I do think it’s hit and miss sometimes based on testers I’ve tried at the counter to the ones I have at home. Some are hard and tug at the eyes. If you experienced this but want a twist-up long-lasting pencil that comes with a sharpener at the end, the Burberry Effortless Kohl Eyeliners are the solution for you. These are rich pigmented Kohl Liners. The Jet Black is one of the deepest blacks I’ve tried (the Hourglass 1.5 mm Mechanical Eyeliner in Obsidian is one of the deepest I’ve tried and the Burberry is slightly deeper). Storm Grey is one of the richest greys I’ve swatched before, it’s a deep color but not so dark it looks black. I don’t think either of these are waterproof, but both of these have really good lasting power. You do need to let these sit for a minute to completely set, but once they do set, I found they did not budge.

These are a huge improvement in formula compared to the original formula of eyeliner Burberry released. The Eye Definer Eye Shaping Pencils have really good pigment and gorgeous colors, but lasting power is medium unless you set with a powder shadow on top.

Removable end reveals a built-in sharpener:

Swatches of the liners:

Comparison swatches:
Trish McEvoy Grey (discontinued)

A few more detail shots:

If you’re looking for classic eye products that work and last long, I highly recommend you check out the new offerings from Burberry. I’ve already ordered the other two shades Effortless Kohl Eyeliners in Chestnut Brown and Pale Grape, two of each, one set for my mom who likes plum and brown twist-up liners that don’t tug at the eyes and don’t smudge, the other set for me.

I wrote about other brands of liquid liners I’ve tried and tested back in August. My top three picks back then were Tom Ford, Kat Von D and Charlotte Tilbury. The new Burberry has joined my top picks the list since it has a really rich deep black color that doesn’t bleed or budge (although the Tom Ford is still hands down my number one favorite).

The new Burberry Beauty Eye Makeup additions are available at Burberry Beauty counters now, online at NordstromSaks and Burberry.

Many thanks to Burberry for sending me these items for review consideration.