Torrie Tried It: I was really excited when Physicians Formula announced their Organic Wear line. I'm a "green" freak. Most of the products I use are organic, or at the very least natural, with the exception of my make up kit. I was hoping the Organic Wear line would change that. The first of their products that I tried was the Eyeliner in Black Woods, a very dark brown. I was so disappointed. The color was too harsh, and they don't offer a lighter color- color options are very limited.

Within a couple of hours of application it was collecting under my eyes giving me an unattractive raccoon look. Then, when I washed my face that night, it didn't come off. I'm not sure how a product can be non-long lasting, and yet not wash off easily. I'm hoping the next Organic Wear product I try will fare better. $7.95, drugstores, etc.

DeLush Rating:

Melissa Tried It: Well, I'll start with a con. This smells a bit like a marker, which I do not particularly find appealing, but have found many felt liners can't get away from this. Also, while this is fairly even while applying, it could be just a little smoother. On the plus side, even though it is not actually waterproof, as a cat-eye type of liner on the upper lid, this stayed put for me through most of the days and even into and through a sweaty workout barely budging. However on the interior of the lower lash line it faded away and didn't fare as well, and tended to smudge a bit after a few hours for me below the lower lash line. This doesn't stay as well as the Dior felt liner that I can always count on, but hey, it's also a lot cheaper. I think a lot of women use liquid liner not as the norm, but for special occasions or on occasional more "glam" days. So, if you want a more budget-friendly liquid liner for use on top of lashes, this isn't a bad option. $12.00, Victoria's Secret Online and in stores.

DeLush Rating:

About the Eyeliner: "A mechanical pencil-style liner. In formula, soft and creamy, with an intense, rich, colour deposit. Blends on application: dries quickly to a long-wear, non-smudge finish. Versatile. An easy way to line the top and lower lash line of the eye. When applied at a 90 degree angle, provides a thin precision line. For thicker application, apply at a flat angle."

About the Glitter: "M·A·C Glitter can be applied directly to the skin or combined with products to create high-level glitter and sparkle effects on all areas of the face, skin and hair."

Jen's Experience: I have been a fan of Clinique's Quickliner in the past, and the Technakohl eyeliner reminded me of Quickliner in a lot of ways. It is a dream to apply, SO easy to get a nice, even line that's close to the lashes. I tested with both of the colors in the N Collection, Brownborder and Graphblack, and found both to to be nice and color-dense. So here's what I didn't like: the colors creased very easily, even minutes after application. Plus, both seemed to slip under my eyes over the course of the day. With the brown, it was less of an issue, but the amount of color under my eyes with the black was quite substantial and was a serious deterrent to wearing it on a regular basis despite its easy application. I wanted so much to like this one, but I think I'm going to stick to my gel eyeliners for now.

I wanted to like the glitter as well. Actually, I would be happy with an opportunity to wear glitter where I didn't look more than a little out of place. Unlike the MAC Pigments, which can be applied lightly to be worn in the daytime, it's really hard to make the glitter wearable for most looks. I don't necessarily think that was the goal, though. Sure, it's pretty fun and dramatic for a formal or girl's night out, but what also makes it difficult is that it is hard to apply to a limited area. Maybe it's just that I'm impatient and try to apply too much at once, which allows it to float all over the place. If you have plenty of time, a steady hand, and the right occasion, this might be worth a splurge, but I might suggest just going my the MAC counter and having them apply my make-up in such a situation to avoid the issues with application.

Retail Prices:
Technakohl Eyeliner    $14.50
Glitter      $16.50  (both available at MACCosmetics.com or your local department store) 

Ratings:
Technakohl Eyeliner   
Glitter   

What They Say: "Ultra-smooth, Fluidline's gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish. Goes on "foolproof" with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof. Lines up in a rich array of colours and finishes. Brush sold separately."

Jen's Experience: I love gel eyeliners. Ever since I tried the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, I have started wearing eyeliner nearly daily, when prior I would wear it only on important occasions. I had great expectations for this liner from M.A.C, and while the colors are more intense and the application is incredibly smooth, the thinner texture of this product leaves me feeling less in control than with the similar Bobbi Brown product. It may be something that just takes a while to get used to; I've seen make-up artists at the M.A.C. counter sporting some pretty fantastic wingtips with this product. I didn't think it wears quite as long as the Bobbi Brown eyeliner either, although it doesn't smudge at all, and for me that's a big deal. Overall, I have this feeling that I would like this so much better if I hadn't tried Bobbi Brown's gel eyeliner first, but when it comes down to it, this isn't my favorite when I am getting ready every morning.

Tip: When applying this or any other gel eyeliner, the right brush is a MUST. I highly recommend this one from Vincent Longo.

Retail Price: $15.00 (MACCosmetics.com or your local M.A.C. cosmetics counter)

Rating:

"In the majestic fashion of our holiday Antiquitease collection yet with a style and realm of its own. Handsome in their bearing, these mini colour sets come in a textured cream paper cylinder with gold or silver crown motifs. Inside, all your M·A·C favourites."

 

 

 

Jen's Thoughts:

5 LipGlass and LusterGlass

Five gorgeous glosses presented beautifully? A great gift for any of the girls on your list! Choose warm or cool shades depending on the coloriing of the recipient. I found that even the warm shades looked great with my skin tone. The LusterGlass shades contain a bit more sparkle than the LipGlass shades, which makes them oh-so-perfect for the holiday season.

 

5 Pigments and Glitter
I'm a huge fan of the pigments, so it's lovely to see a collection of 5 pretty holiday shades presented here as a gift. Like the glosses, these are available in both warm and cool shades. I tried the warm shades, which are probably a little too much for my skin tone, so keep that in mind when you're making your purchase. I'm less of a fan of the glitter (it's very messy), but I do see some potential wears in all the holiday parties on my calendar.

 

5 Softsparkle Eye Pencils
This collection may have less gift-giving potential, but it sure is fun to wear! The collection contains 5 pencils in black and 4 colors with just a touch of sparkle. The sparkly black is dramatic for evening but isn't so much that it can't be worn to work. The colors require a little more bravery, but I found that they really brighten the eyes. One thing to note: the pencils pull a little right out of the packaging, but softened nicely with a few sharpenings.

What They Say: A long-lasting, water-based liquid eyeliner with a tapered pen tip that provides ultimate application precision. This unique calligraphic tool produces sharp contrast and definition to the eyes. The matte black liquid shade creates a sultry and dramatic look.

* Precise application
* Long-lasting formula
* Elegant matte black shade

Application techniques:
For subtle definition, use the tip of the liquid eye liner to dot color onto the base of the lashes. For more dramatic impact, use the slanted side of the tip to create a wider line boldly extending beyond the eye.

Melissa Says: Liquid liners are always easier to handle and apply when they have a felt pen tip. That was something that got me off on the right foot with this product. Not only is the tip precise, but it is strong enough not to end up weakened and undependable like some lesser-quality felt tips, and yet it isn't so hard that it is uncomfortable when applying.

Okay, but what about the product inside the pen? It goes on without glopping, but makes a pretty and matte line. It lasted all day for me on the upper lids, but did tend to slip a little from my lower lash line, though I didn't tend to use it much there because of its intensity. Usually when doing a full smoky look around the eye I use pencil under the eyes, while using an intense liquid like this on the upper lash line.

This is not only a beautiful intense liner, but if you do dot it between the upper lashes, they look fuller and your eyes pop a little. This pen makes black liner easy and beautiful.

Retail Price: $30.00 (at giorgioarmanibeauty.com or go here to find a select retailer near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Her smoke signals: intense blue, grey and aubergine shadows wafted over the eyes, bound by rings of creamy Eye Kohl..."

Gentle Fume Eyes: Eye Shadow x4 - "A monochromatic quad of four modern cool-toned Eye Shadows in the sultry spirit of Smoke Signals. Features three limited edition shades: Waft, Gentle Fume and Rondelle, matched-up with Carbon. Texturally: an intense mix of matte and velvet."

Smoking Eyes: Eye Shadow x4 - "A smoking quad of four warmed-over neutrals that at its deepest starts with a rich, dark black. Features three limited edition shades: Next to Nothing, Smoking, and Showstopper, complemented by Satin Taupe."

Kohl Power Eye Pencil (in Orpheus, a gold-flecked black and Raven, an intense black with red pearl that looks sort of like deep plum on the eye) - "A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and colour power of ultra-soft carbon. Specially formulated to provide deep, fully opaque coverage, provides an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl. Versatile in application: blend or smudge."

Melissa Says:
about the Eye Shadow x4 - These quad shades are really well put together in terms of compatibility with each other. My personal favorite is the Smoking Eyes set, but both include very pretty and of-the-moment colors that don't go over the top, but are in fact quite wearable. This was my first introduction to wearing M•A•C quad shadows, and I have been impressed. The pigments are always true and the formula is quite smooth, with pretty respectable staying power.

about the Kohl Power Eye Pencils - I also had not previously worn M•A•C's Kohl Power Eye Pencils, and honestly I always associate kohl liners with lots of smudging. While I found that these created a gorgeous line on my upper lids and remained unsmudged much longer than with other kohl liners I've tried in the past (several hours), on my usually more moisturized lower lids they did not fare so well. Obviously I typically wouldn't line both upper and lower with a bold pencil like this anyway, but I wanted to try it out for the sake of getting a feel for all aspects of wear. On upper lids, these two shades create a little extra drama and sexiness, but use caution when considering using them underneath.

Retail Prices:
Eye Shadow x4 $36.00
Kohl Power Eye Pencil $13.50
(both available at maccosmetics.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Ratings:
Eye Shadow x4
Kohl Power Eye Liners

What They Say: "A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. The next generation of a popular M·A·C formula, Paint Pots maintains all the intense traits of its inspiration. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners. Available in matte and pearl formulas."

Melissa Says: I swear, I want to get one of these for every woman I know. First of all, the pots have a very substantial amount of the product in them, enough to last months, and what's inside can only be described as FANTASTIC. Very creamy and soft, these colors go on beautifully and stay on beautifully. This stuff glides on silky-smooth and you can layer it to your preference of intensity. With some slightly bold shades as well as several very usable neutral ones, there's a good chance you could find at least one that you could get an awful lot of use out of. Right now I love using the beige- and rose-hued shades as bases for the entire lid, with the frost finish of Bare Study typically for highlighting, and then choosing my main lid shade. I've also used a liner brush on a few of these to create gorgeous, lasting eyeliner in interesting shades that lasts impressively well throughout the day without fading.

Love. This. Stuff.

Retail Price: $16.00 (at maccosmetics.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

It seems like I saw the same thing repeated in all my fall magazines: bold eyeliner and the cat-eye look.   While the focus remains on the eyes, the look now is much more stylized than the smoky eyes we saw in year's past.   Because this calls for a crisper, more defined line, I thought an eyeliner pen would be the way to go.   While this didn't turn out to be the holy grail of bold eyeliner styles, it worth reporting on what I've found.

 

Yves St. Laurent Automatic Eyeliner Pen

What They Say: "At last, an expert eyeliner. The calligraphic brush offers great precision and its continuous but controlled flow delivers the correct quantity of product for each application."

Jen's Experience: The first contender was the one eyeliner pen that seems to have made it into every magazine's fall fashion issue. So, beauty junkie that I am, I drove right over to Saks to pick up my very own. It's awfully pretty in its slim gold case. The pen is instead a small black brush that is designed to automatically fill with just the right amount of color. Well, I tried applying it on my naked eye, I tried applying it over eyeshadow, I tried applying it over eyeshadow base. In every case, I had difficulty getting any color out of the pen at all. When I got any color, it was a medium gray, certainly not Black #1, the only color option. Did I just get a defective pen? In any case, this contender for my eyeliner devotion clearly wins the title: "Most Disappointing".

 

Retail Price: $31.00 (Nordstrom.com)

 

 

LORAC Front of the Line Waterproof Eyeliner

What They Say: "Front Of the Line's unique automatic delivery system makes it easy and effortless to get a clean, precise line. A flexible tip provides smooth strokes and ultimate control. Line up your options - from very fine to dramatically bold - and create true Hollywood Red Carpet style!"

Jen's Experience:  After my terrible initial purchase, I went out in search of a black eyeliner pen that actually produced a crisp and true black line. I wandered around Sephora testing various pens from various pens on my hand, and walked away with my second contender, this pen from LORAC. On my first use, this one produced significantly better results color-wise, but I found the pen to be incredibly scratchy on my eyelid. After using the pen for a while and allowing it to become more saturated with color, that problem has become less pronounced. Still, I find it difficult to pull a line, and as a result, I just can't seem to get a crisp enough appearance for any type of effect, be it the bold eyeliner look or the cat-eye trend. While it's not the right choice if you're going for style, this is a reasonably good eyeliner for daily wear.

Retail Price: $20.00 (Sephora)

 

Cover Girl LineExact Liquid Liner

What They Say: "Make a defining statement with LineExact.  With its easy to hold compact pen and high precision felt tip, LineExact glides on smoothly for fine to bold lines without a fuss."

Jen's Experience:   When I heard about this new eyeliner pen from Cover Girl, I thought that it might be just the thing to round out my testing of different eyeliner pens.   And on the first couple of tries, this final contender was far and away the best of the bunch.  It delivered a crisp line that was really easy to control and was certainly the boldest black.   Sure, it creased unless I was sure to look down from the mirror for a minute or two after using it.   But overall I was so pleased.  But then I tried it again for a third time, and by this point, the coverage was totally spotty.  I had to go over lines again and again, which eliminated the crisp, clean lines I got when I first started using the pen. I tried wiping it off (did I ruin it my going over my eyeshadow?) and I tried shaking it to bring more ink to the tip (is it already out of ink?) to no avail.  Two perfect uses, and then sadly, it's out of commission.  This one clearly has the greatest potential out of the ones I've tried, but with results like this, I just can't recommend it.

Retail Price:  $6.53 (Drugstore.com)

Ratings:

Yves St. Laurent Automatic Eyeliner Pen
LORAC Front of the Line Waterproof Pen
Cover Girl LineExact Liquid Liner

What They Say: "Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Liner delivers long-lasting pure colour with a rich texture similar to Kohl Eye Pencils.

• Ideal formula applies effortlessly, & is mistake-proof


• Never drops colour onto the cheek or face


• Buildable pigment allows inifinite looks


• Use wet or dry for a smoky look

Jen's Experience: I was drawn to this eyeliner first for the rich black color (and being made by Laura Mercier certainly didn't hurt). I was a little disappointed when I first started using it. Wet or dry, it goes on very lightly -- you really have to layer it on to get any appreciable color to it. So, I guess in that respect, it's totally mistake-proof. I got the best color results using the Laura Mercier Wet/Dry Definer Brush that I got last year. It does blend nicely and makes it very easy to get the smoky eye look going on. Unfortunately, it does tend to smear a little if you wipe your eyes, so I tend avoid this one when I'm going to be staring at a computer screen all day. Otherwise, it does a pretty nice job of staying put and lasting throughout the day. Any doubts that I've had about it have been erased just by all the compliments I get when I wear it.

Retail Price: $22.00 (LauraMercier.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Apply new super soft kohl formula as a liner or shadow, smudge with the built in specialty-tapered sponge-tip applicator, for soft, smokey color."

Jen's Experience: With bright eyeliners entering their third season this Fall, the time is right to add more of these bold colors to your eyecolor wardrobe. For those who are fans of the Urban Decay kohl eyeliner that hit the market last year, you'll be pleased to find these drugstore liners to be fairly comparable. Sure, they don't have the bits of sparkle and it's not quite as soft, but I don't think it's such a bad thing. The soft colors of the Urban Decay ones caused them to migrate a bit, while these fade but at least don't end up under my eyes. Overall, for the price, they're a great way to extend your color wardrobe without the cost commitment.

Retail Price: $4.99 (Walgreens)

Rating:

About the Mineral Lip Sampler: "All Nine New Mineral Volumizing Lipsticks! Designed just for redheads in a convenient, mirrored case with dual applicator for perfect lips. Each shade is available in separate full size tubes."

Jamie’s Thoughts: "Lip products present an intimidating challenge for most redheads. We don’t have much natural color to our lips (at least the majority of us), so buying lip products can be terrifying – I usually find something either (a) too orange, or (b) too red. This palette of 9 lip colors is, like a lot of palette style makeup, simultaneously overwhelming and thrilling. All those options! What’s a girl to do? It took me a week to get the hang of mixing and matching these lippies – most with success, others, not so much. Here are the vital statistics that you’ll need to know:

Texture: Slightly gritty, use a balm first.
Color: Stain-like, apply sparingly – remember, you can always go back for seconds!
Mix & Match-ability: Fantastic – the “mushroom” shade is perfect for muting those brighter colors.
Staying Power: Above-Average
Tool Time: Brush/Sponge combo was difficult to use, and hard to clean
Volumizing: No visible difference here!

Truth be told, I’m not completely sold on this product. It would be great for travel (and any other moment when you can’t drag your entire lip care collection along with you), on the other hand, how important is convenience when it comes at the price of the feel of the product? While the range of colors is impressive, I think I’ll stick with my smoother, more comfortable lippies.

Retail Price: $19 USD (special price at JustForRedheads.com)

About the Advanced Waterproof Eyeliner: "Unique Expresso shade provides incredibly natural depth. Creating natural definition is a must for redheads. Now with the
JFR Advanced Liquid Waterproof Eye Liner you can have it all. New high definition eye liner brush."

Jamie’s Thoughts: Love the color, love the applicator, love the packaging. I usually find liquid eyeliner intimidating, but this product put me immediately at ease. The brush is easy enough to manipulate – just change the pressure when you apply, and you’ll get whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a natural outline, or something more dramatic (think Amy Winehouse or Cleopatra).

As for the waterproof claims, those are totally accurate as well. This stuff didn’t budge, baby. Not only did it NOT move when I wet my face, but it also didn’t come off with just soap – I had to rub it off. This eyeliner isn’t going anywhere, which is good, because I plan on continuing to use it! A must-have for the upcoming sweaty summer, and tearful wedding season.

Retail Price: $13.00

About the Brush-a-Brow: "Designed for those with auburn hair. Adds a natural,warm auburn depth to brows. New long-wearing formula."

Jamie’s Thoughts: This product disappointed me immensely. The powder consistency was WAY too hard – when I put the brush to it, it crumbled away in every direction. Not good. Also, the bristles on the applicator brush were very stiff – stiff enough to brush the product through my eyebrow hair(s) and onto my face. The color was appropriate for my skin tone, but totally unpleasant to apply! What a shame.

Retail Price: $15.00

Ratings:
Mineral Lip Sampler
Advanced Waterproof Eyeliner
Brush a Brow

What They Say: "This magic solution instantly turns eye shadow into liquid liner. Just place a few drops into eye shadow lid, dab brush into liquid, glide along outer edge of shadow, and then apply to eyelid."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I was hoping to try this ever since Carmindy told us that she swears by this stuff to make shadow liner stay put. It's really simple to use; just follow the directions to put a couple of drops in your shadow container lid, dip your liner brush in the liquid and swipe the brush along the edge of the shadow (you don't want to get it on the rest of the shadow that you use typically for your lids). It really does create a nice, smooth liner that may not be waterproof but is definitely smudgeproof enough to last most of the day without budging or disappearing. This is a handy way to give you more liner choices and experiment with some of your favorite shadow colors.

Retail Price: $17.00 (at Paula Dorf online and sephora.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "The best Eye Pencil ever, ever, ever! Never before has a pencil this creamy and brilliant been waterproof, too. Velvety-soft, this never-before-seen formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. Line eyes with a hint of color or go for the full artistic, multi-hued effect with the wide selection of lush tropical hues, deep metallics and unusually vibrant neutrals. Incredible with Urban Decay Eyeshadows!

Created with 50% moisturizing ingredients suspended in a sophisticated waterproof formula, 24/7 Eye Pencils offer long-lasting color and a dreamy, creamy feel when applied. With Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Cottonseed Oil, these pencils condition skin and stay with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Fill Weight: 1.2g e 0.04 US oz.

Tips: 24/7 Eye Pencils are ideal for lining inner lids because the waterproof formula stays put. Just apply, try not to blink for a sec, and you’ve got immovable liner."

Jen's Experience: I've tried the Urban Decay Smoke-out pencils in the past, and while I loved the great colors (that coordinate so well with their eyeshadows), I didn't like the way they tugged at my eyes when I applied. In this new eyeshadow rendition, not only have they managed to make the colors even more fabulous than ever, they really do just glide onto the eye. I found that by sharpening the pencil, I could get a great precise line that rivals my gel eyeliners, while a blunter pencil lends itself to a softer or smoky look.

I stuck closely to the black (Zero) for the longest time. It's the color I would wear most anyway, but I was also not so sure about the ultra-bright colors. Turns out Lucky and Honey, two of the gold-toned colors, worked well with my sand-colored eyeshadows to brighten my eyes. Another of my favorites is Lust, a bright purple that I used on my lower lashes for evening wear.

The colors wear so nicely, I never have to worry about seeing the colors smeared across my face or drifted beneath my eyes. I do find, however, that the black eyeliner creases a bit when I first apply it over-top of cream eyeshadows. If you regularly use cream or mousse eyeshadows, be very careful not to blink in the first 30 seconds or so you have it on. Despite the minor creasing problem with some of my eyeshadows, these eye pencils are so wearable and fun that I use them for both work and play on a daily basis.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I was pleasantly suprised at just how right they were at describing this as having a supersoft application. It really is, and kind of throws you off because it seems that something that creamy will continue be "melty" during the day, resulting in creasing. Fortunately, this is not the case. I absolutely have been impressed with this liner's long wear, which doesn't smudge or pull a disappearing act all day. Also, the colors have a slight but very pretty irridescence, which only adds to one of the reasons why this is my new favorite longwear eye pencil.

Retail Price: $15.00 (UrbanDecay.com)

Melissa's Rating:
Jen's Rating:

What They Say: "This rich, water resistant, long lasting pencil glides on smoothly to emphasize the eye instantly and is available in a selection of deep sultry shades.

Smudge-proof and water resistant, with special ingredient Nylon-12 to offer a rich, luxurious and crease resistant finish, the Eye Intensifier Pencil can be applied along the base of the eyelid and bottom lashline for an intense smoky look or may be used to create a "quick-eye" with minimal blending for a maximum effect."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: With a soft texture that glides on smoothly and a sponge end for blending, this pencil manages to create a soft-focus smoky look with ease. It's generously-sized as well. The only thing I noticed was that it didn't last as long on my upper lid as my lower lid, melting into the crease a little bit after a couple of hours. But it remained on my lower lash line just fine.

While this isn't the longest-wearing pencil I've ever tried, I loved the luxurious texture and ease of use.

Retail Price: $22.00 (at sephora.com or call 888.870.1150 to buy directly from Sue Devitt Beauty)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say(about BronzeRush) "Bronzerush is a palette that has everything you need to add color and life to your complexion. The gorgeous gold metallic kit includes a velvety smooth powder bronzer with a gel-based translucent blush, for a pop of fresh cheek color. Bronzerush gives you a warm healthy glowing tan, flushed rosy cheeks, and an all-over sun-kissed radiance that cannot be achieved by the average bronzer." (about the Rose Eyes Palette) "You can create a new look for every mood, season, or time of day with this gorgeous rose-themed palette. Set includes a true rose base shade, soft pink shimmer, soft rosy bronze, peachy-gold shimmer, and a deep plum-brown cream liner, plus a double-ended flat liner/eye blender brush."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow:(about BronzeRush) The sight of this palette, upon opening, kind of made me nervous. To me, it looked pretty bold. But on I soldiered, and put the stuff on anyway. The bronzer portion is actually less alarming than I imagined. It appears more orange-y in the compact than it comes off on my skin, but it is rather sparkly and maybe just tawny enough that I'd prefer it for spring or summer, but you may like it just fine, especially for those nights out. The little pot of creme blush to add on top for a bit of a rosy hue is NOT super-bright on your skin. It's actually quite sheer, and I thought rather pretty. If you've got slightly oily skin as I tend to get by around 5 o'clock in the evening if I don't powder or blot, this may not stay on as well as you'd like and you probably would prefer a powder blush for more wearability. Otherwise it's these two are a really nice combo.

(about the Rose Eyes Palette) This I absolutely LOVE. The colors are so perfectly matched for highlighting and deepening of the base color, and the generously-mirrored case is slim and compact. I think these colors would be flattering on practically anyone, whatever your skin tone or hair/eye coloring. The shadows are silky and really do wear fabulously - I didn't notice any creasing during the day. I was a little concerned about the cream liner, because it is such a soft formula. While I did smudge it myself a tiny bit when I applied it for a soft-focus look, the lines absolutely stayed put (surprisingly well) for HOURS. (Click the pic to the right to enlarge.)

Retail Prices: (BronzeRush) - $34.00, (Rose Eyes Palette) - $32.00 (BronzeRush is available at shop.duwop.com and the Palette is available at sephora.com)

DeLush Ratings: (BronzeRush)
(Rose Eyes Palette)

What They Say: "Our Black Eye Liner Pencil can be used to provide precise definition to your lash line. Also, try blending it down to create a sultry, smoky effect!

The unique texture of these Eye Liners allows for smooth application, easy blending and long wear."

Jen's Experience: Initially, I was excited about these eye pencils from 3 Custom Color Specialists. The colors I tried, Navy and Smoke, are really pretty when applied, and both worked really well with my skin tone. Unfortuately, they just didn't work well as an eyeliner.

I found it easy to create a smoky, smudged eye using these eyeliners, but next to impossible to create a crisp, defined eye. I wouldn't mind that so much if it didn't continue to smudge all over the place, all throughout the day. The gray spreads all over my eye area, making it look like I've been in a fight. The blue didn't smudge as badly, but it did migrate enough to make it look like I was wearing blue eyeshadow by lunchtime.

I really do love the colors, so it's unfortunate that I just can't wear them.

Retail Price: $14.00 (Beauty.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Our liquid liner & shadow set is sure to make you feel like a vixen. Maybe you’ll play it safe with a sleek, budgeproof line or go a little edgy with a smudged, sexified look.

Line ‘em and leave ‘em in 5 seconds flat.

How how to get that indelible wink (and keep ‘em coming back for more):
1. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, line your upper lid with the liquid liner—keeping the liner tip as close to the lashline as possible.
2. Using the powder liner tip, gently retrace over the liquid liner—this will smooth, set and blend the line."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Well, once again Tarte has to get points for creative packaging. This is a very unique combo, applicator-wise.

I just wish I could say I was as completely excited about the product itself. While the liquid liner end has a pointed sponge applicator (which I usually prefer to a brush because you have more control of the liquid), I felt like it was a little hard to maintain a perfect straight line. The formula just seemed to "bleed" a little and thus be kind of uneven. Once it's applied, it does stays on well enough to pass, though if you rub it even the tiniest bit it almost peels off, which was kind of strange.

The shadow end is a novel idea, with its sort of spring-loaded tip that absorbs shadow until you unscrew it from the tube. However, I found the formula to be far too crease-forming to really be something I could use daily. It creates a great smoky look on top of the liner initially, but within the hour I had to wipe a bit of smudge off my lid.

I have to say, this was my first disappointment with a Tarte product. Perhaps it will wear better on you if you have less natural oils on your skin than I do or perhaps apply a primer to your lids first. But for me, it's not up to par.

Retail Price: $22.00 (at tartecosmetics.com or go here for retail locations near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: glōGloss: "Get the "Star Treatment" with incredible shine that feels fabulous. glōGloss melts onto your lips for a perfect, smooth finish. New for fall: lilac luster and star struck."

glōShimmer brick: "Be an instant sensation with our NEW glōShimmer brick in gleam. Four beautiful colors that you can swirl together for a captivating glō or use individually to illuminate that shining star in you."

glōPrecision eye pencil: "Achieve the fame you deserve with glōPrecision eye pencils in deep olive and plum. Dreamy, daring, legendary."

glōEye Shadow: "For that special effect, create your own color intensity from sheer to deep to totally dramatic! New for fall: berry, eggplant, and fern."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This was my first experience with the glōminerals product line. I was overall very pleasantly surprised.

First of all, the gloss (shown in lilac), has a slight vanilla scent and is incredibly soft and moisturizing. I like its weight, and it lasts pretty well. The gloss also has a very slight opalescent sheen that makes lips look a little more voluptuous, too (I'm not going to say I didn't like that).

The new glō Shimmer Brick is a (very generous-sized) quad of completely wearable soft-shimmer shades. (the picture does NOT do the colors justice, TRUST ME). Each one could easily be used on cheeks or lids as color or subtle highlighter. They also layer very beautifully together and are incredibly soft in texture. This was perhaps my favorite part of their Fall lineup.

Next are the eye shadow (in fern) and eye pencil (in olive). The shadow builds really easily just as they say, because of its very fine consistency. This shade also has just enough very fine flecks of gold to make it even prettier. The only thing that wasn't perfect about it was that it did crease a little bit after several hours. The eye pencil goes on smoothly and has a handy sponge tip on the other end if you'd like to smudge it a bit to create a more smoky look. The pencil could have lasted a little bit longer without wearing off, but it held up fairly well for one not billed as "longwear".

Retail Prices:
glō Gloss $15.00
glō Shimmer Brick $30.00
glō Eye shadow $17.00
glō Eye pencil $15.00
(go to glominerals.com for more information or call 800.496.8007 for a product catalog or other information)

DeLush Ratings:
glō Gloss
glō Shimmer Brick
glō Eye shadow
glō Eye pencil

What They Say: "L'Oreal redefines eyes with Lineur Intense Defining Liquid Liner. This innovative liquid system provides maximum definition and intense coloration that lasts all day long. Naturally tapered felt-tipped applicator allows precise lining as bold or as sleek as you choose. Water-resistant and smudgeproof. Ophthalmologist and allergy tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Fragrance free."

Jen's Experience: I really like the smooth line that a liquid liner provides, but in the past, I've had problems with the liner creasing after it doesn't dry quickly enough or with the eyeliner application itself looking uneven and messy. As promised, this eyeliner really delivers in the application department. Finally, I'm able to apply a thin line all the way across the eye and add additional width if I want without the extra liquid showing up high on my eyelid. The pen is so easy to work with; it drew lovely even lines and even worked its way close up to the lash line. The liquid dries immediately, so there's no creasing.

The color I chose was Mineral, a dark brown color that blends in effortlessly with my eyelashes. I am really tempted to try the black as well since that's the color I generally wear.

My one complaint? It doesn't last as long as I would like. Since I rub my eyes, I would estimate I get about 4 hours worth of wear out of it. But you know? For the price, I'll just throw an extra one in my over-sized fall handbag. This one's a keeper.

By the way, the formula I used is the new formula, not the one pictured above. See the L'Oreal site for a more current photo.

Retail Price: $7.49 (drugstores)

Rating:

What They Say: "* Ultimate, precise control
* No skipping, dragging, or pulling
* Silky soft, long wearing formula glides on for flawless application that won’t smudge or smear
* Washes off easily"

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: The sheer thinness of this pencil made me want to give it a try. What impressed me once I did, in addition to the pencil itself, was the fact that the packaging is designed so well. You click very small increments up as you twist the narrow tube, and there's a long sturdy support stem for the product so the thin pencil doesn't snap or break off as you use it.

The pencil itself goes on quite smoothly and wears for several hours. This thin liner is the PERFECT size for lining the inner rims of your lids without accidentally touching your eyeball as you do! It does smudge off in the inner rims after a few hours a little bit, but it stays well in my opinion above and under your lashes.

Retail Price: $6.49 (at drugstores and superstores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "These brand new luxurious pencils come in three metallic shades and can be used wet or dry for a gorgeous watercolor effect on the eye. With a brush on one end and a twist-up self-sharpening eye pencil on the other you have the power to choose between demure or daring. Go for drama with the pencil straight on or add a drop of water to the brush for a sheer, summery wash of color instead.
*Avoid using on inner rim of eye, as this product is not suitable for this area."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: There's a reason they warn you not to use this on the inner rims of your lids - this stuff moves! As in, it's not exactly "waterproof" or anything, which is okay since that's not what it claims to be. First of all, I got this pencil in Azure, which OH MY LORD is a gorgeous shade. Just beautiful.

The only problem I had in applying it straight on as a bold color is the simple fact that it's so soft and blendable that that's in fact exactly what it does whether you want it to or not! It can crease a little into your upper lid and won't maintain a perfectly smudge-free line under your lower lashes. I find the best way to utilize this formula is to go ahead and smudge it a bit on your own to begin with. Whether you blend it with the brush dry or wet, you'll be much happier with this pencil if you go into it thinking of it as a bold or sheer WASH of color.

Their suggestion to line the lower lashes and apply a tiny bit of water to the brush (ed. note: tap it on your wrist/back of your hand first to get out excess water) and then swipe that over the color creates a very pretty look which won't move too much from your already gorgeous self-imposed smudge during the day. If you use it on your upper lash line, just be sure to blend it and check for any creasing mid-day. If you use it with a stay-put shadow this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Overall a gorgeous and sultry look with just enough shimmer ot make eyes pop. Comes in Azure, Green, and Bronze.

User Tips: Be careful not to get it too close to the inner corner of your eyes, because it might irritate. Also, best for lower lash line.

Retail Price: $18.00 (smashbox.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Each of these easy-to-handle liquid liners has a fine, flexible brush for precise application, and a rich, creamy formula that dries fast, and stays put."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: A few months ago, when my mom said she was looking for a really fine and pretty liquid blue eyeliner, this is what I picked out in Sephora for her. And when I saw how well it stayed put and the color range, I of course put some on my wish list for Christmas. My mom returned the favor and got me the Prune Styliste 24 and Vert Esquisse 27 shades (a lovely purple and a nice hazel-y green). I have worn both already and am so pleased with the ability to have a super-fine line or to build up to a thicker one. And this really does stay well, especially on the upper lid. I got many compliments on the purple one when I went out last week.

For the shade selection alone, much less the long wear, I would recommend this even for those wary of liquid liners.

Retail Price: $15.00 (sephora.com or click here for other stores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This dual-ended eye pencil features two shades, fling and flair, that highlight and define eyes."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I was really drawn to this liner's colors and couldn't wait to use it. I'm usually a bigger fan of automatic pencils because normal ones often tug at my eyes and also I'm really lazy and love to not have to sharpen! This one, however, goes on smooth and looks great. I noticed some fading throughout the day a bit, but for a regular pencil that doesn't necessarily claim to be long-wearing, it wasn't that bad. And I just LOVE the different ways I can use the colors - the dark green is great on the upper lash line and the shimmery cream color is fabulous for brightening the inside corners of the eyes. (*You can click on the eye pics above to see a larger image of how I applied this.)

Retail Price: $15.00 (at dillards.com and in select department stores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "The no-budge, no-smudge eyeliner!", "Incredible long-lasting waterproof wear", and "Twist up self sharpening pencil provides precise application"

Jen's Experience: I have been getting more and more excited about eyeliners this season. I've tried some expensive ones and some not very expensive, and I have to say, this is one of the cheapest and one of the absolute best.

One of my main complaints with pencil eyeliners is that they often pull on my eye while I'm applying (even using short strokes), and often the amount of color I get is often pretty minimal. This automatic eyeliner goes on like a pen. It's so easy to apply; I am able to easily blend the line with my eyelashes and I'm able to adjust the width of the line easily. And because it's automatic, there's no point at which the pencil gets dull and the wood scratches my eyelid. (Ouch!)

I wish the color lasted a little bit longer. For me, it's good for 4-6 hours depending on my level of activity. A full workday at least would be optimal. But I'm ready to let that slide for its ease of application and the great color selection. I'm currently using gold eyeshadow with their Lightening (bright green) eyeliner, but now that it's on sale, it may be time to stock up on some new shades!

Retail Price: $4.99 (Walgreens, currently on sale for $2.99)

Rating:

What They Say: "Our classic Smoke Out pencil has been remastered and colorized. This pencil makes getting seriously smoky eyes simple. From subtly singed to full-tilt sexy, Smoke Out is totally en fuego.

Master the standout eyes of the season with ease. Smoke Out is an amazing slimline pencil filled with a long-lasting matte powdery formula. With the attached blender tip, Smoke Out smudges perfectly and stays put. It imparts a rich color that softens to a feathery edge like no other pencil. "

Jen's Experience: I have several of these eye pencils to coordinate with my Totally Delush Urban Decay Eyeshadows. The colors are so vibrant; a thicker, smudged out line is great for a night on the town. Another great look for super smoked out eyes is to wear a smokey layer of one of these great colors and layer a black eyeliner on top.

The colors are great, but they don't last as long as some of my other eyeliners, especially if you're conservative with your application. Use lots of layers for a more long-lasting effect. One more tip: the eyeliner pencils are pretty stiff when you first get them. Sharpening them will soften them up so that you not only get more concentrated color, you will also find the application easier.

Retail Price: $14.00 (Urban Decay)

Rating:

What They Say: "Gel formula has the precision of a liquid liner, with an easy-to-apply, silky finish."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Okay, so you know what? The Victoria's Secret makeup area in their stores is getting pretty hard to brush off. I've had really good experiences with some things they offer so far, so this gel eyeliner business? - definitely thought I should go for it.

I must say, I haven't been too disappointed. I did get suckered into buying a precise eyeliner brush, too, but it turns out that even though I can technically make a passable line with those pointy-ended cosmetic q-tips, the brush really is a NICE way to do it. Especially for exactness and controlling the shape of the line.

Anyway, back to the liner itself. I got this in the silver sea/sexy slate color. I am really impressed with both its smooth texture and its controllable intensity. The only things I DON'T like are that it doesn't stay quite as long as I imagine Jen's Bobbi Brown gel liner does, and also the slight scent in the pot...it's not really great but isn't noticeable enough to make me shy away from using it.

Retail Price: $11.00 (and another $8.50 if you decide to get the eyeliner brush - at victoriassecret.com and Victoria's Secret stores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This innovative eyeliner offers the precision of liquid liner and the ease of a gel-based formula. Long-wearing, water-resistant color can be used to create subtle to dramatic looks. For best results, apply with the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush (sold separately). Granite or Black Ink shades recommended for Bobbi's Winter White look."

Jen's Experience: I went to the Bobbi Brown Fall Makeover session at my local Parisian store a few weeks ago and received a full make-up application from one of Bobbi Brown's makeup artists from New York. I will be telling you a lot more about what I learned from that session in some of my upcoming posts, but since we're talking about eyeliner this week, I just had to pass on my experiences with this gel eyeliner.

I thought the eyeliner looked okay in the store, but I have to say, my friend and others at the counter really thought it made a major statement. Since it drew such rave reviews, I picked it up so that I could try it at home.

My eyeliner skills are pretty marginal since I don't wear it all the time, but I have to say, this product is remarkably easy to apply with a small eyeliner brush (and I'm using an older brush, even better results could probably be had with a Bobbi Brown brush or even a Target Sonia Kashuk brush). Not only am I able to make the line as thick or thin as I like, I am also able to use the brush to push a little into my lash line so that the black line seems to fade into my lashes. And, since it's not liquid, I don't make a huge mess when I start blinking.

What's really impressive to me is how long-lasting it is. My eyeliner was applied by their make-up artist in early afternoon, and yet this eyeliner stayed in place for a night on the town without smudging or smearing.

With the current trend of dramatic eyes and eyeliner, this is going to be your new best friend. Instead of sticking to the plain black, I may be going back for some of their other fun colors. The Bobbi Brown rep that I worked with told me I would end up with a collection of all the colors of these great eyeliners. I think she's right!

Retail Price: $18.00 (Bobbi Brown)

Rating:

What They Say: "Kajal eye liners are formulated to mimic the ultra-soft texture of the Indian eye darkener of the same name. The luscious formula glides on perfectly, without dragging across the fragile skin of the eye area. Delivers bold, clear, true color that easily blends and beautifies.

Tips:
Use kajal eye liner for a precise, crisp line or smudged to create a smoky appearance. Works well with any eye shadow formula."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I LOVE the color I got, Amethyst. The texture of this liner is smooth as silk and super-gentle when applying to the eye. And the intensity? Fabulous. But I've noticed some smudging (when I didn't want it to), especially when applied under the eye. And there was a little creasing when applied on the upper eyelid. I've found that this liner works most effectively when you apply then smudge it for a smoky effect to begin with. However, setting this with powder helps to keep it in place longer.

Overall, very pretty and comfortable. Just not something I'd recommend to use if you want a precise line or want something truly long-wear.

Retail Price: $14.00 (stilacosmetics.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "LUMENE UNIQUE LINER Eye Liner is a liquid liner, for intensive, long-lasting outlines. The sharp tip of the liner produces delicate, feathery results. Quick-drying UNIQUE LINER is easy to use, neat and weatherproof."

Jen's Experience: As I've mentioned before, I've never been much of an eyeliner wearer. When I would go out on the town, I might line my eyes, but it just wasn't my thing for everyday makeup. Well, the big trend in this season's fashion magazines is dramatic eyes and nude lips. Generally the opposite of my usual approach. But I thought I would give it a try, and this week, DeLush will be telling you about our experiences in searching for a great eyeliner!

I had high hopes for this eyeliner. I was sucked in by the pretty packaging, but I bought it for the bright blue color. This is a great color for daytime wear since it's less dramatic than a jet black, but more fun than a plain khaki color. What I don't like about this eyeliner is -- well, pretty much everything else.

I found this to be very difficult to apply. I thought it might get easier with practice, but so far that has not been the case. The little brush they provide is very stiff and makes it difficult to get close to the eyelash line, making for a more obvious line than I really care for. It is very liquidly, so when I apply it I have to refrain from blinking or looking around for an extended period of time so that I don't make a mess of my eyelids. And as for wear? Well, there's not much left by lunchtime. Not at all like my previous liquid eyeliner, Blinc's Kiss Me Eyeliner, which won't budge until it's forceably removed.

Overall, this is definitely a great color to check out, but I would choose another brand, like Blinc. Or perhaps you'll find your perfect liner among one of the other brands that we'll be covering this week!

Retail Price: $7.99 (CVS stores)

Rating:

What They Say:
"* Ultra-smooth application - glides on to define your eyes effortlessly
* Smudge-proof and waterproof formula stays put, and won’t budge until you want it to
* Self-sharpening packaging swivels up and down so point is always sharp and ready to define
* Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, ophthalmologist-tested"

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I hate how messy liquid liners can be, and sometimes pencils either don't smudge well or wear off and crease. This one stays in a line where I want it to be, but when I want to smudge it a bit I get a nice smoky effect without it disappearing during the day.

Being a little closer to 30 than I'd like to be, I am also very aware of anything that pulls on my lids when I apply...but this goes on in a nice smooth sweep.

I LOVE anything that is swivel-up (who wants to have to sharpen?) and was pleasantly surprised by the punch packed in this drugstore find. Definitely in the ranks with the best as far as I'm concerned.

Retail Price: $6.79 (at drugstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Kiss Me is the world’s first eyeliner invented to form an intense water-resistant layer of color on your skin that solves all of the problems associated with traditional eyeliners. However, to really understand Kiss Me, you must clear your mind of everything you know and have heard about eyeliners or inferior imitation concepts.

First, it is important to know that Kiss Me Eyeliner is not a cosmetic paint like most liquid eyeliners, and therefore cannot act like them. This means no fading, smudging, clumping, running and most importantly, no flaking into your eyes, making it ideal for those with sensitive eyes as well as contact lens wearers. Did you know that most eyeliner sensitivities occur because of gradual flaking into the eye?

Brush on Kiss Me like a traditional eyeliner. Its precision brush makes it as easy as using a pencil. After about one minute, the layer of color will set on your skin. The eyeliner is very tenacious, so you don't have to worry about it. Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your workout and then out to dinner, Kiss Me Eyeliner will look as good in the evening as it did when you first applied it in the morning.

No eye makeup remover required! Kiss Me Eyeliner only requires a combination water and slight pressure and the color layers will effortlessly slide off…you will actually see them in your hand.  Keep in mind that it must be a combination of water & pressure to remove, not one or the other. Pressure alone will not do it, and water alone will not do it.  However, water and pressure combined, like when you are taking a shower, will make the color layers gently slide right off, leaving no tint or residue behind. This is a lot healthier for your eyes since there is no buildup on your skin over time. And since Kiss Me does not require harmful eye makeup removers, it is also healthier for your entire eye area since you are not rubbing the part of your face that is most susceptible to wrinkling. In addition, Kiss Me does not penetrate your skin, unlike most liquid eyeliners. You will be happy to discover that only Kiss Me Eyeliner gives you the best of both worlds…the hold that you have always wanted and the ease-of-removal that you have always wished for."

Jen's Experience:  I am absolutely in love with Blinc's Kiss Me Mascara, so I was thrilled to get an opportunity to try their Kiss Me Eyeliner, which works very much like their mascara.  I have never been a big fan of eyeliner.  It's messy, hard to apply, too dramatic for me for everyday purposes and yet wearing it out to a smoky bar means that I am constantly rubbing my eyes and getting the eyeliner everywhere, including into my contacts.

Well, I might just be wearing eyeliner more now.  This eyeliner stays right where I put it, no matter how long I am out.  Shocking, right?  It doesn't budge until I wash my face and scrub a little bit to remove it.  It never irritates my contacts, never smears and smudges.  It just stays put and gives me a totally glam look for a night on the town.

This is a liquid eyeliner, so it look me a few tries to perfect my application technique.  The first time I wore it I looked like Cleopatra, but the effect is much more subtle as I get better at applying it.  I will likely go out and get the brown eyeliner, because I think the black is just a little too dramatic for most purposes, particularly with my light hair and complexion. 

From someone who has never liked eyeliner, this product is fantastic -- absolutely groundbreaking.  If you have steered away from eyeliner in the past, or even if you're already a fan, this is a product that you need to pick up.

Retail Price: $24.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "The pencil of the future.

Now, line and define with a creative touch. The ultra creamy formula is not too hard, not too soft...it's just right. Glides on effortlessly for long-wearing, stay-in-place color.

Innovative soft-touch ColorControl™ Grip makes precise application easy, whether defining, shaping or coloring. And the integrated smudger helps you create a professional look."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: For me, this pencil is not soft enough. It tugged at my lid, and I really didn't much see the benefit of the "Grip". It wasn't bad, just didn't strike me as that much better than another liner might be. Also, it didn't have an incredible amount of staying power.

Retail Price: $18.50 (esteelauder.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Create the smoldering eyes you desire with 5 high-impact shades that redefine the look of liquid liner.

Draw the perfect line every time--taper thin or dramatically lush. Precision brush guarantees easy-to-control application and custom coverage.

Inky liquid formula is long-lasting, non-smudging, non-smearing."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Liquid liner has always been a tricky situation for me. I detest any that make too bold a line, because inevitably I will make a globby, uneven mark above my eyelid. That's just me. Choosing the right formula that won't smudge after a few hours has also been an issue. I've really not been a huge fan of liquid liners because of these things. So when I saw this one by Estee Lauder, I got pulled in by the packaging design and colors available.

The applicator is indeed extremely fine, which means that you don't have to worry about the 'gloop factor', and the color can be built up as narrow or as thick as you prefer. It also lends itself much easer to lower lid application.

I tried this liner in Plum Cassis, and found that for a liquid, it had very good wearability, and lasted the entire day at work without smearing or smudging.

Retail Price: $22.50 (esteelauder.com)

DeLush Rating: