Eyes

Makeup is my muse, and the Spring 2009 collection by smashbox… appropriately named "Muse"… inspires me to write positively glowing product reviews!   I'm particularly smitten with this palette of high-pigment eye shadow, and am officially naming it a Raging Rouge "must-have" for Spring. Ten shades are included in the Muse Artist Eye Palette, arranged in monochromatic duets of color. Each pair contains one bold/bright shade and one muted/subtle shade.  Not accidentally, this palette looks exactly like a set of watercolors, and blend so well, they actually remind me of paint! 

Inside of the paint-spattered compact, you'll find an extremely luxe shadow brush. The shadow brush is of such surprisingly high quality, you will certainly keep the brush long after the shadow is gone. The palette closes tight with a magnetic closure, and a 2 1/2" by 5 1/2" mirror is on the inside, for easy application on the go.

My favorite look for day is simple…  I use the pale tan shade at the top left (biscuit) over my lid and up to the brow.  I then line my eyes generously with the dark brown shade on the lower left (chocolate).  It's that simple and looks beautiful!  But don't let the earthy staple shades in the palette smother your inner artist.  I combined the pale blue (Light Silver-Blue) and pale purple (Sheer Lilac) shades to create a gorgeously icy lilac shade that was to die for. 

Retail price is $48.

Off label advice from smashbox: Intensify the smoky eye by applying clear lip gloss (try LIP ENHANCING GLOSS in CRYSTAL) over eye shadow for a runway-inspired wet look.

The smashbox Muse Artist Eye Palette can be purchased at beauty.com, Sephora.com, and smashbox.com.

Had it not been for my beauty blog, I may never have sampled Benefit’s incredible line of Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners.  I was imprisoned by my misconception that cream-based shadow is overkill and heavy.  Not so!

Cream-formula shadows rank among my favorites, and Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner ranks high among must-try brands.  Each can be used as a smudgy eyeliner or a dewy shadow.  For those terrified of cream shadow, allow me to ease your fears.  These are amazingly sheer when applied, but color is buildable.  Simply allow the product to set for 30 seconds, and apply again for bolder color!  The finished look is shimmery… never chalky in appearance.

Retail price is $19.  Be sure to check out the other colors from the Spring collection:  flyin down to… (a lavender shade) and sippin’ and dippin’ (a gold shade). 

Click HERE to check out the Spring line of Creaseless cream shadow/liner at Benefit

With a curvy profile more recognizeable than the facial features of most A-list celebs, Urban Decay's genie-styled primer potion is a favorite in the beauty marketplace. Why? Apply it prior to shadow application, and color is more intense, shadow has staying power, and you can kiss creases goodbye!

Recently released by Urban Decay, Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion adds a bit of variety to the primer potion business.  The original primer potion is a pale flesh shade.  Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a deep, shimmering champagne shade that can be worn stand-alone (who even needs shadow with a color this glam) or used to add a bit of glimmer to the most matte of shadows.

Sin Eyeshadow Primer is also a great alternative for women with darker skintones who may have shied away from the pale shade of the original Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Retail price is $17.

Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion can be found on the Urban Decay website, and will be available at other retailers (Sephora.com, Ulta, Beauty.com and select Macy's locations) on 2/1.

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.

I have sung the praises of Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils many a time here on Raging Rouge.  When I first had the opportunity to sample these eye pencils, I fell so in love I immediately began accumulating the colors I knew I would wear often (Bourbon, Dime, Gunmetal, Rockstar, Stash and Zero are among my favorites). 

For Spring 2009, Urban Decay has announced that four new 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil shades will be joining the 15 shade deep collection:  Flipside (bright teal), Underground (metallic taupe), Graffiti (bright medium green with silver sparkle) and Ransom (bright iridescent purple).  Underground is a slightly lighter shade than Bourbon, and is uniformly metallic rather than laced with sparkle.  It's a must-have for the woman who lives for brown shades of eyeliner, but hates wearing the same shade every day!  While this pencil is universally flattering, it's especially a great choice for blondes–due to its paler hue.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are infused with Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Cottonseed Oil, leading to smooth application (no jagged lines here)!  After about 30 seconds, the formula dries to a waterproof finish with major staying power.

Retail price is $16.

Flipside, Underground, Graffiti and Ransom 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils are already available on the Urban Decay website, and will be available at other retailers (Sephora.com, Ulta, Beauty.com and select Macy's locations) on 2/1.

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.