Chantecaille Summer in St. Barth's - 2011 Eye Look

There's no way I'll ever look as good as Olivia Chantecaille, but I set out to try to replicate her eye look, shown in Chantecaille's promotional photos for Summer in St. Barth's. I had most of the shades that were used to create the look, but I didn't have the Brown Le Stylo liner, so I headed over to Neiman Marcus to play with the fabulous Chantecaille Product Specialist, Alicia Cortes. Alicia is everything you would like in a Product Specialist - she knows her line really well and is great with colors/artistry. More about Alicia at the end of this feature.

Here's how to apply Chantecaille's Summer in St. Barth's look for your own eyes. I started with Concealer and Foundation Stick in Ivory. I had no makeup on - only eye cream - and I wanted to give the shadows a nice, even surface.

With the Basic Eye Brush, I applied the Iridescent Eye Shade in Rose Gold (a shade that will knock your socks off) on my eyelid from the base of the lashes to right above the crease. I should mention that I used a light hand for every shade I applied. Then, I applied Rose Quartz Shine Eye Shade under the brow bone. Using the Eye Definer Brush, I applied the Iridescent Eye Shade in Sel to the crease area, recreating the shadow of my lashes against my skin. Basically, I made a sideways V with Sel. I applied Sel a bit heavier on the outer corner than it appears in Olivia's photo. I applied a very thin line of Brown Le Stylo liner right above the base of my lashes and finished with black mascara. This is a look anyone will love.

Here are two swatch photos, with Rose Gold at the top of my arm, Rose Quartz in the middle, and Sel at the bottom. I applied the shadows with a sponge-tipped applicator for the swatch photos and took them in outdoor sunlight. How could you find prettier eye shadows?

I went home and admired Summer in St. Barth's. Even if I have quite a few years on Olivia Chantecaille, the look works for me, leaving an elegant, gleaming look that's perfect for day. If I had applied the shadows with a heavier hand, they would be just right for night.

You know I hate putting photos of myself on this blog. In this case, I'm making an exception to show you a photo of my eyes wearing the Summer in St. Barth's look. Don't look at my forehead wrinkles, please - or the fact that I had on no foundation! Focus on the gorgeous Chantecaille colors.

If you live anywhere around Washington, D.C., you'll want to attend Alicia's Chantecaille event on June 11 at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria with national makeup artist Eddie Hernandez. Call Kathy Shoreman at 703-761-1600, extension 3282, or Alicia to make an appointment. The event is during the Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous promotion, Sunday, June 5, through June 12. There will be a Chantecaille gift with purchase.

Photos of collection and Olivia Chantecaille courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty