Monday, January 28, 2013

Dolce & Gabbana Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Stromboli

I'm so happy now that I know an insider at Dolce & Gabbana. Finally I have a connection, and although he's in New York, I can buy safely. He will know the "real color" of the items (the online swatches are inadequate) and can recommend makeup colors I will love vs colors that were designed "for someone else."

My friend sent me a GWP with the first order I placed with him at Saks Fifth Avenue, a mini Crayon Intense Eyeliner ($29 for the regular product) in #1, Stromboli. Stromboli is a perfect shade for me.

I have no idea how it was named because stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, Italian meats, or vegetables. The dough traditionally used is Italian bread dough. How that translates into this glorious sparking charcoal-toned liner is a mystery to me. Stromboli is also an active volcano on a small island off the northern coast of Sicily, the more likely suspect for the name. It's dark, perfect for a liner, but not deep black. I guess that makes it charcoal.

Dolce & Gabbana is a company with sparse product descriptions. This one doesn't tell me much about the product - just about the image the designers hoped to create. It's also a bit out of date.

Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Coffee was a Best Splurge in Allure magazine's "Best of Beauty" October 2009. Intensity and sensuality are dually expressed with the various shades of eyeliner. A precisely defined line conveys modern elegance; while a smudged smoky eye incites intrigue and desire.

The marketing blub doesn't matter, though, since the eyeliner is gorgeous. I love the texture and the ease with which I can draw a thin line at the base of my lashes. I like my eyeliner worn with a thin line, and this one is perfect for a thin, even application.

I took swatch photos in full sunlight. I drew my D&G without breaking the liner (no matter how hard I try to use a light touch, liners that are too soft break when I take swatch photos). Points were scored immediately for surviving my photo session with a sharp tip.

The shade is so pretty - natural - on me. Because it's not harsh, it works nicely for day - even with the teeny tiny gold sparkles in it. They are micro-fine, so they leave behind a flattering radiance.

The gold sparkles, combined with the "charcoal" liner are a natural for anyone who doesn't want a harsh black look during the day, but does like a little pizazz. It applies with ease - no tugging required. My mini didn't have the smudge brush on the end, but I seldom use them. However, those who love a smoky or soft eye will find that tool useful.

I like this liner so much that I will order more shades as soon as my friend gets some new products and I place my second order. That should be the lip glosses, expected around the second week in February, or Desire, a new Dolce & Gabbana fragrance that has luscious notes.

You can order this or anything else from Dolce & Gabbana at Saks. A Saks credit card, shipping will be free. If you order $150 or more, use code JANSF when you order online (with any credit card), and your shipping will be free.

Photo at top courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I like this eye liner. I am usually not a fan of sparkles but the gold flecks are very subtle!

Thanks for sharing
Janelle

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Janelle Marie,

These sparkles are so fine, they don't look like sparklies at the lash line - unless the viewer is VERY close. :)

Appu said...

What a gorgeous shade! I have been wanting to try a few pieces from Dolce & Gabbana now that Sephora carries them too. Do you have any product recs??

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Appu,

I haven't purchased a lot because the buys were all sight unseen, but I really like the Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipsticks.

Bellyhead said...

Now I want an eyeliner and a stromboli. Great!

Eileen said...

Hi Bellyhead,

I want a Stromboli, too! Hold the meat. LOL. I guess we have Charlestongirl to thank for not only our makeup cravings, but also for our lunch requests :-)

Hi Charlestongirl,

I do wish D&G were more widely available. I can easily get to a counter but it means driving into Beverly Hills (about 45 min.), so I don't get a chance to see the collections as often as I'd like. I actually have Stromboli (the liner; not the pastry ;-) ) and love it for those cold winter days when black looks too harsh and plain old grey looks too blah. There is just the tiniest amount of sparkle which brings life to the eyes in winter's cool flat light. I keep thinking I want to give the foundations a try, but whenever I've been at the counter, I was distracted by the blushers and eyeshadow quads. The next time I'm in BH, I'll have to remedy that and give it a go. I'll be a woman on a mission!

I think you and Dustin are going to have a lot of fun exploring D&G. It is a line with a unique esthetic and, since you like Armani, I think you'll find much to like. You're lucky to have Dustin there to help you choose. He'll know exactly what will enhance your considerable beauty.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

I'm laughing. I have to go as far as New York to see it. I have no idea why it's so limited. That is why I'm so thrilled Dustin is there now.

Stromboli is a great shade. I want about four more!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Bellyhead,

Just get the liner. :)

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I like D&G but very seldom see a counter as my nearest one is in London. The Ruby collection and Sicilian Lace were lovely, Animalier was striking but not me. I just wish it was easier to find information about upcoming collections - I have started to follow Dustin in the hope that I might learn more now :)

Anne

Charlestongirl said...

You will, Anne. He's a Facebook kind of guy.

solanace said...

This must be so flattering. I love the subtle golden sparkles, and the fact that it is not really black, so I can use it on my real life.

I spent a few days in Stromboli (the island, not the pastry) and the beach is exactly the shade of this eyeliner. The sea water gets really warm! A much happier place today than portrayed in Rosselini's movie, that's for sure.

Evelyn said...

I kept "eying" these at Sephora but I think it might be more fun to visit Dustin instead and get an expert opinion on color for me. Odd trivia tidbit - I think I was watching the National Geographic channel which was showing some marine researchers at Stromboli. They were studying the very intelligent octopi of the area who can predict when the volcano of the island will act up and they take off before they can be affected by it. I am a geek who loves makeup, what can I say? :)

solanace said...

Hi Evelyn, fellow geek - I went to Stromboli because of a particle physics conference in Erice - I've seeen a few things about the intelligence of octopi too, which affected me to the point that today I avoid ordering it at restaurants,'cause I feel like I'm eating a dog or a dolphin!

Sam said...

I love D&G makeup. I have a few of these pencils--all bought online or through the NYC Saks counter sight unseen--and they're probably my favorite pencils ever. I use them on my waterline and they have great lasting power and little smudging. I've been impressed with almost everything I've gotten from the line (tho I've had a few lipstick color mishaps from ordering online). I hope you enjoy your new itms!

Lady Jane Grey said...

I love this one - and even more so, as it was a present with a purchase. It's lasting power is wonderful!