Guerlain Le Crayon Yeux Water-resistant, Long-lasting Eye Pencil in Khaki Driver for Spring 2016

When Marcus Monson was here last, he used this Guerlain Khaki Driver (#05, $31) water-resistant, long-lasting Eye Pencil on me. It was gorgeous. He applied a very thin line right into the base of my eyelashes, making them look fuller than they are. The color looked khaki if you looked for color, but it could have passed for a soft black when viewed through the lens of my lashes. Of course, I wanted it.

Guerlain sent me this gorgeous eye pencil in the package with ENJOY. I was so pleased to receive it and thrilled to see that it comes with a sharpener. Some of you know that I'm not happy with pencil products I can't sharpen. This dual-ended pencil even has it's own smudger on one end, perfect for those who want to use it for its color - even a smudged smoky eye - instead of a defined eyeliner.

I hope you can see the khaki color in the photo directly above. It's definitely green, but a dark khaki with a kohl look and feel.

Guerlain describes the pencil this way...
Guerlain redefines the typical eye pencil and introduces its first-ever all-in-one liner and khol pencil with a water-resistant and long-lasting formula. With minimal effort, this gentle, creamy-smooth Eye Pencil glides on for a seamless application. Whether going for a dramatic look or something a bit more natural, this new pencil and blending tip create beautifully defined and contoured eyes in an instant.

The indispensable look accessory, Guerlain's Eye Pencil, kohl and contour, allows every makeup result, from a simple elegant sweep to a sultry smoky eye. Thanks to its gliding texture including intense pigments, it can be used as liner in eye contour, as kohl in the inner eye, or even over the entire eyelid. It is long-lasting, no-transfer, and water-resistant; it unfailingly withstands heat and tears of emotion.

I can definitely testify to it's long-lasting characteristic. Even though I used my OCuSOFT eyelid scrubs the next morning, my liner remained intact. I loved the even, thin line that remained, giving me a second day of lush-looking lashes. I can also assure you that it glides on effortlessly. Although creamy, once it sets, it's there to stay.

I took a swatch photo in full, noontime sunshine. The sparkles you see on my arm are leftovers from an eye shadow I had not fully removed over the eyeliner swatch. Sorry - I didn't see them until I looked at the photo online. Khaki Driver is not glittery or sparkly.

I've mentioned before that my camera has difficulties with greens, and this one is no exception. While this color is fairly accurate, it's not spot-on. Nevertheless, I hope you can see how lovely and totally wearable this khaki is.

This Eye Pencil comes in five new colors, including Khaki Driver. The other four are 01 Black, 02 Brown, 03 Purple, and 04 Navy Blue. I've got to check out that navy blue next time I go to the counter.

You can purchase it from your favorite Guerlain source, including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and online sources, such as Sephora. I'd recommend you check it out.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Dior Diorshow Waterproof Liner in Aqua Green from the Birds of Paradise Collection for Summer 2013

Diorshow Aqua Green Waterproof Liner (#348, $29) coordinates perfectly with both of the new 5 Couleurs Haute Couture Eyeshadow Palettes in the Birds of Paradise Collection: Blue Lagoon and Peacock. I like it more with Blue Lagoon, but it's perfectly lovely with Peacock too.

I swatched it for you while I was at Neiman Marcus this past weekend. I refrained from purchasing it because I have liners this color - and love them. They can be worn alone to add color to an otherwise neutral eye, or they can be combined in any way you choose to complement the new blue and green shadows. They also look really pretty applied lightly and blurred under the lower lashes (just on the outer half of the eye).

To easily reproduce the ultra-graphic catwalk eyes, Dior introduces a very precise retractable eye pencil. Diorshow Waterproof Liner offers an exceptional glide and guarantees a perfect, long-lasting line. A collection of six vibrant colors for a high-intensity impact to complement any eye makeup. A true expert tool for a 100% smudge-proof and waterproof effect.

Diorshow Waterproof Liners are everything Dior claims. I drew a "D" on my arm in the store, then came home and photographed it. It has lost none of its luster on the way home. Then, when I tried to wash it off, it was a no-go. I had to get out the oily eye makeup remover to un-D myself.

I took my photos in full sunlight. My imperfect "D" was drawn directly on my arm, using the tester in the store.

Anyone looking for color should appreciate this shiny pastel aqua. Is it blue or green to your eyes? I see turquoise.

This liner glides on effortlessly - no tugging or pulling required. I like the way the way it's designed. I tried to show that I can draw a relatively thin line (straight side of the "D") or thicker liner easily. I could not draw an ultra-thin line, though. That takes the sharpness of a pencil that can be sharpened to a point.

Doir's Diorshow is available in other colors. Check it out at Nordstrom online.  You can find the new Dior Birds of Paradise Collection at Dior counters, and I found it online at Nordstrom. I'll show you more tomorrow.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

New: Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil in Bronze

Welcome a new Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil ($33) into the fold! Bronze has arrived.

This shimmering copper brown shade from the best-selling Gel Eye Liner Collection comes to us straight from the runways. Its beautiful eye-opening shade will add an air of romance and seduction to any look. It's the ideal complement to L'Éléphant Palette, which I'm enjoying enormously.

Breakthrough extrusion technology made Chantecaille's Gel Liner Pencil the first long-wearing gel eyeliner housed in a sustainable wooden pencil. Previously only available in composite “faux wood” material or in glass jars, the liner features a brilliant multi-purpose angled brush on one end to draw, clean, and define the perfect line at the lash line. It can also be pulled upwards to create the perfect smoky or cat's eye. The Gel Liner Pencil is water-resistant and long wearing, offering immediate, smudge-proof definition that lasts up to six hours, according to Chantecaille. I find it lasts all day (12 hours or more).

I took swatch photos in full, late-afternoon sun. You can see the bronze glow beautifully, with the color reflecting the fading sun that was low in the sky.

Bronze is a brown lover's brown. It's a gorgeous color that defines the eyes with a dash of color, but doesn't scream "eye liner." It's easy for me to apply. It deposits color without pressure. I never break Chantecaille's liner tips, as I've done with other brands.

Once you try it and see how beautifully it coordinates with L'Éléphant Palette, you're going to want it. Fortunately, it's currently available - at Chantecaille's Web site and at Chantecaille counters. I purchased mine from Jeannine Barnes at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie.

When you get yours, try drawing a very light, smudged line under your lower lashes on just the outside third of your lid. You're going to love it.

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Dual Ended Eye Liner - Party Time Collection for Holiday 2011

On the display unit for Bobbi Brown's Party Time Collection for Holiday 2011, there are some very snazzy eye shadows. The metallic eye shadow quads captured my attention immediately. Less eye catching at first glance were the Dual Ended Eye Liner pencils ($24). They were just pencils, right? Once I experimented, I found they were no less enticing than the rest of the collection. Three color duos offer a jazzy way to enhance our eyes in black with silver, black with gold, and Chocolate/Bronze (my choice).

Chocolate/Bronze offers two fabulous shades in one pencil. On one end, there's a medium-intensity brown. On the other, there's a stunning bronze that shines with a touch of gold.

You won't see that dazzle of this liner in any of my photos of the pencils themselves. There's one above, but the shadow on the right almost obliterates the bronze color on the right. You can see the chocolate pretty well on the left side of the pencil. To use that old saying, "It's what's inside that counts." So, let's get to swatch photos.

Because I - like most of you, I'm sure - have countless black eye liner pencils, I focused right away on the brown shades. These two are gorgeous. I hope you can see that Chocolate is just that, a dark milk chocolate that definitely looks brown (as opposed to some brown liners that are almost black). This is a great color for many women who instinctively reach for black, but want (or need) a subtle change.

The Bronze shade is a beautiful shimmering brown-bronze. Not as gold as some bronze-toned makeup, but certainly with golden shine, Bronze draws attention to the eyes. It's perfect for your party look for the holidays. Naturally, the two shades can be blended to create a third.

This pencil is ultra-creamy. You'll want to dot or dash it into a line above (or below) your lashes. That actually makes it easy to use (it applies smoothly and easily), but it's so creamy that the testers had been worn to nubs in a short time on display. Fortunately and conveniently, there is a sharpener included in the box. You'll need it if you like your new Dual Ended Eye Liner as much as I like mine. Remember to turn the sharpener, not the liner, when you sharpen it.

I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. I'm sure it will be available soon at all Bobbi Brown counters and on Bobbi Brown's Web site. Want to stick with black? You have two options - one with silver and one with gold. Bobbi Brown has you covered for the holidays.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille New Classic Palette for Fall 2011

Chantecaille's New Classic Palette ($85) for Fall 2011 is gorgeous. I'm smitten. I know already that it's joining my Tiger in the Wild Palette as a staple in my makeup wardrobe. The New Classic Palette captures the polish, glamour, and timeless elegance of the ladylike fashion trends for the fall season. Don't forget, it's all about Lady Chic!

Three eye shades, Valerian, Thistle and Lavender (the rich plum shade) will allow you to create multiple looks with layered washes of easy neutrals anchored with the deep plum tone. While the Lavender shade is technically classified as a liner in the palette, it can be applied sheerly to create a smoky eye look. Pearlescent Valerian’s subtle shimmer can be used to as a base shade or to highlight the brow bone or the inner corners of the eye. It's gorgeous and elegant pink on my skin. Chantecaille calls the neutral Thistle the perfect silver grey lid shade for both day and night. On my skin, it's an exquisite shimmering taupe.

The brightening peach-pink cheek color in Rose provides a classic peach flush, one that coordinates beautifully with the eye shades in the palette. Enriched with vitamins A, C, and E, it will also give your skin a nourishing treat when you wear it.

Because Valerian and Thistle shimmer, I had a hard time getting perfectly representative swatch photos. I took many yesterday and more this morning in an attempt to show you the shades without too much reflection from the sun. I'll show you a few and hope that you can see how pretty the shades are - and how nicely they coordinate. As usual, I applied each shade heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. I swatched the palette clockwise, starting with Valerian at the top of my arm and finishing with Lavender at the bottom. I took my photos in full sun.

Valerian, the pink shade at the top of my arm, is the hardest to see in my photos. It doesn't appear to provide much contrast to my skin, but I can assure you that it's drop-dead stunning on the eyelids. It shimmers, lighting up my eyes with a shade of pink I can wear (which makes me very happy). Then there's the taupe Thistle, one of my all-time favorite eye shadow shades. I just don't see the grey in Thistle (and I don't think I'm losing my eyesight). On my skin, I see a subtly shimmering taupe - one that leans toward the milk chocolate shade range, not the grey one. Chantecaille "did good" when they paired Thistle with Valerian.

The blush shade, Rose, is peachy on me. I think peach tones look better with icy pink and plum or purple shades. If you apply too many pink tones to your face at one time, or if you are wearing rich purple or lavender clothing, you don't want to look glaringly pink. A fabulous Chantecaille rep and I discussed that one day when I was wearing purple. The peach tone complements the eye shadows very well. It does not shimmer as much as my photos suggest. I'd wear it on my eyes with Thistle too, just because I think it would be pretty.

The Lavender liner/shadow is a very deep plum. On my skin, it looks charcoal in most lighting, with just a hint of plum. It's a great shade for anyone, even those of us who find plums difficult to wear.

Hopefully, I've whet your appetite to go see the New Classic Palette for yourself. I'm sure the shades will flatter you, no matter what your skin tone. One cool aspect of the palette is that the compact is refillable. Take good care of it; it will be with you for a long time!

You can purchase the New Classic Palette at Chantecaille's Web site (where I purchased mine). A special gift with purchase started today (with purchase of $200). I believe that the Chantecaille counters should receive their stock this week - or very soon. I'll provide an update when Neiman Marcus receives their stock.

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening All-In-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette - The Greens

Earlier in the month, I featured two of Lancôme's Color Design Eye Brightening All-In-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palettes ($48). You can see those features here and here. I promised to show you more, so today, let's look at Teal Fury and Jade Fever. Seems fitting, with St. Patrick's Day coming up tomorrow, and I had a special request from Annette.

To recap, each palette has a schematic on the box and on a plastic overlay within the compact to ensure you know how Lancôme intended the colors to be used. At the top, there is an all-over-base. Below, there are three color blocks, from left to right: lid color, crease color, and highlighter. At the bottom of each palette, there's a liner shade that coordinates with the other colors. I don't think you should feel constrained to use the colors the way Lancôme suggests. I'll suggest why below.

Lancôme says its new palettes provide five simple steps to contour, sculpt, and brighten your eyes. "From day to night, or soft to dramatic," you'll have what you need to customize your perfect eye look. These shadows present Lancôme's newest generation of silky luster powders for smooth application and pure, luminous color. They are said to wear for eight hours, without creasing or fading. I found that to be true.

At right are the swatch photos of Teal Fury shadows, with the liner photo below. These blue-greens are gorgeous colors. All of my photos were taken in full sun, and the shadows and liners were applied with a sponge-tipped applicator. The pink base shade, shown at the top of my arm, is a pretty, icy pink, a perfect complement to the green and blue shades that fill Teal Fury. You could use this base shade as a highlighter. The other photos were swatched left to right. There are two teal shades - a lid shade that pops and a crease shade that's subtle - basically one for every mood. The crease shade is gorgeous on the complete lower lid. It paints a teal smoky eye - love it! Why restrict its use to the crease? The blue highlighter is icy. It's a pretty shade and can be combined with the greens for a teal look on the lid. I would have to use it carefully as a highlighter, perhaps only on the center of my eyelid. I can see it applied evenly on the lower lid under the crease for a wash of shimmering blue.

Somehow I managed to forget to swatch the liner shade from Teal Fury when I took my original photo, so I went back and got a second photo to show you that the charcoal liner is very subtly shaded by teal. It's a pretty color that coordinates perfectly with the shadows in the palette. You can go "everyday" with the subtle teal and liner, or play up a snazzy look with one or more of the blue-green shades and pop your eyes with the liner. This compact allows you to create many looks.

Swinging to a more neutral, but still colorful look, Jade Fever was designed for the green lover who doesn't want to shout. I fall into that category! The top shade is a neutral golden beige. My swatch photo shows it at the top of my arm. It's a perfect base shade for the rest of the shadows in the palette. I am enormously impressed with the base shades in the Color Design palettes I purchased. They are all gorgeous and will be useful no matter what colors I layer with them.

From left to right in my swatch photo, there is a celery green lid color, a muted khaki crease shade, and a yellow gold highlighter. The liner is a deep brown to my eye. Aren't these pretty? If you wanted to get a look for St. Patrick's Day (and be able to wear it to work), this is your Lancôme Color Design palette.

Now, I have shared photos of Teal Fury, Jade Fever, Bronze Amour, and Taupe Craze. I also purchased Midnight Rush (a palette that's based on blues and greys - probably my least favorite of the bunch, even though it's very pretty). I think Lancôme has a hit on its hands. These are beautifully crafted palettes.

You can purchase these lovely new palettes from Lancôme's Web site, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora (where I bought these two), and, I assume, any other Lancôme counter.

Palette photos courtesy of Nordstrom