I’ll be the first to admit it because it’s totally true. When it comes to purple eye liner, I’m the star of my own personal snooze-fest.
It happens sometimes after 25 or 26 years… That’s how long I’ve been wearing purple eye liner (since about 1987).
I started by sneaking a rogue stick of purple Lancôme liner out of the house with me every day and lining my upper lash lines with it when I got to school (so sneaky!).
Admittedly, I had no idea what I was doing, so I probably looked like Honey Boo Boo on a bad pageant day, but I didn’t care. I loved the stuff. Still do.
So predictable, I know. 🙂 But you know what? Purple liner does great things for brown, green and hazel eyes.
I’ve always loved the look and felt that brown eyes (mine are brown) look so much more chocolatey and delicious when they’re lined with plum.
Lately, the purple liner love o’ my life has been BECCA’s new teeny, tiny jar of Belle Époque (a shout-out to France’s “Beautiful Era,” I presume), a deep, shimmery eggplant cream liner that draws feathery strokes in a single sweep and has a formula that lasts all day long.
I like to work slowly when I apply it, using little strokes and avoiding my water lines. When I wear it on my lash lines it doesn’t move, but on my water lines, Belle Époque tends to creep after a few hours, ending up beneath my eyes.
“Colour-rich and long-wearing, this versatile formula lays down with the precision of a liquid liner and the ease of a cream. Brush on smooth, dramatic strokes, smudge for a smokey kajal effect or glide over lids as intense shadow.”
Whenever I want to smudge and manipulate the liner to feather and fuzz the lines more, I have about five minutes to act before it sets. Thankfully, it doesn’t transfer into my creases as its drying.
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Paraffin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyethylene, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-Butyl, Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tropolone, May contain/peut contenir [+/-]: Mica, CI 77499 (Iron Oxide), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77492 (Iron Oxide)
I love wearing Belle Époque on my lash lines with curled lashes, especially if they’ve been fattened with loads of mascara.
It’s a simple, chic kind of tough girl vibe that isn’t too harsh or hard.
PRICE: $20 for a smallish 0.08-ounce jar
AVAILABILITY: Available now at BECCA counters, Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Amy says
Beautiful colour! I’s a shame it travels. 🙁
Karen says
It only travels when worn on the water line. On the lash lines it’s perfect.
Lilit says
I’m a huge fan of purple eyeliner too, it looks great on brown eyes and highlights it much better than just plain old black liner. Glad to know this doesn’t transfer into the creases of the eye, as having semi-hooded eyelids I find it annoying when most liners end up on my lid above the crease!
Karen says
Hi Lilit,
What are your favorite purples?
Shikha says
purple liners are my favorite, this one is such a pretty shade
Karen says
Super pretty!
Sunny says
Pretty shade, but it’s a pity that it smudges after a few hours… I prefer my eye makeup to stay in place all day!
Karen says
It only smudges if worn along the water lines. Lash lines it’s fine.
Darbie says
As a fellow brown-eyed girl, I just discovered purple liner with MAC Designer Purple (Archie’s Girls). I can’t wait to try this pot out, or would you recommend a different one for a beginner?
Karen says
Hi Darbie,
Have you tried MAC Prunella? Here’s a link to the review:
MAC Unsung Heroes: Prunella Eye Kohl
Katherine G says
I LOVE purple liners, too. I like the darker eggplant ones like this one but I am also a sucker for ones that pack some punch. My current fave is Laura Mercier in Black Violet – it’s just that perfect black with that pop of violet in it. I also love UD’s Ransom when I’m feeling like a more loud purple. I’m also a sucker for purple/pink shadows since they look great with hazel/green/brown eyes. For those, I’m loving Laura Mercier’s African Violet to pump up neutral looks; UD Woodstock, Fishnet, and Asphyxia; NYX palette in the purple smokey eyes one; and Victoria’s Secret in Taboo.
khushboo says
If you had to chose the best eyeliner considerig texture and how long it lasts, and one that doesn’t smudges itself (even on the waterline), which one would you chose. It doesn’t have to be gel. I’m looking for a really good daily eyeliner.
virginie says
Where is the shimmer on ur swatch????