Leave it to makeup artist Carmindy (of TLC’s What Not To Wear) to make smokey eyes even easier than flipping your hair (well, almost). 🙂
Her new Perfect Smoky Eyes Kit ($23, part of the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy line) comes with three coordinating eye products perfect for creating understated, elegant, just plain pretty smokey eyes.
What ya get
- Eye Shadow Palette in Storm: Three shimmery shades in gray, taupe and beige
- Lift & Define Mascara in Jet Black: A lengthening, glossy black
- Always Perfect Liquid Eye Liner in Black Onyx: A sheer liquid liner
Swatches from left to right: shimmery gray eyeshadow, shimmery taupe eyeshadow, shimmery beige eyeshadow, liquid liner, mascara
The step-by-step directions on the back are easy to follow, too, and it took me less than five minutes to bang out this look. Big ups for making my makeup life easier, Carmindy!
A few things…
- The Storm Eyeshadow Palette takes top honors as my favorite of the bunch. The shadows feel buttery and exceptionally smooth, making them a cinch to blend.
- Always Perfect Liquid Eye Liner applies a little sheerer than I’d like. I think it works fine as an eyeshadow base, but it’s kinda watery and challenging to layer and smudge. I may stick with LORAC Front of the Line Pro when I want super crisp, dark black cat eye lines.
- Lift & Define Mascara produces lovely long, yet natural lashes, but I like more BAM! It might benefit from a layer of a thickening mascara applied first.
With the kit this look was really easy to do. I think it’ll make a great gift for a BFF who shall remain nameless. 🙂 She’s not really a hard core makeup girl, but she’s shown an interest in smokey eyes.
NOTE: Right now the kit’s a little hard to find online, but check your nearby drugstores for availability. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Yikes! Every day that passes reminds me that I need to start thinking about the holidays. Have you done much shopping yet?
Whatcha got going on tonight? It seems like a lot of you gals are busy studying for finals (good luck!). As much as I miss being a student, I sure don’t miss the tests! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Citrine says
December 1st, 2009 at 8:40 pmI though I have seen these set with several Sally Hansen natural beauty items and they cost somewhere around 10-12 bucks (most of the time those people put “value at XX” because the actual cost is much cheaper.) in drugstores.
I have tried several products from the range but my favorite are the lipsticks though, too bad they haven’t put those in any gift set.
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 amThe lipsticks are great. So pigmented!
Sheila says
December 1st, 2009 at 9:51 pmOh wow, this is a set that has lots of value. The eyeshadows aren’t that pigmented though…
.-= Sheila’s last blog post… Awesome deals from Cosme-De! 45% off Guerlain! =-.
Karen says
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 amYah, I can see where you’re coming from. I think it might be easier for newbies, though, to work with less pigmented shadows.
amy says
December 1st, 2009 at 10:41 pmThis set is cute, it reminds me of a paint palette. It is nice for a basic beginners guide for smokey eyes or even for something subtle for work or school.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Dior Cristal Boreale Holiday 2009 Collection: Smokey Crystal #089 5 Couleurs Palette Fard À Paupières Lumières Vibrantes Review, Swatches and Product Pictures =-.
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 amTrue! It’s totally workable for both places. 🙂
Mariah says
December 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pmCute! It’s nice that it’s all in one kit for you! And after this weekend’s What Not To Wear marathons, showcasing her new makeup line, I’m more interested in her stuff than ever! Cool!
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 amHey Mariah,
She makes good stuff that’s always easy to wear. I heart her!
Stacie says
December 1st, 2009 at 11:59 pmThat liner does seem very sheer. But you’re right, the shadows seem fab! Will have to look for this…
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 amSuper sheer! Worn alone it might be too watery…
If you like the shadows I’m pretty sure you can buy the palette on its own!
SDpfeiffy says
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:47 amOh how I wish I could find Carmindy’s line in my neck of the woods… seems like the perfect gift for my daughter! Maybe I’ll look for it in the “big city” when I travel there on Friday for Christmas shopping. Speaking of which, I’ve done some online shopping, have a bit more to do, plus the big Friday trip. Hopefully I’ll be done by the end of the weekend. Gah!
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:03 amIt can be hard to find, but I’ve seen it at CVS.
Good luck with your shopping! I have barely even started. 🙁
Tiffany says
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:12 amOh, this is cute! I wonder if you could buy the palette separately, or if you have to get it in the set?
I am actually almost done with my Christmas shopping! I got my husband’s gifts online and most of the gifts for others on black friday.
And I definitely was working on a presentation for school last night 🙁 It’s today and noon and I’m not feeling ready!
Hope you have a happy hump day!
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 amI think you can buy a storm palette on its own. It would look really pretty on you. 🙂
Are you feeling better? I saw on twitter that you took some mystery meds from my mother country and that you weren’t feeling well.
Anyway, good luck on your presentation!
Tiffany says
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pmyay! I am gonna keep an eye out for the palette on its own!
yeah, yesterday was terrible! I had a horrific headache and had to keep staring at the computer to finish my presentation. after taking excedrin and feeling even worse I took some meds my husband got for pain in the Philippines and they made me feel odd, lol. but I’m better now and presentation is done! how was your day?
do you ever visit the Philippines? my husband loves it there. he says everyone is happy and always smiling 🙂
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:31 pmMine was good! My stylist cut off about 15 pounds of hair, LOL!
Is your husband Filipino?
The last time I was there in 2000… it was the first time I had visited since I left as a baby! It was really, REALLY hot.
Tiffany says
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 amNo, he’s not from there he just goes there for work. He likes going even though it takes 24 hrs total to get there!
BlovetBeauty says
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 amWhat a pretty pretty set!
.-= BlovetBeauty’s last blog post… Black Rimmed Eyes =-.
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 amYup!
Happy Wednesday. 🙂
gio says
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 amWhat a nice set! The shadows and liner look too sheer for my liking but I think the set would make a great present for ladies who are just starting to get into makeup.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Product Review: Senna Silky Primer =-.
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 amYeah! It’s totally accessible, which I think is Carmindy’s thing.
Andreea says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 amThats perfect for a daily make-up at the office. If she uses natural ingredients it means they are easier to take off (they might unfortunately smudge also…) and they will noct dry the skin out.
For 10 USD or even 10 Euro it is a bargain anyway. Perfect as a gift…
Love silkysoft e/s…
But Karen, it does not matter what you wear, everything suits you. Loved red lips on you most 😉 sexy elegant.
.-= Andreea’s last blog post… FETTE Totes Meer Salz =-.
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 amHi Andreea,
LOL, I wish. 🙂 I have trubs with brights… some people do orange/yellow/pinks but I just can’t, le sigh!
How’s your week going?
Shannon says
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 amI saw that at the store the other day! I was kinda excited by the liner… too bad it’s not as epic as I hoped it would be. Oh well!
Karen says
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 amYeah, it’s just okay. I mean, if you’re only using it for layering it’s fine, but for very dark, crisp cat eye liner then you’re better off with something else.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 pmLove this for a stocking stuffer! I like when the packaging has a tutorial too. I’ll check out my RiteAid tonight. Thanks for this post!
Marce says
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pmVery pretty! Even though there’s not so many options makeup-wise, you did a pretty smoky eye there. Kudos!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Por la belleza real… =-.
Karen says
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 amThanks Marce! 🙂
Eliane T. says
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:02 amI really like her!
Karen says
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 amShe seems very cool, yah?
Blank says
December 24th, 2009 at 6:12 pmHi, how much it cost this kit? And where r u bought??