Have you ever noticed how often the word “blue” turns up in song titles? Sitting down to play with Lancome’s Declaring Indigo collection, I thought of New Order’s Blue Monday and When the Stars Go Blue, by Ryan Adams.
Lancome’s new collection is blue beauty booty for eyes and nails. So far I’ve tested three pieces from the release.
Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm and Virtuose Mascara in Royal Blue
Yesterday I fell hard for Les Vernis nail polish in Indigo Paris ($18).
It had me at bonjour!
And today, Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm ($24) and Virtuose Mascara in Royal Blue ($25) ran away with my heart.
Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm ($24) is captivating in her shimmery, intensely pigmented indigo blue. A gel liner that doesn’t budge for nuthin’, she stays on my lids all day long without smudging, and I think she totes makes brown eyes *pop*.
The thick, semi-wet formula — easy to apply and control — should also be great for gel liner neophytes and lazy girls (like moi). Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Virtuose Mascara in Royal Blue ($25) nearly blinded me with bling when I first laid eyes on her. A dark blue mascara with golden glitter, this baby curls, lengthens and defines lashes like nobody’s bidness.
It looks a little scary in the tube, but no worries — she’s completely wearable. The shade applies as a subtle dark blue with teeny pieces of golden glitter — enough for just a hint of sparkle — so you don’t have to worry about looking like one of the Solid Gold Dancers circa 1981. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Swatches from left to right: Virtuose Mascara in Royal Blue, Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm
I think Lancome stands out with this release. Shades of gray are making big splashes over at Chanel and Dior this fall, but Lancome veers into almost summery territory with Declaring Indigo’s palette of deep blues, bronzes, golds and browns. It’s different, and from what I’ve seen so far, I like. 🙂
Let me know what you think.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Shontay says
July 16th, 2009 at 3:09 pmWow. Both of those are gorgeous. Blue is my absolute favorite color. I was never into lancome before, but I might have to check this out at least.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:05 pmHi Shontay,
I hope you like both the liner and mascara. The liner is to die for… I could easily wear it every day.
Happy Thursday!
ines & cha cha says
July 16th, 2009 at 3:32 pmI LIKE. borat style.
i usually i don’t buy lancome too much (exception: rouge sensation in jezebel)… but i LOVE navy blue and what it does for my pale skin and brown eyes!
going to go have a major testing sesh!
hope you and tabs are good. cha cha sends OM NOM NOM NOM from the food bowl (he’s having some fancy feast right now)!
.-= ines & cha cha’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:04 pmHi Ines & Cha Cha,
Fancy Feast is the way to a cat’s heart. Tabs is sleeping here at my feet. I wonder what he’s dreaming about…
I don’t know when it happened, but Lancome’s gone all edgy on us. I like the stuff they’ve been releasing!
tali says
July 16th, 2009 at 3:39 pmLove it esp.the eyeliner..marvelous on your skin tone!
.-= tali’s last blog post… Outfit Of The Day & Project 5 Pan! =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:03 pmHi Tali,
Thanks! Do you think you might get anything from this release?
sdpfeiffy says
July 16th, 2009 at 3:57 pmso… I was uninterested in (too broke to consider) this collection until I saw the artliner–I was thinking it was the felt tip pen style, which I love but it never lasts on my eyes. Now gel liners… *sigh* (starts counting pennies…)
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pmHi Sdpfeiffy,
Yes, girl. The gel liners get me every time. Sigh! Which ones are your faves?
Maggie says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:12 pmO-M-G.
You just made my heart break–that liner is gorgeous!
Whyyyy must I be broke now!? 🙁
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Review: Korres Pomegranate Makeup Wipes + Haul and More =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pmHi Maggie,
It’s pretty drool worthy. You still have some time to get it — fall is a long ways away.
Marisol says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:13 pmThat liner is eveything I’ve wanted from the likes of the BB gel liner & MAC fluidlines. I better call lancome again & pre-order it.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:31 pmHi Marisol,
It’s frickin’ awesome. I wish they made more colors! I’ll like pots in purple, green and gold, please. 🙂
Summer B. says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pmAhh, alas…the exquisiteness of INDIGO! Absolutely beautiful with your skin! The state of my wallet has me thinking I should perhaps just invest in an indigo crayon or some such to satisfy my craving…definitely not as good, but, you gotta do what you gotta do! lol 🙂
.-= Summer B. ‘s last blog post… Red Earth Cosmetics, a Fond Farewell from Canada! =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:29 pmHi Summer B.,
A good dark indigo pen might do the trick, too. I like the Uni Ball Vision Elite. It writes smoothly and has the deepest, darkest blue color.
Sarah says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:27 pmOMG! I’m am so excited about this line! The liner on you is gorgeous and I have brown eyes myself. You just made Lancome a new sale because I am on my way to purchase it!
Sarah
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:34 pmHi Sarah,
Your brown eyes will thank you for it. 🙂
Kajal Couture says
July 16th, 2009 at 4:43 pmAmazing what a lil pot of blue gel can do for a gal! I have had a rough day at work (still not over, just taking a break), and seeing this review totally made my day! I am all over that blue liner!
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:06 pmHi Kajal Couture,
Oh no… I hope that you get to go home soon. At least tomorrow is Friday, right?
Hang in there!
Glosslizard says
July 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pmI might have to splurge on the mascara!
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:06 pmHi Glosslizard,
Dude, do it! It’s really fun!
Michelle (Lipstick Rules) says
July 16th, 2009 at 5:44 pmAh the 80s. Blue Monday.
I have added that Blue liner and the Blue nail polish to my wish list.
.-= Michelle (Lipstick Rules)’s last blog post… Bargain Beauty Review: Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Lipcolor =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:05 pmHi Michelle,
I’m a child of the 80s. I did big hair, leg warmers, neon… yup. Good times.
Catherine says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pmWow Karen – that liner looks absolutely fabulous on you!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Soft, summery FOTD & Jane Iredale lipstick in Lily =-.
Karen says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pmHi Catherine,
Thanks!
It’s a really *great* blue. I hope you try it. 🙂
Stephie says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:34 pmI am definitely digging the blues. In fact, I wore my LM Med palette today. I really like Lancome Virtuose. I think the brush I SOO awesome. It seriously applies mascara like no one’s business( I actually wash it and use it w/ my other mascaras ).
How cute of Lancome to include that little ‘toki doki esque’ toy!
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 9:01 amHi Stephie,
I am totally loving that brush, too. I usually like smaller ones, but for some reason this one just *works*.
Jen says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pmKaren- I love how the eyeliner looks! And, I love your shirt, the sleeves are really cute. Who makes it?
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 9:01 amHi Jen,
I wish I could tell ya. I bought it four years ago at a random shop in SF… unfortch I cut off the tags (they itched). LOL, I guess I need to go shopping. A clothes horse I am not!
Lina says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:45 pmThat liner looks gorgeous on you!!! It definitely makes your eyes pop without being too bright. Wish I could pull off blues like that! The whole look you did is very elegant. Love it.
.-= Lina’s last blog post… Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives Haul Part 1 =-.
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:59 amHi Lina,
Blue is one of those shades I’ve grown to love. A few years ago I would’ve never tried it.
How do you feel about purple? Now that’s a shade I wish I could work better!
Stef says
July 16th, 2009 at 6:50 pmOooo, girl! That’s some pretty blues. The liner looks like what I wanted MAC Fly-by-Blu pearlglide to be, but wasn’t.
Agreed, I love that this is different from the other Fall collections. Look at Lancome go!
.-= Stef’s last blog post… tarte eyeQuatic Summer Essentials set review =-.
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:58 amHi Stef,
I know! I’m really loving this one so far. Do you think you might get anything?
jane says
July 16th, 2009 at 7:01 pmoh no. yesterday it was the gorgeous blue polish and now liner? 😡 ack! i must check this out when it comes out and see if it looks as good on my skin. 😀
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:58 amHi Jane,
I hope it works for you! It’s a great color.
Nicole15 says
July 16th, 2009 at 7:27 pmI have been desperately looking for a good indigo blue liner. Some blues claim to be navy but have too much purple in them or too much “midnight” & they just look black on. This blue is perfect. Just the ideal shade of dark blue. I love it & it looks damn good on us brown-eyed ladies. HA!
“Solid Gold Dancers” – LMAO 🙂 I wanted to be one so bad. Growing up I could never decide what would have been better, being a Solid Gold Dancer, a Soul Train Dancer or a Fly Girl. Ahhhh, the good ol’ days.
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:57 amHi Nicole15,
Me too! Who didn’t want to be a Solid Gold dancer?
I thought the Fly Girls were so cool… the thought of wearing booty shorts freaked me out to no end, LOL!
Hyzenthlay says
July 16th, 2009 at 7:42 pmGosh dang it, can you STOP featuring expensive things on here that I lust after?! 🙂 Now I want the liner AND the mascara AND the nail polish AND the eye shadow.
Well, the colors my school ARE blue and gold . . . and it’s spirit day every Friday! Perhaps I need these things for my Friday makeup . . . 🙂 I could alternate blue and gold looks . . . And I am taking on some extra (paying) responsibilities this year . . .
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:55 amHi Hyzethlay,
Totally! I think if you get a lot of use out of makeup they it pays itself off, right?
Patti says
July 16th, 2009 at 8:31 pmHi Karen,
I am definitely interested in this collection by Lancome. As a self-confessed gel liner neophyte, how do you apply the gel liner to your lids? What brush can you use?
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:54 amHi Patti,
Gel liner is surprisingly easy to use if you have the right brush. I LOVELaura Mercier’s Flat Eyeliner Brush ($25).
First, I load the brush with some liner, and then I dilute the excess by rubbing it gently across the inside of the gel liner cap. Next, I gently pull the skin at the lower lash line outward (toward my eye). I place the brush head along the lashes and then slowly apply the color to the lash line. I do my best to get the color as close to the lashes as possible (in between ’em, even) and then build thickness of the line slowly.
If you have any more questions let me know. 🙂
Khalia Bentson says
July 16th, 2009 at 8:41 pmI’m really diggin’ the blue eyeliner!!
.-= Khalia Bentson’s last blog post… Come to the Sip and Shop Janrah Boutique Event in Seattle, WA =-.
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:22 amHi Khalia,
Yup, it’s really pretty.
Paris B says
July 16th, 2009 at 8:43 pmmmmm that indigo liner is gorgeousness! I’m really liking the indigo colours in this collection but the eyeshadow palettes (though pretty) are a little blah. Pity.
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Ask & Answer: What’s the difference between blush and bronzer? =-.
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:15 amHi Paris B,
Aww, that’s a disappointment. I was really hoping that palette would rock my world.
Steph says
July 16th, 2009 at 9:11 pmKaren,
That liner looks amazing. I can never get as smooth a line with gel liner. I just smudge into my lashes — which also looks good but sometimes a gal just wants a thicker, more defined line. What brush do you use? How do you apply?
Thanks!
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:14 amHi Steph,
I use Laura Mercier’s Flat Eyeliner Brush ($25). It’s a bad ass brush! I like it much more than MAC’s push brush for the eyes.
To apply, I gently pull the skin at the lower lash line outward (toward my eye), and then slowly apply the color to the lash line. I build thickness to the line slowly… it’s the only way I can get a really sharp, defined and crisp line.
If you have any more questions let me know. 🙂
heyhey says
July 16th, 2009 at 10:22 pmMy blue heaven! This is so my speed– that little “pop” of color on an otherwise muted face. Now to save up for the lancome real deal while scoping Walgreens for a cheap ITMT alternative. Viva la recessionista!
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:10 amHi Heyhey,
🙂 I’ll keep my eyes out for a drugstore alternative and will let ya know if I spy anything!
tracey says
July 16th, 2009 at 10:44 pmhow does the indigo charm liner compare to macs fluidline in waveline in terms of color??
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:09 amHi Tracey,
I don’t have Waveline, but when I pop by the MAC counter I’ll take a look and let you know.
Tiffany says
July 17th, 2009 at 5:54 amGirl, that liner looks amazing on you! Also, I love your top – great color!
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:09 amHi Tiffany,
Thanks. 🙂
Hope your Friday is off to a great start.
Naz says
July 17th, 2009 at 7:34 amWow that liner looks so great on you and the color is amazing! I’ll definitely pick it up next week I go shopping!
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:08 amHi Naz,
Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Lindsay says
July 17th, 2009 at 7:38 amHi Karen!
I love the eyeliner, I’m going to go get it today! And I love the earrings! What’s the story on those?
–L
Karen says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:08 amHi Lindsay,
Those are pink plumeria earrings I bought a few years ago when I visited family on Oahu. I bought ’em at the drugstore. 🙂
Marina says
July 17th, 2009 at 12:08 pmOMG that liner is beeee-utiful! I was going to ask the same question Tracey did (about MAC Waveline) will appreciate it if you could compare them 🙂
Anastasia says
July 17th, 2009 at 7:54 pmThat blue liner is so pretty on you – I love the nail varnish that you previewed too – my Lancome counter didn’t have it yet when I checked today.
I’m kinda blue myself… I just found out my lab Oscar has cancer 🙁 I hope we caught it soon enough – fingers crossed!
cloudburst says
July 17th, 2009 at 8:21 pmI love that gel eyeliner – blue makes eyes appear whiter!