Prescriptives chose to call their new limited-edition Kohl Eye Pencil Blue Grotto ($18.50), but I can think of a few other names that would have suited it quite nicely, like Kohl Pencil So Fabulous, Better than Revenge On Your Ex or Beeyotch, Step Away From My Blue Eye Kohl!
If I’d worked with Prescriptives on the product naming committee, I might have just chosen to call it AWESOMENESS because it truly is one of the best liners I’ve used in months.
What sets Blue Grotto apart from most other pencils on the market? One word: smooOOoove. Applying color to delicate parts of the eye, like around the waterline, usually takes me a lot of effort. I end up having to run the pencil back and forth several times to deposit enough color, and then my eyes start watering and everything goes downhill from there. With Blue Grotto, though, there’s no tugging or the feeling of a hard pencil edge against my skin; just a soft, creamy formula that deposits rich color in just a few easy swipes.
And the color! Oh, the color… It reminds me of pictures of the Mediterranean, or a bottle of rich, dark blue ink. It’s a gorgeous blue and unlike any other in my current eye pencil collection.
The other thing I noticed was how it holds. On the waterline, the pencil’s long-wearing, water-resistant formula just lasts and lasts and lasts… The first swatch of the shade I did on the back of my hand was still visible after two days, during which time I showered twice. It finally came off with Lancome Bi-Facil makeup remover, whew!
This past Saturday I wore Blue Grotto on my eyelid (the upper lash line). I drew a line, smudged it a bit with a MAC 219 pencil brush and then braved the heatwave to run some errands. After a full day of running around covered in sweat (it was HOT, yo), the liner still looked just as perfectly smudgy as it did when I left the house (Sidenote: Did you know the average person sweats about four cups of water per day?).
Blue Grotto doesn’t make my eyes water or sting, either; another big plus, especially during allergy season when my eyes are extra-sensitive.
Prescriptives Kohl Eye Pencil in Blue Grotto
Price: $18.50
Use: To line the eyelid or the waterline
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
That’s Blue Grotto on the waterline!
For now there are only two limited edition colors — Blue Grotto and Purple Rain — in the Urban Heat ’08 summer collection, so if you think you might like to give either one a try, you might want to pick it up soon. I really hope in the future Prescriptives adds a few basic shades like black and brown and makes the Kohl Eye Pencils a permanent part of their color collection. Even though the pencils are a little pricey, their color and staying power make them worth every penny.
For a closer look, head over to your favorite Prescriptives counter or the Prescriptives website.
Last night I went through The Hills withdrawals. I really missed not getting my weekly dose of SoCal reality TV. To fill the empty reality TV space in my heart, I ended up watching Miss Rap Supreme. Anyone else notice how fierce Yo-Yo’s makeup looks?
I’m having a pretty darn good day so far, despite having to wake up at the crack of dawn to make a phone call. Who’s ready for an afternoon coffee break?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Jana says
May 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pmI love blue eyeliner so I’m all over this.
Love the site, btw. I’ve been lurking for a few weeks and wanted to say hello from Boston.
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pmHi Jana,
It’s a really great shade, and the closest thing to water-resistant that I’ve found in a looong time. Hope you like it! 🙂
Roxy says
May 20th, 2008 at 3:40 pmoooooo …. very pretty! love that color.
Roxys last blog post..SNEEK PEAK: MAC Electroflash
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pmHey Roxy,
Yeah, it was a nice surprise! I’ve never used any of their liners, and I was very impressed.
Do you have any blue liner favorites?
dominican_engima says
May 20th, 2008 at 4:02 pmWow that really looks beautiful. I love the alternate names you have. lol
dominican_engimas last blog post..1
Glosslizard says
May 20th, 2008 at 4:10 pmOooh, I so need this! Maybe both colors! 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pmHi Dominican Enigma!
Thanks! I hope you check it out. It’s even prettier in person.
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pmHi Glosslizard,
Yah you do! If you get both, then we’ll be eyeliner twins. 🙂 I don’t have a good purple liner that moves me so I’m stoked to go back and get the second color. Woo hoo!
Lehea says
May 20th, 2008 at 4:43 pmHow I looooove blue! Not really feeling the price tag though, but I might just give in and get it anyway. Haha!
Nikki says
May 20th, 2008 at 5:26 pmHey, thanks for this! WOW, showered for 2 days huh? and still there? that’s something I have to look into! 🙂 thanks dear
Nikkis last blog post..Sanuk Sandals: PayDay
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:00 pmHi Lehea,
I know, it’s kinda pricy. I think, though, when you find something that works well that you’ll reach for quite often then it’s worth it. 🙂 Give a go next time you hit the mall, just so that you can feel the texture because it’s just super silky and soft!
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:01 pmHi Nikki,
Yah, girl! Plus multiple hand washings! I would’ve let it go for a third day, but I just couldn’t take it anymore, LOL.
Gina says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:09 pmAck! You make me want to buy everything! lol
Ginas last blog post..Piano Eye
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:14 pmHi Gina,
LOL, my bad! I can’t help if there’s great blue eyeliners that I feel compelled to share with the world!
🙂
Mariah says
May 20th, 2008 at 7:10 pmThat is soooo pretty! It reminds me of the color of the water in the Caribbean! OOooh, and the other is called Purple Rain? Like Prince? Oh yeah!
“I never meant to cause you any sorrow…”
Mariahs last blog post..A Week in the Life of MariahGem, Volume 1
Marisol says
May 20th, 2008 at 8:19 pmI will be checking this liner out. I need something that holds on my waterline.
Marisols last blog post..Yes I am a Lush.
Lehea says
May 20th, 2008 at 8:35 pmOh yeah, I’m giving it a go alright! My friend called me up not too long after I read this entry. I tagged along with her to go to Macy’s because she needed to make an exchange. I swung by the counter and bought their last one. Haha! Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll definitely make use out of this liner. 😀
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 8:55 pmHi Mariah,
LOL, I thought of the same thing when I saw the name. I like Purple Rain but my fave Prince song, ever is:
“I guess I should’ve known by the way you parked your car sideways it wouldn’t last…”
Baby you’re much too fast (yes you are).
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Marisol,
I hope it works for you! My previous waterline pencil holy grail was MAC’s Technakohl’s, and I think this works even better. I just wish they had it in black and brown, SIGH!
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 8:57 pmHi Lehea,
YES! Don’t you love it when you get the LAST ONE!?!?
Did you get Blue Grotto or Purple Rain?
Crap, now I’m worried that I won’t be able to get the other one when I go to the mall tomorrow…
Glosslizard says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:11 pmHee hee, yeah, I’d better get my own and step away from your blue eye kohl! 😀
Glosslizard says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:12 pmOh! I just realized! Now they need to make a lipgloss called Raspberry Beret to go with! 😉
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:14 pmHi Glosslizard,
Yah girl! You know every girl needs at least, um, 10 or so blue eye kohls of their own. 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:24 pmLOL, so I totally love that song too. It’s a good one to listen to when running on a sunny day.
Have you seen the video? Only Prince can rock a baby blue suit with white fluffy clouds on it. I sorta want that outfit. I’d totally wear it too…
Glosslizard says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:50 pmI’d like to see that, and the makeup look you pair with it!
Marisol says
May 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pmThanks Karen. If I do get it, I will let you know my thoughts. Have you tried MUFE eye liner? That works well for me, I just wish it was a bit more intense.
Marisols last blog post..Yes I am a Lush.
Grace says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:26 amwhy is ur blog so awesome?? i love it!! you inspire me!
Carollu says
May 21st, 2008 at 11:06 amKaren,
I just got this pencil from Prescriptives.com so I was interested that you reviewed it. I found that I had to use it very lighthanded to avoid a blue mess, but I generally have trouble with pencils and thus prefer a gel eyeliner! It certainly looks beautiful on you! I have been lurking and enjoying your blog for awhile, so hello from NC! If any of you has difficulty finding this eyeliner and just has to have it, maybe we can arrange something. Carollu
Megan says
May 21st, 2008 at 3:41 pmUh oh… I really like that one.
Lehea1212 says
May 21st, 2008 at 5:36 pmI got Blue Grotto. I tested it before I decided to purchase it. Smooth like a baby’s behind. Okay maybe not, but it’s smooth. LOL! There’s still a tiny bit left on my hand today. Better grab my makeup remover…:)
Lehea says
May 21st, 2008 at 5:47 pmI got Blue Grotto. I tested it out before I purchased it. Smooth like a baby’s bottom. Okay maybe not, but it was smooth. Haha! I still have a bit of it on my hand today. Better grab my makeup remover…:)
Karen says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pmHi Glosslizard,
I’d totally wear and be serious, too. Maybe to a job interview, LOL, or to somebody’s wedding!
I’d probably wear coral cheeks and lips to contrast with the baby blue-ness of the suit.
🙂 How’s your afternoon/evening been? Did you hit the dojo today? I just got back from a run.
Karen says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pmHi Grace,
Thanks so much, hon! I am glad you get ideas from the site. Do you have a favorite brand of makeup that you like?
Karen says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pmHi Carollu,
I had a really hard time with pencil liners for a long time, too. I used to only use MAC Fluidline. Fluidline has a certain “look” to it though, so I wanted to try pencils, which seem a bit more softer and less harsh. Plus, you can do stuff like blend shadows on top of ’em.
The pencil liner that helped me with my technique was MAC Technakohl in Graphblack. Without it I’d be a mess! It’s very easy to use and incredibly beginner friendly, plus, it’s not too expensive. That was sort of my “gateway” pencil, and now I’m a bit more adventurous with other colors and formulas.
Anyhoo, I’m sure you can get it looking fabulous after a bit more practice. It just takes time… try it on a weekend when you don’t have to rush out.
Hope this helps. And thank you for saying “Hi”! I always like to meet new people and chat.
Karen says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pmHi Megan,
I know, right? Did you put it on your list for next week?
After work sometime this week the purple one WILL come home with me.
Karen says
May 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pmHi Lehea!
LOL, it’s amazing how much it stays on, huh? When you wear it you better tell me what look you do. 🙂