You used to see it a lot in movies that took place in Brooklyn, New York, where on a blisteringly hot day, one of the so-called dog days of summer, someone, most of the time you didn’t know who, would crank open a fire hydrant on a busy street, and all of the kids in the neighborhood would laugh and play in the spray.
Back when I was a kid, since none of the houses on our street had a swimming pool, and fire hydrants were deemed off limits and impenetrable, we did something similar with sprinklers.
It never seemed planned, but on some of the hottest days, one of the moms or dads would turn on the sprinklers in the yard, and all of us kids would converge on the house like a swarm of butterflies, buzzing and darting through the spray.
My thing was cartwheeling, which I’d deftly do directly over one of the sprinklers, up close like to thoroughly soak my hair.
Big sigh… That was always one of my favorite things about summer.
Ya know, someone should pass an ordinance making it socially acceptable for adults to leap and frolic through sprinklers in their bathing suits. I’d strongly support something like that.
Among the selling points: sprinklers cost less than swimming pools, they’re a very efficient way to cool off, and you can use the opportunity to try out some waterproof eye makeup at the same time.
LOL! Don’t even front. I know you were thinking it, too. It’s one of the reasons I love ya.
Not wanting to miss a millisecond of fun, I’d look for a smooth-as-silk liner with lots of pigment, ideally one that I could quickly apply, like Stila’s Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner in Midnight Blue ($22), a chubby, twist-up waterproof crayon able to draw thick, rich lines that dry in less than a minute.
It’s one of eight Smudge Crayons that recently made their way onto Stila shelves last spring, each one promising to prime, shade with shadow, and line.
Okay, but what makes it worthy of one those great summer sprinkler sessions?
I’m glad you asked. 🙂
The answer: intestinal fortitude! Also known as durability. On my bare combination dry/oily lids, as long as I’m careful not to rub my eyes, it won’t budge for a solid 6-8 hours, 5-6 on my water lines, and it’s totally fearless around water, and that includes perspiration.
When I’m in the mood for thick swipes of dark blue, I like to use it as a liner…
Stila thoughtfully tucked a sharpener into the base of the liner, making it a snap to sharpen
Now, as a primer and shadow, I think Midnight Blue is just okay. It struggles a bit when I use it as a primer beneath powder eyeshadows, making it a little tougher to create smooth transitions and gradients between different shadows.
I’m not sure why, but I think it might have to do with the quick-drying formula, which doesn’t feel slick/slippery at all. When it dries, it’s set, almost like a temporary tattoo.
As for using it as a shadow, I do love the color, but again, it refuses to budge, which in this case makes it tough to blend and buff out the edges. I was really surprised that a product with the word “smudge” in the name would be so difficult to smudge, but c’est la vie.
So, yeah. Even though Midnight Blue isn’t as flexible as I’d like, as a waterproof liner for drawing thick, dark blue lines, I think it’s great.
PRICE: $22 (available in eight shades)
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and online at stilacosmetics.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
The Point Reyes Lighthouse: Saving sailors since 1870
On our anniversary last Saturday, El Hub and I spent a big part of the day exploring some parts of this area that we’d never seen before, like Stafford Lake…
Only about a 15-minute drive west from here on the way to the Pacific Coast, it’s a smallish lake encircled by a pretty park dotted with picnic tables (it’s also home to about a zillion Canada geese!).
Now that we know where it is, El Hub is trying to get me to go fishing there with him one of these days… I said I’d give it a try as long as I don’t have to touch any worms. 🙂
After the lake we continued west another 10 minutes or so to the quaint town of Point Reyes, just a tiny town with a few restaurants around a walkable downtown.
Saturday was their weekly farmer’s market, so we cruised around…
…but we were very hungry and craving a sit-down meal, so we stopped for lunch at an Italian place called Osteria Stellina Restaurant, a cute and cozy spot with decent food and very nice ambiance.
After lunch, we were off! Onward to the famous lighthouse.
It took a loooooong while to get there, probably another 40-50 minutes, but it was a neat drive. It’s way out in the middle of nowhere at the end of a road with hardly any traffic on it that goes through pasture land by a bunch of old dairy farms and ranches that all have big wooden signs in front of them stating when they were founded. The oldest one claimed to have started around 1850, so just a year or two after the beginning of the California Gold Rush.
Out there the cows outnumber people and have the right of way, so we had to wait a few minutes at one point for a cattle crossing (the first of my life)!
All the way at the end of the road, right near the ocean, we came upon a big parking lot, surprisingly busy with people who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Then we parked and started the half-mile trek down to the lighthouse.
Notice the fog? It went from being more than 80 degrees a few miles from the coast to the mid-50s right by the water.
Actually getting to the lighthouse requires climbing down (and then up when you’re done) a set of 300 stairs!
There’s a small historic building with a little tour about the history of the lighthouse, which was finished in 1870, how it was only the second lighthouse built along the North American West Coast (the first was on Alcatraz island in 1854), and how the entire mechanism was shipped around the world (because this was before the Panama Canal) from France.
Then comes the fun part. 🙂 Going back up the 300 stairs!
It’s not too bad if you take it slow…and there are benches to rest along the way.
If you happen to be in the neighborhood, Point Reyes and the lighthouse make a nice day trip, and there are lots of other trails, wildlife and other sights to see in the surrounding area (I hear there’s even a trail that ends at a waterfall).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rae // theNotice says
July 9th, 2012 at 10:30 pmUm, whoa. What a shade! I’m not sure I’m in love with the sound of that formula, but the deep, intense shade — seriously gorgeous.
More importantly, though: cattle crossing! Small towns! Actual, real-life lighthouses! Sounds like one heck of an anniversary, Karen 😀 I’m glad to hear it went so well!
musical says
July 9th, 2012 at 11:06 pmLooks like you had lots of fun! Deer sighting and 300 stairs, now that has to be fun!
The blue is lovely, and one really can not have enough blue eyeliner, right? ;).
dani@callitbeauty says
July 9th, 2012 at 11:22 pmThere’s something romantic about lighthouses, no? I’d love to visit one one day. 🙂
Also, that shade is absolutely stunning!
Mabeline says
July 10th, 2012 at 12:43 amWoah, that looks like a wonderful place to visit. My husband would totally dig it. However, I don’t think I could do something like that because 1.) cannot walk half a mile, 2.) terribly afraid of heights – just seeing some of those pictures made my heart race a little. Glad you took pictures!
– Mabeline
Advah says
July 10th, 2012 at 1:20 amLoved the photo! It looks so eerie with the fog! Looks like you guys had a great day. 🙂
I love the colour of that Stila pencil. Sadly still can’t get Stila in here other than through the website (and I like testing things) – will have to wait until my next trip abroad!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
July 10th, 2012 at 2:48 amThat looks so fun and interesting! I want to do stuff like that!!!! 🙁
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … Chanel Makes Everything Better!!!
Rachel says
July 10th, 2012 at 3:27 amIt’s a shame that it doesn’t blend well because the color and pigmentation is beautiful.
Your trip pics look amazing!! 🙂
Rachel recently posted … Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Review Part 2 for Honey and Rendezvous
Kiss & Make-up says
July 10th, 2012 at 4:04 amI like the color! This liner isprobably a bit too thick for my taste, though… But I do think it’s a fun product to play around with or to use for a photoshoot.
Looks like you had a fun weekend by the way 🙂
Nina says
July 10th, 2012 at 5:55 amPretty cows! 🙂
A bit of a story – we were driving towards the Tx Hill Country one evening and I saw a bunch of baby cows – got so excited and said “Look, baby giraffes!!!” … and since then, baby cows are called baby giraffes in my house.
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:49 amHi Nina,
I think they’re pretty too! I love their eyes…
And LOL, “Baby giraffes!”
Thinking of you and your fur family and sending you guys good thoughts today.
Nina says
July 10th, 2012 at 12:24 pmThank you .. the good thoughts are much needed and appreciated. 🙂
Cows have the best eyes and eyelashes!
Katherine G says
July 10th, 2012 at 6:14 amLove the photos! On fishing, I go, but I won’t take the fish off the hook yet. I will throw it back though! You could always do it that way, and if you are squeamish about touching the fish there are fishing gloves out there (Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s makes them).
On the Stila eyeliner/shadow, it reminds me a lot of the Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliner in Deep Ocean that I just got yesterday. This version must be the high end version of the Rimmel one! I wonder if you have noticed any similarities/differences in wear time between the two?
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:48 amHi Katherine,
The fish don’t bother…it’s the worms! They’re so small and slimy and ewwww! I can’t handle it.
Deep Ocean is a beautiful color. Have you tried it on your lids yet? I tried it a couple years ago and while I loved the shade, I had some trubs with staying power.
Katherine G says
July 11th, 2012 at 12:24 pmI haven’t put it on yet! I probably will, today though. I also have the other one that is fuschia in color, I have actually used that one for years and got a new one recently (I try to be good about replacing favorite makeup…). I’m a sucker for eye makeup so I have a lot to pick from on a given day! Hard to pick an eyeliner color sometimes 🙂
Cat says
July 10th, 2012 at 6:15 amI love your makeup like this! Gorgeous =)
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:46 amHi Cat,
You’re so sweet. Thank you!
NeenaJ says
July 10th, 2012 at 6:18 amLove that liner! Stila is really capable of making some knock-out products. The lighthouse road trip looks amazing. Happy belated anniversary!
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:46 amThank you, Neena! 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely day!
Brittany@ Life and Beauty Blog says
July 10th, 2012 at 6:52 amKaren, I love the shade you’re wearing above. But even more, I love love love your blush. Can you please let me know what you’re wearing? It is completely GORGEOUS!
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:44 amHi Brittany!
I’m wearing MAC Casual Colour in Weekend Getaway: https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/kick-back-and-relax-because-its-time-for-mac-casual-colour/.
How’s your day going? Good, I hope!
Sarah S. says
July 10th, 2012 at 8:14 amWow, Karen, that shade is seriously perfection with your eye color! It just makes your eyes look so deep and romantic… you have to wear it all the time!
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:43 amHi Sarah!
You are so sweet. How do you feel about blue liner? Do you wear it often?
artemis says
July 10th, 2012 at 8:28 amWOW, love that color! pretty on you. wonder if they got it at the sephoras over here, i’d like to try it :)) all eyeliners fade in the waterline especially at the edges in less than 1h on me 🙁
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:43 amHi Artemis,
Have you tried using a gel liner? That might stay a little better on your water line.
artemis says
July 13th, 2012 at 3:09 amhmmm, I had one(still have but don’t really use it anymore, as it’s old) from revlon(fantasy smth) but it wasn’t that good(and also read a lot of bad reviews on it).
i think i should try a good one but idk if i can find a more or less cheap one over here(not many drugstore brands but i will look for the new l’oreal one you reviewed recently :/ hope i’ll find it, i don’t think they have it at the cosmetics ‘place’ in the hypermarket i went yesterday to-tho they have many other stuff by them…maybe at the mall, hehe, just gotta get some money from my parents, lol :”))
Kim says
July 10th, 2012 at 8:45 amWhat a beautiful spot. I realize it’s foggy, but still. It looks like it was an awesome time. We’re used to the cows here, but it’s still kind of fun to see them crossing (when you’re not in a hurry!). I’m also totally giggling at the fella who’s wearing earmuffs and all the folks bundled up. When it’s in the 50s here, most people are breaking out their shorts and t-shirts. I’m only sort of kidding. 🙂
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:42 amHi Kim,
LOL, it’s funny that you mention those folks. I can always tell when people are from out of town when it’s 50 degrees and they’re walking around in a tank top and flip flops!
I guess I’ll have to send you some virtual sunshine…
Okay, so kind of random, but are you watching the new season of True Blood?
Kim says
July 12th, 2012 at 7:42 amHi there! I’m sorry I’m a couple of days behind. I took Wed off to go with the boys to their last day of swimming lessons (open swim with parents/friends) and then we saw Spider Man. 🙂
I know! It’s so easy to tell the northerners in warm places. We’re all swimming when the locals are in their parkas. HAHA!
I have been. I think it’s pretty much on par with the other seasons but one of my friends is hating it with the heat of 1000 suns. What do you think? I know you are a CM fan; do you like him as the Guardian? And did you think “omg, is Lost back on the air?” after last week? I have to admit I was laughing instead of being even remotely scared. 🙂
Stephanie C says
July 10th, 2012 at 8:46 amGah. You do a blue liner like no other. I envy you. I so want to do a blue eye, but I look like a cheap 80s date with my coloring. GORGEOUS. You’d think it would be a bit more smudging. :/ I do love your photos. I love lighthouses. LOVE EM.
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:39 amHi Stephanie C,
Aww, shucks! 🙂 As for blue…have you ever tried mixing a really dark blue, like navy, with black? That might make it less ’80s for you.
Stephanie C says
July 11th, 2012 at 11:11 amNo. Maybe the blues I have been choosing are too light. Hmm. Now I am thinking and will be out looking for navy and blacks. THANKS.
tennyoceres says
July 10th, 2012 at 9:24 amI have the Stila crayon in Smoke (a shiny beige/taupe) that I use in my ‘do everything’ mini makeup kit. (‘Do everything’ as in makeup for day, night, casual, formal, clubbing, interviews, food truck hunting, everything. Makeup must fit in a clutch with my other essentials to qualify).
Smoke is a really diverse shade. During the day it’s subtle shimmer. Add another swipe or two for your night time gets some shiny lids.
I noticed that you have a time limit to blend/smudge the color once it’s on your lids. If you’re quick I found my fingers were more efficient than my eyeshadow brush. But you’re right, Karen. This primer/shadow does not move even with lots of water and sweat. It’s never recommended to swim with makeup on, but it’s easy to pretend to be a synchronized swimmer.
The Stila Smudge Crayon should be anywhere that sells Stila products. I picked up my stick at Ulta.
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:38 amHi Tennyoceres,
I love that you have “food truck hunting” in your Do Everything list. 🙂
I’ll have to definitely check out that Smoke shade, so thank you for the rec. It sounds like something I’d really like!
Emily says
July 10th, 2012 at 9:25 amThe first photo of you is absolutely stunning! It looks like an advertisement! All of your photos are amazing and you make every product look great.
I love navy on brown eyes so I am really liking this one!
Emily recently posted … Happy Birthday to Me!
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:37 amHi Emily,
Thank you so much! It’s the makeup doing the work, for sure! This liner photographs beautifully.
What liners are you currently loving right now, btw?
Nadege says
July 10th, 2012 at 9:56 amThat lighthouse adventure seems like a lot of work, but also really fun! 🙂 I would have been scared of the cattle, for sure!
Nadege recently posted … The Summer Foundation Series: Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation in #175 Review + Swatches & HD Foundation Secret
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:36 amHi Nadege,
The cows were pretty mellow, believe it or not. One of them stopped in the middle of the road and stared at me and my camera for a good minute or so. It’s like we had a stand off or something, LOL!
Hope you’re having a nice day so far. Anything new to report?
Miriam says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:01 amI don’t make a lot of comments on your blog, but I do have to say this eyeliner was made for you. Your eyes look so beautiful! Think i’m definitely going to have to pick one up. Loved the pictures of the light house too.
Karen says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:35 amHi Miriam,
Thanks for leaving a comment today! 🙂 I hope you love this liner. It also comes in seven other shades, too, incase you want something besides the dark blue. Let me know if you end up getting one…
Happy Tuesday!
Jen says
July 10th, 2012 at 11:06 amI just want to say that I really really love your blog. You always mix product knowledge and your personal life and you balance it so well! The trip to the lighthouse looked fun; I’d like to visit one day!
Happy Anniversary!
Jen recently posted … Hiatus
Ankita@corallista says
July 10th, 2012 at 11:41 amlovely pictures Karen!
You always look great with blue liners and this one is super gorgeous. I’m not much of a blue person but this makes me want to wear blue liner!
Ankita@corallista recently posted … MAC Tuesday : Sheertone Shimmer blush Ambering Rose ~ Review, Swatch and FOTD
Summer says
July 10th, 2012 at 2:55 pmThis is the color of eyeliner that I dream of and, for some reason, still haven’t found one that I love yet. I will have to give Stila’s a try. Thanks for reviewing!
Stephanie says
July 10th, 2012 at 4:01 pmLOL, about the sprinklers. I lived in a city neighborhood a couple of years ago, and we did not have a backyard, but only a small patch in the front. So, I got the idea to buy my kids a Slip n’ Slide, but they were too scared to use it (they were only 3 and 6 years old). I needed to teach them the fun of it, and I kind of wanted to play anyway, so I put on the ol’ bikini and proceeded to have lots of fun. Trust me, the neighbors got the biggest kick out of that. One was laughing so hard at me he could barely drive out of his lot. Socially okay for a 30 something to Slip n’ Slide? Probably not, but it was hella fun. Fun for everyone laughing at me, too. 🙂
TwirlyGirly says
July 11th, 2012 at 3:45 amYou wrote: “Ya know, someone should pass an ordinance making it socially acceptable for adults to leap and frolic through sprinklers in their bathing suits.”
One of the great things about being an adult is you (should) care less and less about what “other people” think. No one needs an “ordinance” to proclaim an action which brings you joy is “socially acceptable,” as long as that action brings no harm to anyone else.
You don’t need a child by your side to legitimize doing something that’s fun, albeit a bit unconventional.
Just. Do. It.
Lenita says
July 11th, 2012 at 6:32 amI know of this place! Probably due to my penchant for lighthouse-themed diaries.
Oh, and the liner looks awesome on you!
Lora says
July 16th, 2012 at 7:11 amMidnight Blue looks BEAUTIFUL on u
Umapuma says
July 24th, 2012 at 2:41 pmBeeyoutiful liner, I like that look alot! I just found your blog today (linked from Killercolours) and have been exploring. I favor the dark and smoky looks on you so far.