eye shadow Archives - Conversations through the middle

Beautiful Color showcased at the launch event

Elizabeth Arden fans are in for a real treat as the company launches its new Beautiful Color eye shadow collection dressed in opulent packaging of silver and gold. The colours – well, the colours are gorgeous and they’re rich, so should be long lasting. I can’t wait to try them and will let you know what they’re like when I do, but in the meantime you need to know there are 20 singles and 7 duos, covering any look you can think of from day to night, in shades inspired by the autumn winter catwalk. New colours will be added each season so the collection will always be on trend.

I loved trying so many colours – the words kid and sweet shop come to mind

Texture-wise, the feel is soft and silky, while the ingredients in these shadows are geared towards protecting and benefiting the eye area. They include antioxidant vitamins C and E to help protect your skin from free radical damage, a vitamin A derivative to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while boosting collagen production, and advanced pigment technology to give that silky result.

According to Arthur Pellegrino, Elizabeth Arden vice president, global research & development, this technology “targets color rich pigments at their core so the new eye shadows create a fine layer on top of the lid instead of falling into lines and creases”, so escaping the dreaded crepey look.

Watch out for Beautiful Color in store from mid September. www.elizabetharden.com

When it comes to foundation you’ll be spoiled for choice with the Stay All Day collection from Stila. It comes in 16 shades from 1 bare to 16 cocoa, so covers all skin colours and it includes a concealer hidden in the lid, as well as a mirror to aid application. Nice.

It’s an oil-free formulation and the texture is light and easy to spread; it covers quickly and gives a matt result, which looks natural (I watched it being applied to a model, which is how I know this). The concealer makes short work of dark circles and blemishes, requiring hardly any for good coverage.

Again this is skincare in make-up with ingredients including antioxidant vitamins A and E to help protect against free radicals and premature ageing.

I’ve only one complaint about this and that’s the little spoon thing included in the foundation bottle – it looks like a mustard spoon, much favoured by people of a certain age when I was a child, but it’s not looks I object too, it’s the way too much product comes out on it when you go to use it, which is wasteful and messy.

PS there’s exciting stuff happening on the Stila Christmas gift front – including the All Is Bright Lip Glaze Set that contains eight gorgeous glossy glazes. They’re out this autumn and I already have them on my Christmas list. www.stila.co.uk

Whether or not you’re a fan of the fragrance, the bottle designed for Anna Sui Fairy Dance is exquisite. Based on the dimpled flacon of her Secret Wish perfume, this one is topped by a fairy figure that is sure to have little girls reaching for mummy’s perfume. The shimmering box adds to the overall impression of fantasy and beauty, while the fragrance is a melange of vetiver, vanilla, sandalwood, peony, mango and rose. Find it in Debenhams from August.

Ring the changes in your nail polish with these three shades from LCN. The Smokey Midnight Coat creates a dramatic veil when applied on top of another colour, while Matt Effect Polish gives a milky matt look. For a touch of glitter glam try Sparkling Effect Polish on any colour or use it on its own. They’re online at www.beautyconcepts.co.uk

For frizzy hair sufferers everywhere (including myself), Tresemme has introduced Keratin Smooth, a product range that comprises a shampoo, conditioner, treatment masque and heat protection shine spray.

According to Tresemme, a third of women in the UK are “desperate” for products that straighten and smooth unruly hair – I know I’m still looking for a magic potion to help me tame my tresses, but as to whether this is it, well I’ll have to report back at a later date. Keratin Smooth is in store now.

For anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms for Sex and the City, the HBO shop has come to your rescue with its new Sunrise and Sunset fragrances – the latest additions to the Sex and the City body collections that were launched late last year.

Sunrise is described as capturing the feel of “a laid-back brunch in a sun-drenched outdoor cafe in Manhattan” presumably without the smell of food, while Sunset features notes of freesia, vanilla orchid, muguet, woody amber and tonka, to capture “the soft and warm beauty of sundown reflected in the iconic skyline of New York City”.

I take their word for it as when it comes to fragrance I’m rubbish at recognising the notes, top, middle or base. Both versions are on sale now at www.store.hbouk.com.

If you’re lucky enough to have curls rather than frizz then this might be for you. New Prep Curl Defining Oil from Toni & Guy nourishes, smooths and conditions curls, whether you style your hair or leave it to dry naturally. It may well work on frizzy hair too – though that’s just my guess, the company doesn’t claim it does.

Simply apply the product to damp hair and dry. It’s non-greasy, which is a plus point, and it’s in Boots stores now.

Duo mineral blushers in L – R: Radiant Rose, Pink Blush,
Sweet Apricot and Caramel Fudge

Duo Mineral eye shadows in L – R: Everglade, Rich Tamarind,
Juicy Plum, Purple Passion, Moonlight and Ultra Marine

I’m always happy to hear of new products from Beauty Without Cruelty. The company has just released a collection of eye shadows and blushers that team a natural mineral formula with cruelty-free principles.

The six eye shadows and four blushers are talc-free, long lasting and easy to apply, and they are available now from the online store at www.bwcshop.com.

I’m thrilled to see this brand continue to evolve and embrace the latest make-up trends, without compromising any of its ethics. I remember Beauty Without Cruelty from the 1980s when the products were perhaps not as good as those of the competition. That has changed and BWC is now up there with the bigger brands in terms of ingredients, colours and product range. Their cosmetics are also easier to get hold of now than they were back in the day. Find them in stores nationwide.

Beauty round-up – foundation, fragrance and nail colour

Beauty round-up – hair, make-up and fragrance