Ms. Elizabeth Arden has been busy in the garden again. Her Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Black Violet ($16), one of seven pieces in the new Bronze in Bloom Summer 2011 Collection, can’t wait to decorate your eyes.
It’s an easy-to-use, long-wearing cream pencil that dries to a soft, powdery finish in a pretty, purplish black. I have a feeling it’ll look lovely on lasses with lighter eyes, but I think brown-eyed beauties are really in luck.
It makes doing my eye makeup in the morning a blooming breeze — just line, smudge and go. Unfortunately, when I use it I do need a touch-up along my waterlines about half way through the day (it does last all day along my lash lines, though), but because I 
the color, I really don’t mind.
PRICE: $16
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Elizabeth Arden counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (wear time along the waterline isn’t ideal)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
For me not much lasts on the waterline, so the low wear in that case would probably be par for the course to begin with. I love the shade, and it’s not too expensive, so it’s going on the list!
Awesome! I hope you love it. 🙂
Karen, how would this look on a pale girl (like lighter than NC15 pale) with almost translucent grey eyes?
Hi Rachael,
If you used the smudger to smoke out the edges a bit I think it could look very dramatic and pretty! It would definitely be a “statement” sort of eye look, though.
aw, man! So jealous of brown-eyed ladies! My blue eyes wouldn’t take kindly to that color… sigh! I’ll just have to admire it on others, I suppose. 🙂
Hi Shannon,
What color liners do you usually like to wear?
This color is gorg! Would be prefect on my green eyes, bc black is too severe but purple complements green eyes well!! Can’t wait to try.
Hi Brittany,
This would look so pretty with green eyes! If you end up getting it let me know what you think. 🙂
oh wow, i love the color! i think it’ll look good smudged.
now i’m seriously lusting after this… but it’s not avail here :,(
Awww, bummer. 🙁 Maybe check the site to see if they ship internationally?
LOVING this! Hoping it’ll pop on my hazel eyes, though I’d get it even if it looked like garbage, purple eye looks are my FAV!! And PS, what lipgloss are you rockin, lady? Loving that, too!
Hi Julia,
I love purple liners, too, especially when they have lots of black in them like this shade does!
Let’s see… on my lips I’m wearing two things, both from MAC: Crosswires Lipstick and the soon to be released Evolution Revolution Lipglass!
Beautiful! I might have to pick that up. I don’t look at Elizabeth Arden normally but I might have to change that starting with this pencil. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Kelli. I know the line isn’t always considered hip (I thought of it as a more “mature” brand for years), but they have some really nice things. Their Ceramide Mascara is excellent!
Very nice! I was thinking it would look more blue (from the tip photo) but this is such a nice, deep purple. Of course, I say that and then just reach for Brown everyday! 🙂
PS Nothing to do with eyeliner but have you ever had a professional facial peel? I keep forgetting to ask. One of my friends wants to get one to even out her skin tone and fade her “sun mustache”. She said “ask Karen if they really work”. Even people who don’t read the blog regularly (poor dial-up folks) are still soliciting your advice! HAHA!
Ooh, maybe take a chance this weekend — do brown on the lower lash line and a purple on the upper. Live a little! 😉
So, I’ve never had a professional peel, but I’ve seen ladies who’ve gotten them done, and I have it sitting on the “maybe sometime in the future” table. The results can be impressive. Your friend might want to do some extensive research and/or work off a referral though. Oh, and if she does do it, schedule it far, FAR ahead of any big events (did you ever see that episode of Sex and the City where Samantha gets one? I’ve seen it happen, and it ain’t cute).
HAHA! Just when it looked like I might embrace color, right? Total back-slide! 🙂
Thanks, I’ll definitely pass that info on. I actually DID see that SaTC episode. Not good. I get nervous about things like potential long term facial scarring or skin damage. You just never know. I think I’d need a long list of trustworthy referrals, as you say! 🙂
Karen, have you thought of doing outfit of the days? i am always wonderiing what yyoure wearing, lol. sounds creepy i know, but i aways love your jewelery!
Hi Kana,
Nah, it doesn’t sound creepy! I wonder that kind of stuff about people too. Maybe one of these days I’ll get around to doing something like that. It might be fun!
I was thinking the same thing! Seriously you should! You have the cutest jewelery & you have such great style! Btw what do you have on tour cheeks? You look radiant!
This is beautiful. I love the color and the coverage. I’d try this in a second, although I do wish it did better on the waterline.
Me too… although, you know, it’s not bad if you don’t mind reapplying.
I have this and love it (blue eyes, blonde hair, NC20)!! I have 5 different colors in these pencils, EA doesn’t get a lot of love, but these are the best eyeliners!!!
Hi Christina,
Which shades are your favorites from the line? I think I need to pick up few more colors!
I love Espresso, Midnight and Mulberry – I’ve been reaching for the Mulberry a lot lately. I just line under my lower lashes though and nevery have a problem w/ these smearing or disappearing.
the color of that pencil is just so lovely! 🙂
It’s *so* pretty. I love the little bits of shimmer!
i love a bit of something interesting in my liner! im almost thinking this is a MUSt for me!
this looks amazing on you Karen! If I didn’t have a million and a half eye liners already I would definitely pick this up. I’m still thinking about it as it is…
Hi Jessi,
Surely you can make room for one more pencil? 😉
Love this! I think I’ll have to pick it up. I have green eyes, wear black on my waterline daily, but think this purple-tinge would look great!
Hi Erin,
Oh, I bet this would contrast nicely with your eyes. It’s a great alternative to black liner. A girl’s always gotta have options, ya know?
That’s a gorgeous color, I love it!
Me too!
This looks gorgeous on you!
I have hazel eyes, I’m tempted to see how it would look on me 🙂
I have a couple of Elizabeth Arden lipglosses but haven’t tried anything else yet..
xo
Hi Nikki,
Oh, I bet this would look gorgeous on you! I love dark purplish black liners on hazel eyes! So pretty.
What a great colour! It looks fab on you!!
Thanks, Tracy. Happy almost-Friday!
I love the little shimmers in this color, and it really does make your eyes pop! The price is within reason too, definitely not overly expensive.
Me too! I think it adds a little something to the color. 🙂
i love that pencil. Would you mind sharing what you’re wearing on your lips as well? I’ve been looking for that perfect corally/peach color. Thanks!
Hi Diana,
I’m wearing MAC Crosswires Lipstick topped with MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass. 🙂
Thanks Karen! You look absolutely stunning in this combo! i can’t wait to get my hands on Evolution Revolution.
It looks great on you! I think I’ll stick to my UD 24/7s, though. It’s getting hot out, and I can’t risk looking like a sparkly panda at the end of the day. Speaking of pandas, I’m going to the zoo tomorrow. My inner five year old is so excited. Hell, my outer twenty four year old is excited, too! 😀
Also, I still love that necklace. So pretty!
OOOH, fun! Are you going with your boyfriend? A guy who takes you to the zoo is a keeper… it’s true! 😉
I’m usually not a fan of pencil liners and $17 is more than I would normally spend on a single (pencil!) liner… but I ran out and got this after work the day after I saw this post! LOL I think your swatch just looked so pretty. Really like it so far… nice change from the black, crisp liner I usually go for 🙂
Love the color: it just doesn’t last all day like Chanel !
Michele