Hey, baby, what’s your sign?
No, I’m not throwing you a cheesy pickup line. 🙂 I’m just curious. I’m a Gemini, by the way, and while I probably wouldn’t make major life decisions based entirely on the stars, I like to imagine that they play a role in our lives.
I actually feel very connected to my sign; Geminis are supposed to be good communicators and are said to have dual personalities. I’m still working on the communication part as far as expressing things like frustration and anger in constructive ways (gotta stop slamming doors when I get fussy), but the dual personality thing describes me to a tee! — especially when it comes to makeup.
Some days I prefer bolder eye looks; others, like today, I prefer to take it easier with something mellow, perhaps something using products from the new Make Up For Ever Smoky Couleur collection, for example.
The new 11-piece release, available online and at Sephora stores now, lives for smokey (or smoky) eyes. It encompasses an eyeshadow palette, four mascaras and four pencil eyeliners in a mix of new and repromoted jewel-toned and neutral shades.
You know those convertible black dresses? — the ones you can wear, like, 10 different ways? These colors remind me of ’em. They put everything I need for bold green, blue, purple and classic black smokey eyes, as well as colors for mellower looks like the one I’m wearing today, right at my fingertips.
I’ve been playing with five of the products for about a week…
- Smoky Palette ($45): So, $45 does sound like a lot for an eye palette, but it breaks down to just $5.63 per pan. That’s not bad considering these lush pigments and their velveteen texture. Even though I’ve met these colors before in other smokey palettes, I think MUFE did a great job picking and choosing which ones to put together. None of them lean too far toward cool or warm and should suit a wide range of beautiful skin tones.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A - Kohl Pencil in #9K and #10K ($17 each): I like that both the mocha brown Kohl Pencil in #9K and matte purple #10K contain very little red, as brown and purple liners with a lot of red in them can make me look live I’ve been crying, but it’s their creamy texture that takes both of these liners to the next level for me. Skipping — what’s that? These don’t skip when I run them along my lash line, and they’re so soft and spreadable that they also work great as bases beneath the powder shadows in the Smoky Palette (or for simple, smudgy liner looks). I do wish they lasted a little longer than the five hours I get from them along my lash lines and the two to three I get from them along my water lines, but we take the good with the bad, I guess.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ - Smoky Lash Couleur Mascaras in Deep Brown #3 and Plummy #6 ($22 each): These tinted mascaras are a twist on Make Up For Ever’s classic Smoky Lash, and I like how I can actually see the colors on my lashes when I wear ’em. One layer yields thick, fatty-bo-batty lashes with lots of volume at the base, and they don’t flake or smudge (yay!). They do, however, tend to relax the curl from my Shu, just a bit, as the day wears on (boo!).
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Smoky Palette
Kohl Pencil #10K (left) and Kohl Pencil #9K (right)
Smoky Lash Couleur #6 (left) and Smoky Lash #3 (right)
Smoky Palette swatches
Swatches from the left: Kohl Pencil #10K, Kohl Pencil #9K, Smoky Lash Couleur #6 and Smoky Lash Couleur #3
I’d call Smoky Couleur’s a solid collection, even if the colors aren’t breaking new ground. Definitely extra snaps to MUFE for giving gals a flexible palette of products capable of working well in bold and casual looks.
Project Belated Runway
FINALLY! I managed to catch up on Project Runway last night.
What did you think of that birdseed dress? It actually made me crazy hungry… I kept thinking about trail mix! 🙂
I can’t wait for tonight’s episode. Who are you pulling for? At first I was 100% Team Bert, but then he flat-out refused to do the pet store challenge.
Dude, you could have at least tried…
In other news, how are YOU doing today? Chugging along nicely, I hope.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wow, I may need to get the purple mascara…. I haven’t been able to find a decent purple mascara. However, I love Smoky Lash so I may need to give it a try!
BTW, I’m a Scorpio. =)
You might like this one, then. The purple actually shows!
Can’t wait to pick up this pallette at Sephora on Monday. Went in today and they don’t have it yet. I’ll also try the purple mascara.
I’m a Taurus. Not sure if the sign fits me, because I’m not stubborn. But as you said, I’m sure astrology has its place.:-)
Thanks for the review.
You’re welcome, Dee. 🙂 I think you’ll like the purple mascara — it’s nice when you actually see the color on your lashes, you know?
Love, love, love this eye look! Can you break down the steps/colors?
Hi Steph,
Sure! Here’s a quickie break down:
— Khol Pencil in #10K on the lid and smudged into the crease, with Plum shade from the Smoky Eye Palette layered on top
— Matte Taupe shadow in the crease (applied with a domed fluffy brush)
— Copper shadow (applied with a pencil brush) applied just barely into the crease and on edge of the Plum shadow
— Beige shadow applied to the brow bone and inner eye
— Khol Pencil in #9K on waterlines and smudged along the lower lash line
— Matte taupe eyeshadow smudged along lower lash line
— Smoky Lash #6 on upper lashes
— Smoky Lash #3 on lower lashes
Let me know if you have any other questions!
this is great – thanks!
i want the smokey palette so very very badly! 🙂
Do it, girl! 🙂 It’s so versatile and goes with practically everything.
i checked online and its still not on sephora.com …. but it shall be mine!
Loved the colours – they all seem the kind I would use some time or the other…and I am a Gemini 😀
Geminis — WOOT!
Karen I really love the look you’re rockin!
Thanks, babe!
Waaaaay too up my alley!
I can see you rocking these shades, girl!
I love MUFE shadows, but I think I’ll pass on this one because you’re right: I’ve seen these colors before.
I’m an Aquarius (and I really want the Urban Decay shadow by the same name!!!) and I think it suits me well, too. I’m definitely a truth seeker, and I can be emotionally disconnected. 😛
You *have* to get that eyeshadow, Jen! It’s only right.
Love your eye look! Very sophisticated with this palette. I’m excited to try this out 🙂
Thanks, Stephanie!
I love kohl pencils so much, I’m surprised any other eye makeup gets near my face. Kohl Pencil #9k looks hot!
Both pencils are super creamy! I think you’ll like ’em. 🙂
ooo I love the look you created with this collection! The palette is lovely, but I feel like I have shades that are similar. That purple mascara might get me since I’ve been dying to try the smoky lash formula.
Hi Melody,
A lot of people swear by Smoky Lash! I like it a lot — it builds up volume quickly.
That smokey palette does look like a great palette, but I am perfectly okay with my Naked Palette. However, I do think it would be a great gift for girlfriends out there who like to play up their shadow both day and night.
Oh, good idea, Kelsey. It would make a great gift!
Oooooh these are so pretty!! What a gorgeous, subtle smoky eye that you can wear during the day! I might check out the palette and Kohl Pencil #10 when I’m at Sephora next time. I’ve been on a big nail polish kick and need to check out more of the face products out there 😀
P.S. I’m a Scorpio and I feel like I eerily fit the personality traits a majority of the time! Firmly believe that we make our own destinies but I can’t deny that this totally fits me: “Scorpios are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional energy under the placid exterior.”
Hi Christina,
You might really enjoy reading Astrologyzone.com. Susan Miller, the lady who writes it, is always spot on.
LOVE the whole look, but especially the eyes! i adore purple <3.
Me too — it’s so nice w/brown eyes. 🙂
The birdseed dress should have won! It reminded me of Alexander McQueen.
Yes! Did you watch last night’s?
The birdseed definitely should have won! I can’t imagine the patience required to make that!
This beautiful MUFE palette is SO tempting!
Oh, and I am a Pisces — SUCH a Pisces!
Totally. Did you watch last night’s ep? That matador/circus outfit was CRAZY.
Yep, I watched, and I really need to know — how do some of these people manage to reach the age that they are without having learned how to work well with others? Unreal!
Your makeup looks so nice! It’s just the right amount. I’m a Libra. representin dem scales whoo whoooop
Thanks, Jacqueline! My BFF is a Libra, btw…
mine too :O lol
I’m a Pisces but on the Aries cusp and I think I lean more toward the Aries side in most things. 🙂 That’s an awesome eye look for you, and Lloyd is looking fab in these pics, too!
LOL… funny you mention Lloyd. I had to do all sorts of trickery to get him to behave. One thing I’ve learned from this whole experience: if you are a control freak, DO NOT GET BANGS!
i so agree :)) i got perfect rounded out heavy bangs and i was spending half of my day fixing some hairs up :))
dos eye pencils look awesome..loved ur look…:)
m a Saggi..:)
Thanks!
Finally, a place to share my sign story!
i’m a bit crazy, i will be the first to share this.
I was born at 12:02 on October 23. Two minutes earlier and i would be an official Libra, but I’m officially a Scorpio.
I blame my passionate personality on two minutes 🙂
Love your story, Shannon!
BTW — do you read Astrologyzone.com? Susan Miller is THE TRUTH.
Hi Karen! I’m a Gem, too! Your description there is me to a T. BTW you look sooo beautiful in these pictures! That lippie you’re wearing is complementing your smokeysmoky eye perfectly. Gorgeous!
Thanks, Sarah! The lips are also Make Up For Ever too: Lab Shine Lipgloss in S10 atop Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in Mat 1.
Have a great Friday!
Awww…this collection is so awesome!
I want all this products!
xoxo
Hello so excited to have found your blog yaay me…I think says my wallet, I’ve been lurking on the Mac unsung hero posts & some new wants/wishies grew…can’t wait to try Sable,Ricepaper,Subculture,AllThatGlitters, & Evolution/Revolution. I’m a true to sign Sagittarius freedom loving learning easily bored lacking tact fun female*mouthful *
I’m an Aquarian and am totally true to my sign.
Karen – you are seriously ROCKING the smoky eye look with those new bangs of yours!!!!!! You are making me want this collection badly except that MUFE irritates my eyes. 🙁
I’m team Anthony Ryan all the way – gotta support the homeboy from BR!
TGIF and gravy for Tabs! >^.^<
Bummed I can’t purchase the pallet online yet been refreshing my browser all morning and it keeps saying coming soon :-/
*palette
LOving the look u created!!! Super sexy..I am a libra btw 🙂
Oh can u plz tell me the ounces per shadow…
awww, i’m a gemini too and i’m just like that, 2 of me 😀 sometimes i think i’m bipolar :))
i like that make-up on you 😀
Lovin’ the hurrr!! 🙂
I love the smokey eye look you made!
I totally agree about Bert. I was so disappointed in his behavior during the pet challenge. I mean, how awesome was that challenge? How come no one went for the kitty litter? But yes, now that Bert seems to be less sweet, I don’t quite know who to root for! However, Olivier (where does the ‘i’ go?) seems pretty nice, and I have to root for Kimberly because she’s from the Baltimore area, which is close enough to being from the DC area :). Her personal style is pretty fabulous, too. I feel like during the first few episodes, though, it can be hard to know who your favorites will end up being. At this point, all I really know is that, referential to Alexander McQueen or not, I really wanted to borrow that birdseed dress.! Then again, if I wore it, I’d probably be pecked at constantly and have squirrels climbing over my butt. Hmm, maybe I’ll pass…
Any idea on the release date yet? Been stalking the site for days now lol
any idea when is this going to be available?.. It’s been more than 2 months and it’s not available yet.
FYI… Just got word from Sephora that the MUFE Smoky Palette will not release in th USA. I’m so disappointed I wanted this palette.