***ALERT*** Nosy noodle over here. I love hearing about what other people are into…’cause I’m a nosy noodle like that! Here are my current favorite eyeshadow, eyeliner and eye primer. What are yours?
—> Eyeshadow
Whenever I wear the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Medium, which I’ve been doing a lot lately, I get compliments, which is kinda weird to me because it isn’t a flashy palette at all, but hey, I’ll take it!
It’s a pared down nude eyeshadow palette in their permanent line, and it has a couple of matte cool-toned browns, a shimmery beige and shimmery gold, and a matte off-black (there are also two other recently added versions in Light and Dark).
I love how uncomplicated it is and that I can just put it on my lids and go (browns in the crease, black to line, and beige to highlight). Even though it doesn’t look revolutionary or unique, it’s gorgeous and uniquely great. The powders are sensationally soft, and blending them isn’t even a thing.
—> Eyeliner
MAC Coffee! Thank you, Tatiana, for letting me know that Coffee mysteriously reappeared on the MAC website sometime in the past few weeks. I may or may not have pulled the trigger on a stick or two…or five. LOL. Seriously, it’s the BEST brown liner known to womankind. It’s not too red or orange or too anything, really, and it lasts on the water line without making my eyes water.
—> Eye Primer
MAC Prep + Primer 24 Hour Extend Eye Base.
It’s just good!
Oh, and if you wanna get some recs for brows/lash/lip products, check out the comments on this other post, but I gotta warn you — you could walk away with a wish list about two miles long. I’m just saying. There are so many kick-@ss recs in those comments. You have been warned.
What are your current favorite eyeshadow, eyeliner and eye primer?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh, man. I only wear Mac eyeshadows and mainly all the amazing neutrals that you’ve rave about on here already. I’ll just name six that I cannot live without-shroom, woodwinked, soft brown, Swiss chocolate, espresso and brun.
Eyeliner- Mac black track fluidline. I only line my upper lash line.
Primer-Macs 24 hour extend eye base is pretty bomb. Nars pro prime is also really good but a drier formula that doesn’t work as well with Macs extra dimension eyeshadows (imo)
Yay! So glad you love that MAC primer just as much as I do. I really do think it’s a hidden gem in the line. 🙂
Strangely enough, I didn’t care for the Chanel Les Beiges Neutral eyeshadow palette so I returned it (and I love neutrals). I am intrigued with the new palettes, although I recently purchased a single powder shadow from Chanel in Bronze Antique which is more of a gold shade. I really love it on my deep-set eyes and have been wearing it with just some bronzer in the crease. I am trying it with different warm or neutral brown tones in the crease.
I am also loving the Chanel Stylo waterproof eyeliner in Espresso. I don’t usually wear an eye primer since I have dry eyelids, although I sometimes just put concealer on to cancel out the darkness on my lids.
Hope all is well.
Hi Jane,
Oh, I know that shade! Very pretty. Chanel has some very intriguing new Waterproof eyeliners I’ve been drooling over. There’s a plummy one called Charme which looks gorgeous!
Things on this end are great. Connor will be starting pre-school in August, believe it or not. The time goes by so fast!
The Chanel palette looks very pretty and totally up my alley! Shame I’m on a no buy for the next couple months 🙁
Here are my picks:
Eyeshadow – I recently purchased the UD Naked2 to complete the trifecta (I know, very late to the party) and I absolutely love how it looks on my olive skin.
Eyeliner – it’s a tie. The L’Oreal gel eyeliner in black has always been a favorite but lately I’ve also been loving NYX’s Sapphire for a pop of color.
Primer – the Essence eye primer. I want to try the Milani one soon, I’ve heard it’s an excellent dupe for the UD primer potion.
Hi Mia,
It’s been around for a while, so hopefully when your no buy lifts you’ll be able to snag it.
Out of all the UD Naked palettes, the one I use the most is Naked2 Basics, the modified all-matte one with cooler toned neutrals. It’s not flashy but it gets the job done.
Which one of the Naked palettes is your fave?
For sure! It’s always great to see palettes that aren’t too warm toned – as pretty as those orangey shades are they look terrible on me. Taupey colors always get me excited.
Naked2 is my favorite for everyday and the original Naked for when I want to amp it up. I’ve been thinking of getting Naked2 Basics for a long time – those taupe mattes are incredibly pretty 🙂
When it first came out I wasn’t wow-ed by it but the more I used it the more I appreciated how easy it was to put looks together. I kinda like that there isn’t so many options; takes the guess work out of everything!
GIRLFRIEND. You said the magic word… Taupe. Are you a Chanel fan? Because they have a quad called Tisse Rivoli which is taupe heaven.
You’re my soul sister! I feel like a girl can never have too many taupe shadows in her collection.
Tisse Rivoli looks stunning. I haven’t purchased anything from Chanel in the past but I think that’s going to change soon. These kind of shades are incredibly flattering on olive skin tones and they also pair well with a wide range of lip colors.
You’ve sold me on the Naked2 Basics – that’s definitely going to be my next purchase. Will check out the Chanel palettes in person soon and it’s highly likely I’ll end up with at least one 😉
Agreed. I could happily wear taupe every day and never get tired of it.
Give the Chanel quad a swatch next time you’re near a counter. 🙂 Hope you like it! I have to warn you, though… Chanel can be addictive.
I have several beautiful palettes by the likes of Chanel, Tom Ford, Clé de Peau, etc. I love to use them as stand alones but I also like to take a bit from this palette and a bit from that palette to create the perfect look to suit my mood 🙂 I recently bought the Les Beiges palette in Light and love it. Like you, Karen, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many people compliment my eyes when I’m wearing it. Although it is not razzle-dazzle, it beautifully contours the eyes and creates looks that range from an easy going no makeup makeup look to a chic and dramatic sculpted look. In short, it is one of those workhorse palettes like the legendary Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage.
As for eyeliner, my favorite is Shiseido’s Calligraphy gel eyeliner in black. It comes in a pot. It is smoother, more intensely black, and wears longer without smudging or fading than any other gel liner I’ve tried—even those that claim to be waterproof. I apply it thinly along my lashes with a MAC #9 and then use a clean brush to lightly smudge it a bit.
Primers are not products that appeal to me and I find they are unnecessary unless I’m doing something special and my makeup has to last all day and into the evening. A primer, though, that I have tried and like is the new one by Tatcha. It can be used all over the face or as a spot primer. It gives a light, soft-focus glow that is flattering to my light complexion and it does an excellent job of holding my makeup in place.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for the heads up on the Shiseido eyeliner. I’ll have to give it a go! 🙂 I was a Fluidline gal for years and still like it but lately it’s been transferring up into my crease.
I just said yesterday I think the light palette looks pretty but seeing the medium swatched ????
Eyeshadow – I think it’s just because it’s new/unusual to me. I recently purchased the Too Faced naturals matte eyeshadow palette. I feel like my make up looks so polished and pretty when I use it. It’s all matte, and I usually wear shimmers on the lid.
Eyeliner – Lancôme black coffee. This is a good one to put all over your lid, smudge, and put a shimmer shadow over top if you need a quick Smokey look. I love to do it with a deep shimmery olive.
Eyeshadow Primer – eeehhh I don’t really like any. I want to try the Nars one And now the one you mentioned above ?
Hi Sami,
The Medium is so great! If you’re into mattes, I think you’ll love the finishes. It’s pricey but totally something you can use everyday.
Shut your face – coffee is back? I’m going to MAC to buy all the pencils, in case they disappear again! HAHAHA
Current rotation:
Primer: TF Shadow Insurance (you introduced me to that about 10 years ago – can you believe it?)
Eyeshadow: KVD Shade + Light eye contour palette – it’s no brain-no thought makeuping at 6 in the morning!
Eyeliner: KVD Tattoo Liner – Trooper. I wanted to redevelop my liquid liner skills and this one brought me back. It stays on all day, my current liquid liner love
***running to MAC website now***
YES! Grab all the Coffee pencils!
BTW, I’ve heard so many raves about that KVD Liner, and I want to try it, but from what I recall the last time I looked at it the felt tip was pretty stiff. If is still that way?
It’s not – I didn’t try it when it first came out – maybe there was a revamp to the design? I do love it though.
Have you seen this:
https://www.allure.com/story/viral-car-accident-review-kat-von-d-tattoo-liner
Hmm. I’ll give it another look. I can’t do stiff tips so if it’s flexible, cool!
And haha… I saw that story. Too funny!
My favorite eyeshadow primer has pretty much always been the Urban Decay Primer Potion! I also like the MAC Paint Pot in Painterly but that’s pretty thick looking so I mostly use it for more dramatic looks where I need color cancellation on my eyelid.
As far as eyeshadows, I absolutely adore the Makeup Geek matte singles, especially the old ones like Creme Brulee and Cocoa Bear. I also like their Foiled shadows a lot, and some of the shimmers. Overall, they have a ton of great shades. I also like the MAC Matte2 singles, although those were discontinued. Anastasia Beverly Hills tend to have nice shades and formulas, both in palettes and singles. I’ve started to realize that I’m more of a singles fan than a palette fan, although I do have a bunch of palettes I like.
I don’t use a ton of eyeliner, but when I do you can’t beat the Urban Decay pencil liners!
Hi Katie,
I like your old school primer picks. Nice!
My eyeshadow skills are rubbish, so I just do a single wash of color. Gold, bronze and copper are my go to colors. TF’s cream shadow in Spice is my all time fav. My current fav though is Chanel’s Memory.
Fav pencil liner is Chanel’s Noir Intense 88 (that I bought after reading your posts). I have two of those now at all times!
Fav liquid liner is dual ended TF one, it makes my wallet weep, especially since I don’t do winged liner at all. But it gives me a ton of control, has a beautiful finish and stays on all day. I tried the new Pat McGrath one after reading rave reviews – it was so disappointing. Back to TF I went.
Hey Pav,
So glad you love the liner. I know it’s $$$ so it’s one of those things you HAVE to really love on every level. The TF liquid liner is so great… And the amazing thing is it lasts forever. I’ve had mine for years and it has yet to dry out. SO GOOD. I wore it yesterday as a matter of face!
Hang on- gotta go buy a MAC Coffee eyeliner…..
…OK, I’m back. So my current daily eyeshadow favorite is the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea palette. It can be subtle, but it’s also buildable. When I want to do something special, I have three Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Quads. They’re fun because they have shades I don’t normally wear.
For eyeliner, I’ve been using UD 24/7 Glide On in Whiskey. It’s not holy-grail status, but it works.
For primer, I use Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen and that is definitely a holy-grail product. It’s like a two-for-one primer and concealer. I can even use it as a shadow in a pinch.
Oh, and thanks for telling us about the MUFE Color Paint Shadow in Lustrous Taupe. I bought some during the VIB sale and that stuff is the bomb. Really great for a 5 minute face.
Hi Suzanne!
I have that Tarte palette and think it’s gorgeous. The textures are beautiful! The name always cracks me up though for some reason. 🙂
I’m happy that you like the MUFE Paint. It’s fab, right? 🙂 Do you happen to have MAC Satin Taupe around? It’s beautiful buffed on top.
Oh, and thanks for mentioning the LM Eye Basics cream shadow. It’s been a minute since I’ve used one and I remember liking it so I might have to pick one up next time I hit up Sephora.
I used to be into wearing like 6 different colors on my lids (despite them being hooded and I wear glasses, a girl’s gotta have some fun!).
Lately, I’m into less is more, and I find it more flattering to use less on my lids now. I’ve been using UD Primer Potion (I received a sample of it after not using it for a while, and realize how much I liked it). I’ve been into UD Buck in the crease and blown out so it’s softly smokey. Have you tried the new Loreal Metallic Eyeshadow singles? They’re the bomb. So, I use my finger and pat either Caged (a metallic taupe ) or Brass Knuckles (which is a gold) all over my lid. Then I take the most basic brown eyeliner (My HG is a brown by MUG) and line and smudge my upper lashline.
Writing it all down here makes it seem like a lot, but I swear I can do this in 5 min, and my eyes look so great and put together.
Hi Virginia,
Girl… Me too. Back in the day I’d put ALL THE THINGS on my lids. Now it’s a miracle if I can get primer on. LOL! I haven’t tried the L’Oreal singles; how metallic are they? I have a fine line situation so prefer my shimmer not to go *too* frosty, if you know what I mean.
I’ve recently gone back to the original UD Naked palette. Forgotten how lovely the colors are in that one. Liners, I like to mix it up, but it’s usually Chanel Stylo Yeux, UD 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil or the old formula of the Make Up For Ever liners. Primer is either UD Primer Potion in the anti-aging formula (I have to at least hope this is doing something beneficial for my lids) or NARS Pro-prime.
I’m glad you were able to find some MAC Coffee. Not sure Dear Hubs is going to have an spare time to shop for me on this business trip. He’s only had one day free so far and he’ll be gone another 10 days and he may or may not have another day off in that time.
That’s a good one. Did you ever pick up UD’s Naked2 Basics? It’s the one with the cooler toned mattes. Not a lot of people talk about it, but it’s one of my faves! I think you’d like it.
Already have that one. Trying to decide if I need the Naked Ultimate Basics.
So I have that one too and never reach for it. I like the colors but the bulkiness of the palette makes it award for me for some reason!
That’s good to know. It is an awkward size and shape compared to most of my other palettes. It has the same number of shadows as the Naked 1-3 palettes, so I’m wondering why they didn’t make it the same shape.
Probably for marketing purposes, I’m assuming.
Palettes are funny. Just when you don’t think you *need* another one, one comes along and you’re like AHHHH! That’s how I feel about all the Viseart palettes. LOL
Eye primer — (Tie) Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer Potion in Enigma
Eyeliner — Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion, always. Holy Grail status
Eyeshadow — I’m currently really loving the Huda Beauty Gemstones Obsessions Palette in conjunction with various bright mattes, the Kat von D 10th Anniversary Palette, and Pat McGrath MTHRSHP Subversive La Vie En Rose Eyeshadow Palette.
Although I have tons of eye shadows, when I’m in a hurry in the morning, which is most days, I use Urban Decay Primer Potion, Mally’s Dusk (a rose gold) shadow stick, Mally’s gunmetal (gray) shadow stick as a liner, various mascaras but for now It’s Lash Primer.
I’ve heard so many good things about the Mally shadow sticks, Jan! One of these days I’ll get on that. 🙂 Did you get yours at Ulta?
Yes! I buy some of her products from QVC, too, but the eye shadows I mentioned were from Ulta. She has a new Mallywood line now, too, but I haven’t tried any of those products.
Fun!
Eyeshadow: Same! That palette is the palette of my life. As long as they make it, I will always own one. Actually, right now I have two! It is *that* perfect for my skin tone.
Eyeliner: I don’t use it.
Eye Primer: I don’t really use one, per se. However, I like to layer NARS Porto Venere Eye Paint as a first layer. Does that sort of count?
Hi Shin,
Totally counts. 🙂 I haven’t used those Eye Paints in a second… Gotta bust one out soon, they’re fabulous.
I’ve not been wearing eyeshadow lately to be honest! Crazy talk. But my favorite eye primer is still Nars and liner is still Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Linung Pen in brown.
WHA?! I totally get it… Sometimes you just need to do liner and mascara and call it a day. 🙂
Hi, I’m Angel. My first time here reading your blog. You have a great site. KVD tattoo liner is my favorite from the brand. It has a brush like tip that makes it an easy glide on application. You can create a drastic wing or just a thin natural line with this liner. I noticed some else commented about this liner, it’s great.
Thanks, Angel! It’s nice to meet you. I’ll definitely look into that liner soon.
I use the Clinique Chubby Stick for eyes a lot these days, both as subtle wash of shadow or as base for others. My favourite liner is the L´Oréal Superliner, the best I have found since I started wearing liner.
One of my favorite eyeshadows is Ellis Faas creamy eye 127, but packaging is very problematic, or maybe is my fault. I put it in a container, so, I must finish it before it dries out. Even in this container the quality, the performance and the beauty of this eyeshadow is phenomenal. Beautiful alone, beautiful with browns and bronze eyeshadows, beautiful with plums or deep purples and violets. As eyeliner, I love my old CHANEL cake eyeliner, MAC Prunella and Cocoa Caviar Stick I know, I’m cheating. For eyeshadow primer I like the 24h Smashbox – with a problematic packaging again, ( am I a Debbie Downer? I think there was a television character in the US) in winter the waxy formula of this primer became so hard, that the tube’s seams opened. When I finish the product, I want to try the NARS eye base.
Dude, I’ve gotta give a shout out to the ELF Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer – though it doesn’t work as well as more high-end primers, it is TWO DOLLARS and works SO MUCH better than it should for that price. I find it can take most shadows through the workday before things start creasing up. And it miraculously/curiously works better than my more expensive primers on my Body Shop eyeshadows, which last a good 12 hours+ layered over the ELF primer! Craziness, and definitely worth having as a back up. I always have one stashed in my drawer at the office!
I’ve been really low-key about eyeshadow and eyeliner lately… honestly I’ve mostly been either a) using bronzer on my lids, or b) using whatever lipstick I have on as both eyeshadow and blush. #ultimatelazy lol 🙂
Ooh, I’m going to Target today so I’ll keep an eye out! YAY!
I haven’t tried that one but I’ll bet it’s fantastic for $2, as I have their glitter primer, and it’s just frikin awesome (for when you want a sticky primer). I don’t remember the price, but it’s around $3! And it’s so great!
No eyeshadows for me but NARS Pro Prime is my fave primer and UD Whiskey is my #1 pencil liner. Though, I’ve been lining my upper lash line with the brown eyeshadow in Estee Lauder’s Desert Heat palette for ages. It’s my favorite brown ever. Oh, and it’s technically an eyeshadow, so I guess it counts for both. 🙂
Eyeshadow: My ColourPop pressed powder singles
Eyeliner: Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen or a dark powder eyeshadow
Eye Primer: Smashbox Photofinish 24-Hour Shadow Primer
I’ve been loving the Too Faced Merry Macarons palette from 2016. I also adore my Urban Decay Enigma primer potion, another limited edition! I wish they would make it permanent, but I will probably try the Eden shade when I run out. The NYX slide on pencils in golden bronze and golden olive are such fun shades for summer.
I’m always late to the party, lol (kids and babies, you know …). I have a newborn and today I got coffee almost 2 hours after waking up. OMG, TWO. HOURS. LOL. Good times ?
Love these posts. I think it’s great reading commenter’s faves.
I don’t know if I love any of my eyeshadow primers. I have a bunch, some high end and some drug store. Actually, I recall I really liked el’ cheapo ‘I love Stage Eyeshadow Primer’ from Essence! Yup, I did like that one. (I used it up and have quite a few others to go through yet so I haven’t repurchased).
I still love Color Pop Super Shock shadows. The mattes and shimmers. They’re often my go to. They’re so effortless to apply and blend, and their bright colors just pop, and their muted colors are so understatedly pretty. I really don’t get the same color payoff and endurance from any other shadow. And I think I have about 30 shades now thanks to their bogo sale hehe.
Liners … that’s a tough one. Liners do not stay on me. I’ve tried a great many. The only liquid liner that stays put on me is MAC’s Liquid Last Liner. It’s amazing. And you posted a bit ago about the new colors, which is what I’ve yearned for forever! (I don’t wear black liner if I can avoid, too harsh or me). However, freaking fantastic as it is, it’s a bitch to apply. I have to be so careful. It’s worth it, but I don’t too often use liquid. I save it for special occasions. I like a softer look. I’m still on the hunt for a pencil that will go the distance on my oily lids! I want to try L’oreal’s new Infallible 24 hr ones! I used to have a holy grail fluid line pot from MAC, that one stayed put! I forgot about that. I forget what color name it was. It was a brown. Unfortunately, not all the fluid liners were that great for me, but this one was! And then my daughter colored my walls with it. Muwah!! ?