Ooh, Tuesday morning cat drama! Guess who just sauntered across the front yard with a twitchy tail and her little kitty nose raised up in the air? — the Russian Blue from next door, exuding tons of cattitude.
It’s been a while since the last time she visited, and when Tabs caught a glimpse of her through the window in my office upstairs, he hissed like a fiery cobra!
The window overlooks a row of overgrown rosemary bushes and what’s left of a large catnip plant, the same plant that Tabs caught her snacking on before their last altercation.
Judging by Tabs’ reaction this morning, tensions are still running high. I actually think he might be a little jealous, too, which is understandable, since I’m always gushing about the other cat’s dreamy grayish blue coat.
It’s just so gorgeous… I’ve been trying to build a collection of eyeliners in the exact same shade, or as close to it as possible (sorry, Tabs).
For the longest time, Laura Mercier’s Stormy Grey was the closest I could find, but now there’s a new contender in town, Smashbox Be Discovered Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner & Brush in Intrigue ($22).
It’s a gel liner, one of two shades in the new Smashbox Be Discovered Collection for spring 2012, and in kitty terms, it’s great like a Costco-sized case of gravy.
If you go gaga for gray liners, or if you’re just looking for a softer alternative to good ol’ black, you might just fall in love.
When I introduce Intrigue to my lash lines, I see a pigmented matte dark gray with a hint of blue.
I have a feeling the Russian Blue would totally approve. 🙂
But color isn’t the only thing I find intriguing about Intrigue. I also like the crisp lines it draws, whether I’m using the included angled liner brush to draw precise, thin lines or something like the Laura Mercier Flat Eye Liner brush for thicker cat eyes. Hook or crook, Intrigue delivers a smooth edge, unlike many sub-par gel liners.
Once it’s in place, Intrigue doesn’t budge, and yet it still slides off without protest when I go to remove it with my trusty MAC Cleanse Off Oil.
PRICE: $22
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Smashbox counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Question for ya…
What does one wear with platforms like these? Inquiring minds wanna know! 🙂
Jeffrey Campbell Lita-Fab Cat Tapestry Lace-Up Platform Boots, $154; available now at Lulus
Talk about cat lady catnip, right?
There’s even a striped gray tabby on the pattern who looks an awful lot like someone we know…
Unfortunately, I don’t think I could handle the heel, and I have no idea what I’d wear ’em with.
Maybe a black top and black pants (with some cat ears, of course)?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oooooh! Lurve this eyeliner. I think I’ll have to get this.
As for the shoes, I say let them be the star of the outfit – wear this with jeans or a jean skirt with some colored tights and a black shirt. : )
Hi Heather,
Yay! I hope you like it. It really is a versatile shade to have on hand.
Good thinking with the shoes… how about dark skinny jeans?
Yes on the dark skinny jeans!
Now there’s the matter of being able to walk in them, LOL! Those heels look high. My max is about 4 inches; how about you?
4 inches – whew! I can’t do that. Maybe 2 inch heels, max, for me. I’m a flats girl myself.
Two inches are my sweet spot! 🙂
I think I have weird feet because I can’t wear flats. I love how they look — so cute and chic — but when I wear them my arches hurt like crazy! Even when they have a little heel my feet hurt. I wish I could wear them, though, because they look adorable with skinnies.
Anywho, happy Wednesday! Hope you’re having a good one.
I actually worked at a photo shoot today, and I was thinking about getting a new gray eyeliner. This could be The One! 🙂
Hi Chris!
Oh, that’s so cool! How did the photo shoot go? Did you get to do crazy makeup?
I did some colorful makeup. This guy is really a headshot/portrait photographer, so he doesn’t do much editorial work. 🙁 But I got to put some coral lipstick and lime green shadow on the model!
Oh, how fun and summery! I hope the pics turn out well. 🙂
I’ve never tried a gel liner before, or applying with a brush for that matter. Are the lines more forgiving than a liquid liner? I think I’d like to give this one a try…
Yes and no. The lines are more crisp. However, I have much more control with this eye liner than with squishier gel liners.
Hi Jessica,
I think it depends on the liner. I get a pretty sharp edge with LORAC Front of the Line Pro, which is my fave liquid liner.
It takes some practice with the gel liner, but you can get the hang of it fast because it’s super easy. If you’re not quite ready to commit the $22 bucks, you could also pick up a budget drugstore liner and brush to practice with. I really love Essence Gel Liners and the Sonia Kashuk Bent Brush. Together, they’re about $10. Here are some reviews in case you’re interested:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/for-the-price-these-3-49-essence-gel-eyeliners-have-mac-fluidline-whipped/
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/im-hooked-on-sonia-kashuks-6-bent-eyeliner-brush/
HTH… let me know if you have any other questions!
I have this eye liner. FYI… Make sure you keep the lid on while applying to the eyes. It dries out quickly if the lid is left off, even during application. I will turn the container upside down on a counter during application instead of putting the lid back on. I use Smashbox’s angled eye liner brush (with a red handle). Not sure if it’s similar to this one or not. The bristle part looks similar.
The platform boots… Well, they are unique. I think they would look cute with a pair of faded bootcut jeans. An all black outfit may make the boots look too chunky and pop in not a good way.
Thanks for the reminder to close this tightly, Wendy. Funny that you mention keeping the jar upside down; that’s how I store my cream shadows and gel liners to keep them from drying out.
I’m loving what ever’s on your lips! What are you wearing? It’s gorgeous on you.
Hi Stephanie!
I’m wearing the new Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Vivid Violet. Here’s a review:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/the-new-smashbox-be-legendary-lipsticks-answer-the-question-what-are-legends-made-of/
Ooh, Russian Blue drama! My family used to have a Russian Blue and she was very sweet to people, but would NOT tolerate other cats. Problem was, there were already two cats living with us when she decided to move in. She never did understand that she wasn’t going to be replacing the other two. She put up with the one who ignored her, but the other was constantly hissing at her and that just set her off. She would constantly chase him around the house.
I’m starting to believe that all Russian Blues are divas! I can’t really blame them because they’re coats are so pretty…
I love how your kitty thought she was there to replace the others!
Off topic, but has there been any news on the job front? *crosses fingers*
No, no news…~sigh~
I’ve applied for a couple of other things in the past few days but haven’t heard anything yet.
I’ve heard for a friend who’s also looking that a lot of companies, even if they’re interested, have been taking forever and a day to get back to people. Who knows, maybe they’ll still call you. Here’s to hoping, right? And if doesn’t work out this time, then something better will be waiting for you on the horizon.
loving your clean and posh look! im still trying out cats eyes with pencils but im really a brush girl and your review makes me want to make the jump!
those cat booties are uber-cute. i would either go wide leg denim with a white blousy top – very boho! or go boyfriend jeans and white button down shirt – a more modern take. the possibilities are endless! sadly my heel tolerance is up to 2″. bad knees boo!
Hi Iceempress,
I know what you mean. For some reason I can do a cat eye faster with gel or liquid liners, go figure!
Did that she designer get a model release signed by Tabs before manufacturing those shoes?
LOL, I’ll have to check with Tabs’ legal team!
This look is very pretty on you 🙂
Thanks, Shushu!
The Deranged Dog Lady demands that the Crazy Cat Lady voluntarily book herself in the psychiatric ward if she even CONTEMPLATES buying those shoes. They. Are. HORRENDOUS.
The eyeliner, however, is gorgeous. If I were into grey cream liner, I would totally buy myself this. I’m trying to get myself a decent calender this week though!
P.S. Just so you know, Zena turns 8 on Thursday! She’s going to be 51 in dog years! My poor doggy! She’s getting old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can’t she age backwards?
I can’t believe she’s almost 8. She’ll always be a puppy to me!
I know!!!!!! She’s supposed to be a puppy forever! She can’t age! I need to find an Eternal Puppy Potion.
P.S. I read a couple comments up that flats hurt your arches. If you wear high heels all of the time, the muscles in the back of your leg (like your Achilles tendon and hamstring) have shrunk and tightened to only allow you to wear heels that are the height you typically wear. Your muscles are like rubber bands. You need to stretch them or they become used to one mode. Studies show people who wear heels they’re whole lives actually develop pretty bad leg arthritis! Flats are great!
In order for to wear flats, you’re going to have to scale down on heel wearing (no wearing heels every day!) You can’t quit heels cold turkey or your muscles will scream in pain. You have to go from your highest pair to your lowest pair slowly. One week, you wear four inch. Next week, three inch. Down the scale to barefoot. You have to do leg muscle stretches every day too to stretch your leg muscles out. Pilates and ballet are very good for keeping your legs stretched out. I love my plies! (Heel raises are good, but I prefer plies! Ballet girl at heart.)
If you still have a hard time, you might have high arches and just need good insoles or shoes with good arch support. Yea, I wasn’t in physical therapy for a million years for nothing. I got a lot of things banged into my brain. No heels. Muscles are rubber bands….it wasn’t fun being there.
I’m a huge fan of Gray, that liner looks gorgeous.
Regarding the shoes – I’d say pegged jeans or slim, cigarette fit black slacks, a slouchy sweater or blouse that is around the length of your pockets, or so?
Here’s a rough idea I created on Polyvore: http://www.polyvore.com/for_karen/set?.svc=twitter&embedder=2827827&id=41754625
You’d rock those shoes.
Fieran! You are too cool for words. I love everything about that outfit!
Glad to hear you like it 🙂
Gorgeous cats (you too, Tabs), eyeliner, and shoes!
Talking about cat lady shoes, what I’d REALLY like to try on are these:
http://www.google.be/search?hl=en&cp=12&gs_id=15&xhr=t&q=louboutin+lion+paw&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=681&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=5DoET4eQF8qa-waYuZCpAQ
Seriously, my life would be perfect if I could own those shoes and grow a tail lol
ZOMG those shoes are crazy, but in a totally FANTASTIC way!
Love the liner…I may even get that for myself!
As far as t;he shoes – I agree with Kate above (even thought I am also a Cat Lady) – STAY AWAY! They are just horrid. Totally ridiculous. Leave that to the 18 year olds with little or no taste (not ALL 18 year olds – just the ones lacking in the taste dept.!).
LOL, but the cat lady in me says MEOW!!!
smashbox liners are the best!!! love love em!
and hello thar, Russian Blue! Tabs isnt happy you showed up! 🙂
One of these days I’ll have to take a pic of Tabs’ other nemesis, the little gray and white cross-eyed kitty who lives down the street. Sometimes she hangs out in our garage!
Hope you’re having a nice Wednesday, Nina!
zomg !!! that cross eyed kitty sounds adorable! reminds me of stray gray who used to visit us … we havent seen him since we kept him overnight last year due to a hard freeze. we think his owners wised up and made him an indoor cat!
my wednesday is OK … busy-ish!
She’s adorable. She’s very small, and I think she’s a ragdoll. Even her meow is dainty; she does this quiet “Ah-ah-ah” thing that sounds breathy, LOL!
Oooh, I know if we kept a cat indoors with us there would be hell to pay. Were the other kitties cool with the stray gray?
oh my … id totally fall in love with that kitty!
we kept stray gray in our long room (where all the books are) overnight. Linus was cool w/ him, but the other two were protesting all night. i think they didnt want to have to share their Temptations ration four ways! 🙂
Ooh, I like that color and can see how the Russian Blue next door would approve. Tabs really does need to jack her back about her catnip thieving ways, though. 🙂
I think you could totally pull off the cray-cray cat lady shoes. I’m voting for the Johnny Cash black look from head to ankle; the pants can be skinny jeans, of course. 🙂
I’ll pass along the message… although I don’t know if he’ll listen. He’s a lover, not a fighter, haha!
LOVES!!
In the top picture, your skin looks amazing and I love the berry lipstick. Is it one of the Smashbox ones?
I’m a die-hard fan of Smashbox, especially their silicone-based primers. I’ve been looking into new liners for my cat eye because I keep running into the problem of my Stila Smudgepot drying up on me. (Tip: You can reconstitute any dried liner with a clear silicone primer.) I’m going for a major beauty haul soon, so I’ll keep my eye out for this.
Also, those totally adorbs Litas by Campbell were the fashion blogger’s dream for a while now. I don’t see as many posting them anymore, but they’re still a killer statement shoe. They’re not too difficult to walk in. They look tall, but they’re platform! The only thing I’d worry about is twisting your ankle from falling from so high 🙂 I agree with other commenters in making the shoes the center of attention. I don’t know what you’d find fabulous, but a sheer white blouse with a placard (and lacy camisole) tucked into a camel midi skirt sounds like a dream. Knee-high socks sound divine as well. Wear them up or scrunch them around your ankle.
http://xc4.xanga.com/022f833101735270429249/m215698285.jpg
Pictured above, someone styled another pair of Campbell’s heels with socks. I just wish they weren’t open-toed shoes.