This morning I tried out an eyeshadow and a mascara that Napoleon Perdis sent me to test. I’m an admitted skeptic when it comes to cosmetics: I know what I like and I’ve used the same products for years. I also have a predictable routine that revolves around eyeliner, mascara…and not much else.

Although the eyeshadow (below, $22) was more bright than I usually wear, I liked the texture and the color consistency from packaging to eyes. (Nothing makes me more angry than a highly pigmented shadow that goes on clear.)

But, it was the mascara (below, $25) that really won me over. Their Mesmer-Eyes Mascara (cute name) initially applied a bit goopy, but once I brushed it through, my eye lashes (as you can see in the picture) were just insane. So long, in fact, that they kept hitting my sunglasses this morning. I got asked by a stranger if I was wearing fake eyelashes. Insanity!

I still have a few Napoleon products to try and a fun giveaway coming up too, so keep watching! :)

/ Q

What kind of makeup do you wear on a regular basis? You're very beautiful! Im always looking for something to make my lips look naturally pink, and eye liner that doesn't smear. You seam to have both!
Please share! Thanks so much : )

/ A

Thank you!

I don’t wear much make-up anywhere but on my eyes, to tell you the truth.

What I don’t wear:

• Foundation
• Concealer (unless there’s a rogue blemish)
• Base
• Powder
• Blush

What I do wear:

• Eyeliner (this one lately), usually black, sometimes brown, sometimes blue/gray/green. I line my upper lashes, wing it out slightly on the outer corners. I sometimes line my lower lashes and the rim of my bottom eyelid. My eyelashes are very dark naturally, so I don’t often need to line both upper and lower lash line.
• Mascara. I always wear mascara! Even if I skip the eyeliner, mascara is a must-wear. I don’t have a brand I stick to. I usually try a new brand every time I run out. Some brands I like are DiorShow, Benefit BADgal, CoverGirl LashBlast and Rimmel Sexy Curves.
• Eyeshadow. I vary it up from browns, to grays, to taupes/metallics to none at all. Sometimes a bare eye with black eyeliner is the easiest way to go, so that’s what I do. I usually apply a lighter color all over lid up to my brow bone and then a darker accent color in the crease.
• Lip balm/lip gloss. I rarely wear lipstick (Black Honey is the closest I’ll get), but when I do, I usually do so for a special occasion—not every day. I like pink/nude glosses and I swear by Carmex chapstick. You can get a sample of Carmex here. The lip glosses I’m currently alternating between are C.O. Bigelow’s Mentha Lip Tint in Violet Mint and Bare Mint.

The trick to keeping your eyeliner from smearing (especially if you wipe your eyes a lot) is liquid liner or a liner that isn’t kohl-based. Either of those should keep the raccoon eyes at bay! But the best way to keep eyeliner from smearing or smudging is not to touch your eyes! Hands off! You probably don’t even realize you’re rubbing them. Keep a package of these on hand when you smear for quick touch-ups.