Review: Giorgio Armani 'Eyes to Kill Acqua' Waterproof Eyeliner

Hello! 

In Spring 2011, Giorgio Armani released three limited edition Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils and they sold out in a blink of an eye! I was glad that I was able to snap two of them up before they were gone at my local Nordstrom's. I was even more excited when they came out with two new colors for Spring 2012 in Antique and Copper.  These waterproof eye pencils quickly became my holy grail pencil eyeliners because they were the only ones that were able to stay on my waterline for 4+ hours without any significant fading.  When there was fading, it simply disappeared and did not smudge underneath my eye.  

Now imagine my surprise and delight when I found out they came out with a new "Eyes to Kill Acqua" Waterproof Eye Pencil during a mini Summer 2012 release! My saleslady at the Armani counter told me that these are limited edition.  I picked up one in black and immediately gave it a test drive.  

Left: Spring 2011 Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil

Right: "Eyes to Kill Acqua" Waterproof Eye Pencil

(Apologies for the different swatch sizes!)

While the black color is very similar between the Spring 2011 Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil and the ETK Waterproof Eye Pencil, I found that they do not wear the same on my eye.  The ETK Waterproof Eye Pencil is remarkable on the upper lash line, with very minimal fading, even after 6 hours.  However, the same could not be said for my lower lash line and waterline.  I found that after about 3 hours, I had raccoon eyes.  There was significant smudging under my eye.  

I have only been testing this for three days now, but found that if I place primer under my eye and set with an eyeshadow, it lasts much better on my lower lash line.  I could be wrong and this could be same formula as the Spring 2011 Waterproof Eye Pencil, but I personally don't think that the wear is quite the same.  However, these are still very good eye pencils to be worn on the upper lash line and I will still continue to use them for that -- especially when I'm feeling in a rush or just lazy.  :) 

Review: L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows

I have had these for a while now and thought that it would be a good idea to do a review on them, especially since new colors have been released in the newest L'Oreal collection.  :)

These L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows hit stores at approximately the same time as the Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Shadows. They are very different in the fact that these are much like pressed eye shadows.  It comes in a plastic pot with a lid to hold the packed shadow in place.  The texture is silky and buttery smooth.  It is also extremely pigmented - one swipe of the product and you'll be set with a nice wash of color on the eyelids.  I haven't tested it to see whether it stays up to 24 hours like it claims, but the color does last for me throughout a normal 9 to 5 work day with a primer underneath.

From L to R: 

892 Amber Rush 

890 Bronzed Taupe 

333 Golden Sage

I personally like using the Amber Rush and Bronzed Taupe together or individually as a single wash of color over the lids - especially if I am in a rush.  I like pairing the Golden Jade with other colors for a more polished look.  While the Golden Jade is not an everyday color, I do love that it makes my brown eyes pop.  

These have been likened to Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow and I can understand why.  However, I do believe that while they are similar, they are still very different.  I own a couple of both and while the texture of both are very smooth, the color options are very different.  Most of the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows are complex and multidimensional.  They are unique in that you can see a mixture of different colors to form one complete color.  In comparison, the L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows are simple and yield one shade of color.  

It ultimately depends on how much you are willing to spend and what your taste preference is.  If you prefer a more multidimensional and unique color and are willing to spend the money, head on over to an Armani beauty counter and pick up one of the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows.  If you are looking for a simple everyday color, definitely give these L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows a try!