Kevyn Aucoin Elegant Lip Gloss In Anastasia

Kevyn Aucoin Elegant Lip Gloss is one of those products that don't change the world of makeup as we know it, don't rock my socks off but somehow I find myself reaching for them regularly. It's lip gloss in a pot, which is not my favorite category ever for hygiene reasons and because of the need to use a brush. But between the cute packaging, the excellent retractable brush and the Elegant Gloss' great texture, this is actually a very nice product.

Anastasia is labeled as a "cool pink shade", but I find it to be neutral and on the mauve side. It's one of my favorite shades to wear when going for a nude lip look (remember: my lips are naturally dark, so my "nude" is someone else's dark rose). It feels very comfortable, even if I don't feel the gloss adds extra moisture, has just enough shine and isn't sticky at all.

Kevyn Aucoin Elegant Lip Gloss ($27) is available from Bergdorf Goodman (in store only), Beauty.com and kevynaucoindirect.com.

Both photos are mine.

Kevyn Aucoin - Liquid Patent Lip

Kevyn Aucoin's Liquid Patent Lip in Infernelle is a beautiful rich burgundy liquid lipstick that gives full coverage and lots of shine. The issue, like with many liquid lipsticks, is applying just the right amount and not a drop more, otherwise you end up quickly blotting the mess and wiping your teeth.

The pen tends to dispense more goop than you need for one application, so I prefer to dip a separate lipstick brush in the color on the built-in brush and apply a smaller amount as needed. But you can also make it work as is, just pay attention and use a good lip liner. The color is great and the lasting power somewhere between a thick gloss and a sheer lipstick.

Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Patent Lip ($27) is available at Bergdorf Goodman (in store) and beauty.com.

All photos are mine.

Kevyn Aucoin Brush Stroke Eye Powder Pencil

Since we're talking green eye shadow lately (see previous post), here's an example for an interesting product: Kevyn Aucoin Brush Stroke Eye Powder is a thick pencil that can line the eyes for that heavily made up look, but is also an easy to apply eyeshadow. The one I have in Soir is a muted sage green color that can look deeper and darker if applied right over an eye balm.

The first time you apply it, the powdery texture is a bit surprising. It doesn't glide on like a regular pencil, but it only take a moment to adjust and figure it out. I find that it requires a primer (I prefer to wear it dry), otherwise the lasting power is disappointing- it's gone within three hours.

The Powder Pencil is great for a quick makeup job, when one doesn't feel like fussing with brushes (there's a decent built-in brush on the pencil itself) and blending . On my skin, Soir is muted enough to look casual and understated, so all it takes is a little mascara and I'm done. It's not the most sophisticated or luxurious eyeshadow/liner (or at least it doesn't feel like one), but it delivers as long as I wear a primer to make the powder stick.

Kevyn Aucoin Brush Stroke Eye Powder Pencil ($27) is available from beauty.com, but I'm pretty sure I got mine ar Bergdorf when they still had it.

photos: mine

Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Eye Shadow Set #3

Because a girl can't have enough taupe eye shadows.

The Essential Eye Shadow Palette #3 from Kevyn Aucoin goes and fits everywhere. The sleek compact is slim enough for the tiniest purse pocket or evening clutch and is all one needs to create an elegant eye look, from understated and natural (well, almost natural) to dramatic.


Here's what we have there:

1. Probably the weakest link in this compact, it looks like a shimmery sand/ivory in the compact but it's actually pale gold. Nothing is wrong with that, except for the texture- it's not fine enough and looks a bit rough in daylight. However, it looks very pretty at night and in candle light. Very light but still has quite a bit of pigment that shows on the brow bone.

2. A warm gold. Silky smooth but way too yellow. It's lighter than appears in the compact.

3. A perfect taupe on the gray side.

4. Dark charcoal with subtle shimmer for lining. Also works as a brow filler for dark brunettes in a pinch. The shimmer is not too obvious.

5. Milk chocolate. As basic as they come, warm base.




It's not the best brown-taupe-neutral compact ever, mostly because the lightest colors both have a little too much yellow than needed. Still, it creates beautiful looks and the quality is very good- most of the eye shadows are very finely milled and the pigments are rich.

Kevyn Aucoin Essential Eye Shadow Sets ($55) are available from beauty.com and Sephora (online and is select stores), which is where I bought mine.

All photos (and freaky looking inner wrist) are mine.

Kevyn Aucoin - The Expert Lip Tint in Dantique

The name of this product, The Expert Lip Tint by Kevyn Aucoin, is somewhat misleading. It's more of a full-on lipstick than a tint, both in coverage and in pigment. It glides on nicely, and as long as you make sure to exfoliate beforehand, the rich texture sits well and looks very flattering. The finish is almost creamy though not shiny and makes the lips appear a little fuller.

My color of choice, Dantique, is described as sheer red, but it's not really sheer, at least not in the see-through sense. It's a warm red with a slight rust/brown base that isn't too obvious but works to keep the color more natural-neutral. It adds warmth and life to the face and is very wearable, day or night. Staying power isn't the best and I need to reapply after having a cup of tea, but it's quite moisturizing, so my lips are happy.

Model: Buffy
Photos and cat: Mine

Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint ($23) is available from Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora and beauty.com, which is where I bought mine.