Makeup: The Glamour List

Lorac's Multiplex 3D Eyeshadow Palette


Let me preface this with a disclaimer: I am not a label fiend, and that includes makeup. I grew up in New England, where we pride ourselves on the basics and going as cheap as possible. If I can find something that's affordable, no-name, and works, I am giddy with a sense of having cheated the system.

All that said, there are a few items that I've tried that are worth the money and the prestige around them. They are items that I love well after the honeymoon stage.

They do what a thrifty girl doesn't feel much: They give her a sense of glamour. This is an on-all-cylinders feeling: The packaging is gorgeous, and better yet, the product works and delivers on all of its promises. Most importantly, the feeling doesn't wear off. The products are so good, they quickly hit Holy Grail status.

These are the items:

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipstick: From the name to the product itself, this item is pure glamour. The gold packaging and the YSL emblem around it is gorgeous; more importantly, the product itself is amazing. The lipsticks are creamy, delicate, and have the most beautiful finish. A cheaper lipstick can duplicate the shade, but it can't copy the overall effect that this lipstick creates.

Kevyn Aucoin The Elegant Lip Gloss: Years ago, I was on a hunt for the perfect nude lipcolor. When I saw the late Aucoin's collection, I knew I'd found it. He was a master at nude makeup and was reportedly exacting about the makeup line he created. At the time, the shade was called Caramel, which Aucoin was famous for using as a shade description. The brand has since renamed all of its glosses, so I don't know for sure if that shade still exists. The gloss itself trumps many lipsticks, and it's the only one that I consider worth spending over $20 for (It retails at $27.). Like the YSL lipsticks, it's perfection in shade and feel: You really do feel a sense of elegance wearing it.

Lorac's Multiplex 3D Eyeshadow Palette: This is a more recent find, but truly every time I open this palette, I'm amazed. When eyeshadow and shimmer meet, it straddles a very thin line between extreme, gaudy makeup and dramatic yet refined makeup. This palette absolutely nails the latter. The colors range from a delicate gold to a brighter teal. Somehow, even by wandering away from the conventional shades, the palette has the taste and refinement of a black cocktail dress. On the eyes, the shades are far from sparkly. The element of shimmer is subdued yet noticeable.