Navy Blue Eyeliners: Your Guide

I think navy blue might be the color I have the most shades for!

1. Bobbi Brown Black Navy is a deep, dark navy that almost looks purple.
2. Make Up For Ever #8K is a deep navy blue. It is a touch darker than Dolce & Gabbana #8.
3. bareMinerals Noon is a blackened navy blue. (LE)
4. Dolce & Gabbana #8 is a deep navy blue with a sheen. It is a bit lighter than MUFE #8K.
5. Estee Lauder Blackened Sapphire is a rich, blackened navy blue with a matte finish. (LE)
6. MAC Marine Ultra is a lighter, but a darker blue with more brightness than other shades here.
7. MAC Prussian is a navy blue with a purple tinge and a soft sheen.
8. MAC Blooz is a blackened navy blue with a hint of purple. It is very similar to Givenchy #14.
9. Givenchy #14 is a blackened navy blue with a hint of purple. It is very similar to MAC Blooz.
10. NARS Rue Saint-Honore is a dark navy blue with a soft sheen. It is a touch more intense compared to Dolce & Gabbana #8 and MUFE #8K.
11. YSL Oriental Blue #3 is a rich, navy blue with a matte finish. It is a touch lighter than La Prairie Midnight Blue.
12. Korres #9 is a teal-ish blue (looked navy blue in the pencil!). (DC)
13. La Prairie Midnight Blue is a rich, navy blue with a matte finish. It is a bit darker than YSL Oriental Blue.
14. Chanel Marine is a shimmering navy blue.
15. Make Up For Ever #3L is a blackened navy blue with soft sparkle.
16. MAC Fly-By-Blu is a lightened blue over a blackened navy base. (LE)
17. MAC Petrol Blue is a dark navy blue with sparkle over a blackened blue base. This shade is similar to MUFE #8K and D&G #8.
18. MAC Blue Stripe is a blackened navy blue with a subtle sheen. It is darker and less sparkly compared to MAC Petrol Blue, and a touch darker than MUFE #3L.
19. Urban Decay Binge is a lightened navy blue with a hint of purple; it is a bit lighter than the other navy blues here.
20. Tarina Tarantino Cute Robot is a rich navy blue over a blackened navy base. It is comparable to NARS Rue Saint-Honore and MAC Petrol Blue.
21. MAC Sense of Style is a darkened, teal-blue with a black base. (LE)
22. MAC Navy Stain is a navy blue with subtle sheen.
23. MAC Hyacinth is a medium-dark blue with a matte finish. (LE)
24. MAC Industrial is a lightened, medium blue with a brownish-black base. It is similar to MAC Fly-By-Blu, but it has a lighter base.
25. Urban Decay LSD is medium blue sparkle over a blackened navy base. It is a bit like MAC Fly-By-Blu. (LE)
26. Make Up For Ever #15L is a darkened cornflower blue with a barely-there sheen.

TEMPTALIA PICKS:  #5 (pigmentation, texture), #17 (intensity), #20 (pigmentation, longevity), #26 (uniqueness, longevity)

Behind-the-Series:  It was my intention to provide heavy, opaque swatches to provide an accurate color comparison.  Some eyeliners required one pass, some required five, and a few even more.  When possible, the shade name (above) is linked to the original review so you can read more about the quality, wear, etc. of a particular eyeliner.  If we’ve never done a review, there will be no link.  Shades that were limited edition will be marked with “(LE)” and shades that were discontinued will be marked with “(DC)” after the color description.  You can also find all comparisons on The Dupe List.

What’s your favorite navy blue Eyeliner? How do you like to use it?

See more swatches & comparisons!

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight
Blue, Chanel Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue,
MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge, TT Cute Robot, MAC Sense of Style,
MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth, MAC Industrial, UD LSD, MUFE #15L

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight
Blue, Chanel Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue,
MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue, MAC Blue Stripe,
UD Binge, TT Cute Robot, MAC Sense of Style, MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth,
MAC Industrial, UD LSD, MUFE #15L

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz, Givenchy #14,
NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight Blue

Navy Blue Eyeliners: YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight Blue, Chanel
Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue, MAC Blue Stripe

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge, TT Cute Robot,
MAC Sense of Style, MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth, MAC Industrial,
UD LSD, MUFE #15L

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder ($80.00 for 2.20 oz.) is available in two shades, Translucent 1 and Translucent 2, both of which are loose powders designed to set makeup and mattify the skin. It is also supposed to add radiance to the skin. Worth noting is for the price, you get a large, full-size (2.0 oz.) along with a travel-sized version (0.20 oz.), both of which are refillable (though, I did not spy any refills available online, so it may be an in-store purchase only).

I should probably be using Translucent 2, which is designed for warmer skin tones (and also for those on the darker side of the spectrum), but the product I received and tested was Translucent 1. I don’t have extremely strong yellow undertones, so that’s probably why I was able to get away with Translucent 1, which is generally more suitable for cooler skin tones and those on the lighter end of the spectrum. Loose Powders are a product that really needs to be tested on the face with an appropriate applicator, because merely swatching it on your arm or the back of your hand will rarely yield the same result. For reference, I’ve done an arm swatch only just blended so the product is still visible against my skin as well as before-and-after photos of the loose powder applied with a fluffy powder brush (MAC 134).

This powder has shimmer in it, and initially, when I first swatched it against the skin, I was like, “Ooh, boy, that is SO not going to work!” Lo and behold, it mattified without giving the skin an unnaturally dry appearance. The subtle reflecting particles help deliver that soft focused look that gives the skin the appearance of a softer, more even appearance. There are numerous loose powders on the market with similar properties, so it’s not unique to La Prairie’s by any means, but these types of powders work exceptionally well on camera. They’re picked up and read back beautifully.

La Prairie’s loose powder is extremely finely milled–so soft it feels like silk and almost comes together like a cream. It applies easily without looking caky and disappears against the skin when a flick of the brush. It sets my makeup in place and keeps it there for eight to ten hours without needing to re-powder or blot. While testing this, my skin was fairly normal, and like many of you, I do get a little oilier around my t-zone. Without a powder, my t-zone looks oily after six hours and foundations can feel slick on the skin, but I felt like everything remained solid until that eight hour mark.

The price point–as far as La Prairie goes–is not nearly as high as I’d expect, given the amount of powder you receive. For reference, popular setting powder Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder retails for $34 and contains 1 oz. of product, which works out to be $34/oz., while La Prairie is $36.36/oz. It’s a higher initial price tag, but for something like setting powder, once you find the one that works for you, it’s a staple product you use everyday and will eventually use up. (Unless, of course, you have trouble committing to a product for long–like me!) I do like that you get a travel-sized version with you, though; it’s just convenient for keeping in your makeup bag or when you’re traveling. And if you don’t intend to travel, you can use the small size and refill it using the larger jar; this means keeping the large jar totally clean for the years it’ll take to finish it.

I have a good number of go-to setting powders, and La Prairie does everything it’s supposed to do.  It doesn’t compel me to switch, as I have found that many loose powders perform equally well on my skin type, it’s not just puffery.  It is definitely one I would reach for on a special occasion for its exceptional ability to give skin a softer, smoother appearance.

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

Chanel Pro Lumiere / La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder on top

La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

5 Great Coral Lipsticks

Reader Angela thought to be cruel to me by suggesting coral lipsticks–because picking a favorite coral is like picking your favorite child! I will say that the closest to all-time favorite coral would be Guerlain Gems, which was limited edition and no longer available, but the below five are all near and dear to my heart!  Want more corals?  Check out our swatch gallery of coral lipsticks.

• Cle de Peau Leonardis Lipstick
• Laura Mercier Tangerine Lipstick
• MAC Crosswires Lipstick
• La Prairie Corail Lipstick
• Bobbi Brown Sweet Nectar Lipstick

What’s your favorite coral lipstick?

La Prairie Cellular Lip Colour Effects: Breezy Coral, Pink Shell

La Prairie Cellular Lip Colour Effects ($40.00 for 0.25 oz.) saw the release of two new shades–Breezy Coral and Pink Shell last year. Though both are limited edition, they seem to be readily available where La Prairie is sold. La Prairie’s gloss contains their Cellular Complex, plus Vitamin C and Aloe Vera, while giving lips a slight plumping effect along with moisture.

From La Prairie: This irresistible semi-gloss transparent glaze with lip-plumping properties helps restore youthful fullness while producing a natural luminosity that lasts and lasts. Fortified with vitamins and moisturizers, it soothes, conditions and prevents dryness. It is luxuriously smooth and easy to apply, without feathering or bleeding. Designed to be used alone or applied over your lipstick for added gloss and depth of colour.

• Breezy Coral is a semi-sheer coral-pink with peachy gold shimmer.
• Pink Shell is a semi-sheer pale pinked beige with muted champagne and soft pink shimmer.

These are very decadent glosses; both in the packaging which is long, sleek, and secure as well as the formula itself, which is thicker but not thick. They are moisturizing, and they do last a solid four hours without being a sticky gloss at all. I’m not sure why, but the scent reminds me of something clean – it doesn’t have any of the classic scents like rose, vanilla, berry, but there is something there. A little soapy, I suppose.

Lips do look and appear fuller and softer, not necessarily ultra plump, and there’s nary a tingle from start to finish from the formula, so the effect is subtle.  There is a nice shine on this that’s not too over the top with some color though designed to be sheer.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s a nice gloss, though I’m not sure it greatly improves the health of my lips overall, so some of the marketing spiel gets lost on me.   I like them–they’re soft, smooth, easy to apply, and look fantastic.  The shades are universally appealing with soft color and sophisticated shimmer that’s never too much.  I like that after fifteen to twenty minutes of wear, lip lines are de-emphasized and softened.

WHERE TO BUY: Saks

La Prairie Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Cellular Lip Colour Effects

Breezy Coral, Pink Shell

La Prairie Breezy Coral Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Breezy Coral Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Pink Shell Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Pink Shell Cellular Lip Colour Effects

La Prairie Midnight Blues Collection for Fall 2010

From morning to midnight, La Prairie has your colour needs covered, with sensual shades for the eyes, cheeks and lips that conjure visions of Paris nightlife, off the beaten path cabarets and all that jazz. It’s about understated sexiness, in the form of berry and plum lips, warm cheeks and a sultry, smoky eye in unexpected colour combinations of blues and violets.

Says noted New York City makeup artist, founder of Cheek to Chic makeup consultancy and La Prairie Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade, “Fall is a time when women reach for rich makeup colours, and “Midnight Blues” delivers just that! Using deep blues and cool pinks is a great way to accentuate and enhance your natural look, and this colour palette provides endless possibilities to create just the right amount of drama, so people notice you and not just your makeup!”

“Our customers crave a bit of sensuality in colour, along with science in skincare, so we work tirelessly to deliver both. Our “Midnight Blues” collection weaves together a beautiful story of sultry nights that is sure to strike a chord with women,” says La Prairie President Lynne Florio.

Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensemble ($70.00) (New & Limited Edition)

• Midnight Blues A quad of slate blue, midnight navy, violet grey and lilac along with a black powder eye liner shade

Luxe Eye Definer ($50.00) (New & Limited Edition)

A wood pencil with a hybrid Kohl formula that feels soft and smooth, ideal for lining both inside the lid and outside. The dual-ended pencil has waterproof colour on one end and a smudge tip on the other and comes with a pencil sharpener for ultra convenience.

• Midnight Violet
• Midnight Blue
• Midnight Noir

Cellular Treatment Powder Blush ($55.00)

• Plum

Cellular Luxe Lip Colour ($55.00)

• Quiet Berry Cinnamon
• Midnight Rose Bold, vibrant blue-toned rose
• Midnight Plum Raisin plum
• Evening Nude Warm, shimmering nude
• Twilight Blush Universally flattering, everyday pink

Luxe Lip Definer ($50.00) (New & Limited Edition)

• Cocoa Spice Warm, spicy nude
• Twilight Fig Muted plum
• Evening Rose Vibrant rose

Availability: August 2010 at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.laprairie.com.

La Prairie Rose Bronze Lipstick

The Summer Season: La Prairie Rose Bronze Lipstick

La Prairie Rose Bronze Lipstick ($55.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a beautiful, rosy red color base with shimmering gold and copper strewn through it with a slight sheen. It reminds me of MAC Thrills Lipstick when worn lightly (particularly over more pigmented lips!), which has the same rosy base but more copper-metallic flash. I like La Prairie’s lipsticks for the way the de-emphasize lip lines (takes about 10-15 minutes of wearing them to see the full effect–the swatch photo is of lipstick that’s been on only 1-2 minutes!) with rich color, and shades that I never quite can dupe. I also love that they wear very, very well–I get around five to six hours of solid wear.

Is this the right coral for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

La Prairie Corail Lipstick

The Summer Season: La Prairie Corail Lipstick

La Prairie Corail Cellular Luxe Lip Colour ($55.00 for 0.12 oz.) is an intense, gold shimmered coral-red. La Prairie lipsticks are top-notch quality with a top-shelf price, too. To put it simply, the ingredient list in the Luxe Lip Colours include a line-filling complex an caviar extracts. I always do notice that my lip lines are de-emphasized after wearing the product for about fifteen minutes or so, but it’s definitely just a temporary affect from what I can tell. Granted, it’s impossible for me to wear the same color everyday for long!

The color itself is smooth, rich, and lasts a solid six hours on me. Yes, six hours! before it starts to fade a bit. Surprisingly, it’s not drying at all–the texture is silky and glides onto lips with ease, but it’s not overly creamy. It’s a stunning shade, and it certainly comes at a price. For those who can afford the indulgence, La Prairie lipsticks are excellent.

Is this the right coral lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

La Prairie Whisper Shades Collection for Summer 2010

La Prairie’s newest colour collection is a juxtaposition of past and present, sweet and sultry, subtle and sparkling. A comprehensive collection of products for the face, eyes and lips, “Whisper Shades” provides a natural segue from the deeper, richer colours of winter to the more light, carefree shades of spring and summer. With an emphasis on bright, lush lips and muted eyes lined in black, “Whisper Shades” begs to be on the vanities and in the makeup bags of modern women of all ages everywhere.

Says noted New York City makeup artist, founder of Cheek to Chic makeup consultancy and La Prairie Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade, “This collection is quite literally spring / summer in a package – a chic, silver package that is! Not only are the colours completely wearable, but there are a wide array of shades to allow for women to experiment with subtly different looks depending on the day – something I strongly advocate with my clients. These are colours you’ll rely on every day to bring light and beauty to your face.”

“Our customers depend on La Prairie for the very best in beauty, and that extends beyond skincare to makeup. Our colour système brings the same level of luxury and innovation we’re known for in skincare to life in stunning colour palettes,” says La Prairie President Lynne Florio.

Les Lignes et Lumieres Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensemble ($70.00) (Limited Edition)

• A quad of soft pastel eye shadows (ivory, lilac, gold, grass green) with a contrasting black powder eye liner shade

Cellular Treatment Illuminating Face Powder ($60.00)

• Warm Glow Warm sunny beige

Cellular Luxe Lip Colour ($55.00)

• Quiet Rose Universally flattering warm, woody rose
• Tender Pink Delicate, pastel shimmering pink
• Sunset Coral Medium, bright true coral
• Tawny Soft, neutral rosy brown
• Pink Coral Modernized versio

Cellular Lip Colour Effects ($40.00)

• Quiet Fig Hint of brown combined with cranberry
• Cocoa Perfect nude, with a soft shimmer
• Breezy Coral Pink tinted color (Limited Edition)
• Guava Spice Coppery peach (Limited Edition)
• Island Orchid Light raspberry lilac (Limited Edition)
• Pink Shell Sheer blush pink (Limited Edition)

Availability: Nordstrom

See more photos…