Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in Fishnet Black ($30) is a new, I wanna say, thingamajig the brand introduced for spring. It is a double-sided eye pen housing two eyeshadows of different textures intended for layering. One side is basically a cream stick, while the other is a sponge that dispenses a sheer wash of color.
While the creamy side can stand alone (apply onto lid, then use finger to gently smudge out for a simple smokey eye), the sheer spongey end of the stick barely shows up on the skin. I had to pack on the pigment for it to show up in the photo above.
The duo makes for a beautiful smokey eye, but it takes much effort to achieve. In my mind, the main uses for a product like this is: 1) to simplify things for beginners or 2) as a one-stick-fits-all for travel/easy touch ups throughout the day. However, this duo is not particularly easy to work with. It actually takes me less time to do a smokey eye with eyeshadow compared to using the duo, because I have to carefully apply and blend out the cream, then rigorously pat down the eyeshadow to smoke it out. The only good thing is since so little pigment comes out of the spongey side, you create a natural smoked out gradient.
Also, while I believe most of us already wear primer as a necessary step in our routine, I think it's worth mentioning that this eyeshadow will not last on oily lids without a primer. By the end of the night, my right lid was completely mangled.
That said, with some patience and practice it could be a really good traveling companion. You won't achieve terribly sophisticated looks, but it is decent for a quick smokey eye, especially when you won't need a brush!
I received my Fishnet Black Twin Set from my internship and a quick search online suggests it's not for sale at the usual department stores, so I'm not entirely sure where you can go to purchase it. When I swatched the collection at Saks, I only saw the pink and gray duos. Perhaps this is an as yet released Sephora exclusive?
Products Used:
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in 090 Fishnet Black
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black #1
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Korres Lip Butter in Quince
I find that so many products that are supposed to simplify things for beginners actually end up making them more difficult because they don't work all that well. Looks like this is one of those.
ReplyDeleteI just picked up one of Estee Lauder's new cream/ gel shadows in a traditional pot, which gives a similar sparkly black effect, can be applied with fingers and doesn't budge all day so I don't need to worry about touch-ups during the day. Seems like a much better option.
(You do look super-cute though. The hat is wonderful!)
Yes. While they never specifically implied that this was for beginners, I don't see any seasoned makeup user needing/wanting a two-in-one stick, so I was doubly miffed that it was hard to work with.
DeleteYeah, my experience is about the same. Does this stay on you all day? I'd be more inclined to make extra effort for something that does, but alas this one creases on me...
ReplyDeleteNope. The shadow on my right lid completely disappeared
DeleteAnd I so wanted the grey one, I guess I will skip it then. The colour looks nice though. I actually like that idea of that twin set, too bad it is just 'ok'. This product could have been magical! / Claire
ReplyDeleteLooks fool proof- hopefully it will become widely available.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting more lazy nowadays with beauty products, so I don't know if I have the patience for this. And I have very oily lids, so this probably won't work great for me.
ReplyDeleteProbably :x
DeleteYeah, NO way is this staying on my small, oily lids :P But it does look absolutely gorgeous on you! Love the sparkles in the black pigment!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great look on you :) And I love your hat! It looks handknit... if so, any chance you know the pattern name? :P
ReplyDeleteToo smitten by your lip shape to judge the eye pencil <3
ReplyDeletexxkarima
I am reluctant to buy eyeshadow sticks because it never stays on me, and I doubt this will stays too :(
ReplyDeleteHumm. I was thinking of getting the Dior Twinset in Grey Sigh, but now that I see how it works, I'm not sure. I guess I will have to go to an actual store and test it out. The smokey eye you created with it looks beautiful, but I understand your hesitation to give it a ringing endorsement since it sounds a bit difficult to work with. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete