Category: ‘Eye Shadow’

What: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Glimmer, $13

Why: Mom always said the best way to fake it when you’re not feeling it is with nice clothes and good makeup. She never clarified what “it” was, but I apply that advice whenever possible— especially when I’m tired.

For tired eyes, Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Glimmer is my secret weapon (along with concealer, of course). Sweep the shimmer-flecked powder over your entire lid and dab it on the inner corner of your eye. The color and shine will liven sleepy eyes, and before you know it, you’ll feel as good as you look.

Get Yours: sephora.com

Speaking of exhaustion, check out our post on how those hard-working runway models (yes, they work hard, at least during Fashion Week) keep their appearance fresh and annoying gorgeous.

What: ColorOn Instant Eye Shadow Kit, $30

Why: It’s not that ColorOn Professional’s basic concept isn’t good: the stick-on, peel-off eyeshadow aims to bring complex shading technique to the make-up challenged. For the average woman, though, its real-world application is disappointing.

Like early tanning lotions that left skin orange and monotone, the pre-fab shadowing job looks…well, fake. Firstly, ColorOn comes in only one shape and size. Its makers assert that the pad “fits comfortably onto most eyelids;” but I consider my eyes to be of average span, and it painted me just beyond where it stops looking good. Surely some women would end up with color in their eyebrows.

Also, the meticulous borders between colors and hard outline around the edge of the shadowed area create an odd, theatrical effect. Of course, this problem is reparable: with a little smudging, shading, and touching-up, a girl could surely get spectacular results. But then again, if you had make-up skills, why would you use instant eyeshadow?

That said, ColorOn is fun to play with, and I’ll bet the theater crowd and glittery club-goers love it. And even for the rest of us–especially the not-so-make-up-saavy–the product has great potential. Already it comes in a variety of shades that cater to all skin tones, so hopefully ColorOn will soon offer designs apt not only for women of all ethnicities but also for those with differing tastes.

What do you think? Would you use stick-on eye shadow?

If you love makeup but stick-on eyeshadow just isn’t your thing, check out the best mascara for your lashes, find new waterproof makeup, or discover a signature fragrance that’s just right.