I’ve been cheated too many times by products promising high-density color that have, in reality, delivered diluted tints — more often than not, bottled “Tangerine Dream” shows up on nails (even two coats later) as “Watered-Down Hi-C”. For that reason, I’ve never been much of a believer in eye shadow, trusting instead in saturated, long-wear liquid liner.
While, frankly, Clinique isn’t a brand I’d immediately associate with stay-put pigment, they have my attention with their All About Shadow Primer for Eyes ($19.50), a creamy, two-seconds-to-apply base that glides on and perfects their all-new All About Shadow powders—in intense, what-you-see-is-what-you-get shades—for up to 12 hours.
Big for fall are blues and pinks, but palette options, from matte to high-shimmer and in singles ($15), duos ($20), and quads ($28), include a spectrum from “Teddy Bear” nudes to true brights like “Lavender Out Loud” (anchor it with a deep Quickliner like “Intense Amethyst”).
Finally, achieve eye-popping color that won’t end up smudged beneath bottom lashes, flecked allover cheeks, or appear distorted on skin: Pick your primer from Very Fair to Deep. Check out both ophthalmologist-tested formulas at your nearest Clinique counter.