Studio 10 Visible Lift I-Definer Palette

The primer is in the large pan on the far left. Neutralize and Contour are the middle shades (L-R), and last come Highlight (top) and Define.

I'm guessing that this is what the useless Estee Lauder Shape+Sculpt Eye Kit was trying to be: an all-inclusive eye set for a day-to-night chic look. I first came across UK brand Studio 10 in a Lisa Eldridge video* from last summer. Back then their products were not available here, but late last year I spotted the Visible Lift I-Definer Palette in a b-Glowing newsletter, and you know I had to have it. It's another testament to the power of Lisa, because the marketing spiel and the attempt to position this color product as an anti-aging  miracle is as annoying as it gets:

‘makeup eyelift’ kit that tackles fine lines, sculpts, defines and brightens eyes. Features an anti-aging primer and four sculpting shadows: neutralizing, contouring, highlighting and defining. 

Don't get me wrong: I'm all for using antioxidants and humectant ingredients in makeup, especially around the eye area. It's nice to apply another layer of defense against free radicals, and I do agree that combing that with an eye-brightening makeup is a good move. But this is makeup, not skincare (and definitely not skincare and sunscreen alternative), and there's nothing new about the concept of using makeup to "sculpt" the eye. bring some parts forward and recess others. It's what makeup has always done for us.

That issue aside, this is a reasonably effective palette with the questionable bonus of having a primer right there in the pan. The primer itself is nice. It's softer and of a better quality of the one offered by Lauder. I've used it several times with good results in terms of blending and longevity. The issue is having a cream pan in an otherwise all-powder palette, so there is some cross-contamination in continuous use. It can be argued that it saves some space in makeup bags and for travel purpose, but a separate small eye primer tube is not the item that will make one's carry-on burst at the seams. And it's more hygienic.

The other four colors (the matte "Neutralize" and "Contour", and the satin "Highlight" and "Define") are pretty standard fare for a more or less natural makeup look. Neutralize is meant to be applied all over the lid and brow bone as a base that evens out your skin tone (I love it because my lids are unusually dark) and helps in blending other eye shadows. Once you've applied that, move to the cool toned taupe shade of Contour and blend it into the crease as far high and out (or not) as you wish. You can stop here for a classic No Makeup look, or add one or both eye shadows. The colors are pretty universal: a champagne and a medium warm brown, both silky smooth and the satiny finish has just the right amount of flattering luster. You probably have several similar shades as singles and in various classic palettes. The advantage here is that you have both textures and colors in one convenient compact, plus a primer for emergencies. The colors might not be exciting or unique, but they're spot-on for the job, and can serve you loyally until you hit the pan. If you can get over the lack of pizzazz and remember to actually use it.

Bottom Line: Nice, but somewhat bland. 

Studio 10 Visible Lift I-Definer Palette ($52, made in Italy) is available from b-glowing.com. They have a code right now (GLOWBIG) for a free Studio 10 Glow Plexion serum with a $48 purchase, but don't let that be a reason to pull the trigger. The "serum" is nothing but a mica bomb that makes foundations oxidize into a shiny copper layer on my skin.

*I love Lisa's look and have recreated my own version a couple of times, using a bright blue instead of her purple. I'll have to show you soon.

Ingredients:

PRIMER 2g / 0.07oz C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, DIMETHICONE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYETHYLENE, ETHYLHEXYL, HYDROXYSTEARATE, C30-45 OLEFIN, TRIETHYLHEXYL TRIMELLITATE, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM SEED OIL, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ZEA MAYS OIL (ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL), RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL), GLYCINE SOJA OIL (GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL), RETINYL PALMITATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED OIL (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL), LINOLEIC ACID, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, QUERCUS SUBER BARK EXTRACT May contain: CI 77891(TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES).
NEUTRALISE  2.5g / 0.09oz TALC, BORON NITRIDE, NYLON-12, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, ZINC STEARATE DIMETHICONE, SILICA, MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYL, PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ZEA MAYS OIL (ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL), RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OIL, (RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCINE SOJA OIL (GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL), RETINYL PALMITATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED OIL (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL), LINOLEIC ACID, QUERCUS SUBER BARK EXTRACT, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE May contain: CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 19140 (YELLOW 5 LAKE), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES).
 CONTOUR 2.5g / 0.09oz TALC, BORON NITRIDE, NYLON-12, PENTAERYTHRITYL, TETRAISOSTEARATE, ZINC STEARATE DIMETHICONE, SILICA, MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE ZEA MAYS OIL (ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL), RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCINE SOJA OIL (GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL), RETINYL PALMITATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED OIL (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL), LINOLEIC ACID, QUERCUS SUBER BARK EXTRACT, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE May contain: CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE).
HIGHLIGHT 1.3g / 0.04oz TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, ZEA MAYS STARCH (ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH), NYLON-12, OCTYLDODECYL LACTATE, DIMETHICONE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, BORON NITRIDE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL, ACETATE ZINC STEARATE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ZEA MAYS OIL (ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL), RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL), GLYCINE SOJA OIL (GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL), RETINYL PALMITATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED OIL (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL), LINOLEIC ACID, QUERCUS SUBER BARK EXTRACT, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE May contain: CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES).
DEFINE 1.3g / 0.04oz TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, ZEA MAYS STARCH (ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH), NYLON-12, OCTYLDODECYL LACTATE, DIMETHICONE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, BORON NITRIDE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ZINC STEARATE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ZEA MAYS OIL (ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL), RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL), GLYCINE SOJA OIL (GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL), RETINYL PALMITATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED OIL (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL), LINOLEIC ACID, QUERCUS SUBER BARK EXTRACT, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE May contain: CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE).