The brilliant thing abut duo-chrome eye shadows is how they allow you to create a complex multi-dimensional eye look with just one color product. Since these eye shadows shift with the direction of the light that hits them you get the illusion of a layered-blended application. Of course, you have to be open to shine/shimmer/metallic finishes, and sometimes to unorthodox colors. However, there are enough options that gives a neutral base with a slightly more colorful shift that are adequate for daytime, such as brown or peach. Both MAC and Makeup Geek offer pressed powder eye shadows like that.
Today, however, we're talking about duo-chrome in cream formula. The better known one is Urban Decay's Liquid Moondust (there's also a pressed version, and I'm a fan of the original Solstice as well as of Zodiac), which comes in a tube with a small brush applicator. Liquid Solstice has surprised me by being more pink/mauve than the powder, though it definitely has that attractive green sparkly undertone. The coverage is rather sheer (I layered quite a bit in the swatch to show the full color effect), which allows you to create a very pretty gossamer-like look that only has a hint of drama.
I apply Urban Decay Solstice with the applicator and blend it with my pinky, though a small soft synthetic brush (UD or Real Techniques work well) is cleaner and more precise method. As much as I love the look I'm getting here,I do find that the particles in this eye shadow can get everywhere unless I use a truly spackle-like primer, or even better-- a glitter glue. I hear, though, that I'm an anomaly in this. Not everyone is experiencing the glitter shower that lands on my temples and top of my cheekbones, so perhaps my tube is a dud(ish. I still like it more than I should). In any case, I advise you to give the tube a good shake before use to distribute everything evenly.
A few months ago Butter London added the four Glazen Eye Glosses to their ever-expanding makeup line. These are cream shadows with a glossy finish that calls to mind comparable products for Charlotte Tilbury, Surratt, Tom Ford, and Chantecaille. As far as I can tell, Oil Slick is the only true duo-chrome in this range (the others are classic neutrals in colors such as champagne, bronze, and rose old, and I might just have to get all of them. Because pretty), which is why I bought it the day it appeared at Ulta.
Oil Slick is described as a "chameleon", which is quite accurate. The brown-to-lizard green shift is an amplified and shiny variation on the classic theme of MAC's club. Coverage is quite opaque, and the futuristic effect is strong. Yet, applied and blended carefully there's nothing crazy or very out there about this Butter London eye shadow. You can use a small amount as your one-and-done color and looked more polished and edgy. Longevity over a standard primer is at least eight hours and I haven't experienced any migration, flaking, or errant glitter. This formula is smoother than Urban Decay's and has a higher end look, which brings us back to the "need the other ones" statement.
Bottom Line: two of the most fun makeup products on the market.
Urban Decay Solstice Liquid Moondust ($22, made in Canada) and Butter London Oil Slick Glazen Eye Gloss ($24, made in Canada) are available at Ulta.
Oil Slick looks so interesting -- I want to try it!
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