Eye shadow can be a messy affair. It can also cake into creases, ageing you even more. So how do you find the right one this party season? Feast your eyes on some of the latest compacts to hit the pre-Christmas shelves.
1. Laura Mercier's Plum Velvet eye shadow (HK$310) combines several shades in one compact. It runs the spectrum; from a highlighter white all the way through to a deep purple, for drama. It's suited to day or night and gives a stylish, classic look. Available from Lane Crawford stores.
2. Smashbox's eye-shadow quads (HK$280) were tested by the group's make-up artists to ensure the formulation was easy to blend and had staying power. The Electric compact combines a shimmering yellow-gold, deep teal and copper, plus a matte eggplant tone. The Ambient quad offers four shimmering eye shadows in neutral tones of warm gold, pearl, olive and bronze. Available from Lane Crawford stores and the Smashbox boutique, Langham Place, Mong Kok.
3. Anna Sui's luxury eye palette (HK$310) comes in a mock handbag design created with Sui's trademark black lacquer roses. Choose from five shimmery shades, including peachy oranges and golden browns. Available from Lane Crawford, Times Square, Causeway Bay; the Seibu stores in Pacific Place, Admiralty and Langham Place; and Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central.
4. Dior's 5 Couleurs eye-shadow palette (HK$ 395) can create 'hot or cool eyes' with shades that range from two pastel pinks (one bright, one subtle) to an icy grey. There's also a sparkling cream to open up tired eyes and a pale brown to suit the wintry mood. This limited-edition set comes with two double-ended brushes and a large mirror for application on the run. Available from Chanel counters.
5. Giorgio Armani's 55 mono eye shadow (HK$155) is a soft iridescent pink that highlights darker shades or, when used alone, gives a luminous look. The single pots also come in a deep satin taupe, which gives a metallic effect, and a limited-edition matte chocolate brown. A pale beige with minimal shimmer for subtle highlighting finishes off the collection. Available from Seibu, Pacific Place.
