It was the color that caught my eye. La Prairie Hematite eye shadow from their Cellular Treatment Eye Colour range is a gorgeous cadet blue with the finest silvery micro-shimmer. Then, of course, there's the silky texture combined with an intense pigment that can be blended, sheered or used as is for lining and/or the poshest looking blue smoky eye. I was a goner.
Like all La Prairie products, the eye shadows come in a heavy, well-crafted compact that is as beautiful and detailed as the product inside. There's the usual velvet pouch we find in most high-end luxury makeup items and unfortunately the ubiquitous sponge applicators that would do in a pinch, but seriously, when will these company learn? If one is a La Prairie customer, chances are she's also cultivating a really nice brush collection, so why not work with that and offer a real full-size brush worthy of the eye shadow for every purchase of two products or something along these lines?
The first time I tried Hematite in a makeup look I used a semi-dense crease brush that picked so much product I spent the next couple of minutes blending frantically. It was just two much for a casual day look. Since then I learned to adjust- Hematite can be as dark or as sheer as you like it and even work as a light wash of color over the lead (I use Bobbi Brown Eye Sweep brush and then blend well into a nude base with Chanel #12 or Edward Bess). It also makes a gorgeous liner that needs very little to complement the look and stays in place over a primer until you go after it with a makeup remover. The shimmer in this eye shadow is very subtle and not really a factor- it adds some light, but looks polished and elegant, worthy of the most professional work environment.
As for the "Cellular Treatment Eye Colour", I don't know. I expect my makeup to look beautiful and not damage my skin. I'm happy when the formulas are chock-full of anti-oxidants, but I don't expect color products to give me a "cellular treatment", whatever that means. I try to choose items that are dazzling and irresistible. Skin care is held to other standards of performance and results.
Bottom Line: unfortunately, there are several other La Prairie colors in my near future.
La Prairie Cellular Treatment Eye Colour ($45) is available from top department stores as well as online.
All photos are mine.
