Shadow-cum-eyeliner or cream shadow makeup items aren’t new in the makeup world. I’ve come across it in Japanese makeup and one of the most popular ones is the one from Stila, if anyone remembers that. This Spring, we see a similar cream eyeshadow-powder eyeshadow pen offering from Dior tied up nicely with a Cherie Bow 😀
These are the Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow pens that come in 4 shades. Its a fat pen, rather akin to that of a mascara tube, housed in sleek smooth shiny plastic. One end houses a cream eyeshadow in the form of a fat pencil and the other has a fat foam sponge applicator dipped into powder eyeshadow.
The 2 colours I have here are 060 Grey Sigh and 530 Beige Ribbon. Both are very neutral, very wearable shades and the principle behind is has a little bearing in the Dior technique of eyeshadow application. You may remember that a while ago, I shared with you some makeup tips from Dior and one of the tips was about the use of eyeliner, or a cream eyeshadow as a base for powder shadow.
This is a tip primarily to help your powder shadow stay on longer, but if you ask me, works best if you do not have oily lids. If you have oily lids, you are better served using an eyelid primer. This then, is the principle behind the Twin Set Eyeshadow pens. A handy dandy pen contraption that allows you to layer on powder shadow over cream, to achieve richer, longer lasting colour. I’ll also tell you that one of the colours work better for me than the other 😉
The picture above shows the cream eyeshadow end of the pencil. I’ve used both so the sharp, pristine edges have been worn a little smooth with wear. It comes with a flat tip and sharp edges all around. Once used, it takes on a softer, rounder tip. It is a twist up mechanism so no sharpening is necessary.
At the other end of the pencil houses the foam applicators which are kept embedded in powder eyeshadow in the cap. I tried to capture a picture of the inside of the cap but couldn’t get a clear shot. If you squint, you can see the powder in there. When you remove the cap, the powder is stuck on the foam applicator which you can then dab over the cream shadow.
As you can see from the photo which I deliberately did not clean, there is quite a bit of fall out so it can be a wee bit messy.
I sought the advice of a Dior makeup artist to find out the best way to use these Twin Set Eyeshadow pencils and I was told that you should use it to layer. Apply the cream end on your lid first, and then layer on the powder shadow and blend away the edges. The cream base will provide a tacky base for the powder to grab onto. If you attempt to just use the powder, you will find that very little adheres to your skin and if its a dark shade, expect to see fall out.
Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow pencil swatches (1) 530 Beige Ribbon L-R: Cream pencil only, Powder eyeshadow only, Powder eyeshadow layered over cream (2) 060 Grey Sigh L-R: Cream pencil only, Powder eyeshadow only, Powder eyeshadow layered over cream
I showed you some swatches before, but here, I show you the powder shadow layered over the cream base. You can see that on their own, the colours are sheer and not very exciting. When layered however, the colours look more intense and really pop.
A brief description of the colours based on my observation are thus:-
- 530 Beige Ribbon – This is very light and almost invisible on my skin. If I layer it on I can see a light beige tint on my skin but essentially, its almost unnoticeable except that I experience a “my lids but better” appearance with this on. The cream pencil is satiny with some shimmer and the powder eyeshadow is a shimmery beige. Layered or not, there isn’t much difference on my skin. Anyone with deep skintones will likely just see shimmer in this one so you probably won’t like it.
- 060 Grey Sigh – Grey Sigh is a dark grey that is quite suited for a smoky eye. I find that this pencil tends to be a bit glittery. The cream shadow has noticeable glitter particles, as does the powder shadow. Layered over each other, the effect is an almost metallic dark grey with lots of lovely sparkle. Wearable, but perhaps not for a conservative office.
Of the two, my preferences lies with Beige Ribbon for a few reasons – it gives a very nice polished look and is perfectly enhanced and set off by a nice eyeliner and mascara, fall out isn’t noticeable and its not too noticeable when the colour wears off in the day, and its not glittery. Grey Sigh makes a passable smoky eye in a pinch, but the fall out kills me.
Did I say fall out? Yes I did. The powder shadow end of the Twin Set pencil is a bit of a mess, if you ask me. I find that even lightly patting it on my lid, I find some powder falling on the area around my eyes or my cheeks and removing is quite a pain because you risk smudging the rest of your base. So with Beige Ribbon, fall out isn’t too noticeable as it is with Grey Sigh. I sighed a lot while trying it on because the two times I used it, I ended up taking far longer than I would normally take with a regular powder eyeshadow.
Would I pick these up? Well, I’d be hardpressed to at the asking price, sorry. Its nice but it is pricey. If you do plan to try it anyway, try Beige Ribbon because I think its the easiest and least frustrating of the 4 to use and better yet, it travels amazingly well! I just returned from a short holiday (yes, it will explain my inability to keep up with the comments and with the blog but I’ll share that story another day) and I took Beige Ribbon with me. In the morning, all I did was slap on some BB Cream, layer on some Beige Ribbon and I was all ready. For the evening, when I had the lovely opportunity to meet with a reader (more on that later too!) I did the same and included eyeliner. I liked the soft glow it gave my lids and made me look less tired than I probably was. At least I hope it did 😀
In a nutshell
The Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow pens are dual ended pens with a twist up cream eyeshadow stick at one end and a foam applicator saturated with powder eyeshadow on the other. The best way to use them is to layer the powder shadow over the cream and they can be worn alone quite easily. Of the two I had, I found that 060 Grey Sigh was markedly more glittery while 530 Beige Ribbon was more satiny with understated shimmer. I did experience fall out which is noticeable in a darker shade but not so in the lighter shade. Ditto creasing although I managed to take it for about 6 hours before showing wear. I don’t really have a problem with creasing and cream shadows so I will advise those with oily lids to ensure your lids are primed with lid primer before using these.
Pros: Easy to use, Handy and portable, Beige Ribbon has a nice texture and makes my lids look better and I look more awake
Cons: Fall out, Pricey, A little gimmicky
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a handy portable eyeshadow product and does not mind shimmer
Blush: Diorblush Cherie Bow Edition Pink Happiness Lips: Rouge Dior Nocturne
Here’s how Beige Ribbon looks worn. As you can see in the close up on the right, it doesn’t look like very much on the lid. I found however, that with nice black eyeliner and mascara, a fresh pink blush and a bold lip, it helps you look polished thanks to the unobtrusive shimmer. Best of all, its such a super quick look to pull together. Perfect for those “OMG! I overslept!” mornings. Don’t lie, you’ve had some of those I’m sure! 😉
Blush: Diorblush Cherie Bow Edition Pink Happiness Lips: Dior Addict Rose Vision
Grey Sigh is a bolder eye and as you can see on the close ups on the right, which I have deliberately left untouched up, there is fall out around the bottom of the eye. The colour however, is lovely being at once bold yet very wearable and not quite as intense as a black smoky eye would be.
You may also notice that the shimmer is pretty intense in this one which is good and bad. Good, if thats what you want and I can tell you that its very very pretty. Bad, if what you wanted was something a little more wearable in a conservative work environment. I also experienced a bit of creasing with this colour towards the end of the day so I’d say it wore well on me for at least 6 hours before it showed wear. Not too bad, but it couldn’t quite last till the end of the day. I actually find it a bit messy for a smoky eye, but its sort of pretty 😛
Do the Twin Set Eyeshadow pens interest you? Did you pick any up?
I mentioned that there are 2 other shades in this set aside from the 2 I’ve featured here. You can view 090 Fishnet Black at Messy Wands and Mostly Sunny and 840 Ballerina Pink at Makeup and Beauty Blog. I don’t think these a must have, but they are, as with all makeup, nice to have. It is a bit more bother than its worth, to be honest. But do check it out in person if you can to see if you like the texture and how they handle and importantly, expect fall out and then you won’t be disappointed 🙂
Paris B
Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow pens come in 4 shades – 060 Grey Sigh, 530 Beige Ribbon, 090 Fishnet Black, 840 Ballerina Pink | Price: RM112 | Availability: Dior counters | Limited Edition: Yes, Cherie Bow Spring 2013
I’m not quite convinced with this one. Looks way to shimmery for me. Could be messy during application. It’s a little expensive. I find the Sephora Jumbo Liners more useful and they’re cheaper 🙂
Yep, its definitely a bit too shimmery for daily wear. Nice, I suppose if one had the funds and liked the method and texture but not otherwise.
I dont like this idea at all, my wallet will be happier!
Hurray! 😀 I have to admit I didn’t quite like it either but the beige one has proven useful. The grey less so.
I think the darker twin set gives a beautiful smokey eye but not something you could achieve with other products that have better quality. I really wish Dior would improve their quality, because I quite like the brand (fashion, colours, etc). love the shape of your eye makeup 🙂
Thanks Clarie 🙂 I think their last few quints hit the spot in terms of colour and texture but this Spring collection has been a bit of a dud thus far in terms of the eye colours 🙁
I like the foam applicator idea – it sure beats bringing an eyeshadow and a brush out instead! So space saving and I won’t risk breaking the eyeshadow or squashing my brush. Grey Sigh is gorgeous (so are you! 😉 ) – its a shame that the fallout is quite bad though!
Yes, I liked toting just 1 pen about too! The beige was a good one to carry around because even if there’s fall out its not noticeable, and the colour brightens up the eyes but not the grey one even though the grey one is prettier on eyes >.<
Fall-out city! -running for the hills-
I’ve never really made it into the cream shadow bandwagon. It’s just too much of a hassle for me, as I have the habit of setting everything that is cream-based with a powder. For me, it’s much quicker to just use the NARS Smudgeproof Eye Primer and then some powder eyeshadow. By the way, did I mention that the primer is THE bomb? 😉 Eyeshadows would not last on my lids if I don’t use a primer.
Sze Ling, I’m with you on Nars primer. Swear by it and one tube lasts ages too! 🙂
Haha I have heard the Nars primer is seriously good but since I don’t have a need for eyelid primer (lucky me!) I have never found the need to use one 🙂 Some cream shadows work for me (Benefit, Shiseido) and some don’t (MAC) but generally I don’t have a problem so I have to confess that eyelid primer discussions go whoosh over my head! HAHA
I have to say I like the darker set on u better. You look so elegant! But I agree with an earlier commenter, it’s something that could be achieved with more affordable products like the Sephora jumbo liner, or even those gel pencil eyeliners from The Face Shop. I would most likely skip this.
Thank you 🙂 I agree with all of you, the same effect is quite easily achieved with regular shadows that will actually stay put. I think this was a good idea but execution just wasn’t quite the best. Try again next time, eh Dior? 😉
Looks gorgeous on you! Sad though because I have very oily lids and this product would not stay put most likely :/
Thank you Becca and yes, this definitely isn’t one for oily lids 🙁
Yeah, me and my oily lids won’t agree with these methinks! I do love how it looks on you though-very polished and elegant. BUT if I have to clean up fallout how does that make it easier to get ready any quicker? Nope. I didn’t care for the Stila version either, so I’ll be skipping by and happily clutching my wallet! 🙂
Like you I wasn’t sold on the idea when Stila had theirs so when I saw this, I was all EH?! WHY?! I have to admit the colours are pretty on but it really is a little too much bother especially at those sort of asking prices!
Beige Ribbon is nice for everyday look … very natural…
It is! With a lovely black liner to define the eyes and mascara to top it 🙂
It slips and slides and powder doesn’t stay an hour on me if worn alone. When worn on top of the liner, i get max 2 hours before creasing and fading >.<
The powder doesn’t stick on my skin either, and definitely has to go over powder. I guess my lids give it less problems because they aren’t oily. Sorry to hear they totally didn’t work for you 🙁
Love the red lips shade on the beige look (WOW!), and the grey sigh simply stunned me (in a good way). 🙂 It’s pity about the fallout. I guess you can finish eye makeup first and foundation/concealer later to clean up? I think this will be very nice to take along while travelling as Jenn has mentioned. 🙂
By the way, I thought you would have preferred grey over the golden one but I guess you never cease to amaze eh? 🙂 🙂
Thanks Ting 🙂 The colours are gorgeous, I’ll warrant them that but its the fall out that will get to everyone, especially at those prices. I did bring Beige Ribbon travelling and I can vouch for it as a good travel eyeshadow and maybe even the Grey one for evenings when you have a little more time to clean off fall out before going out 😀 Colour wise, I’d prefer the Grey one but for practicality, the Beige one wins 😀
I usually love anything Dior but not a fan of these. Too much shimmer for my taste.
I’m not sure what they were thinking either 😛
I tried both out at the counter and ended up with beige. It is pretty. I play around and layer it with my other shadows too. Grey Sigh had major fall out problem for me too. It looks really lovely on you.
Thank you LSY and its good to know you agree about the fall out too! Its very pretty but takes a bit too much work to make it so. The beige one is really versatile – glad you picked that one up!
I was really sold on the idea of these twin sets, but now after reading your review and a few others I think this is not going to be the item for me. As you mentioned fall out and price are 2 big things for me. While grey sighs looks amazing on you I think you could probably achieve the same look with an number of other products. Perhaps if Dior had some really unique colors I might be more interested. Thanks so much for your review. You saved me money!
I think in general, Dior flopped with this one, despite the great concept behind it. I would have imagined that fall out was almost to be expected with that sort of applicator. Still, that’s money saved so onto other better collections! 😉 Thanks for coming by Elvira
I do like the shades, but fall out at these prices, no thank you 🙂
Good call! Time to save money for the next 😉 Oh btw did you ever manage to get the Shiseido Camellia blush?
This is your ONE post on eye shadow that did not make me wanna go out and get it…haha..Thanks Paris!!!!
LOL!! And I take that as a compliment 😉
I honestly don’t think these are worth the price!
Nope! Not with the problems it has 🙂
I like Grey Sigh, but I don’t think I would buy it unless it was cheap! A bit gimmicky, should save my money for nicer blushes and stuff 🙂