Some like it.. well, wet, actually

You remember when Cher announced in Clueless that make-overs gave her a sense of control in a world full of chaos? Well, for me, that sense of control comes from creating change. There really is nothing more invigorating. And if that change can occur in the wee hours of the morning as I perch bleary-eyed in-front of my dressing table, then all the better. 

So you can imagine my delight when YSL Pure Chromatics wet & dry eye shadows (a veritable invitation to manipulate and mould) arrived on my desk. Lloyd Simmonds, YSL international make-up artist, describes these little gems as “the biggest impact of glamour imaginable!” That sounded like a challenge. So, I swatched and I swiped; I dampened and I dried. And was it true? The proof is in the pudding, so I leave you to draw your own conclusions (photos to follow). Personally, I was sold at first swipe, but at £37 a pop and a shelf date not til March 2011, you might want to consider some more accessible alternatives. 

The YSL shadows come with two applicators, specifically modified to handle the wet-to-dry transition; however, most shadows can achieve the same consistancy simply by wetting your applicator brush or sponge, for a creamier, richer colour experience. For most dramatic results, use metallics or acid bright colours (the higher the pigment the better), as seen all over S/S 11 catwalks. Try Nars Single Eyeshadow in Daphne (£16.50 at www.narscosmetics.co.uk), Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore (£15.50 at www.illamasqua.com), or Maybelline Eyestudio Colour Explosion Duo in Green Gold (£6.99 at www.boots.com).