Taking The Liner Too Far

I love eyeliner. I believe that the cat eye is one of the greatest make up looks of all time. But then, some company has to take it too far.

This time, I'm talking about Dior. Before I go any further, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for this company. They put out amazing and high-quality products … and I bet this eyeliner (if you can call it that) is right up there with the rest of their make up line. The question is, how necessary is this? What is the art of make up coming to?

Let me start by filling you in on this new product. Dior make up artists have created a set of multi-wear adhesive eyeliner patches. That's right … it's a set of four pairs: two plain black, one with small anthracite grey crystals and one more with white crystals (Swarovski crystals to be exact). And, how perfect, since they are said to fit any eye shape, since they're adjustable.

The Dior Backstage Eyeliners To-Wear Multi-Wear
Adhesive Eyeliner Patches are selling at Sephora for $59. Would you invest in them?

Take a look for yourself. In my opinion they're a little too much (unless you're a fashion model, and in that case you probably have your own make up artist anyways). But, the fact that they're on the gaudy side isn't the worst of it for me.
Recently, make up companies are giving us (women and men who wear make up) no credit. Many companies are assuming that we all just want everything to be convenient and un-original. Well, I'm sorry, but I don't want my eyeliner to look exactly like anyone else's at the bar. Then your only option is to be upset with yourself for not wearing pair number 3. But … wait, if you would have done your own make up, the whole situation would have been avoided.

This brings me to my second point. For me (and I know I'm not alone), make up is an art. One of my good friends, Gabe Fuller (check him out, he's amazing) has been my make up guru for the last year. I remember one night he was teaching me the cat eye. I asked him how he got to be so good at it and he said, "I'm an artist. I draw, I paint, I know how to use my hand. It takes practice to get the motion down." So, practice I did, and I now wear the cat eye all the time.

For me, that was some of the best make up advice I've ever received. I finally understood the importance of applying your own make up, and making your face a canvass. Everyone should experience perfecting the cat eye or the red lip that compliments your skin tone.

Finding the right lip stick or gloss, or the right gel, liquid or pencil liner that will achieve the look you want is also part of the experience. It's just like fake nails. Anyone can glue on plastic nails, but it takes time and effort to maintain and take care of your nails. Anyone can also put eyeliner patches on their eye lids … but you'll be missing out on the part where you look in the mirror and say, "Damn, my eyes look great tonight," followed by a self high five.

So … this is my advice. Pick out one of the other fabulous eyeliners Dior has to offer. Learn how to do your make up yourself, like the big girl (or boy) you are … and embrace the art of make up.