Fall 2011 Makeup Review: RMK Dusty Bright Eyes in 03 Grayish Brown

RMK‘s Dusty Bright Eyes, available in six variations, is the key item of the brand’s fall 2011 makeup collection. Each variation contains one cream eyeshadow and one powder eyeshadow, and today I am featuring 03 Grayish Brown.

(image from www.rmkrmk.com,
featuring Dusty Bright Eyes in 02 Grayish Green)

03 Grayish Brown contains a dark gray cream eyeshadow (well-pigmented, with a satiny finish and a hint of multi-hued shimmer) and a light warm beige powder eyeshadow (moderately pigmented, with multi-colored fine sparkles). According to the application instructions, the cream eyeshadow is applied first (from lash lines to eye sockets) and then the powder eyeshadow is layered on top of the cream eyeshadow. Both shades have a good lasting power, especially the dark gray, which is waterproof and almost completely smudge-proof.

(An inner lid (upper left) further protects the cream from drying out.)

The cream feels relatively light-weight. However, it dries up very quickly and the blending time is extremely short. If you accidentally place too much color on the lids, it is very difficult to fade out the color.

The product comes with a retractable double-ended brush applicator, with one end for the cream and the other for the powder. Unless you want to create an intensely opaque look with the cream, I recommend using your fingers instead of the brush. (The brush is good for packing on the color but it is far less useful for blending out the edges.) I recommend spreading a small amount of the cream on the back of the hand with a finger to get the suitable intensity and then gently patting the color onto the eyelids. Because the cream starts to dry up as soon as it is placed on the back of the hand, you are likely to have to repeat the steps a few times to complete the look for both eyes.

It will take some practice to create the look(s) you want, and it requires very swift and precise color placement and a lot of patience. I think the look that we see in the ad visual (above) will take a lot of time and practice to create. Personally, I think the cream works far better as an eyeliner than an eyeshadow.

The powder eyeshadow blends easily and the soft warm beige adds subtle depth to the eyes. The powder has a delicate transparency, and, therefore, when layered on top of the dark gray, it doesn’t alter the intensity of the gray. (When used alone, the color does show up.) Whether it is layered on top of the gray or not, the shade adds a veil of dimensional shimmer to the eyes.

As mentioned, the product comes with a retractable double-ended brush applicator. The hair of the cream eyeshadow brush is harder than that of the powder eyeshadow brush, which feels fluffier.

I have tried this product quite a few times to create a variety of looks, and my two favorite looks are (1) a soft veil of gray near the upper lash lines (which creates a natural shadow for the eyes) with the beige over the eyelids and (2) the beige used as the main color with the gray (whose blueness is, in this case, brought out by the warm beige) as an eyelining shade (which, not surprisingly, is a pleasantly easy look to create). (The cream eyeshadow brush above can draw a thick and relatively neat line. Use an alternative brush for a thinner line.)

Overall, I personally like the light beige, whose subtle warmth appeals to me, and the dark gray should please those who want a dramatic look with tremendous lasting power. Two of the other variations (04 Coral Brown and 05 Deep Red) combine a lighter cream eyeshadow and a darker powder eyeshadow, and I am quite curious to see how they perform in comparison with 03 Grayish Brown.

(The product featured in this article is provided by RMK.)

Related posts:

RMK Fall/Winter 2011 Base Makeup Collection

RMK Summer 2011 Makeup Collection

Review: RMK Spring 2011 Makeup Collection

Review: RMK Gloss Lips N in P-03 Rose Brown

Review: RMK Cleansing Oil S & Cleansing Balm M