Just when you thought I couldn't possibly review more shadow sticks, I have more comin' at ya (well, and there'll be more after that); meet the most affordable option in my cream eyeshadow drawer, the Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencils in Amethyst and Smoky Plum ($8.50 for 0.058 oz, I bought mine during 2 for $7 promotion).
The packaging might not be the classiest with its screaming red color scheme; but hey, at least they're super easy to find in my brimming pencil drawer. Also worth noting, the ends of these pencils are color-coded, much like the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, so if you have more than one, it's easy to grab exactly the shade you're looking for. They twist up and down with no problems and feel quite sturdy in the tube.
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Now, speaking of Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, they're not exactly the same in terms of formula. They feel somewhat softer and creamier than my Laura Mercier, which has almost more of a slippery dry feel of silicone. Both pencils blend out very easily but I think with the Avon ones, more rigorous blending results in some of the color being lost, so I have to layer them a bit more to achieve the desired opacity; straight out of the bullet they're both highly pigmented though. In terms of wear and longevity, Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencils can absolutely rival the pricier Laura Mercier; they last all day on me with no creasing or fading.
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| L-R: Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencil in Amethyst, Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Grey Pearl, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in No Pressure, Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencil in Smoky Plum, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Rockstar, Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Powerful Purple |
The shades I've opted for are both in the plummy family: Amethyst is a warm plum taupe, while Smoky Plum is a blackened plum. I have to say I'm not absolutely smitten with these shades on my skintone - they're just a bit too clashy against my cool skin and have a tendency to make my already red/veiny lids even redder; but I have similar issues with other warm taupes like MAC Satin Taupe as well. Both however make nice bases for other looks; Amethyst paired with slightly cooler tones, Smoky Plum as a base for darker smokey eyes (which I almost never go for, but let's run with it).
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| Simple eye look with Amethyst all over the lid, blended into the crease, and Smoky Plum on the lashline, blended up. Sorry, forgot to put on a lipstick! |
All in all, these are a great inexpensive option for all of you cream shadow stick lovers - I just wish Avon came out with some more exciting shades for this formula (and, pretty please, a bit more cool-toned?).
Have you tried these Extra Lasting Pencils from Avon? What is your favorite affordable cream eyeshadow formula?
