Hell hath no fury like a beauty junkie scorned. And I feel deeply, deeply scorned by By Terry’s Ombre Blackstar – as in, why am I apparently the only woman on the internet that this doesn’t work on?!?! Whyyyyyyyyy?????? Head on to my By Terry Ombre Blackstar review (Misty Rock).
In order to let you and me both retain our sanity, I’ll try to do a very structured review, otherwise you’d hear caps and incoherent screaming the whole time.
Let me start with By Terry’s official description:
“This easy-to-use eyeshadow pen contains Tahitian black pearl extracts, allowing the formula to glide smoothly and effortlessly onto eyelids in a single stroke. The lift-reflecting formula brightens and lifts eyelids, while adhesive polymers work to hold colour so that it lasts all day long without smudging or smearing. Create a dramatic smoky eye look in the blink of an eye.”
Application
Okay, so this is a regular cream eyeshadow in stick form. There’re many like it around, from drugstore to high-end. I usually love cream eyeshadow sticks – I love them for their easy application and effects. Nothing is so easy and quick for those busy mornings and travelling – just apply and smudge with a finger, and you’re done.
Same with By Terry’s Misty Rock. You can absolutely wear it as a wash of colour, or as a base to layer a powder eyeshadow over it, but I can tell you immediately that I haven’t had any luck with both methods. It’s creamy enough that fingers or a softer brush both work to blend out any harsh edges. It then takes absolute ages to set. I also tried various primers (MAC, Urban Decay, Paintpots) with Misty Rock, to no luck. It creases like the dickens.
Formula
The formula is incredibly smooth, with a very slippery feel to it. I’ve lately grown wary of this particular kind of slipperiness, because I’ve experienced problems with cream eyeshadows staying put without creasing anyways. (Oh, the joys of aging with hooded lids!) My lids, though, are pretty smooth, but the silver glitter particles accentuate any fine line and veins I have there. Especially when blended out the glitter changes quickly from nicely shiney to non-flattering and, dare I say it, cheap. It never migrates down my cheeks, so there’s that? Misty Rock is a brownish taupe that should work well for a broad variety of eye colours. Nevertheless, the formula and the near non-existing longevity are a deal breaker for me. It starts to crease faintly after two hours, and looks horrible by five.
Please note that while I’ve had problems with cream shadows lately, By Terry’s Ombre Blackstar is bar far the worst contender. I’ve got high expectations of my eyeshadows, and I usually expect them to hold up for at least 10 hours, so getting 8 hours out of wear is already slightly disappointing for me.
Comparison
I own oodles of cream eyeshadow sticks fortunately, and have already covered quite a few of them previously. Chanel releases them from time to time, and their first ones were a lot better than the second release, qualitywise. In fact, their second incarnation (covered here) reminds me quite a lot about the Ombre Blackstar – it has a similarly slippery texture. Kiko, same. Burberry (initial review here) fares slightly better, and I still enjoy it as a base. The best, though, in terms of texture, are Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks. Pleasant formula, and they hold up like nothing else does.
Recommend?
Only if you absolutely never have problems with cream products creasing on you, and if you don’t mind glittery eyeshadows. I also don’t enjoy the reddish taupe that accentuates the slightly reddish undertone that I have around my eyes. On me, the effect of creasing, wrong colour and accentuating glitter is horribly aging and I’m fully prepared to bin By Terry’s Misty Rock. Honestly, who has time for that?!
If you’re still willing to try it, prepare mentally for the outrageous price of $38 for 0,06 oz./1,64g. (Nordstrom)
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