Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner Santal (Printemps Precieux de Chanel Spring 2013) - Review/Swatch/FOTD

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner Santal - $30

Waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliner delivers long-lasting definition with a twist of the wrist:  Colour winds up when you need it, winds down when you don't. Gentle, soft, silicone-enriched formula delivers smooth, even lining. A built-in sharpener at the opposite end detaches for quick refreshes.  Line and define the upper and lower eyelids based on eye shape and desired makeup result.  Apply using short feathery strokes, staying close to the lashline for a modern effect.  Chanel Stylo Yeux Eyeliner Santal is part of the Printemps Precieux de Chanel Spring 2013 Makeup Collection.

Wearing Chanel Stylo Yeux Eyeliner Santal smudged along
upper lash line and outer half, lower lash line.

Part of the recently launched Chanel Spring 2013 makeup collection, Santal is a shimmery brown twist-up eyeliner pencil that is also waterproof/smudge-proof - what's not to like about that?!!  The brown base has a shimmery sheen mixed into it.  I call it shimmer, but there are no obvious particles or glitter as such.  There is a teeny sharpener of sorts on one end of the pencil that can be detached and used whenever you want to (I have hardly ever used that so far - should remember to use it more often).  The pencil itself feels a bit hard to apply, especially on the eyelid.  To get slightly easier color payoff, just swipe a few lines on the back of your hand to slightly warm and soften the pencil tip.  It glides on smoothly, but because of the harder texture, the color payoff isn't as much as it would seem on my hand.  True to it's claims, Santal is waterproof and quite the budge-proof liner, and removal does require a decent makeup remover capable of handling tougher waterproof makeup to get this one off.

Santal seems a gorgeous brown on swatches on my hand.  Depending on the light around, the shimmer/sheen present in the liner picks up the light and reflects, making the color look a warmer brown.  Under cooler lighting, though, the color might seem a darker dull/taupey brown.  As I mentioned earlier, the pencil is a bit hard and the color payoff isn't as much on my eyelids.  Here's a look at the swatches and comparisons with a few other browns from Chanel.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Longlasting Waterproof Eyeliner - Santal
Swatch under bright (warmer) natural light looks more bronze-brown.

Swatches under cooler/diffuse natural lighting - looks darker because there is no light reflecting off the shimmer.

Comparing it with a couple of other browns from Chanel, Santal seems a cooler taupe-brown - especially when compared to the shimmery, warm, borderline-copper Brun Cuivre.  All 3 are from Chanel's Precision Eye Definer range - Le Crayon Yeux - which are regular pencil eyeliners, not twist-ups.  Bronze was a GWP, and I haven't seen it on the Chanel website, but Brun Cuivre and Brun Intense are available.

I have darker eyelids, and that combined with the harder texture (I can't be as generous as I was on the back of my bony hands) of this pencil makes for a more subdued color on my eyes.  I have applied Santal along my upper lashline and smudged it a bit to soften it.  Also lined just the outer half along the lower lash line.  I switched my usual black kohl liner for Chanel Brun Intense on the waterline since I didn't want a harsher black eyeliner with this.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner - Santal - FOTD
Nothing happened to my eye - it's just the very weird lighting at my place :(

Chanel Stylo Yeux Eyeliner Santal is a lovely color, especially for those who love neutral/browns - office appropriate, conservative without looking too blah, and being waterproof also makes this fuss-free.  It might not score points on being extraordinarily unique, but it sure is a pricey dependable.  For anyone with my skin color or darker, Santal might not show up all that well (or at all), though.

Chanel Style Yeux Santal - swatches on lighter skin tone, check HERE.

MORE FROM THE CHANEL SPRING 2013 MAKEUP COLLECTION
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish:  Fracas
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish:  Emprise
Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Highlighter Powder
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish:  Accessoire
Chanel Joues Contraste Blush:  Frivole
Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Lipstick:  Envoutante
Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss:  Merveille