The Review: Glossier Lidstars

Last week I finally made it to the Glossier Showroom. I’ve been a fan since the brand’s inception, but to be frank, there was no real occasion for the visit except to kill time before the ballet. If anything, I came for the brrch floral arrangements.

I somehow left with more Lidstars, and another Birthday Balm Dotcom.

For me, the Lidstars were Glossier’s most exciting launch yet. I’ve never been a much of an eye makeup wearer (save for occasions that call for a full face), but I’ll always have a weak spot for a soft, shimmering shadow. My first foray was a tiny lilac Chanel cream eyeshadow (which in retrospect, was very similar to Glossier’s Lily Lidstar), a beloved gift from a far-removed aunt—an ex-editor at ELLE Taiwan. It was easily one of my most precious possessions: that black rounded but square compact; the tiny mirror; the blue, pink, and silver shimmer-infused lavender. I loved it, feared it (it was color!), and wore it in secret when at home.

Nearly a decade later and I still harbor the same affection toward a cream, shimmer shadow. It’s more a nostalgic indulgence than anything, but somehow I ordered two Lidstars on launch date en route to a meeting with Martha. One in Fawn (the shade worn by Beyonce when Glossier first hinted at a new product soon), and Slip, a sweet ballet pink. Pinks and reds have been my shade du jour.

The shades are more glow than pigment—something that I, someone forever in pursuit of dew—greatly appreciate in a time of hyper-pigmentation. It’s wearable, grown-up glitter, for lack of a better description, whose pearlescent sheer-ability makes the adult I’m supposed to feel confident about wearing shimmer on the daily while fulfilling the happiness the little girl within. These are truly beautiful so, so worth the spend.

I tried two more shades (which I promptly purchased thereafter) while I was at the showroom. Cub (which was one of their most pigmented of Lidstars), I blended all over my eye, and Moon was dabbed right at the innermost corners as a highlight. This was around noon, mind you, and by 11pm they were still intact. The actual pigment may have worn off just a bit, but the glitters hadn’t shifted. The wear-down throughout a full day of walking (in blustering winds) to drinks to dancing has simply turned the shadows into a refined shimmer.

I’m impressed, to say the least, and it’s one of few new beauty launches that have gotten this creature of habit excited about makeup. So much so that I might just bite the bullet to pick up Lily, if just to re-live the thrill of wearing a swipe of lilac across the eyes again.

This time, in public.

.   .   .

xx