Lately it seems that everywhere I turn, I see some hot new eye trend that involves neon orange liner or hot pink mascara. I recently asked readers what they thought about the colorful mascara trend, and while almost no one was interested in hopping on the hot pink bandwagon, nearly 60% said they had or would try a blue or purple. I decided it was time to put down the black mascara and give something more colorful a try.

Dior recently came out with its new “It-Lash” line of colorful mascaras, said to lengthen and add volume with a dose of long-lasting color. Since I’ve long been a fan of purple eyeliner, I decided I’d give the “It-Purple” shade a shot.

My thoughts? The mascara itself is fabulous. It truly does add lots of length and some volume, and it doesn’t flake or smudge all day. After two weeks of daily wear I haven’t experienced the slightest bit of eye irritation or sensitivity. Despite the fact that it looks intensely purple on the wand, it didn’t make my lashes look all that different. Only on the very tips of my lashes, and only in certain lighting, did I notice a (very pretty) flash of color. I only swipe on a coat or two in the morning, so this could be why it looked so subtle on me, but even when I tried layering it on for more impact, I found that my lashes got clumpy before they really turned purple. Personally, I think this is fantastic; It-Lash is an excellent mascara and it’s a fun way to add the smallest hint of color to my daily look without going over-the-top. However, if you’re looking for something truly wild and bright, this probably isn’t the mascara you’re looking for.

If, like me, you like to keep it on the subtle side but still want to punch it up a bit, I recommend pairing your purple mascara with my new favorite liner: Cailyn Line Fix Gel Eyeliner in Purple. This deep raisin colored liner glides on smoothly and will not budge until you remove it. It’s unique packaging includes a handy little brush in the handle, which I love. And worn along the upper lash line as an extra shot of purple, it really makes my eyes pop.

What’s your favorite colorful eye trend?