BoomerGirl Diary

Really? Green eye shadow? Isn't that kin to the garish blue stuff we experimented with in junior high? Say what you will about the jade shade, but it's being touted as a way to enliven eyes this spring. Makeup artists say it's all in the application: the wrong touch and you'll look like Kermit the Frog. The right touch, though, and the effect could enhance eye color and sparkle. We had one eye shadow-loving tester with a deft touch try all three. Did she find a new hue for the season?

MAC Cosmetics

Matte2 Eye Shadow in Newly Minted, $14, Maccosmetics.com, Mac stores.

Shades of jade: "This is one bold shade. I have blue eyes and fair skin and blond hair, so I wondered if this would play up my eye color or just look overly showy."

In the shadow: "It's even darker than I expected once I applied it. When I tried to blend it with another color, it doesn't spread very easily or mix well - it sort of loses its own color, forcing me to reapply, making the shadow too dark."

Green envy: "It's too heavy for me. I went very light on blush and lipstick or risked looking clownish. For someone with darker features, it would be more flattering."

Giorgio Armani

Maestro Eye Shadow in shade 26 (satin green), $28, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.

Shades of jade: "I was drawn to this shadow because it's shimmery instead of matte like the other two. In the case, it looks golden green."

In the shadow: "It's a totally different color once you apply it! On my eyes, it took a deep green-blue hue, completely different from the minty green in the case."

Green envy: "This shadow is very versatile. I love it - you can play it up to look yellow or green, or tone it down to look blue. Highly recommended."

Urban Decay

Matte eye shadow in Chronic, $16, Sephora.com.

Shades of jade: "I'm very fair, so I'm apprehensive about eye shadows with a yellowish tint. I usually lean more toward blue tones. I was a little uneasy about this shadow at first. It looks very lime-y in the case."

In the shadow: "It goes on easily, and not too heavy for a matte shadow. I was surprised at how well it blends, too. Try combining it with a darker color and it'll really pop."

Green envy: "Overall, the color was unique and bright, but I doubt I'd wear it by itself. I liked it best as a highlight with another color."