Makeup - Eye Shadow Primer

I felt guilty for not updating my blog so I thought I share a quick review on two different eyes shadow primers I have used over the years. Just as reference, I tend to read reviews on www.makeupalley.com prior to purchasing many of my makeup items, you may want to consider doing the same!

My skin type is typically pretty oily and predominantly in my T-Zone area. I have tried two different type of eye shadow primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion and Two Face Shadow Insurance (I recommend stocking up during the family and friends event of Sephora or Urban Decay!).

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Pros: It lasts all day, give extra boost pigment to your shadows (high end or low end brand), no weird casting to your eyes if worn alone.

Cons: Packaging isn't the greatest, too much product applied will make it hard to blend.

In technicality, I would rate this product a 9.5.  A little goes a long way.  I recommend depot-ting this product when you think you are running out. There are a lot more products in there than you think. Retails for $18 dollars on Sephora right now for the original primer. 

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Pros: Blends well, lasts for a good 6-8 hours of the day, good packing, no weird casting if worn alone.

Cons: Doesn't last as long as Urban Decay Primer Potion, doesn't give eye shadows that extra pop of color.

I tried this out on a whim since I've heard good reviews about it. I think its good for every day wear to prevent eyeshadow smudging. At the end of my 10 hour work day, I do notice slight smudging and it would be the major con of this product. Again, a little goes a long way and this product retails for $18 on Sephora.

Overall, I would recommend the Urban Decay over the Two Face Shadow Insurance. I've recommended to many of my family and friends and yet to hear complaints. Depending on your skin type, you can choose the best product that works for you skin. 

Eyelashes - Careprost Update

Here for a quick update. I promise to upload some results of my lash growth. I am still using my first bottle and still pretty consistent with the application but after 9 weeks of usage, it appears the product is no longer working on my lashes.  I will continue to use the product and hopefully something will trigger the eyelashes growth again. For now, check out my lashes. Left was taken first week of March, right, taken last week of April.  I will keep updating  if things changes. Toodles~~

March 06,  2010                                                              April 24, 2010

Makeup - Gel Eyeliner Recommendation

I decided to write a review on gel eyeliners. Through the years, I've had my share fair of eyeliners. It's a necessity in my makeup book. When I first started wearing makeup, my first eye liner was a pencil. Gradually, I transitioned to liquid eyeliner, and eventually, I made the jump to gel liners. I highly recommend using a gel liner if you like to line your eyes. The staying power of gel liners definitely outlast pencils and liquid liner. Forget the smears, tears, and rubbing, just join the band wagon.

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My first gel liner was the famous Fluidline in Blacktrack by MAC.  The staying power was great. The consistency is very smooth and goes on dark. With all gel liners, I recommend using an eyeliner angle brush for application. Although the staying power of this product was great, I felt that the product dried up to quickly. Product did not last longer than 3 months. Highly disappointed for a product that cost $15.

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The second gel liner I had preivous used is the L'Oreal HIP Liner.  The color pigment was not as dark as the MAC fluidline but the texture was very similar. This product is comparable to MAC fluidline but for the price of $10-$12, I don't think its worth it. Over a short period of time, this product too tends to dry out and begins to flake during the course of the day. I would get bits and pieces in my eyes and being a contact wearer, it eventually became a pain so I ditched this product after a few months. 

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My current favorite gel liner is a drugstore brand that deserves a praise. It is my Holy Grail eyeliner made by Wet n' Wild. Sounds too good to be true right?  I've read some reviews on this liner and most were positive reviews.  For the price of $4, it was worth a try. It wasn't like i was losing much money if the product didn't work out. The eyeliner has a really smooth consistency. Almost too smooth to be true. It glides on like a dream and the color is a really pigmented black.  Compare to the MAC Fluidline, I would say Wet n' Wild would outlast MAC Fluidline any day. I haven't had a problem of smudging, drying, or flaking since I been using this product for the last month. Check out the image below. This is after a 10 hour day of makeup. You can see how oily my forhead is but my eyeliner is still dark and smudge free! 

With any product, i recommend reading reviews on them before you purchase them. Remember, its always a smart investment to purchase good bristle brushes for your eyes and skin AND don't tug on your eyes when applying eye makeup, it causes premature sagging and you know us ladies don't want that! Toodles ~