Eyeliners Series 1: Comparison of Pencil Eyeliners

PENCIL EYELINER

~AG~

This is my least favourite type of eyeliner. Though it is the easiest to use, I find that it does not stay on well for my eyelids. My oily, single eyelids tend to smudge these pencil eyeliners to the bottom lids. In addition, you have to sharpen them to get a fine tip to line the eyes. With pencil eyeliners, it is difficult to create a defined eyeliner look because of the width of the pencil. Also, they do not work well for the waterline.

Because I like a very fine eyeliner application for everyday use, the pencil eyeliner is not suitable for me. I will recommend pencil eyeliner for those that are new to eyeliners, granted you do not have oily eyelids or monolids like me, because they require the least amount of skills and effort. Lastly, pencil eyeliners tend to be the most affordable type of eyeliners.



Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner

This is probably one of the first pencil eyeliners that I bought. I saw it featured in one of the magazines describing on how long-lasting it is. Since it is an affordable drugstore eyeliner, I decided to try it. This is a twist type of pencil eyeliner. It has a creamy texture and glides on easily. However, the staying power is awful. It smudges to my lower eyelids within two hours.



Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

This was the first high-end eyeliner that I bought. The name mentions 24/7 which refers to it long-lasting and smudge-proof properties. However, this eyeliner did not last on my eyelids. It smudged badly and I ended up looking like a raccoon. It has a very creamy texture that glides one easily. You are supposed to wait 30 seconds before it sets to dry. Once it dries, it supposedly would not budge. Though, I beg to differ. Even with eye shadow primer, it still smudges after an hour. Overall, I will not recommend this Urban Decay eye pencil. 


Stila Kajal Eye Liner

I use Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz (pictured above) to line the lower inner rims of eyes to create a wide-awake effect. Perfect for those mornings when you are sleep deprived. Glides on easily and its peach/flesh tone looks very natural. However, the staying power is awful. The liner smudges after an hour or two.

Milani Liquid Eye Liquid-Like Eye Liner

This is a gel pencil liner. It has a very creamy texture, creamier than Urban Decay 24/7. It is a drugstore brand that supposedly rivals UD 24/7 and Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes. Similar to UD 24/7, you have to allow eyeliner to dry for 15 seconds after application then it will set. It is supposed to last throughout the day. When I tried it, it lasted about 5 hours on the upper lids without any primer. On the waterline, it lasted even shorter, 3 hours only. However, I do find that Milani eye liner does stay on better than UD 24/7. Comparing the value for money, I rather recommend to Milani to those in the States.

NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

One of my favorite eyeliners. The shade Madison Avenue is a slate grey color. It has a slight blue tone and is not as dark. But it is suitable for everyday use.

It is the best long-wearing pencil liner. Most “long-wear” eyeliners (Milani Liquif, Urban Decay 24/7, Revlon Colorstay, even Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner) smudges to my lower lids in 2-3 hours, but NARS Long-Wear Eyeliner does not cause a raccoon eye effects. Though NARS claim it will lasts for 12 hours, it does start to smear on my upper eyelids after 8 hours (without eyeshadow primer). However, the smearing is less than that of Urban Decay 24/7 or Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner. Plus, it only smudges on my upper eyelids and does not transfer to my lower lids like the other liners.

It glides on easily, and yet is not creamy like Milani Liquif or Urban Decay 24/7. With Milani Liquif and Urban Decay 24/7, I find them too creamy so you have to sharpen often which is a waste of product. Also, there is no drying time - you don’t have to keep your lids closed to set it. The twist up liner and built-in sharpener is convenient for travelling. I will definitely recommend this eyeliner to you!

Makeup Products Today

 

🔹Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 

🔹Shu Uemura Face PowderColorless 

🔹NARS Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer Duo 

🔹 Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in 2.5 

🔹Lancome Alber Elbaz Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof  

🔹 Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher  

🔹NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base 

🔹Lancome Artliner Eyeliner

NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

~AG~

I saw this on Sephora USA website. Sephora NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

I so WANT this!! Three blushes, one highlighting shade and one bronzer all for US$65. I am a big fan of NARS blushes and bronzer, and this cheek palette is a steal. It consists of : Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush Powder, Sex Fantasy (pale pink), Deep Throat (sheer peach), Final Cut (coral) and Laguna Bronzing powder. I wish that they sell it at Sephora or NARS counter in Singapore. I will go check it out this weekend :)

NEW: NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Cassiopeia

~AG~

It has been a while since I have browsed through Sephora.com. In the past, I used to visit the Sephora website every other day or so. While browsing the Editor's Pick section, I saw this new product by Nars. According to Sephora.com, Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow is a creaseless, eight-hour wear eyeshadow with a transformative texture for wet or day application. I was especially attracted to the shade Cassiopeia which they describe as a iridescent electric pink. It looks so beautiful. I SO want to get my hands on it. It retails for USD$29. I really wish that Sephora.com ship worldwide. 

Dear Sephora, please make international shipping available. Your faithful Sephora fan xoxo

REVIEW: NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This smudge-proof eye shadow base uses a unique polymer and mineral powder blend to get a firm grip on color for long-lasting, gorgeous wear. Fortified with a special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract, it dries on contact and keeps the delicate eye lid smooth and ready for eye shadow application.

After 2 week test:
- 97% felt that it maximized your eye shadow color
- 93% felt that it extended the wear of your eye shadow
- 90% felt that it prevented creasing and smudging

~AG~
It comes in a twist white and black packaging. The finish of the packaging is rather rubbery. 
This eyeshadow primer comes with a sponge tip applicator. However, I don’t use the sponge tip applicator directly on my eyelids. I usually dab a small amount of primer on the back of my hands, and then use my fingers to apply the product onto my eyelids. This is because I don’t want to “dirty” the sponge tip applicator. FYI, I usually apply some concealer around the eye area before using the primer.

The eyeshadow primer absorbs quickly into the skin, and does not feel sticky.
It keeps my eye shadow in tact.  Plus, it does not make my eye shadows look “powdery”. 
I do find that it helps make my eyeliner lasts longer. My eyeliner wear with NARS eyeshadow base is 5-6 hours compared to 3-4 hours without it. It also reduces my eyeliner from smudging to my lower eyelids - which I always have an issue with. 
Compared to the Urban Decay primer potion, I prefer this. I feel it works better for my monolids. 

You can find it at Sephora stores, NARS counters at Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. For USD $24, I find it worth the price and will not hesitate to re-purcahse it. 

REVIEW: NARS Mini Blush & Bronzer Duo

~AG~ 

NARS Mini Blush & Bronzer duo is my new favorite cheek product. Its small packaging (0.17 oz) fits easily on the palm of my hand, which makes it convenient for traveling. The duo consists of the the blush shade, Orgasm, and bronzer shade, Laguna.

Laguna is a great shade for contouring. I use it on the sides of my foreheads and on the jawline. It might look too dark on the palette, but it looks just nice on my NC 30 skin. The shade does not have much red or orange undertones. Red or orange undertones can look unflattering on fair to medium skin tones. Plus, Laguna does not create a “dirty” look effect after it oxidizes, which some bronzer tends to do.

Orgasm gives a nice pink-peach glow. It has bits of gold shimmer which helps warm up the skin tone. I like the fact that the shimmers are not too flashy. It is a great everyday cheek color that looks very natural.

Nars blush & bronzer have great pigmentation and staying power. You only need a little product for it to show up on your skin. The colors stayed on well on my face - for more than 5 hours.

At US$24, it is a great beauty purchase. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great blush and bronzer to use everyday. It is a great way to try Nars popular blush and bronzer.

NEW: NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask

 An advanced treatment mask that provides a surge of hydration to the skin. Potent natural botanicals enhance collagen production and protect skin’s elastin for ultra-soft, youthful looking skin. 

"Contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ designed to restore skin’s youthful radiance and reflect light like a prism"

• For all skin types
• Dermatologist Tested & Non-Comedogenic
• Synthetic Fragrance Free, Paraben Free, Alcohol Free
• 2.6 oz/75ml

~AG~

I received an email from NARS regarding their new product, Aqua Gel Luminous Mask (UDS $39). I'm interested in this mask. According to NARS website, the mask can be used for both daytime use as well as night time use. For daytime use, the direction says to leave the mask on for 5-10 minutes then tissue it off. For night time use, the mask can be leave on overnight. The mask can be used 2-3 times a week, as needed.