Maybelline Eye Studio Master Duo 2-in-1 Glossy Eyeliner

So Recently Maybelline came out with a new liquid eyeliner, I stopped by target and decided to pick up the navy color.  If you're bored of the average black eyeliner navy is a great option, not only is it very subtlety different from black but it also makes the whites of your eyes appear whiter.

I was sorely disappointed with this liquid liner, here's a quick summary of the liner.

Pros:

-waterproof

-smudgeproof

-long lasting

Cons:

-extremely, and I mean EXTREMELY watery consistency

-poor pigmentation

-brush

-messy

Another thing I wish I could put on the cons is "shiny" but since it is a "glossy" liner...I'm not sure why anyone would want to create a glossy eyeliner in the first place...I feel like matte is much more flattering on most people.

Here's a breakdown of all the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Waterproof

I don't think the packaging directly says that the liner is waterproof, but it is.  In fact I wish my hands with soap and water and it didn't budge at all.

2. Smudge proof&Long lasting

Usually waterproof and smudge proof come together and this was no exception.  A quality a good liquid liner should have is being smudge proof because liquid liners are primarily used for creating clean, precise lines that don't budge, unlike pencil eyeliners that are able to be smudged for a smokey look.

Cons:

1. Watery Consistency

When I first swiped the formula on my hand I was shocked by the watery formula.  It's the same consistency as water colors.  It helps if you tap off excess formula on the brush before using it...but because the formula is so watery it takes FOREVER to dry.  I mean I'm growing old waiting for this thing to dry ok.  

2. Poor Pigmentation

Because the formula is so watery the pigmentation pretty much sucks.  I tried layering the formula and it works to make the color show more but still it's a lot of work and a waste of time.  And when you layer it the liner becomes sticky on your eye.  This is so disappointing because in liquid eyeliners one of the most important things is pigmentation! Eyeliner is not lipstick people. It's OK to have sheer lipsticks but not ok to have sheer liquid liners.

3. Brush&Messy

So the big thing about this liner that makes it a "duo" is the brush.  The brush is supposed to make it easy to create thick and thin lines.  I love the idea of the brush, but it was poorly executed.  Yes, it makes it a lot easier to apply thicker lines, but the thin side of the brush doesn't make it possible to make REALLY thin lines, only medium thick/thin lines.  Once again, great idea, poor execution.

It costs around $7 and you can find it in target or other drugstores.  I really do not recommend it.  If you're looking for a good liquid liner I highly recommend Stila's liquid liner.  Yes, it's a little pricey at $20 but I've been using mine for half a year and it still hasn't ran out!  You can create such a big variety of looks with it.  I cannot recommend it enough!

http://www.sephora.com/stay-all-day-waterproof-liquid-eye-liner-P253818?skuId=1221084

Outfit of the Day

This is my friend's outfit of the day.

Ladies and gentleman, Nerwel Zhao.

Tanktop&Jacket are both from Brandy Melville.

Can't find her tank in white but here it is in gray.

http://brandymelvilleusa.com/mirella-elephant-embroidery-tank-1.html

Can't find the jacket online either but here's their website for you guys to check out.

http://brandymelvilleusa.com/

Jeans from Topshop

Not sure what wash they are but here's the link to Topshop's jeans.

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208641&parent_categoryId=208580&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20

Shoes from Vans

http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/style/d3hbig.html?vcategoryId=SEARCH&cm_vc=SEARCH

Beanie from Dimepiece

(This is my beanie hehe, got it off Karmaloop.com when they were having the 40% off + free shipping sale but I can't find it on their website anymore.)

http://dimepiecedesigns.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=380&parent=14

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24H Cream Gel Shadow Review and Swatches

Too Cool&Bad to the Bronze

Overall:5/5

I've tried cream eyeshadows that cost over $20, but these eyeshadows are just as good in terms of quality and color for around $7.  I love creme eyeshadows because they stay on better and crease less than normal eyeshadows.

Staying power:  These eyeshadows really do last 24 hours.  I fell asleep wearing this once and it was still completely there in the morning.  I don't have huge issues on creasing, but these eyeshadows did not crease on me.  Often times I use these as primers because they really do wonders on helping my other eyeshadows stay.

Finish:  Bad to the Bronze has a metallic finish, but Too Cool has a sparkly finish.  

Color: Bad to the Bronze is a bronze, and Too Cool is a sparkly white with tons of little shimmers and sparkles. Both are beautiful colors.

Packaging: The packaging is pretty good, it's simple and seems very high quality.  It can definitely take a tumble or two.  Tub containers are very unhygienic but with cream eyeshadows it's the best way to go.

Can be Purchased at:

Ulta has good sales every once in a while.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4070019

Reviews and Swatches  for Drugstore Lipsticks

I have a decent size collection of drugstore lipsticks, I didn't review/swatch all of them because of laziness issues hehe.

I'm gonna apologize in advance for my messy hair haha. It was a challenge taking photos of myself using my Nikon, I need to get a camera with a front camera feature!

I look super angry in all the photos -___- just trying to keep a straight face haha.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in 900 Red Alert 
Overall: mediocre
I'm not a big fan of this line of lipsticks, true that pigmentation is good but it tends to emphasize dry skin on my lips and has poor staying power, not to mention an awkward scent.
Color: This lipstick is a coral red, it's pretty pigmented.
Staying Power: 2.5/5
Finish: It has a cremesheen or satin finish.

     
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 001 Pink Truffle
Overall: pretty good
All of the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter's are very moisturizing and feel nice on the lips, but most of them are not very pigmented.  Gotta say they live up to hype, I love them!
Color: This lipstick is a sheer brownish pink.
Staying power: 4/5
Finish: This finish is a shiny glaze.

 Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick pearl 430 Softsilver Rose
Overall: dislike
The label of this lipstick said "pearl" but I failed to see it before I bought it.  I abhor pearl lipsticks for some reason...I just don't find them to be flattering.
Color: This lipstick is a bright pink and has a medium pigmentation
Staying Power: 3/5
Finish: It has a pearly finish, I'm not a big fan.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters 095 Creme Brulee
Overall: like
This lipstick is really great when you're wearing dramatic eye makeup.  It helps tone down lips and attract more attention to the eyes.  One of the biggest mistakes in makeup is wearing dramatic eye makeup with dramatic lip makeup.  It's better to put more emphasize on one or the other.
Color: This lipstick is a sheer beige and a perfect nude!
Staying Power: 4/5
Finish: The finish is a shiny glaze.

Maybelline Sensational Lipstick 235 Warm Me Up
Overall: really like
I love the smell and texture of all the Maybelline Sensational Lipsticks.  They're all extremely creamy and moisturizing.
Color:  This lipstick is a mauvy pink with some brown.  It has a medium color payoff, you can layer it to make the color stand out more; it looks more purple and light on the lips
Staying Power: 4/5
Finish: The finish is a shiny glaze.

                                      

Rimmel London moisture Renew Lipstick 740 Autumn Breeze
Overall: dislike
I'm not a big fan of lipsticks with shimmer and sparkles, which this lipstick unfortunately has.
Color: This lipstick is a darker pink brown.
Staying Power: 3/5
Finish: It has a Satin finish.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 050 Berry Smoothie
Overall: like
Color: This lipstick is a brighter berry pink sheer, when applied on the lips it looks lighter than the stick and appears to be more of a nudy pink.
Staying Power: 4/5
Finish: It has a shiny glaze finish.

Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede 035 Backstage
Overall: LOVE.
This is my favorite lipstick.  I suggest using a lip scrub and moisturizing lips before using it though.  I usually don't have a problem with dry lips so this lipstick works well on me, but for people who do have a problem with dryness, please consider that this lipstick turns from a buttery consistency to an almost matte finish.  I love the finish on it, it becomes almost a lip stain, which contributes to the amazing lasting power this lipstick has.
Color: This lipstick is a dark red wine color, it has a medium color pay off, and is semi-sheer. Dark red, wine, medium color pay off, semi-sheer.  I love that the color is more build-able on this lipstick.
Staying Power: 5/5
Finish: After applying the finish closely resembles the finish of the Revlon Lip Butters, but after it dries it leans on more of a matte satin finish that is slightly sticky, (not sticky enough to bother me! I still love it!)

Here are some more photos of the lipstick because I love it so much.

A photo of swatches of all the lipsticks.

Lipsticks in order from top to bottom.

1. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 095 Creme Brulee

2. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 001 Pink Truffle

3. Maybelline Sensational Lipstick 235 Warm Me Up

4. Revlon Colorburst Lip Buter 050 Berry Smoothie

5. Rimmel London Moisture Renew 740 Auburn Breeze

6. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick 430 Pearl Softsilver Rose

7. Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede 035 Backstage

8. Rimmel London Moisture Renew 900 Red Alert

Best and Worst of Eye Makeup Removers

(plus a dupe for the best)

Photo taken from Sephora.com

Lancôme Bi-FACIL-Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover BEST

This is my favorite eye makeup remover, it's definitely worth the $27 it costs. The packaging of this makeup remover is superb, the hole at the top is small enough to perfectly regulate the amount of product that comes out, but big enough so that you can stick a Q-tip in it. After shaking the bottle, I take a tiny bit on a cotton pad, lightly sweep it across my eye, and all makeup is removed.  This makeup remover is gentle, and good for people with sensitive eyes or who wear contact lenses.  My eyes are super sensitive, and most eye makeup removers make my eyes burn, but this feels amazing.  It leaves no oily residue behind, and the gentlest sweeps remove all makeup.  No scrubbing required here!  I'll also mention it smells amazing.

http://www.sephora.com/bi-facil-double-action-eye-makeup-remover-P54477?skuId=534628

I'll admit that $27 is a bit pricey for a makeup remover.  When I'm short on cash I buy the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover for around $5 from Target.  It's a good dupe for the Lancôme eye makeup remover as it possesses many of the same qualities.  It also does not irritate my eyes or leave behind an oily residue.  It's great at removing waterproof makeup without scrubbing too.

http://www.target.com/p/neutrogena-oil-free-eye-makeup-remover/-/A-11853981

Photo taken from esteelauder.com

Estee Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover WORST

Gentle? This product is so "gentle" that it doesn't remove anything.  Honestly, to get anything off with this makeup remover you're going to have to scrub, might as well bring out the kitchen sponges.  This product doesn't remove, but rather smudges. It's not worth $18, in fact I wouldn't even take this if it were free.  And in addition I found that this irritated my eyes, not sure if that has to do with the scrubbing I had to do to get anything off.  I just find this product so hopeless, I felt like I was using water to remove makeup.  A friend gave this to me for free, but if I had bought this I would of returned it right away.  I'm a fan of Estee Lauder but this makeup remover simply sucks.

http://www.esteelauder.com/product/686/2043/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Makeup-Removers/Gentle-Eye-Makeup-Remover/index.tmpl

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 Review

Photo taken from Sephora.com

Overall: 3.4/5

This primer was mediocre and not worth the $52 is cost for 1oz.  I was on the search for a good primer that wouldn't make me break out or irritate my sensitive skin. When I read that this was mineral-based, water-resistant, minimizes shine, and SPF 15 I developed some pretty high hopes.  I didn't mind the high price, in my mind if it works then it's worth it. However this poor performance primer was not worth the high price and I returned it.  It did nothing for helping my makeup last, barely minimized my pores, and hardly controlled my face oils.

Packaging:5/5

I'll admit the packaging is excellent.  The primer comes in a matte bottle with a very hygienic pump.  I love the design of the bottle,  I feel like it has a very professional, clean, fresh appearance. 

Color:4/5

It might be intimidating when the product comes out white, however if you warm it between your fingers before applying it'll become more translucent.  Unfortunately I feel that doing so wastes a lot of product on my fingers, and sometimes the primer still leaves a very slight white sheen on my face.  

Staying Power:2/5

A primer has one big job, to help foundation last.  However, I found my foundation did  not last any longer with this primer.  I could tell zero difference in staying power between my foundation with primer and without primer.  Although that was sorely disappointing  the primer did slightly make my large pores appear smaller.

Finish/Texture:3/5

This primer has a matte finish, however it doesn't last long.  I have very oily skin and was hoping this primer would help me control shine, but even with a setting powder I was oily within half an hour.  It did make my face smoother and softer though.

Do I Recommend This Product?

This primer might be more effective on people with dry/combination skin but I do not feel it works well for people with oily skin.

Can Be Purchased At:
Sephora ships fast, and they have an excellent return policy.

http://www.sephora.com/veil-mineral-primer-spf-15-P210575?skuId=1074442

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

Overall: 2.4/5

I had high hopes for this powder, extremely high hopes.  I thought this was the solution to all my problems, a goodbye to my oily skin problems.  Boy oh boy was I wrong. Besides poor lasting power, and making me look white as a ghost, this powder smells terrible to me.  When I'm applying it I have to hold my breath, if I don't , the powder enters my nose and throat.  It smells terrible, makes my throat itch, and tastes ghastly. (No I don't purposely taste it, but when I accidentally inhale it I taste something.)

Packaging: 2/5

Although the packaging looks decent from outside, once you open it, it becomes a hopeless mess.  The powder spills everywhere and it's almost impossible to get the perfect amount on a brush, even when using the lid.  Perhaps this is a problem with most loose powders, but I found that the packaging on this loose powder particularly emphasized the issue of poor moderation of product.

Color: 3/5

Even though this product claims to be "colorless" it leaves a slight white sheen.  I think this could be a problem for people with darker skin tones.  This powder made me look paler than the rest of my skin.  Prepare to have the same skin tone as a piece of paper in photos.  

Staying Power: 2/5

So many reviews on the Sephora website claimed that it kept their oil in check all day, but I was shiny within half an hour.  To put it frankly, the staying power sucks.

Finish/Texture: 3/5

This powder leaves the skin soft and matte, however it is short lived as oily skin takes over in a mere half hour.

Do I Recommend This Product?

I regret buying this product, and don't recommend it.  Even for people with dry/combination skin, I imagine the terrible smell and white sheen would be irritating.

Can Be Purchased At:
Sephora ships fast and has an excellent return policy.

http://www.sephora.com/hd-microfinish-powder-P210400