In all honesty, I don't really regret buying any beauty products, because I feel like they each serve some sort of purpose and while they might not necessarily work for me, they could definitely work better on someone else. So, with that in mind, these are a list of products that I didn't exactly love..
1) Urban Decay's Cream Shadow in Delinquent ($17.00 at Sephora)
This eyeshadow looked great in the tube and DID serve as a great base coat for really dramatic, purple smokey eyes, but I got this weird tingling sensation on my lids whenever I used it. It didn't necessarily hurt, but it certainly didn't feel great! Honestly, I don't reach for this product very much because it feels so weird. The packaging also kind of sucks because while you can easily get the product out the first time or two, it seems to clump at the bottom and then you actually have to squeeze the tube to get it out... it just gets really messy. I think for the price, it wasn't worth it.
2) Laura Geller's Lipstick in On Stage ($15.50 on her website, but I think I bought it on clearance at Sephora for $5 o5 $6?)
I bought this lipstick in hopes of a great, night-out-on-the-town, bright red color and it delivered on that end. However, I find it to be pretty drying and it almost seems to flake off? Not cool! I do still use it on occasion, but it's not my number one red lipstick. I don't think I'd really recommend it.
3) Buxom's Travel In Style Lipstick and Lip Polish Duo ($18.00 at Sephora)
I really bought this set because of the beautiful coral-orange lipstick that I fell in love with in the store. Needless to say, I hated the gloss when I got home because it was gooey and gross (also wasn't a huge fan of the plumping formula. I knew it was a plumper in the store, but I don't think it really did much for me and I found it sort of unrealistic) so I used just the lipstick with another gloss over it. But then, like a week after purchasing the set, the lipstick broke! The whole pigment stick fell out of its holder and got stuck in the super-thin cap. I was pretty upset. So overall, I just had bad experiences with the set, but I'd consider buying the lipstick on its own if the manufacturer could create a new packaging for it.
4) mark.'s Shimmer Tubes Hook Up Gel Blush in Rose, Peach, and Bronze (I think these were $2.00 a piece? I bought them in the last chance section and they return every once in a while)
I think these are gorgeous colors, but they're just totally sheer as blushes. I love the concept and the formula, but they don't show up at all on me (except for the bronzer, which for some reason looks like dirt). As I'm typing this, though, I think I'm going to experiment with them as eyeshadow bases or highlighters, so I'll get back to you when I do that!
5) e.l.f. Essential's Hypershine Gloss Box ($5.00)
These glosses were too sticky and gooey for me. The colors are gorgeous, but the formula was not for me and the applicators were not fun either. They got really messy and gross.
6) BonBon's Eyeshadow in Copper and Purple ($0.99 at Walmart)
These shadows were just too powdery for me. It didn't matter how I applied them, they always got messy and were more hassle than they were worth.
7) Almay's Nearly Naked Cover Up Stick ($6.97 at Walmart)
Too creamy and oily. This concealer creased on my skin so quickly and never stayed put. I like the pureness of Almay's products normally, but this concealer just did not work. I also had it in my purse for about a week and it melted and got super-messy.
What are some products that you're not a fan of? Are any of the products I dislike ones that work for you? Let me know!
A blog about beauty you can afford
Showing posts with label e.l.f.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label e.l.f.. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Great Debate: Gel Liner vs. Liquid Liner vs. Pencil Liner
Lining your eyes is an important step of any beauty routine because it can make the overall look more dramatic, more playful, more sultry, or even more polished. It all depends on what tools you use and the technique used to draw the line.
Eyeliner can be a disaster, though, if you're not familiar with the products available and simply dive in without picking one that you're comfortable with. The three main types of eyeliner I would recommend checking out are pencil liners, liquid liners, and gel liners. Also, try out a waterproof formula because eyeliner can run or smudge and leave a big sticky mess if it's not waterproofed.
Pencil Eyeliner
Considered the most easy to work with by many beauty brains, pencil eyeliner is just that: eyeliner in a pencil form. This means that when the point gets dull (or breaks) you can just pull out your sharpener and get a point back that works for you. The best pencil eyeliners have a creamy formula, not a dry one nor an oily one. Creamy formulas will be a cinch to apply and manipulate (i.e. smudging), but will not budge after they settle on the eye. In my humble opinion, it is hardest to find a good, creamy eyeliner pencil at a decent price as many drugstore brands are too oily and slide all over the eye. Still, if you think pencil eyeliner is for you (and it is, for anyone new to eyeliner), you should check out Rimmel London Waterproof Eyedefiner ($4.12 at Walmart), L'Oreal Extra Intense Eyeliner ($6.50) or mark.'s No Place to Run Eyeliner ($8.00). Please note that if you go to Walmart or another drugstore, you will see cheaper pencil liners on the shelves. I would not recommend these products because the formula is either too dry or too oily.
Liquid Eyeliner
This type of eyeliner can be extremely messy if not used with a steady hand and gentle application. However, if you practice making lines on the back of your hand first and take your time when applying it around the eye area, then your eyeliner will come out gorgeous! I find liquid eyeliner best for job interviews or important business occasions because you can make the thinnest line possible with it, which looks more polished than a pencil liner. You cannot tightline or use liquid eyeliner on your waterline, though, because it will not dry properly and then will lead to a runny mess that will irritate your eyes. One of my all-time favorite liners is e.l.f.'s Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (only $1 at Target or eyeslipsface.com!) because the formula is long-lasting, waterproof, and quick-drying and the packaging is so much easier to work with. The pen looks exactly like a pencil, except it has a felt tip and never needs to be sharpened, so you can literally draw it right onto the eye. Some other stand-out liquid liner formulas include Maybelline Line Works Liquid Liner ($5.94), Covergirl Liquid Liner Pen Line Exact ($6.97), and mark.'s On the Edge Hookup Liquid Eyeliner ($6.00).
Gel Eyeliner
A happy median between pencil and liquid liners, gel liner is my preferred type of eyeliner. I find that a good gel liner has a creamy consistency, but is quick drying and very smooth on the eye. Gel Liner is applied with an angled or thin brush that can be purchased separately or sometimes comes bundled with the liner. I have seen people apply gel eyeliner directly to their waterlines and then seal it with some eyeshadow in the same color. While I've never tried it, I'm pretty sure this would actually work and give you a long-lasting, smudge-free line. Gel Eyeliner can also be used as an eyeshadow base if you smudge it across the lid (really good technique for dark, smokey eyes). Sonia Kashuk's Dramatically Defining Long Wear Gel Liner ($8.99 at Target) is by far the best gel eyeliner I have ever used. It's creamy, non-drying, and easy to apply. Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner ($6.98) is another well-reviewed gel eyeliner and comes with an application brush as does e.l.f.'s Studio Cream Eyeliner ($3.00).
No matter which eyeliner product you pick, remember to throw out your old one and buy a new one every 3-4 months regardless of whether you used it up because bacteria can collect in or on it and you don't want to put that near your eye.
Which eyeliner is your favorite? Is there a particular product you love? Tell me all about it in the comment section!
Eyeliner can be a disaster, though, if you're not familiar with the products available and simply dive in without picking one that you're comfortable with. The three main types of eyeliner I would recommend checking out are pencil liners, liquid liners, and gel liners. Also, try out a waterproof formula because eyeliner can run or smudge and leave a big sticky mess if it's not waterproofed.
Pencil Eyeliner
Considered the most easy to work with by many beauty brains, pencil eyeliner is just that: eyeliner in a pencil form. This means that when the point gets dull (or breaks) you can just pull out your sharpener and get a point back that works for you. The best pencil eyeliners have a creamy formula, not a dry one nor an oily one. Creamy formulas will be a cinch to apply and manipulate (i.e. smudging), but will not budge after they settle on the eye. In my humble opinion, it is hardest to find a good, creamy eyeliner pencil at a decent price as many drugstore brands are too oily and slide all over the eye. Still, if you think pencil eyeliner is for you (and it is, for anyone new to eyeliner), you should check out Rimmel London Waterproof Eyedefiner ($4.12 at Walmart), L'Oreal Extra Intense Eyeliner ($6.50) or mark.'s No Place to Run Eyeliner ($8.00). Please note that if you go to Walmart or another drugstore, you will see cheaper pencil liners on the shelves. I would not recommend these products because the formula is either too dry or too oily.
Liquid Eyeliner
This type of eyeliner can be extremely messy if not used with a steady hand and gentle application. However, if you practice making lines on the back of your hand first and take your time when applying it around the eye area, then your eyeliner will come out gorgeous! I find liquid eyeliner best for job interviews or important business occasions because you can make the thinnest line possible with it, which looks more polished than a pencil liner. You cannot tightline or use liquid eyeliner on your waterline, though, because it will not dry properly and then will lead to a runny mess that will irritate your eyes. One of my all-time favorite liners is e.l.f.'s Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (only $1 at Target or eyeslipsface.com!) because the formula is long-lasting, waterproof, and quick-drying and the packaging is so much easier to work with. The pen looks exactly like a pencil, except it has a felt tip and never needs to be sharpened, so you can literally draw it right onto the eye. Some other stand-out liquid liner formulas include Maybelline Line Works Liquid Liner ($5.94), Covergirl Liquid Liner Pen Line Exact ($6.97), and mark.'s On the Edge Hookup Liquid Eyeliner ($6.00).
Gel Eyeliner
A happy median between pencil and liquid liners, gel liner is my preferred type of eyeliner. I find that a good gel liner has a creamy consistency, but is quick drying and very smooth on the eye. Gel Liner is applied with an angled or thin brush that can be purchased separately or sometimes comes bundled with the liner. I have seen people apply gel eyeliner directly to their waterlines and then seal it with some eyeshadow in the same color. While I've never tried it, I'm pretty sure this would actually work and give you a long-lasting, smudge-free line. Gel Eyeliner can also be used as an eyeshadow base if you smudge it across the lid (really good technique for dark, smokey eyes). Sonia Kashuk's Dramatically Defining Long Wear Gel Liner ($8.99 at Target) is by far the best gel eyeliner I have ever used. It's creamy, non-drying, and easy to apply. Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner ($6.98) is another well-reviewed gel eyeliner and comes with an application brush as does e.l.f.'s Studio Cream Eyeliner ($3.00).
No matter which eyeliner product you pick, remember to throw out your old one and buy a new one every 3-4 months regardless of whether you used it up because bacteria can collect in or on it and you don't want to put that near your eye.
Which eyeliner is your favorite? Is there a particular product you love? Tell me all about it in the comment section!
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