Makeup Review: Maybelline Gel Eyeliner

This whole blogging thing is very educational. In addition to sorting out the myriad of thoughts in my own head, I am learning that you can tap into the experiences and recommendations of others via Google Friend Connect.

In my 30 before 30 list, I stated that I want to do a makeup course. This is sorely needed, because on a day to day basis I wear hardly any makeup and when I do wear it, I don't think I get the best out of it. I have improved over the years, and my makeup collection has steadily expanded, but I still feel completely useless at making my face look beautiful.

I have never even used a primer. There, I said it - I have committed a beauty sin. So I am deciding whether to buy:

Benefits Porefessional

or

Clinique instant perfection pore minimizer

They both have pretty good reviews, and cost around the same amount for a little tube. My plan of attack is to check to see whether I can steal a Clinique tube from my Mother, who is the lover of all things Clinique. If not, I'll rethink.

I also really wanted to try Maybelline's new gel eyeliner. Reviews say that it is easy to apply, even for beginners. I have improved at eyeliner over the years, but I am a lot better at doing a smudgy smokey eye than a clean crisp corporate eye. And now that I work in an office, the latter has become a necessity.

Here is a photo of the application on my eye (bottom only):

Verdict: The above was done in a massive rush (it took about a minute to do both eyes, maybe less) and it still looks okay. As a result, I'd have to say I'm quite happy with the brush that comes with this gel and its ease of application. NB: You definitely need to wash or at least wipe off the brush between uses. I found it a lot worse on the second application the next day because it had dried product on it. I haven't worked out what the best way to remove the product between uses is. If you are a beginner, buying an even finer brush that is better quality would be helpful, but I found the one it comes with to be fine as a starting point.

For a waterproof eyeliner, I think it has very good staying power. By the end of the day, the line had hardly dissipated. I didn't remove it properly before bed and I didn't wake up with panda eyes, the line was still intact (albeit faded).  I therefore found it to be smudge proof and waterproof, however if you want to use this on your water line (as a kohl pencil) then you are wasting your time - it comes right off there. Make sure your skin is clean and dry before application. If you have oily skin, you will probably still need to use a primer.

The colour is vivid, I did not need to layer it on more than once. It glided on easily, has great staying power, is very affordable (and excellent quality for the price) and is so much easier to apply than liquid eyeliner (but gives a similar well-defined line).

I would go as far as saying that it is now my favourite eyeliner and supplants the previous entry in that category on my must-have list of makeup basics!

Hooray for peer reviews and affordable, well made makeup products!

UPDATE (5 Feb 2012):
I am very impressed with the staying power of this eyeliner. It needs some time to dry but once it has, it stays. Last night I got home at about 4am and used a makeup wipe to remove my eyeshadow (mild makeup wipes have a very limited effect on this eyeliner). I then went to sleep and this is my eyes on waking up:

Very impressive - no panda eyes. In fact, I went out without even needing to re-apply or tidy it up.

I’ve finally bitten the bullet: first ever spray tan

As a rule, I don’t like fake tans.  I think they tend to look tacky, fake, orange and did I mention ORANGE!? I associate a spray tan with platinum blond hair, super heavy makeup and fake nail wearing Barbie dolls. That said, I love a natural tan or sun kissed olive skin. I have super pale skin, and while I tan well… I don’t particularly want to get skin cancer, or wrinkles. Therein lays the dilemma. 

 Source: Uamodels

I’m not sure what undertones my skin has (I have never really ‘gotten’ the whole yellow/pink undertone distinction) but something about it does not suit pale colours. What I do know is that wearing pale pink, blue, greys etc make me look washed out and rather ill. This means that if drastic action is not taken, I will look very pasty in the light pink (think shiny fairy floss) dress that I’ll be wearing as bridesmaid in November (and no, I did not choose the dress).

The pros and cons of my options were as follows….

Option 1: Spend plenty of time in the sun, burn a little but get that really natural glow. Pros – looks best. Cons – Skin cancer, wrinkles, sunburn… 

Option 2: Use a gradual tanner in a moisturiser. Pros – not as obvious as a spray tan, and you can build it up slowly. Cons – I find that over time, I get uneven patches and it stains my elbows and underarms. Exfoliate? You’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t.

Option 3: Spray tan. Pros – over and done with quickly, you can get a professional to do it, you can exfoliate and moisturise madly for a week prior to make it look better and last longer. Cons – has the potential to look ugly. And I was so scared – I had been putting it off and putting it off because something in me was terrified – silly I know!

Option 4: Do nothing. Pros – looking pale is better than looking orange. Saves money. Cons – I will look sickly in the wedding photos, and I’ll feel self-conscious on the day…

There was no doubt about it, I had to try a spray tan. There was no better option. So, with great trepidation, I booked a spray tan at a lady’s at home tanning salon and started prepping my skin for it. I kept telling myself: at least the tan will be gone by November if it looks horrible, and if (on the slim chance that) it works out then I can get it redone before the wedding.

I LOVE IT. The spray tan that is. It doesn’t look orange, it looks natural and even, it gives me that amazing sunkissed look that I’ve never had before. The whole experience was so much easier and less daunting than I had expected. This was mostly because I went to a place that uses Naked Tan – a product that only needs to stay on the skin for 2 hours. This meant only feeling sticky for a short time, and showering before bed so it didn’t get on my linen. I did get it on my bath towel, but the product is water based and washes right off anyway. Too easy!

I will now be getting a tan before the wedding, and it will help me to feel somewhat fabulous (or as fabulous as possible in an otherwise unflattering dress). Unfortunately I have been completely lacking motivation in my efforts to loose weight and fit into the dress – but I’ve had a lot of things going wrong lately so have generally been feeling down. I’m hoping I’ll snap out of it soon!

If anyone else out there is avoiding a spray tan because they are a chicken, use my story as your inspiration and go and try it! I can't promise it will work with your skin tone and colouring, but it only lasts a week anyway (and less if you have hot showers and exfoliate).

I found it: the perfect clay masque

I have two things to share today. The first is a product recommendation, the second is just funny.

On the recommendation front, you may recall from this post that I am yet to find ideal beauty products in some categories. The ‘to discover’ list is now shorter, as I have discovered a fantastic clay mask.

Aesop primrose cleansing facial masque

This does an excellent job at clearing up my blackhead prone chin area, and it is gentle enough for me to use twice a week. Lucky me having a friend who works at Aesop; with the staff discount she is going to buy me a big tub at 50% off :-) I have tried a few clay masques in the past and this is the first one I noticed an immediate difference with (plus I love the smell, but I wouldn't choose a clay masque for that reason alone). It really draws the gunk and goo out of my pores, leaving my skin soft and the pores less visible. The web shows mixed reviews, so obviously it works for some and not others... I am yet to try this all over my face (I have tested on the chin area) but even just for my chin (which is my number one problem spot), this is a winner.

The second thing is... Have you gotten yourself a replica Kate Middleton engagement ring yet? I saw this for sale on Living Social and I found it quite funny. Upon googling I discovered that Debenhams in the UK released a 6 pound version, which flew off the shelves and ranks as Debenham’s number one selling piece of jewellery, ever. Pretty much every chain store, supermarket etc in the UK released a replica ring. This is hardly surprising, given that the ring has its own fan site ( katemiddletonring.com ). I kid you not. I can’t believe I am so far behind the bandwagon, only learning about replica rings months after the wedding. My poor hands have been lacking such an attachment which would identify me as a tacky-jewellery-wearing prince hunter. 

No more time to post as I have been super busy at work, so you'll have to wait until next time to hear my gaudy product recommendations. In the meantime, buy yourselves a KM replica ring (and then throw a KM ring fan party, where all guests have to be adorned with several KM replica rings).

Favourite Beauty Products

Here are some of my favs.

Favourite cleanser:

ASAP daily facial cleanser with AHA. I started using this product on my beautician's recommendation. At first I wasn't convinced, and at $45 for a bottle this stuff doesn't appear to be cheap. However, a little bit goes a long way so it actually works out to be a bargain. It's a glycolic facial cleanser so has active ingredients to break down dead skin cells etc. The best thing about it is that it's strong enough to use as your primary makeup removal product (but I'd recommend cleansing twice if you're also removing makeup). It's 100% Aussie owned and made, which warms my patriotic little heart!

Favourite face moisturiser:

Natio Daily Protection Face Moisturiser SPF 15. This has quite an interesting and strong smell, so it wouldn't be for everyone. I like the smell, the feel and the way my skin responds - no break outs. It also has SPF 15 which is a prerequisite for me.

Best body moisturiser:

Palmers Cocoa Butter. This stuff is cheap and smells delicious. I buy huge pump bottles and slather it on after a shower. It's a bargain product that does an excellent job.

Favourite haircare product:

Delva Solarcare Leave in Moisturiser. Nothing comes close to this product - it leaves hair looking and feeling shiny, healthy and soft. Other products claim to do it, but this is the only product I'd rave about.

Favourite hair styling product:

Fudge Urban Instant Smoothie. Now this one isn't a miracle worker, and I don't like it's coconut smell all that much... but it does de-frizz my hair on a daily basis without making it look and feel oily. I have yet to find another product that de-frizzes without making my hair into an oil slick.

Best eyeliner:

Lancome Le Stylo Eyeliner Pen. I'm not sure if you can get this in Australia, I bought mine overseas (x3, and I keep buying). It glides on easily and stays on well. Plus you can use the back of it for smudging, which is handy.

 Favourite eyeshadow:

Dior. Yep, I think Dior's eyeshadows are the best. Better than Mac. They glide on beautifully, stay on well and look stunning.

Most versatile and useful makeup product:

MAC pigment in copper sparkle. This one is great because I use it as a very vibrant eyeshadow, and it's also useful as a bronzer to highlight the cheekbones (and it makes you look more tanned).

Favourite blush:

Bloom cosmetics in Rosebud. This has gold undertones, and really suits my complexion. I have heard many girls rave about Nars Orgasm blush and this is apparently a very similar, cheaper product.

My current foundation:

Revlon Colorstay Active (this is discontinued, so when I finish my current bottle I'll have to try a new foundation). I like a foundation that goes on easily with my fingertips if I don't have a brush or sponge handy.

So, those are my must have beauty items at the moment :-) Is there anything I'm missing out on? 

I have not yet found an amazing:

-Body exfoliate scrub

-Face mask

-Lipcare product (and before you suggest Lucas Pawpaw ointment, I don't like lip glosses that I have to spread with my fingers!)