Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner

When Hourglass said that their Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner is "a micro-fine, easy-glide felt tip liquid liner for the ultimate in precision lining" they meant every word. I've been a devoted user of felt tip eyeliners since the 80s (I also love cream and gels liners, but at any given point I also have a couple of pens in my collection). These products were the first ones I managed to use and actually be able to leave the house wearing them- it took me years before I figured out traditional liquid liners. So I've been through the vast majority of pen liners on the market, past and present, and didn't expect to be surprised by the new Hourglass pen.  I was wrong.

Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner has the finest, easiest to control tip I've come across. I can draw the thinnest, most natural line that almost melds with my lashes or create a dramatic 60s inspired cat eye and everything in between. I'm not a morning person and not exactly at the top of my game when I need to wake up early (any time before 8 am is considered before dawn here). But I've discovered that I can use the Hourglass liner even when I'm half asleep and extra grumpy. The result in the mirror is enough to improve my morning disposition on the spot. The color, Jett, is a very glossy and true black, on par with the other very black liners I have (Smashbox and Lancome Artliner). The ease of use and the way the pen glides is similar to my other big love from Le Metier de Beaute (you can see Amy's excellent comparison on Cafe Makeup).

I tried to show just how cooperative and versatile Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner can be in my ridiculous swatch. Karen has done a better job by actually scripting on her hand. My handwriting is pretty atrocious these days as other than checks and the occasional birthday card I never actually write anything. Apparently my drawing skills aren't that god, either, but it's all about intentions.

Bottom Line: a must have for liquid liner enthusiasts.

Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner ($32) is available from Barneys and Sephora. The product was sent for my consideration by the company.

All photos are mine.

YSL Ultramarine Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil

While I know photos, swatches and reviews of the new Yves Saint Laurent Metal Eyes palettes might be more popular, I really wanted to share this eye pencil first, because there's something interesting about them. If you're a fan of the limited edition Giorgio Armani gel eyeliner pencils and have already used the ones you got to a tiny stub (or you simply might have blinked and they got sold out right under your nose), these YSL liners might cheer you up a little.

I don't know if the formula of the YSL waterproof eyeliners is exactly the same as the Armani ones, but they're exceptionally similar (remember both cosmetics companies are part of L'Oreal)- the gel consistency that gives a liquid-like finish, the intensity, tenacity and ease of use. So far I only bought one YSL pencil, this one in Ultramarine (#3), so I can't do a side by side comparison of the black and other colors, but I suspect it'd be hard to tell them apart. Both Armani and Yves Saint Laurent are waterproof, last from early morning to night without budging and don't smudge.

You need to keep the pencil sharpened for precision (they come with a sharpener in the box, which is very very nice), because otherwise you'll find yourself with a wonky uneven line you cannot smudge. The color sets instantly and stays there, whether you use it on your lid or on your waterline. And have I mentioned yet they're waterproof?

I love the shade of #3 Ultramarine. It's dark enough to give all the definition one wants and yet not too harsh and has a nice brightening effect. I think dark navy blue and very dark green are my best bets for daytime eyeliner colors, not that it would stop me from getting the black and brown once there's nothing left of my poor Armani pencils.

Bottom Line: a must have (and a better deal than Armani).

YSL Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil ($25) is available from yslbeautyus.com and YSL counters.

All photos are mine.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyes Wide Open Brightening Liner Duo

I take full responsibility for this little fiasco. I have reasonable reading comprehension skills and should have known better. But I was looking for a solution for bunny eye days and Rouge Bunny Rouge is fast becoming one of my favorite brands so I added Eyes Wide Open, the  Brightening Liner Duo, to a Zuneta order a few months ago and hoped for the best. I never use a white eyeliner on my waterline- it looks unnatural and does nothing to improve my eye situation. I liked Rouge Bunny Rouge's idea of using a flesh-tone liner instead. The problem is that my flesh is not petal pink.

You can see where this is going.

Eyes Wide Open Brightening Liner Duo has two sides. The thinner pink end is for use on one's waterline, to make it less red and open up the eye. The thick white pencil is for brightening the inner corner. Both have a cool satin finish that would probably work well for the pale and pink-toned among us. Unfortunately, I'm not in that category, hence a frosty pink disaster. I didn't like the white brightener any better. Between the starkness of the color (the swatches don't betray how bad it was on my face) and the thick consistency of the product, it was not the best option for my inner corner. A touch of gold, ivory or sheer peach wash works better on me. The one white eye shadow I use these days is Burberry and it has a certain glow that the Rouge Bunny Rouge pencil lacks when it comes in contact with my skin.

The good news is:
 1)  Last week I actually found the perfect eye brightening pencil for those of us who don't do pink. Details coming soon.
 2) Rouge Bunny Rouge has so much other great stuff to offer I don't hold a grudge.

Bottom Line: Your mileage may vary.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyes Wide Open Brightening Liner Duo ($34.90 at the current exchange rate) is exclusive to zuneta.com. They ship worldwide.

All photos are mine.

Bobbi Brown Ivy Shimmer Ink Gel Eyeliner

It looks like I finally found my favorite non-pencil green eyeliner in Bobbi Brown's Ivy Shimmer Ink Gel Eyeliner. Of course, one could ask why I even want (need?) a green eyeliner. This kind of color is usually associated with some horribly dated makeup looks (and, yes, I watched the episode of My Strange Addictions on TLC with the green eyeliner lady). However, done right, a dark green liner adds just the right amount of interest to an otherwise conservative and low-profile makeup. A thin emerald green line coupled with a sand, taupe or medium brown wash brings out brown eyes and make them look brighter.

I was worried about the shimmer in Bobbi Brown's Ivy Shimmer Ink Gel Eyeliner- as you can see it's very visible in the jar, but once on the particles are not that visible- it's just an overall shine, maybe an almost metallic finish. Since I only draw a thin line close to the lashes you can't really tell it's "shimmer". It just adds some brightness (very helpful on red bunny-eye days during allergy season).

As with every Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner I've ever owned, Ivy is smooth, easy to apply, sets instantly and doesn't budge. It cooperates with any eyeliner brush I pit against it.

Bottom Line: the lady in the photo above might not be impressed, but it's a great addition to my makeup arsenal.

Bobbi Brown Ivy Shimmer Ink Gel Eyeliner ($21) is available from most decent department stores and bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

Eyeliner photos by me, the makeup horror one from somewhere online, image obviously belongs to TLC channel.

Sue Devitt Kalahari Eye Intensifier Pencil

There's something weird going on with my Sue Devitt Kalahari Eye Intensifier Pencil. As you can see in the photos, it's not new; I've had it for months. I first took pictures when I bought Kalahari last summer but none turned even remotely acceptable. I tried again month after months, every time I did a major swatching/photographing session. I used my old camera, my new one and in desperation even my phone. Kalahari remains elusive. I'm not too happy with this eleventy seventh attempt, but it should do. It's not like the swatch on Sue Devitt's website is so much better.

As camera-shy as Kalahri might be, it's a great color and product for the lazy person's smoky eye. I've been a devoted fan of Sue Devitt's Eye Intensifier pencils for nearly a decade. The combination of excellent pigmentation, great texture for both lining and shadowing and pretty colors has made them an essential go-to items. The results I get from lining my eyes with these pencils and then smudging (the Intensifiers have a built-in smudge applicator, but also cooperate nicely with good smudge brushes) is inversely proportional to the time and effort it takes. Adding a touch of a sheer/shimmery eye shadow over it takes it to the next level and the eye makeup is done.

Kalahri is a true gray. The finish is opaque and creamy with  no shimmer. Like all Sue Devitt Eye Intensifiers, this pencil has an ideal yield so it doesn't pull the skin, but enough resistance for accuracy and once applied and set it stays put from morning to night.

Bottom Line: a favorite.

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils ($22) are available from Ulta and suedevitt.com.

All photos are mine.

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner Charcoal Grey

If you read KarlaSugar's post about the new and reformulated version of Laura Mercier'scake eyeliner, now called " Tightline Cake Eye Liner", you know this classic product no longer works by mixing it with water and now requires an activator that contains a unique polymer and is supposed to make the liner very long lasting. Karla and my swatches show exactly what happens when you try to used it the old way. This of course annoyed Laura Mercier fans to no end. All of a sudden a $22 eyeliner becomes a $42 one, and that's a serious price increase.

Last week I got the Charcoal Grey Tightline Cake Eye Liner as a GWP when I ordered the new gel lipsticks. Of course, the GWP didn't include the activator. But I actually own two similar products- one from Illamasqua and one, my favorite, from Paula Dorf. Paula Dorf's Transformer has been a staple for years: a single drop makes every eyeshadow into a waterproof eyeliner. I gave the Transformer a try- put a drop on the back of my hand, dipped an eyeliner brush to dampen it, swiped the brush along the edge of the cake liner to collect the pigment and applied. It worked- both for the swatch and on my eyelid. I'm wearing it today and the line is perfect. I also love this rich gray color- it's very flattering against brown eyes.

The best thing about using Laura Mercier's Tightline Cake Eye Liner with Paula Dorf's Transformer (other than that I already have a bottle) is the amount of product you get for the same prize: Laura's Activator is $20 for a 1/4 oz (7.5ml) while Paula's is the same prize for a 0.5oz.

Bottom Line: Great color but Laura still owes us an apology.

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Charcoal Grey and other colors ($22) is available from Laura Mercier counters, Sephora and the company's website. As mentioned above, the mini I used was a GWP.

All photos are mine. The shaggy white rug is Buffy.

Tarte Jewels of the Amazon Clay Liner Trio With Brush

I came across this set of Tarte Jewels of the Amazon Clay Liner Trio With Brush at my local Ulta and could resist. The package didn't say if the eyeliners were gel or cream, but I didn't care too much. I go through serious amount of eyeliner regularly (that's what happens when you have a lot of lid space) and the combination of standard black and colored liners was very appealing. Just look at the colors.

Tarte Amazon Clay line has been getting quite a bit of hype and PR lately. The ingredient in question is Kaolin Clay, a natural ingredient that is actually used in a huge number of makeup and cosmetic products (check the boxes of most of you have) as well as in utterly unrelated items like Maalox, paper, porcelain, ceramics and toothpaste. Does the kaolin in Tarte's products come from the Amazon? who knows. Not that it matters. I'll talk some more on the other ingredients below, but first let's discuss the eyeliners.

The three Clay Liners feel gel-like and glide on with utmost ease. They have a pretty glossy finish, dry quickly and stay on without smudging and migrating from morning to late night (I always use a primer). I'm very happy with both pigment intensity and performance- I think Tarte has produced a products as good as the ones from  the leading brands. I've been using the black one to create a great cat-like winged look and the green olive for subtle smoky eyes. The bronze is too several shades too light for me and doesn't look like an eyeliner when I apply it. I wish it were a chocolate brown instead. It might be suitable for use as a cream shadow but I have yet to try doing that. Still, I'm very happy with the black and green ones.

The brush in this kit is double-ended. One side is a regular thin eyeliner brush that works as well as any in this category. It's easy to control for drawing a very thin line as well as a heavier one. The other side is a bit more questionable. The brush was kind of splayed even in the packaging and doesn't look or feel like a serious tool. I've skipped testing it duo to that split in the middle, but if you get a good one I'm pretty sure it would work for smudging, smoking and blending along the lash line.

Now, let's talk ingredients for a second. Tarte Jewels of the Amazon Clay Liner Trio has the Sephora natural seal and is toted as a green product. I've done a reasonable amount of ingredient googling and it seems that all of them are mild and gentle materials with few reports of irritations or any other risks, so that's good and important. The one thing I dislike is the illusion of this (or any) product as something that comes directly from nature. You know the image- materials collected by virgins from the northern side of a Tibetan mountain during a full lunar eclipse. It doesn't work this way- most of the ingredients might have an original source in nature, but it's all manufactured and industrialized. Here's the full list:

Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyethylene, Isododecane, Polybutene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, VP/hexadecene Copolymer, Ozokerite, Candelilla Cera, Silica, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Carmine (CI 75470)

Still, as long as you don't think of Tarte Jewels of the Amazon as some miracle product of nature, this is a good line with some great items, such as this trio of liners.

Bottom Line: Tacky outer packaging, great eyeliners, blondes would be able to use the bronze much better than olive-skinned women.

Tarte Jewels of the Amazon Clay Liner Trio With Brush ($39. A fabulous value, by the way) is available from Ulta and Sephora, in store and online.

All photos are mine.

Giorgio Armani Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil Spring 2011

The last time Armani had these Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil I blinked and missed them, because for an unknown reason they're a limited edition item and they were sold out before you could say "Giorgio". I was adamant about not repeating this mistake again, so now that these little pencil miracles are part of Armani Spring 2011 collection, I made sure to get one in each color- black, dark brown and green leaf.

The thing about Giorgio armani's Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils is the incredible gel-like texture and finish. They glide on your eyelid with ease and a fluid-like consistency, they set within a second and stay put with no smudging all day long. The pigment is clear and intense like a gel and can line the eye by itself or as a base for powder products.

The Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil can be used on the waterline, but I personally avoid it, since my eyes are tear-prone and eventually even this waterproof formula surrenders and the color bleeds and gives me raccoon eyes. But as long as I keep the liner on the lash line and my upper lid, these Giorgio Armani eye pencils have become true favorites.

Bottom Line: Get them while you can.

Giorgio Armani Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils for Spring 2011($27 each) are available from Saks, Barneys and giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.

All photos are mine.

NARS Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Spring 2011 (and comparison to Goddess)

I know it feels like NARS week here and on several other blogs, but the Spring 2011 collection, while not even in quality, seems to offer something for just about everyone. One of the better and most useful item NARS created is Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. Hollywoodland doesn't have the melty Crayola texture of Celebrate, the other Soft Touch pencil from this collection. Instead, it is similar in consistency to the first batch of pencils from last year and offers an alternative to those who found Goddess too pink for their taste.

Goddess is a pink champagne shimmer while Hollywoodland is a soft gold. I love both and find them among the most useful and versatile one could have in a makeup collection. They layer, highlight, help with quick touch-ups, travel well and require no special tools or skill. Unlike Celebrate, Hollywoodland (and the other pencils) don't melt or crease on me. I use the pale colors as highlighters and the dark ones on the lash lines (upper and lower) with no issue (10-12 hours of wear in non-extreme weather) and absolutely love them. That's why I was so disappointed in Celebrate's sub-par performance. The pencils make an excellent base that ground and illuminates powder eye shadows. Layering gives that coveted lit-from-within look (try it with Dior or Edward Bess eye shadows on top). I'm still finding new ways to use them and hope for more new colors.

Bottom Line: Yes, please.

NARS Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil for Spring 2011 ($24) is available from narscosmetics.com.

All photos are mine.

NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Spring 2011

I bought NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil (one of two pencils released for Spring 2011) before reading Christine's review on Temptalia. Between the underachieving performance she reports and the fact Celebrate has a distinct yellow base and is far less of a parrot green than promised, I'd probably have skipped this one. Truthfully, it wouldn't have been a huge loss.

Right now the NARS Soft Touch shadow pencil range comes in six colors (I'll show and review Hollywoodland in a few days). They vary in texture and perform different tasks, but up until now I liked all of them, including Palladium. Celebrate is the creamiest one of the bunch, which as you can see in Christine's review is  a disadvantage. While I experienced less creasing, the melty texture makes it pretty useless as an eye shadow. I've found that applying more than two coats is a bad idea as well as trying to cover the lid with the product. The only way to make it work is as an accent color along the upper lash line. That's where you can get creative and incorporate Celebrate into your look. That is, if you like the color.

I was pretty horrified with the amount of yellow when I first swatched Celebrate. It looked way too yellow on my arm, but apparently since my lids are darker it looks much better up there. The one perk of sporting my weird skin tone is that it really carries color very well. As long as I don't go to town with these shades and blend everything well, I can use blue and green to enhance my very brown eyes. So, yes, this crazy chartreuse may actually work (I use a beige base and ashy wheat in the crease. When in doubt go with Bobbi Brown). Also, there's a similar shade to Celebrate in  Shu Umeura Morphorium Blue Spring 2011 palette (Christine also mentions MAC Chartreuse), so it can be intensified and anchored. Not an everyday look but quite fun on darker skin tones, and used with caution (as in minuscule amounts) it's not too wild for those of us born long before 1990.

Used as described above I had no creasing or longevity issues, but that's only true when you don't even try to cover the lid, which limits the use of this NARS pencil. It also takes too much trial and error (lots of error) to figure out how to make it work. A simple eye shadow pencil shouldn't require so much effort.

Bottom Line: Christine gave it an F, I'm more in the D- camp, but honestly, you can pass.

NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24) is available from NARS counters as well as from narscosmetics.com.