Product Review: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil

Topshop Kohl Eyeliner in Saddle was the one that got away. Or at least the one that got discontinued. That was my favorite eyeliner to wear and I used my last one until it was a tiny nub. It was the perfect brown for my hazel eyes. Saddle did a standup job of enhancing the green I desperately try to bring out thanks to its reddish gold glitter flecks. Those tiny particles didn’t look like glitter or worse, act like it (no glitter fallout with Saddle).

I’ve been on the hunt for a new brown pencil eyeliner ever since I laid Saddle to rest. I was open to trying different browns and thought I would go in the dark brown direction. When I saw the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear in Pencil in Mahogany, my broken heart felt hopeful. Could this be the one?

Mahogany is a deep, dark matte brown. No glitter here, Mariah. It’s a standard eyeliner pencil with a solid plastic cap that stays on. The cap of an eyeliner pencil is important because if it is flimsy and cracks open or slides off easily, it exposes the pencil to air, which can dry it out. Even the best eyeliner pencil can’t survive the elements.

My favorite thing about this eyeliner is the color. It is a rich, saturated dark brown with great color payoff. It’s different from my beloved Saddle but I love this color just as much.

Unfortunately, it feels waxy and hard when lining the eye. It definitely drags on the skin, which I think is a universal makeup hate. I try to be so gentle on the eye area since that skin is very thin but it’s hard to be gentle and get the liner to draw on with this pencil.

The tip of the pencil is on the thicker side, even when sharpened, so it’s impossible to get a thin line. Even though it feels hard and pulls on the skin, the tip of it somehow also falls off easily. Usually that happens if a pencil feels soft (like most kohl pencils) but this one does not. It may be because it is on the drier side so the tip eventually dries out and cracks off.

I haven’t experienced any smudging or fading with this eyeliner so I think it lives up to its Long-Wear name. I realize this is a huge plus because many people have issues with eyeliner staying on.

I should have known this going into it, since most long-lasting products don’t blend well, but this eyeliner is impossible to blend. Once it’s on, it sets immediately. If you like a medium thick defined line, you’ll probably love it. I personally prefer a smudged out, blurry line so I don’t like that it sets so damn fast.

The liner is decent on the waterline. It doesn’t stay for hours, but it also doesn’t disappear right away. Some pencil liners– specifically the waxy longwear or waterproof ones–don’t even show up on the waterline so I was surprised that this one did. I didn’t experience any problems with it flaking off, which is important when you are lining the waterline.

The Long-Wear Eye Pencil did not quite do it for me. If Saddle taught me anything it was not to settle. I believe I’ll find my match someday, and I won’t stop looking until I do.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

Ever Wonder Why…

Could a kid growing up in the 90s love hip hop as much as she loved mystery book series? Damn straight. I was into Biggie Smalls, Li’l Kim and DMX as much as I was into Babysitter’s Club Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew. The former because those flows though and the latter because I like a good mystery solved by a pro.

And I’m in still into both. People come to me with their makeup mysteries and I solve ’em (often while listening to hip hop). I’m going to tell you about some cases I’ve cracked so you can look even more fly.

1. Why do my lashes look so much longer after I put on mascara? You may think well duh, it’s the mascara. Part of it is product, but if you see a major difference with any mascara you use, it’s probably because the tips of your lashes are blonde. Even if your lashes grow in dark, the very ends of them could be blonde. So if you’re a brunette and your lashes are mostly dark, you can now nod your head knowingly when someone says “Blondes do have more fun!”
2. I wear the same foundation as my sister but her’s stays on so much longer. What the hell? I’m pissed. Chances are your skin is more oily than your sister’s. Oil breaks down makeup so if your skin is producing more oil than your sister’s, your foundation will fade faster. Try using primer first and setting everything with a setting spray, like Urban Decay 24/7 All Nighter.  Primer gives the added benefit of making your foundation apply more smoothly, so now you’re winning the foundation game. Not that sisters ever keep score.
3. The lipstick that I loved in the tube looks way different on my lips. What am I doing wrong? You’re doing nothing wrong, boo. It’s just that your lips have their own color which effects the color you put over it, especially when you use a sheer lip color. The more matte (opaque) a formulation is, the more it will cover your natural lip color. But if your natural lip color is darker than the lip color, even a matte lip color might not do it. If you want the true color in the tube, run a tiny bit of foundation or concealer (like the amount left on your brush or sponge after applying to your face) over your lips prior to applying lip color. There’s your blank canvas, just waiting for its perfect lip color soulmate.
4. Why do I get dark circles when I’m tired? Annoying, right? You’re already tired from binge-watching Master of None and you look like hell? Life is so unfair. There is of course a biological reason why this happens and ways to hide your dark side from the world, which I’ve addressed in this blog post. https://allisonbarberamakeup.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/i-got-plenty-of-sleep-last-night-or-how-to-make-undereye-circles-disappear/   And next time, don’t “Just one more  episode” yourself. I know how you do.
5. I’ve been using face oil but it’s making my makeup slide off. What’s the deal? You’re either using too much, not massaging it into your skin enough or applying makeup immediately after. Typically, 1-3 drops is enough for oily skin, 2-4 drops is good for normal skin and 4-6 drops is ideal for dry skin. Apply it after your moisturizer has absorbed but at least 5 minutes before primer or foundation. I prefer to really massage it into my skin which revs up circulation and helps it absorb more quickly, but go with a patting motion if you’re on the oily side.
6. Why does liquid foundation always look so weird on me? I think I know what  you mean by “weird.” If you went from nothing or a tinted moisturizer to a full coverage foundation, you probably aren’t used to seeing your skin without the variations in skintone, lack of redness, freckles, etc. Backtrack and try a sheer foundation like MAC Face & Body, which will let your skin show through.
7. I tried prescription retinol but it made my skin peel. What should I do? This shit was not cheap. Don’t give up yet! Read my blog post and watch your life improve. https://allisonbarberamakeup.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/forever-young-my-retinol-journey/
8. My undereye concealer gets really caked up, no matter what kind I use. How do I make that never happen again? First things first, dab a little moisturizer under your eyes prior to applying your concealer. That primes the area and keeps product from gathering on those tiny bumps of skin. Let it sit for a few seconds, then apply concealer. A rice-grain sized amount should be enough to do both undereyes. Concentrate your concealer in the center and towards the nose, as that’s where most darkness is. After about 5 minutes, apply a very light layer of translucent powder to set the concealer. If you are not using too much concealer, this process should eliminate your problem. My favorite undereye concealer is MAC Select Coverup and Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent is my favorite translucent pressed powder.
9. Why won’t my eyeshadow stay on? Is it afraid of commitment like every guy I date? I’m not sure what’s wrong with those jokers, but if your eyeshadow is fading fast and you’re not already using one, get yourself an eye primer. Too Faced Shadow Insurance is the gold standard, says this girl. And know that in general, drugstore eyeshadows don’t having the same staying power as higher end brands. MAC eyeshadows are fantastic and when they are paired with Shadow Insurance, you’re talking all-day strong.
10. Why don’t I look glowy when I use the products magazines tell me to use? Because this: https://allisonbarberamakeup.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/the-truth-about-the-dewy-look/

Now you can go about your day with a better grasp on the beauty world. It makes it less intimidating when you know how to navigate it, right?

Have a beautiful day 🙂

 

 

Product Review: Laura Mercier Lip Glace

Finding the perfect lip gloss is like the quest for the Holy Grail. I think I speak for many people when I say that all we really want out of life is a lip gloss that is pretty, pigmented, long-lasting, not goopy (that’s the technical term), non-sticky, non-drying and doesn’t smell like burnt plastic. That is a tall order and the reason why I constantly try new lip glosses.

I have a few of the Laura Mercier Lip Glace glosses in my kit and while they might not be the Holy Grail, they are solid fo sho’.  Here’s how I think they stack up on my ratings scale.

The Pretty Factor: This is a preference thing because everyone has certain colors that they like and certain colors they would never wear. So I think a product line that has a lot of options ranks high in this part of the competition. There are currently 28 Lip Glace shades–a more than respectable number. So I’ll give them a 10 out of 10 for this one.

The Pigment Factor: Some people like a super sheer lip gloss, but I’ve found most want a gloss that has a decent amount of pigment. Buying a super sheer gloss can sometimes feel like you are not getting enough product for the price. The Lip Glace glosses have, in my humble opinion, a near perfect amount of pigment. There is enough color payoff to be visible but they are not as opaque as a liquid lipstick. I give them a 9 out of 10 here.

The Longevity Factor: Have you ever been ghosted by someone you liked? What about by a lip gloss? You put it on, it’s there and then it disappears without even a halfass text. The nerve! When I apply a lip gloss, I want it to stay in place for at least an hour or two. The Lip Glace glosses are pretty good at sticking around. They are not superstars in this category, but they are also not the kind to bounce after five minutes. This ties into the stickyness factor, which I will get to. I give them a 7 out of 10 here.

The Goopy Factor: There are glosses that slip and slide and glosses that lay it on thick. I’ve yet to find anyone who likes a thick gloss. I don’t find the Lip Glace glosses to be thick but after reading several reviews I know that some people do, so I will give it an 8 out of 10. I realize that I may have more of a tolerance for a gloss that is a little thick because I know that means its longevity and pigment will be stronger, but I understand that not everyone thinks that way.

The Stickyness Factor: Sticky icky icky, right? (You with me, Snoop?) Most people agree that sticky glosses are not comfortable to wear and God forbid you do so when your hair is down. The thing is, the ingredient that makes a gloss sticky is, as far as I can tell, the same one that makes a gloss long-lasting. So, are the Lip Glasses glosses sticky? A little bit, but not overpoweringly so. I give it an 8 out of 10 here.

The Drying Factor: It doesn’t matter how otherwise fantastic a gloss is–if it dries your lips out, you probably don’t want it. I’ve experienced this with so many lip glosses that I almost expected it to happen with the Lip Glace glosses. But it didn’t! Good work, Glaces. 10 out of 10.

The Scent: I’m not big on heavily scented products, which I think is the case with the majority of people. The Lip Glaces glosses definitely have a scent, although I wouldn’t call it overpowering. I think they smell like a smoothie made with vanilla and cardboard. The scent is not horribly offensive unless you hate the smell of vanilla (or strangely, cardboard) but I wouldn’t say it is appealing either. So I’ll go right down the middle and give it a 5.

Overall Rating: All things considered, I give this product an 8. That’s right–I know how to do math and get an average.

I think the Lip Glace glosses are a good buy for any personal makeup bag or pro kit. You know I wouldn’t lead you astray.

Have a beautiful day 🙂