Cargo's Eastern Eye Pencil Collection

Hello, beauties!!!! I'm currently spending this beautiful Sunday afternoon stuck at the computer writing a small research paper, lucky me, right? This is going to be a quick post, as I wanted to get these up before the weekend was over.

When I mentioned in my last post that I had ordered Cargo's Easter Eye Pencil Collection from Sephora's Friends & Family sale- I had immediate requests to do a whole post on them. You asked for it- you got it!

Cargo's Easter Eye Pencil Collection is a set of 5 mini-sized eye liners, cased in a sturdy, magnetized hard plastic case. The case has little grooves in it and the pencils fit perfectly. For comparison of the size of the pencils, here is an Urban Decay 24/7 mini against the Cargo pencil.

The colors in the set are fantastic. They include a black, purple, gold, blue, and olive.

I tested the blue pencil on Friday- which was a bad day because my allergies were kickin' that day and my eyes were watering like crazy. But I have to say, despite the water works the color stayed pretty true and only had to touch up a couple of times.

Black, Purple, Gold, Blue, Olive.

The colors when applied are beautiful, they go on smooth and the color is very vibrant (I didn't expect the blue to be so vivid when applied to my lower lashline! I even had to try and tone it down a bit). The black pencil actually comes off more of a steely gray, which is fine because it's still a pretty color. My favorite pencils are the purple and olive. The finish I would say is more metallic than shimmery, and the only pencil to have actual glitter would be the gold pencil, but don't worry, it's small so it won't irritate.

I think this a great set from Cargo- are the colors terribly unique? No, but they are very pretty and wear great. Plus, for $18 you can't beat the price. A perfect gift for the Holidays!!

Live Demo! Prestige Total Intensity Liners

I'm going to do something different today. I was thinking over the weekend about how you can blog and blog and blog and blog about a product- but you don't get the full gist of how something works...if you don't actually see it in action.

This is what came to mind when I was thinking about the Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliners. Now, I've spoken about these before and have claimed that these could probably stay on through a hurricane (well...maybe...). I can write and take pictures all I want- but you can't really see how well these hold up.

That's when I decided to make a video. *Gasp* Yes, a VIDEO!!!! Don't think I'm going to run off to YouTube and be one of those Makeup Guru's- because that's not my shtick (I prefer to stay behind the camera instead of in front!!). I admit that I had to record the following video about 4 times, but no matter how many times I did it, I just sound super silly :)

Anyways, here is the "Live Demo" in all my nerdy voice glory:

Sigh. I couldn't hang doing makeup videos. This took way too long to make and WAY too long to upload! Either way- I hope you enjoyed this one ;)

Did someone say eyeliner?

Have I mentioned how much I love eyeliner?

Okay:

I love eyeliner.
(Believe me, this isn't even the start of my liner collection)

Why?....well, it's my favorite cheap thrill (next to a gloss or lip balm), it can be as subtle or exaggerated as you want it to, and it really perks me up (both my mood and my eyes). Over the past week(s) I've accumulated a few liners. Allow me to share....

Quick thoughts on each liner:

Sonia Kashuk Eye Definer in Iced Coffee: I've been using this like crazy over the past week. I usually use a dark brown liner during the work week, since it's not as intense as black, but this is even a nice alternative from my usual. It's a cool brown with a golden sparkle. The sparkle in it kinda gives my eyes a little shaaaazaam!!! The color doesn't smudge, but testing the swatch on my arm, the sparkles do "move," but never had any problem with stray sparkle on my eye. It's a definite re-purchase and at $5.99, doesn't break my bank either. And you know that's important right now.

Sonia Kashuk Eye Definer in Blanc/Glacier: I actually just picked this up yesterday night. This is a duo liner for brightening the eyes. The Blanc end of the pencil is a smooth, matte white. While the Glacier side, if you can guess, is a shimmery white. These smudge a bit easier than the previous liner. These also retail for $5.99.

Styli-Style Line & Seal 24 in Bluestone: Oh, Styli-Style, how I love thee!! I was stoaked when I found this hiding in a clearance bin at Longs Drugs for FIFTY CENTS!!! This is a bright shimmery blue that has the same iron-wear as as Styil-Style liners do. I can't say I'll reach for this very often, but it's nice to have on hand (and for so cheap, I mean, I had to have it).

Urban Decay 24/7 in Underground: Okay, okay....so I broke down and purchased it. I said to myself over and over again that I was NOT going to buy this. I had seen swatches online and decided that it was going to be too warm and also decided that UD was high when they said this was taupe, because all I saw online was bronze. Well....that changed when I saw this in person. It's not straight up taupe, but it is definitely a brown with a smidge of bronze that wants to be a taupe. So. I go it. And it didn't look so warm when I wore it, I guess it's one of those magical shades that translates differently on different skintones. Retails for $16.

Avon Smooth Over Eye Definer in Steel: Another "dark horse" product from Avon. These are also similar products to Urban Decay 24/7, as in they have similar texture, but not as many colors (okay, not even close to the shade selection) but, I admit, are a little better and much cheaper. They go on super smooth and they don't budge, I mean it. I know I don't have any proof when I say this- but I wouldn't lie. These have pretty much the same anti-smudge power as Styli-Style. Steel is a shimmery dark grey, and would look gorgeous with a black smokey eye. Unfortunately, I don't see this on the Avon website, but check with a rep to see if you can find it cheaper in the outlet books.

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Intense Olive: WOW. This is a new product from Prestige (purchased this the same time as their new mascara, which I previously reviewed) and I am itching to get them ALL. Intense Olive is a dark, shimmery, sexy olive green. It's very very very similar to Urban Decay's 24/7 in Stash, but Intense Olive is a little darker and wears like iron. I can't remember the price, but I'm sure it was for around $5.

Styli-Style Line & Seal 24 in Deep Purple: Ordered this through Cherry Culture. Same ol' same ol' raves for the formula, but this is totally NOT deep purple! This is a rather bright purple with minimal shimmer (has some, but not as shimmery as Bluestone). And, guess what? It reminds me of one of the new Urban Decay pencils (Ransom?). I can't say it's definite because I haven't seen that one in person, but they look very similar. Anyways. You know I love these. So I'll stop there.

Sinful Colors in Toffee: I admit, I only ordered this from Cherry Culture because it sounded/looked taupe-ish (surprised?). And yes, it is (it photographed really dark, but it's much lighter in person), but it's matte. It would work well for a neutral eye, for sure. I haven't tried it on my eyes yet, but it went on my hand smoothly but smudges pretty easily. I'll make sure to report how this one performs. Retails for $2.99.


And now for a "special" message....

I said I was going to be taking a short break, and now that I have dates, I can share. I have to undergo another surgery, this time on my tonsils. I know, you're thinking "Wow, is that it? I had that done when I was a kid!" Well, that's the problem, haha. Mine are still there and they're to the point where they're constantly enlarged. According to my doctor/surgeon, they're "really bad," gee, thanks doc! I'm having surgery on March 30th (a little over a week), so there might not be any posts whatsoever for maybe 2 weeks. But, we'll see. I definitely won't be going anywhere for 3 weeks but I may muster up the strength for a post or two during that time. I just don't want everyone to think that I've disappeared off the face of the earth or anything, I'll still be here! Thanks everyone :D

Move Over Urban Decay....Here Comes Styli-Style.

[Sidenote] Sorry this took so long to post!!! I've been having some issues with both Firefox and IE, so it took me literally two days to edit this. Ok, enough of my whining ;)

I've come to the conclusion...

...that Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liners aren't the best thing ever since sliced bread. Okay, so maybe I didn't think that highly of them- but I thought they were better than the average liner.

While I was out grabbing some last minute munchies on Super Bowl Sunday (Did you SEE the game?? Good gravy!!!), I had to, of course, leave with something I didn't plan on leaving with. So I strolled the aisles at my local Rite Aid, wondering what to pick up. There were a lot of things on clearance, but I decided to get low(literally) and check out the small display of Styli-Style liners.

I decided to pick up a couple of the Line & Seal 24 pencils, which claim to be 100% "smudgeproof, waterproof, work-out-proof, and danceproof". I couldn't pick which colors to leave with, so I decided with something neutral and fool-proof.

Top: Green Black

Bottom: Black Brown

Not a good picture, sorry.

I admit, I committed a drugstore-sin. I....swatched :( The pencils were already open!! I swear!!! They had some fabulous shades like a bright blue and bronzy gold.

I've worn Black Brown for the past two days, and, I have to say, I'm majorly obsessed. These wore FANTASTIC all day long at work and well into the evening when I was in class and even though my bowling night. The formula is smooth and didn't skip on my lids. They're not super shimmery nor do they have glitter in them (Uban Decay...I'm lookin' at you), but they have just enough to give a beautiful finish. I don't know if this has anything to do with their performance- but when I made the below swatches- I touched my skin and it almost felt tacky? Or gel like? I don't know how to explain it- but I think it helps it stay and last so long

Left: Green Black. Right: Black Brown.

The point of the matter is I'm head over these liners. I'm thinking about asking them to be my Valentine. It's that serious ;) I love that they truly do NOT budge and smudge. As much as I like Urban Decay's liners- I still get smudgies in the under-corners of my eyes (But what does that matter- I'll still buy them). Styli-Style is easier on the wallet, and that's always a plus (Did I forget to mention this earlier? Under $6!!!!!!). There are lots of color choices, but don't like the fact that they're kind of hard to find in stores (In my area- small-ish displays at Longs Drugs and Rite Aid is all to be found)- but you can find the whole color selection online at Styli-Style's site and Cherry Culture.

When A Young Girl's Fancy Turns To Gel Eyeliner...

It's happened! It's finally happened!
After years of being a pencil-only girl, my life has been rocked by gel eyeliner. It was just recently I revealed my love for a certain liquid liner, and now I've finally taken the next leap.

So, which product is making me sing from the mountain tops?

That would be Jane Be Pure Mineral Gel Eyeliner

What makes this stuff so fantastic? Other than being a totally affordable product if you happen to be on a budget ($6, give or take a buck depending on your area and/ore store), but it's just honestly a fantastic product that delivers top-notch results.

These little pots come in 4 shades: Navy (a straight up dark navy blue, a little shimmer), Wine (a gorgeous plummy purple with a bit of shimmer), Black (just...black!) and Dark Brown (the perfect dark brown with no red tones whatsoever). Um, and yes, the above photo features the liners in used (very used) form.

I can honestly say I don't have a bad thing to say about these. Other than they should come out with more colors ;) Each liner is smooth, just the perfect consistency. Black is the "hardest" but after some more use I think it will be better. Even though each pot is .17 oz, and that might not seem like a lot, you don't need to use a lot of product when you use it. Dark brown is my absolute favorite of the bunch, I've found myself using it almost every day since I've purchased them. They also don't smudge, they don't flake, and they don't have any smell...just incase that may bother you.

Using Dark Brown.

Using Wine.

Yes, this stuff wears like iron. These easily withstand an 8+ hour day at work and well beyond that. I have somewhat sensitive eyes (allergies, atchoo!) and these didn't bother me at all. Oh, can we talk about the little brush that comes with each liner? I forgot to take a photo of it, but let me tell you, it works- don't throw it out!!!!!! Most people have a tendency (me included) to toss whatever brush a make up item comes with. Whether it be a sponge applicator or a flimsy blush brush- however- the little brush that accompanies each pot of liner works very very well. I've been using those so far (in the above photos, the little liner brush was used to apply the liner) with no problem. Although, over this weekend I did invest in a new liner brush- Sonia Kashuk's Bent Eyeliner Brush for about $5 at Target. I played around with it and it's fantastic, a must buy if you use gel liner!!! To line my lower lashes, I've been using Mark. Eyeliner Brush and does the job just fine (this brush, in general, is my favorite liner brush when using powder eyeshadow).

Bottom line, this is a well-made, affordable product with superb results and use. This is great for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with gel/cream liner (like, myself) because it's so inexpensive AND it comes with a brush! Again, these retail for around $6, depending on where you are at. Have you tried these yet? Let me know your thoughts!

Well, I know posts have been on the slow side lately. I apologize, I really do. Once again some health issues have arose and I've been trying to take care of that. I know you understand and appreciate your comments and patience :) Today while bumming it around the house, I decided to start something my procrastinating booty has long put off: making a spreadsheet of my stash. I know some of you are thinking "WHY?! That seems like too much work!" Funny enough, I love spreadsheets. Even though I'm looking at one 80% of the time at work, I knew I had to make one (sooner or later) for my makeup stash. I lag when it comes to physically organizing it, so I thought I might as well start somewhere. Here's what I have so far:

Right now I've almost gone through my single eyeshadows (both pressed and loose). I've started sheets for the other areas of my stash- who knows when it will all be done. I plan to catalog and organize/clean/purge all at the same time. I discovered some stuff I totally forgot I had! I'm sure you all have been through that at one point or another. It's a work in progress! I'll make sure to give an update on that at a later time.

Have an excellent week! :D

Review - NYX Felt Tip Liner

If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would be using and wearing liquid liner...I would have laughed in your face. I kind of hated it that much. Almost as much as math. Not more than math, though. There's nothing I hate more than math (Except maybe mushrooms, but that's another story). Anyways...one product has made me do a complete 180 when it comes to liquid liner.

Meet...
NYX Felt Tip Liner.

This really really really really changed my whole perspective on liquid liner. Mainly because it's really really really really easy to use. How easy? It's so easy it says so on the product itself!

This isn't the only felt tip liner on the market, but this was just convienient at the time of ordering and, it's cheap as chips! I think at the time of ordering it earlier this year, it was a buck or more cheaper, but it now retails for $7 on Cherry Culture and the NYX website.

You can see, that it kind of looks like a sharpie-like marker. And really, that's what it feels like. So, the way I see it, if you can use a sharpie, you can use this product (I know, that sounds scary, don't be!).

The very tip of the pen can be used to draw fine lines, I do admit though, it's easy to get "dirty" fast, meaning it can get a build up from eyeshadow (if you put eyeshadow on first, you know, whatever floats your boat). A quick wipe on a tissue can solve that problem, so depending on how annoyed you could be by that, would be the only "bad" thing about the product. For a more thicker line, to channel your inner Amy Winehouse (just without the drugs), just simply use the edge of the pen.

The color shown is Jet Black. It also comes in Extreme Black and Dark Brown (I do now know the difference between Jet and Extreme Black, yet). The formula is very inky and has a good even flow, but dries very fast (well under a minute, on my hand). It withstands a good 9 hour day at work, and well after that too.

Does this look like a gal who has only been using liquid liner for a couple of months?
(Hmmm, don't answer that *wink)

Needless to say, I'm in love with this product. It's ease of use has paved the way and opened the doors to the wonderful world of liquid liners. It's been a long time coming, having only been a strictly pencil gal for so long. But I'm starting to see that they aren't so scary. Now...if someone could only guide me around gel liners!