BATTLE OF THE BLACK LIQUID EYELINERS

I have been meaning to do this post for so long and I'm so sorry I'm just getting to it.  I posted a picture on my instagram & facebook when I was testing out some new liquid eyeliners and everyone asked which one I liked the best... I held out because I wanted to write a blog post and didn't think it was going to take me this long.  So here we go.

Here is the big reveal of what was drawn on my hands.  (just FYI the Sephora one is only "smudgeproof, not waterproof")

Typically I use Japanese brand liquid eyeliners (dollywink, 24 hr tattoo) with a felt or pointed tip in liquid form but I've been using gel liners on a daily basis that the liquid eyeliner that was in my makeup bag had already dried out.  Liquid eyeliners are much more easier and faster to use because you don't have to clean your brushes and you can easily use them on the go.  I've been kind of lazy and wanted to switch out from gel from time to time, so I went into Sephora and picked up whole bunch and started testing it on my hand.

Here's the break down of the pictures:  Stila ($20), Marc Jacobs ($30) and NARS ($27) have slight shine to it, while Make Up For Ever (MUFE) ($23) and Sephora Smart Liner ($14) are very matte.

Waterproof test:
I ran my hand through a running sink and none of them bled right away.  Sephora Smart Liner was the first one to disappear when I started rubbing it.  But as I said before, Sephora doesn't claim that it's waterproof, but regardless not too bad.

Smudgeproof test:
When smudged without water, none of them really seemed to smudge.  They all stayed intact.  But after a long time of rubbing, they start to flake off and MUFE was first to flake off.  But you shouldn't be rubbbing your eyes like that expect your eyeliners to survive (just sayin').

Color test:
They were all pretty dark.  I've seen some liners that claim that they are black but they are not black enough for me.... But the five I chose was amongst the darkest eyeliners I've seen.
Color wise Darkest was:
1. Sephora Smart Liner (matte)
2. Marc Jacobs Precision Liner (shiny)
3. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner (matte)
4. NARS Eyeliner Stylo (shiny)
5. Stila (shiny)

Miloberry Picks:
From the 5 eyeliners tested, I liked Marc Jacobs and the Sephora Smart Liner the best.  But this could be matter of preference, because I like certain type of felt tip and my expectations may be different from yours.  For me the important factors are that they are long wearing (because my eyes water) and they are super black, and the tips give me precision and control when I draw my cat eye.  But between the two, I'll pick Marc Jacobs Precision Liner.  I love it.  When I tested two of them, this is what happened on one eye watering morning.  I was testing Sephora first and this happened.  I tried reapplying but below kept happening.

So I tried applying Marc Jacobs Precision Liner and I was able to fix the problem.  Yay!

Here are my quick thoughts on each of the liners.

Marc Jacobs Precision Liner ($30): 

1. It was super black in color (it is on the shiny side)
2. Waterproof... survived my watery eyes
3. The packaging of this eye liner feels like a Monte Blanc of eyeliners.  Yes it's pricey, but it's super duper nice on your eyes.  The felt tip is just perfect.
I'll try to do more detailed review later if you'd like.  Please let me know!

Sephora Smart Liner ($14):

1. It's cheap and performs well at $14!
2. Super black and matte
3. The handle takes a little getting used to, but I can deal with it.
4.  I didn't like the packaging (i.e. tip and the cap, felt very cheap)

MUFE Aqua Liner ($20):  (I HATED THIS- RETURNED IT!)

It was nice and black, waterproof, but it got crusty on my eyes and started flaking off when I tried to reapply after it was dried.  And the cap got crusty and flakey on my second use.  I returned it. Also the tip kinda hurt my eyes. :(  I have this in another color and I'm okay with that... may be cuz I don't use it everyday....

NARS Eyeliner Stylo ($27)

This one was nice, but for the price, it felt a more over priced version of the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner with bigger felt tip and the color was a bit more darker than Stila.  I'd probably pass on this if I could pay $3 more and buy Marc Jacobs.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($20)

I think this is a good performing eyeliner at a good price point.  But I wish the color was a little bit more black and the eyeliner seems to dry out fairly quickly.  This one is very very very similar to the Japanese Eyeliners I get  (dollywink, 24hr. Tattoo) except I think the Japanese ones are bit more black.  And they are both priced very similar to one another.  I wouldn't be surprised if they are made by the same company!

NARS Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette Swatches

If you haven't read my review of the NARS Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette, go here first.  I just wanted to do the swatches for you, so you can see what I was talking about.  Since when I went the first time to purchase this palette, they didn't have on display yet, so the Sephora Rep had to show it to me.  I didn't bother taking pictures, but I went back today and did the swatches.  (I quickly took pictures with my iPhone, and I have to say iPhone 5 picture quality is pretty darn good. :)

This is the swatch of everything in the palette minus the cream highlighter/blush. 
You see how the colors are not as vibrant as it appears on the palette?  Also it's not so silky feeling either, very rough due to the glitter.  I say glitter a lot while describing this palette.  hahahahah

Here's the palette again if you really want to see it... kekeke

And this is after I swiped it couple of times with my hands.
All gone! Little traces of the Starry Black left.

Close up of the palette... look at all the silver glitter!

Here I swatched similar colors from other NARS eyeshadows...
These are much silkier and the good quality I'm used to.  Much better color payoff with same amount of swipes.

And after I swiped it off the same amount of times as the Debbie Harry palette.  You can at least still see the colors!

Anyhow, I had to share this again, so if you are considering this palette thinking it'd be as awesome as their other palettes from the past.  This one is a NO NO NO.  NO GOOD QUALITY!  bleh... so disappointed still....

Review: NARS Debbie Harry Eye And Cheek Palette (Andy Warhol Collection)

Just look at this palette.... isn't it gorgeous?  It's from NARS Andy Warhol Pop Collection, Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette ($65). And with NARS eyeshadows being pigmented and silky... I thought this was going to be a dream.... Blush, highlighter, and four gorgeous eyeshadows...  This palette is exclusive to Sephora.

image source: Google.com

I was so stoked.  I work right across from Sephora, so I went in to get this palette at lunch.  It technically wasn't even released two days ago.  I believe it was released at the stores today.  So I asked the Sephora Rep to get it from the back to show me.  I wouldn't be able to buy it, but she said she'd show me to play with it.  When she came back, the palette was about 3/4 size of the Danmari/ Joie de Vivre Palette.  I liked the size and I like NARS packaging.  When I opened it, it was a brand new sample Sephora was going to put out into their display.  Holy Crap, there was so much silver glitter, I thought I was at Mardi Gras. And I mean BIG CHUNKY GLITTER. And these glitters are not even incorporated into the shadows or blushes.  It looked like it was sprinkled on.  I made the "ewwwww" face and the Sephora rep said let's go the station and play with it.  I was so disappointed, I didn't even want to play with it.  But I decided to give it benefit of the doubt and swatch it.  Especially the purple and teal eyeshadows. Oh my... all I got was glitter and NO COLOR PAYOFF.  The eyeshadow wouldn't even stay on my hand.  And all I was left was glitter and that just fell off after few swipes.  Fine... glitter falls off, but what's up with no pigment on vibrant colors like the purple and teal?  I'm still shaking my head. And to make things waaaay worse, there were same glitter on the blush and the highlighter too. I MEAN TO MAKE SURE I WAS SWATCHING CORRECTLY, I EVEN SWATCHED IT AGAIN TO SHOW MY FRIEND.....(See swatches here)

You can see in this enlarged picture the silver glitter.  I thought it was just going to be small glitter, but it's big glitter.  Trust me.  BIG SILVER USELESS GLITTER that doesn't stick.

WHY NARS WHY? And Sephora... WHY?  Didn't anyone look at this and say, this glitter just falls off and it's way too big?  I'm surprised NARS and SEPHORA allowed this poor quality product in the market.  And put Andy Warhol's name on it.

In conclusion, I obviously didn't buy it.  If you are looking to buy this on-line, please don't.  I will beg you not to.  Go to the store and check it out first.  I will guarantee you, you will not want it.  If you check the Sephora website, you'll see reviews like mine.  There are few that says the pigment and color payoff is great.  I don't know what they are smoking or what palette they got.  But it is not the case.  I reviewed it on sephora, but I don't know where my review went.... or wasn't posted yet.

I cannot recommend this palette to ANYONE in the right mind.  Actually even if you are crazy, don't get it. LOL

NARS Joie De Vivre Palette (Nordstrom Anniversary) Selling out Fast!!!

Nordstrom is starting their Anniversary Sale starting Tomorrow and it ends on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.  For those who are Nordstrom card holders, they already had 10 days to shop early. 

They have unique items, such as this NARS Joie De Vivre Palette ($65).  Gorgeous isn't it?   It has a highlighter, bronzer, four other blushes.
From top left to right: Albatross (highlighter), Gaiety, Luster
From bottom left to right: Laguna (bronzer), Orgasm, Angelika

I just called Nordstrom in my area, and they are telling me that it's been crazy madness and these are selling out.  One store told me to be there before their store open at 8 AM cuz they only have 6 in stock and 4 people have called already.  Crazy!  I convinced another store to put one on hold for me tonight.  Wish me luck!!!! 

I'm more excited that Nordstrom is having this palette, because Sephora also had a special edition (Danmari Palette, $65) back in December 2011, and I didn't know.  And it was sold out quick.  And when I checked eBay, it was selling for $200!!!  They are verrrrry similar.  But I like the fact that they are like all in one deal.
Top left to right: Hungry Heart (highlighter), Orgasm, Desire
Bottom left to right: Casino (bronzer), Super Orgasm, Sin

Sephora currently also has a smaller cheek palette, Foreplay Cheek Palette ($49), which is much smaller, and compacted.  And other than the Orgasm blush, other colors are supposed to be new.  And you are able to create custom blush colors and these have two matte blushes that you can mix.
Top left to right: Peach Matte, Gold Highlighting
Bottom left to right: Pink Matte, Orgasm

I'm hoping to get my hands on the Joie de Vivre Palette tonight.  You'll see update on facebook or twitter! So follow me on there! Wish me luck!  And if you want it, call stores that have it and have them mail it to you! :)

Review: NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Place Vendome

I'm a big sucker for lip gloss.  Especially Nude/Pinky/Peachy Tones.  I've tried dark colors and they always make my lips look smaller (as if they weren't small enough already!).  I always wanted to flaunt a red lipstick/lipgloss, but it just doesn't work for me.  I was at Sephora last week returning something and this NARS Lipgloss caught my eye.  It was bright/fuscia red.  So I figured, why not try it on.  I try everything on at Sephora. :)  And it looked okay on me without minimizing my lips!  So I ended up loving it and bought it! And now I will show you this pretty lipgloss in action!

This lipgloss is a new type of lipgloss just released from NARS called Larger Than Life Lip Gloss.  I got it in color- Place Vendome ($26).  It's different from NARS regular lipgloss as it has much intense color with much more shine.  And this is true! 

Their product description reads:

Outrageously lustrous color meets serious shine in this NARS gloss. Its stay-in-place dramatic shade glides on smoothly and evenly for lips that are more luminous and voluminous than ever before. Long-lasting, high-shine hues are infused with ingredients that nourish and fight free radicals while natural lip enhancers pump up with volume. A new, shorter bristle brush delivers the most precise application possible. However you want to express yourself, Larger Than Life Lip Gloss says it boldly, brilliantly, and brazenly.

Please scroll down for my actual review (after the pictures).  Warning: Lots of lip pictures. ^_^

It has a tiny lip brush not a lip sponge.  I think it gives better precision around the lips since the color is so intense.

This is just one swatch on my lip.

Just that one swatch worked onto my lip.  At this point it just looks like a shiny lip tint.  It's pretty sheer.  I think it'd be pretty to just wear it like this.

I added another coat, and bam intense ultra shiny color with a bit of sheerness to it!

And the final look!

In conclusion, I am really liking this lipgloss.  Personally I can't wear it every day, but I have been wearing it a lot and it's been fun.  People really notice this lipgloss and I've been getting a lot of compliments. :)  And I'm glad I'm able to rock the darker/ vibrant lip color without wearing a lipstick or a lipliner and not minimizing my lip size.

Pros:
-Ultra shiny but sheer at the same time.
-Makes your lips extra luscious
-Not sticky
-Great for ladies wanting to rock the red lips without being too much.
-No Fragrance/ or taste
-Lasting Power

Cons:
-Price tag... bit hefty ... $26.... but I love it so much that I'd re-purchase.

Thinking about trying out some of their other colors out.  It comes in 9 other shades. :)