Review: Makeup: Kanebo Kate gel eyeliner

This is a new item from Kate Cosmetics, sub-brand of Kanebo. Actually, its not entirely new. It was launched in Japan early this year - Jan/Feb 2007 and is now already available in Hong Kong. I guess it’ll take a while before it reaches our shores. Mine was courtesy of a good friend from Hong Kong who sent it to me.

The Kate gel eyeliner comes in a little glass pot, very similar to that of Bobbi Brown and MAC. However, the pot is smaller and product is less. The great thing about this however, is that it comes with an eyeliner brush!

Yes, every single pot comes packaged in a plastic box with that brush in it. Its a great little brush too. Its bristles are short and flat which is good for lining. The bristles are also very firm but soft. I’d buy this just for the brush alone. You don’t get better brushes elsewhere for as cheap.

My eyeliner is BK-2 which is a black with glitter. You can’t see the glitter in the picture, but once you dig in with the brush, you’ll see it. I’d never used an eyeliner with glitter before which is why I got this one.

The colour is good. A dark black with silver glitter. The glitter wasn’t too chunky, but once or twice, a particle or two did get in my eye which was irritating. So, I’d deduct some points for that. Texture wise, its very smooth and easy to apply. I’d say its great even for newbies, because the brush works really well with the liner.

Compared to my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner which I use everyday, the lasting power of this one is rather lacking. By the end of the day, about 20% of the colour has faded. This does not happen with Bobbi Brown for me. I don’t have oily lids so most colours stay put. There was also some transference onto my lower lid throughout the day. Nothing dramatic, but not pleasing nonetheless.

There are a few other colours. BK-1 (Flat black no shimmer), BR-1 (Brown) and a dark purple shade. I’d love to check out the other colours when this item finally reaches our shores. I got it for HKD95 (RM42.50). I wouldn’t say its expensive but if I compare it to say Bobbi Brown which retails for RM65 a pot for slightly more product, its actually about the same price. I’m very happy though that an Asian brand has finally come up with a gel liner. Its about time. As the latest T’estimo palette has a great cream eyeliner, I hope to see more of it in Kanebo’s lines in future.

Overall, I’d rank this somewhere in between Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and MAC Fluidliners. I don’t quite like the fluidliners so that goes on the bottom, and I still stand by my favourite Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners. But as I said, I’d get this just for the brush. I’d use this brush for all my gel liners from now. Its the bees knees and more!

Pros: Great eyeliner brush, long lasting, smooth

Cons: Slight fading and transference, pricey

Rating:

Disney holiday

Last week, I went to book some holidays for my parents. While I was at the travel agent, I overheard a family next to me discussing their impending holiday to America. The little girl was bouncing up and down with glee at the thought she would finally visit the home of Mickey Mouse in Disney World. The parents were discussing a Disney vacation home which puzzled me, until I asked the travel agent what its about. Apparently, there are homes for rent just next to Disney World, which is cheaper than staying in the park. Now, I know what to do if I were to go there.

Stila All Over Shimmer Eyes sale - limited time

Are you a fan of loose powder eyeshadow? Or maybe you have heard so much about Stila’s All Over Shimmer Eyes loose powder eyeshadow but have not tried them because they cost RM65 for one little tiny pot?

Well, here’s a sale worth running for. Stila’s little pots of eye colour are now only US$7 (RM28) on Strawberrynet.com for a limited time. There are 3 colours available #3 - Lilac as in picture, #8 - Charcoal grey, #9 - Teal/Turquoise.

I have #3 and its a shimmery lilac on the eyes. Its blue toned which is good as it doesn’t make my eyes look puffy or like I’ve been crying as purples are wont to do. If you get it for US$7 its great value for money because the pot is really tiny. If you have to pay full price (US$16), then I’d reconsider.

StrawberryNET.com offers free shipping worldwide and I’ve had great experiences with them. They take paypal so if you have some money from paid posts languishing in your account why not splurge a little on yourself?

Review: Makeup: Maybelline Unstoppable Shiny Black mascara

I was reading The Sun newspaper and came across a press review of the new Maybelline Unstoppable Shiny Black mascara. I don’t know what got into me, but I just HAD to try this one. I’m presently using Lancome Flextencils which I think is really great. However, its starting to dry up so I was on the hunt for something new.

Maybelline has a present line called Unstoppable mascara in a silvery grey tube. It never interested me and I read lots of rants about it. However, this one is in a black tube with a silver top on the cap. I compared the 2 at the counter but could not see what was different between the new and old one save for the difference in the colour of the tube. I can’t find any information online about this item either.

I’m guessing that its called Shiny Black as the colour is supposed to be a shiny black on your lashes. Also its called Unstoppable as its of the same formula. I’m only guessing so if someone can enlighten me I’d appreciate it.

This is a picture of the brush head. The brush head has a lot of little bristles. However, although it looks compact, its actually rather sparse. I don’t see many fibers on the brush either. I had the impression that its the fibers on the brush that adhere to the lashes that will cause it to look like its lengthened or has more volume.

The brush head is not very big which I like, because I don’t have long lashes or big eyes. Having a smaller head makes it easier to work with. The bristles also grab most of the lashes when you apply the mascara on, so its not bad in that sense.

This formula is said to be a 100% smudge-proof full length mascara.

I’ll address the “full length” claim first. I must agree that it lengthens to a degree. I have short lashes and after applying this mascara, I find that my lashes do look longer. However, there is no volume added whatsoever. Not one bit. In fact, my lashes look long and spindly. Not very attractive.

Another grouse I have is that this mascara totally weighs down my lashes. My lashes are stick straight normally. So, before I apply any mascara, I will curl them first. When I applied this mascara, I was horrified to find that my nicely curled lashes totally lost whatever curl had been put into them! Bummer!

As for the claim of being “100% smudge proof” I agree to a degree. I applied it in the morning and by the end of the day, after a strenuous yoga lesson, it had not given me panda eyes. No smudges. Very good for something that does not claim to be waterproof. It also removed easily which is a major plus point.

Colour wise, although I peered and peered, I did not get any impression of any more shinier lashes than I usually have. This mascara costs RM29.90 and is now on offer for RM23.88 at Guardian for a limited time only. Maybelline often goes on sale so try to pick it up during a sale if you want to try it.

I think its good for a beginner or mascara newbie. I previously complained that Lancome Flextencils did not give me volume although it gave length. However, that one holds a curl like nobody’s business, and has much more volume than this one. Then again, the price is also vastly different.

So, now I’ve bought it I’ll probably use this mascara for weekend use or for times when I don’t want to look too obvious that I’m wearing makeup. It gives a long lashed look if you can handle the fact your lashes don’t curl to show it off better.

Pros: Cheap, lengthens, does not smudge

Cons: Does not hold a curl, no volume, makes lashes look long and thinÂ

Rating: