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:4.5/5]