The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover, $14.50

I have very sensitive eyes, so I've had trouble finding a makeup remover that doesn't irritate them. I've also had trouble finding a remover that doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy (yuck!). So, I had resorted to using lotion as a make-shift remover--that is, until I tried The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover.

The Body Shop's makeup remover is a thin, water-like formula with barely any scent.
(Almost invisible!)Using a cotton ball, I've been able to remove all kinds of makeup quickly and easily. I'm talking full-on primer, eyeshadow, liner, and mascara, all without irritating my eyes or the skin around them. (Keep in mind that I don't use waterproof mascara, so I can't judge how well it works on that!) Though I usually just wash the rest of my face to remove my blush, bronzer, and concealer, I could totally remove those with this as well. It leaves a dry, squeaky-clean finish--not greasy or oily at all. That being said, I like to use my Clinique All About Eyes directly after using the makeup remover to re-hydrate the delicate skin around my eyes, because it can leave it feeling a little dry.

While it doesn't irritate my eyes, it might irritate my contact lenses--though I'm not entirely sure. I had some trouble with my contacts bothering me, and when I stopped using this for a few days (and changed my lenses), they felt better. This was during allergy season, so I'm not ruling that out either. I think, as a contacts-wearer, you could still use this, but perhaps use it after you take them out at night or before you put them in in the morning. I'm still not sure if it bothers them, but I've been careful not to get it on my contacts, just to be safe.

Final verdict
Cost: $14.50 is reasonable for the regular 8.4 oz. bottle. You can also try the mini size for $4 if you're unsure, or if you need to carry it in an overnight bag.
Effective: So far, the remover has worked on everything I've worn. I don't wear waterproof mascara, though, so I can't judge its effectiveness on that.
Formula: It's thin, water-like, and nearly scent-free, perfect for those more sensitive to perfumes and greasy textures.
Repeat offender: I will buy this again. I've had great results and love how it leaves my skin feeling clean. Even though I use it almost every day, it seems to last a long time.

-T

Clinique All About Eyes, $29

The best way to get the skin around your eyes looking lovely is to moisturize and get a good night's sleep. Well, we can't always sleep how we want (or, you know, how we feel we should--I, for one, love staying up late), so sometimes we need a little help. I have undereyes prone to blue circles, and a job (and hobby!) that involves staring at a glowing rectangle for hours. I felt like the perfect candidate for a cream that promises to "reduce circles and puffs."

I got a small size (0.21 oz.) of Clinique's All About Eyes in their High Impact Lashes Set ($20) that comes with mascara and makeup remover (reviews to come!). The regular size (0.5 oz.) is $29.

The first thing I noticed was its texture--it's very thin but super soft and lightweight. It immediately soaked into my skin and left it velvety, not oily at all (I hate that oily feeling some creams leave, especially eye creams). I used a tiny bit before bed and woke up with considerably less puff under my eyes. I put it on again in the morning and my eyes felt and looked even smoother throughout the day. I've been using it twice a day and I'm loving the results.

That being said, I still have darkness under my eyes, for which my genetics and skin tone might be to blame. I still feel the need to wear concealer, but All About Eyes does help that concealer work better by leaving a smooth, moisturized base.

Final verdict
Cost: $29 for 0.5 oz., $47.50 for 1 oz., or for $20 you can get a set with a small-sized cream, mascara, and makeup remover.
Texture: Lightweight, incredibly soft, not oily at all.
Effectiveness: I found that it moisturized my skin and reduced puffiness, but didn't really lighten my darkness as much as I hoped.
Repeat offender: This is my favorite eye cream I've tried. I love the feeling it leaves behind, its lightweight texture, and how it diminishes my puffiness, even if I need a little concealer, too.

Psst, like my nails? Konad Nail Art--will show more later!

-T

Sephora Collection Peach Beige 13 Eyeshadow, $12

First off, Happy New Year to everyone! After a little blogging break we are back and ready to review a whole bunch of new products.

I received this sample eyeshadow from a fairly recent Sephora purchase and wasn't too thrilled with it initially. I just thought it was a boring neutral that I probably wouldn't want to use much. But lately I've really been into wearing a neutral yet blended eye with a simple black cat eye so I thought I'd give this a go.

On its own, this shadow is pretty basic as you can see, a nice simple peach/beige color, true to its name. But when you blend the crease of your eye with a nice brown or shade in another darker color, this shadow is the perfect base color.

Final verdict:

Cost: $12 for a full size eye shadow. The size pictured here is smaller than the actual product but if you'd like to see what the full-size looks like you can see another Sephora Collection Eyeshadow I reviewed a few months ago, Tango Night.

Texture: The shadow is a nice soft texture which makes it perfect for blending.

Quality: I was very impressed with the quality and the lasting power of this eyeshadow. I wear it with a primer underneath and it doesn't budge. I usually use a YSL brown eyeshadow to shade my crease and the Sephora Collection shadow matches up perfectly to the high-end shadow.

Repeat offender? I will definitely be buying other Sephora Collection eyeshadows in the future.

-M

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Professional Size, $29

By now, readers of this blog and everyone who knows me (or Tori) knows that we swear by Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. We originally reviewed the product when we first started this blog and gave it a rave review and even a "where have you been all my life" tag. You can read the review Tori wrote of why this product is so great here. So when I saw that Urban Decay released a Professional Size version of my favorite beauty product I knew it was something I must have.

The Professional Size is a big tube full of the classic Primer Potion in the original nude shade. I prefer the nude shade to all of the other primer shades. The main difference between this and the original bottle is that this doesn't come with application wand. I find that the absence of the wand is actually a great thing! You get more product out of a bottle and you don't have to mess with the wand getting all goopy.

Since I used this product every single day this Professional Size is actually a great value for me. I get a lot more of the primer for $29 which is about $13 more than the original genie bottle. I think that this tube will last me longer and that I won't waste any of the primer. In the genie bottle I think that a lot of primer just gets stuck and doesn't have a chance to get out.

Final verdict:

Cost: $29 for a big tube. This is made for professionals but available for anyone to purchase.

Do you need any kind of tool to apply it?: I find that using your fingers is the best way to apply the primer evenly.

Any tips?: You don't need to use a lot of primer per eyelid. If you take a look at the third picture, I use just about that much primer for my top lid. I have big eyelids so someone else might need even less. I would apply a little less of that on my bottom lash line if I want to line beneath my eyes.

Repeat offender?: I would never buy the genie bottle again now that the Professional Size bottle is available, so yes!

-M

BY THE WAY: The nailpolish in the photo is OPI's Mad As A Hatter, from the Alice in Wonderland collection. I reviewed it here in January.

MAC Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel, Blacktrack, $15

MAC's Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel is one of my new favorite products that I know I will continue to buy over the years. I have only had this product for about a couple weeks and I already can't live without it. This pot of black eyeliner gold is a purely perfect product. It goes on easily, stays on, and look so freakin' fierce.

I know I'm gushing hardcore but this product really deserves this much attention! The Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack is perfect everyday eyeliner that can be adjusted and used however the makeup wearer pleases. It is pure black and the gel is super easy to put on.

At first I was using a brush I had that wasn't exactly clean, I had used it with other eyeliners and let the products dry up on it making the brush too hard, even after I rinsed it. When I put on the Fluidline liner the first time it didn't go on as dark or as smooth as I had hoped. Distressed but determined to make this work I turned to my one of my best friends who I shall call the MAC Queen. She has a ton of MAC products and suggested that I purchase this liner. She told me to make sure I use a clean brush and once I did it made the biggest difference! You can use an angled brush or just a thin brush, whatever you feel comfortable with, but just remember to rinse your brush right after you use it so that the leftover liner doesn't dry up and ruin it! I just rinse my brush with water and use my fingers to get the liner off, nothing too complicated.

I love this liner because I can get it super close to my lash-line, get a thin line, or a thick line and it always comes out really beautifully. The other great thing is that it stays on! I use a primer of course, but this stuff doesn't really budge. It also comes in multiple colors you can find here.

Final verdict:
Cost: $15, a little bit goes a long way and it is about as much as buying a pencil liner.
Do I have to get a special brush?: You might have a brush on hand that will work just fine, just make sure it is thin enough. An angled brush is also a favorite when it comes to using eyeliner in a pot.
Is this good to achieve a cat-eye?: This is perfect for a cat-eye look! You might have to practice a bit but it will definitely be the best product to use to get the look.
Can I use it under my eyes?: Under eyes is a little trickier, I suggest using a lot of primer and a thin brush, go slowly, and remember you can always darken or thicken the line as you please.
Any tips?: I usually start lining the top of my lid starting in the middle and then work my way to the sides. That way if I have too much liner on my brush or something it is already going in the thickest part of the line.
Repeat offender?: YES YES YES!

-M

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Distortion, $18

I love Sephora's Beauty Insider points program. I racked up 500 points and got a set of 4 Urban Decay 24-7 eyeliners plus this Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Distortion. I was more excited for the pencils than I was about this, but I thought, why not try it out? And I'm really happy I did!


First of all, this stuff is super glittery. This particular color is full of light-colored, iridescent, pearly glitter pieces. (Check out their other colors on Sephora's page.) I thought it would be hard to get a lot of glitter out (kind of like cheaper glitter nailpolishes that go on mostly clear) but was surprised at the amount that gets on your skin. It's really easy to use--the glitter goes on easily and dries in an instant so you can layer on more and more (if you get excited like I do!).

What really sold me on this is that it does NOT come off. With a lot of glitter products the pieces will fall all over your face and get your eyes (ouch). But, I put this to the test: The other night I used some over my black eyeliner, just on the corners (it looked fab, I must say). I danced and sweated all night and it didn't move at all! Perfect for the party-goer in all of us!


Final verdict
Cost: $18--about the same as other Urban Decay liners and shadows.
Easy: The product comes out easily on a thin liner brush, making it easy to put on a little or a lot. Plus it dries quickly, so it doesn't get everywhere, and you can layer as much as you want.
Glittery: OMG, so glittery. And with more applications comes more glitter! You could probably wear it on its own, but I think it would probably look best (and more dramatic) if you put it on top of a good eyeliner.
Stays put: Unlike a lot of glittery eye makeup, once this dries (a couple seconds) it won't move at all. No need to worry about it getting all over your face, no matter how hard you party!
Repeat offender: I'm in love. I kind of wanna buy them all! Actually, I really like the Catfight (bright pink) and Stagedive (bright turquoise) colors. If you love glitter, you'll absolutely love this liner.

-T

Sephora Nano Eyeliner, $5

I bought Sephora's Nano Eyeliner so that my Sephora purchase would go up to the $50 free shipping price, lol. My excuse for buying more stuff, right? Anyway, I had seen the eyeliner before and it's $5 now, so why not? I decided to get it in glitter black.


As the site says, the liner is super soft and highly pigmented. It's very easy to put on and shows up in an instant. The glitter is really subtle, like really subtle. I felt like the more I put on, the more black showed up and the more the glitter went away, and I got sad.


The liner doesn't have the greatest staying power. I wore it just over the primer and it smudged a little on my eyelid and under my eye. It doesn't come off completely, it just kinda smears/smudges.

Final verdict
Cost: It's on sale now for $5 (originally $16).
Color: I got the glitter black, and it was definitely very black--only a little on the glitter component.
Softness: It's very soft and easy to put on--no tugging at all. However, I think the softness makes it so it doesn't stay on very well.
Repeat offender?: I wouldn't buy again. I need eyeliner that's gonna stay where it's put! I don't have the patience for upkeep.

-T

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, $18

You know I love my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer. LOVE it. In fact, it was one of our very first reviews. I use it in Original (clear) and Sin (sparkly pink), though I'd say Original is more versatile. After trying it once, I determined that I can never wear any eye makeup without it. Simple as that!

Recently they came out with a new shade, Eden. They call it a "tawny matte shade." My first reaction was, well, why? Original is totally clear, and Sin makes sparkle, so why would I need anything else? They said that this matte, natural, and neutral shade would hide bluish discoloration and still do its work as a primer. So, I got a sample of it with my latest Sephora purchase and decided to try it out!

I don't really have much to say about it except that I really didn't like it. Here's how my trial went: I opened the container and put some on my finger. I tried to blend it into my eyelid and was immediately surprised by the opacity of the color and its thickness. I tried to blend it around but it felt thick and sticky and wouldn't blend easily. It started to dry but it still wasn't evenly smoothed over my eyelid. I didn't feel like trying to work with it, so I took it off. Sorry I don't have any pics of it on my eye, but I just really lost patience with it.

Final verdict
Cost: $18, same as the other colors.
Color: The color is like a medium shade of foundation, matte and opaque. It didn't match my skin tone and I wonder how it would work on a variety of skin tones.
Texture: For some reason it felt thicker and stickier than the Original or Sin. It didn't blend easily at all and dried quickly.
Repeat offender: No, I would not buy Eden. I will continue to buy Original and Sin because they're amazing but I would not recommend this one. It really missed the mark (and I still don't even see why they made it at all).

-T

Sephora Collection Waterproof Mascara, Jet Black, $6 (on sale from $12)

The Sephora Collection Waterproof Mascara in Jet Black is included in the Sephora Collection Waterproof Bronzing Kit that I recently purchased. The mascara is also sold individually and is currently on sale for $6. This is a nice classic mascara, no fancy plastic brush with spikes or some unproven lengthening formulas. This is just a good old mascara that just happens to be waterproof.


I like the formula of this mascara because it is really thin and allows you to separate your lashes more finely and precisely. This is also aided by the soft bristle brush that is shaped long and thin. In my opinion it is easier to get each and every lash with a soft and thin brush like this.


Without knowing I was going to go to the pool a week ago I had applied a bunch of the stuff from the waterproof collection, including this mascara. I ended up going swimming and my cousin was completely dumbfounded when I lifted my head out of the water and my makeup was still solidly in place. She literally could not believe it so this is definitely water-tested! I can vouch and say that this is waterproof, even after spending time underwater.

Final verdict:
Cost: Originally this mascara is $12 for a pretty big tube but right now it is on sale on the Sephora website for $6. That is pretty much cheaper than a lot of drugstore brands!
Is it waterproof?: Like I said above, it definitely is waterproof. However, if you start to pick at your eyelashes (which a lot of us do--admit it.) it will kind of chunk off. Waterproof formula seems to feel a little more sticky than non-waterproof mascaras.
On a scale of 1 to 5?: I give it a 4. It does what it says it will. But still it isn't "The One" we have mentioned before!
Repeat offender?: I don't usually re-buy mascaras because I like to try different ones each time but if I got this in another set or something I definitely wouldn't mind.

-M

Sephora Collection Eyeshadow, Tango Night, $12

I absolutely fell in love with this eyeshadow when I saw it in this kit a few weeks ago. I wasn't so interested in this particular kit so I thought I'd go with just the eyeshadow. I haven't really used any Sephora Collection eyeshadows so I was looking forward to seeing how this turned out.


Tango Night is a deep cosmic purple eyeshadow sprinkled with tons of silver glitter. Purple and silver look great together so this mix is definitely a good match! The eyeshadow absolutely requires some kind of primer otherwise the sparkles will not stick to the eyeshadow and on your eyelid.


When you put this on I suggest using a regular eyeshadow sponge brush. You will have to layer it on a bit because only one or two sweeps is a little too light (at least for me). Just play with the amount you apply on your lids. One warning, the glitter will get on your face because there is a lot of it in the shadow. What I do is simply use a wet face wipe and clean the area where there is a dusting of extra glitter, also make sure to wait to apply your moisturizer and blush until after you wipe the excess glitter off your cheeks or your under-eye area.



Final verdict:
Cost: $12 for one large size eyeshadow. I really really wanted this color so I didn't mind paying the $12.
Is it too glittery for the daytime? I don't think so, I think the sparkle is pretty subtle mixed with the purple shadow. Since the glitter is silver it just reflects the purple base around it.
How long does it last during a day?: With the primer this lasts me all day, and the sparkles stay in place!
Repeat offender?: I love this eyeshadow color so even though the application is a little tougher than other eyeshadow brands I still think it was worth getting. I would definitely try other Sephora Collection eyeyshadows.

-M

bareMinerals Eyecolor, $13

I just bought the Heroes Super Color Collection from Bare Escentuals. Since there's so much to review in the collection, I thought I'd give each product their own separate entry. The set includes a Buxom gloss, which is awesome (check out Mirna's review here).

Today I'll review their bareMinerals eyecolor (loose eyeshadow) in Fearless and Freedom.

(Fearless and Freedom)

Fearless is a super dark forest green/gray/black with multicolored shimmer. Oh my, is it gorgeous! I was surprised at how pretty it really is, in that dark and dangerous kind of way. The picture on the website really doesn't do it justice.

The shadow is intense and highly pigmented. It is crazy dramatic as a shadow. It could be used as a liner, to add some depth to your crease, or blended with other colors.

Freedom is a sweet light blue with a hint of green (less green when applied, see photo below), decorated with tiny silver shimmers. It reminds me of a really clear summer day, when the sun bleaches out the sky.

The color is also really pigmented but is much more subtle. It would look really nice with blue or brown eyes, and coordinates nicely with Fearless.

(click on pic to enlarge)The versatility of these eyeshadows really impressed me. The top line is Freedom, shown (left to right) over Urban Decay primer, dry, and applied with a wet brush. The bottom line is Fearless, shown (left to right) over Urban Decay primer, dry, and applied with a wet brush. As you can see, these shadows can have quite different looks! With primer the colors are bright and clear. Worn dry they are more subtle and easily blended, for a nice day look. When applied with a wet brush they become intense and really shimmery. I love having options!

Final verdict
Cost: $13 each. Right now these particular colors are only available in the Heroes collection for a limited time. ($40 for a lot of awesome products, get it while you can!) I found Fearless on Amazon, so as always check there, too (and eBay).
Color: These colors are amazing! They have so much life and depth, and are unlike any other eyeshadows I have. I personally prefer Fearless because of the richness and drama, but Freedom is sweet and pretty as well.
Versatility: The colors look different whether they're worn dry, over primer, or applied wet. You can create a lot of distinct looks with just one color.
Repeat offender: Totally! I would definitely buy their eyeshadow again, as well as other products. Stay tuned for reviews of the other products in this collection.

Hey! Did you enter our giveaway? Remember, it ends Friday at 11:59pm!

-T

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, $10-12

I've had the Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller since it came out. I don't use it very often but when I'm having one of those days (lack of sleep, staying out too late, stress, etc) I remember that I have this little gem and use it under my eyes. This product promises to instantly reduce under-eye swelling and dark circles, and overtime it promises that you will see the puffiness and darkness fade more. Well I never used this for a long period of time and to be honest I don't have the under-eye darkness or swelling enough to have to. But I can definitely say that you do see a change pretty instantly when you do use it.


To use it you just roll the roller from the inside corner of your under-eye area to the outside corner. The roller ball is a nice cool metal ball that also soothes as you apply the serum. The product is kind of a clear diluted gel that dries within seconds of application on your skin. Once it dries it actually feels firmer under your eye, what I mean is the skin tightens. You can definitely see an improvement in your under-eye area because of this.

Final verdict:
Cost: It is priced between $10-12. Kind of pricey but if you don't have to use it a lot it will last you a long time.
Does it do what it promises?: Short term, yes. Long term, I can't say. But it definitely helps give your face a pick-me-up. It actually has caffeine in it (don't ask me how they do this lol) but it is pretty much like a shot of espresso for your under-eye area.
Repeat offender?: Since this problem is pretty minor for me I think I would buy this again if I ever used it all up. If you have a more serious under-eye darkness issues I would suggest going with something that is maybe a higher quality for long term results.

-M

L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Shocking Shadow Pigments, $9-$12

Well, I tried High Intensity Pigment's cream eyeliner a little while ago and didn't have that much luck with it. In the same trip to CVS I grabbed one their Shocking Shadow Pigments in Exciting.

I'm not sure why but I was under the impression that HiP's colors were generally matte. When I picked this up though, all I could see was the beautiful purple-pink-white iridescence. And if you know me, you know I can't resist anything that sparkles.

The color is predominantly white with a pink iridescent shimmer.

The eyeshadow is a loose powder in a tiny little 0.05oz. jar, which can get a little messy if you're not careful with it. Make sure it's closed all the way but don't close it too tight (stripping the inside)--I've learned from past (dumb) experiences! But, this closes pretty securely, so I'm not really worried about it leaking.

One thing that made me okay with paying $11 for eyeshadow is the free brush. It's a pretty good size (especially for the small container) and is soft. It grabs the powder well and makes it easy to apply.

As you can see, the color shows up really well. It would work great for any part of the eye (lid, eyebrows, corner) and as a highlighter. It blends well and seems really subtle at first, but then sparkles when you turn.







Final verdict
Cost: $9-$12, depending on where you get it. (Look for it and other colors on Amazon for around $9).
Color: Wow, the color is incredible! Dynamic, iridescent, and subtly dramatic (what a great oxymoron). If all the colors have this much life, I'll buy 5 more.
Easy to use: The brush it comes with is a great size--much bigger, softer, and more useful than most free eyeshadow brushes. The powder goes on easily and blends and builds well.
Repeat offender: I'd definitely buy this again! I want to go out and try other colors, too. HiP, you disappointed me with the cream eyeliner, but this totally makes up for it.

-T