Showing posts with label E.L.F.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E.L.F.. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Liquid Eyeliner.... pen or brush????

Hermanas!!!

After quite a well deserved loooooong weekend, I am back! Missed you tons
chicas. Rojo et moi had a relaxing weekend at home, with lots of love, good food and other things non-blog friendly **blush**. I cannot tell you just how much I adore my husband; though something tells me you know that by now!!!!

As I told you all last week, I have received a couple of E.L.F. shipments that have kept me busy trying and evaluating these amazingly cheap products. Amongst the multiple goodies I received were liquid eyeliners in both brush and pen form. So I took my time and tried them both in different styles and colors and "faces". I must say I like them a lot. But this post is more about when and how to choose one form over the other; so here are my consejos.


Brush Liquid Eyeliner



This type of eyeliner
is the best if you have a bit of experience applying it. When I was young (I am still restless and fabulous), liquid eyeliners actually had brush-wands; and I spent way too many minutes learning how not to look like Elvira Mistress of the Night. Once mastered, applying liquid eyeliner is like riding a bike: you never forget. Nowadays, brushes are way more friendly.

If you want a fine-fine line, this is the way to go. With a steady hand (tip: always place your elbow in the counter while applying to avoid shakey hands that will ruin the fun), you can create the loveliest cat eye ever. Just please be careful with the wing at the end. I don't care what people say, eyeliner that almost touches your ears is not flattering. No, no, no.

Also, this kind of eyeliner has usually more pigment than the pen styled one. I try to limit use of brush eyeliner when I am going for a more dramatic look; and of course at night. I usually dab a bit of eyeshadow before I apply the eyeliner, again to minimize the harshness.



Pen Liquid Eyeliner



If your are a makeup baby; or a supreme diva on the run; go for the pen style; hands down. Example: I had to apply mine on the bus this morning, and the pen gave me quickness, precision and no errors.

Pen eyeliners usually have less pigment than brush style ones, so they are perfect for your weekend looks. I rarely buy black pens, but always keep stocked on brown and dark grey -ash-. I just bought E.L.F. Midnight Blue, which is lovely and I highly recommend for a quick polished look on Sunday morning. I liked the colors so much I will absolutely get the plum shade on my next E.L.F. extravaganza.


A couple of tips....

never use liquid eyeliner in your lower lashes. Unless you are wanting some serious, serious shazam effect. Liquid eyeliner is not for the faint of heart, neither for the chicas who love their natural look. For lower lashes, go with either eyeshadow or pencil liner.

Chances are you will get some eyeliner in your lashes; and that can make mascara application a bit of a pain. I find that looking down while applying liquid eyeliner is a face-saver. Also, as soon as you are done with the application; comb your lashes and get rid of the excess. NEVER pull on your lashes. EVER. If you do, I will have to take some disciplinary action against you... and you will not like that.

For those hermanas who are makeup babies (divas-on-the-making); do not try to apply liquid eyeliner on a rush. First, because chances are you will not like the result and, since eyeliner usually goes after eyeshadows; if you make a mistake, the whole "face" will have to be redone. Second and most importnat: I have said it before and will continue: Makeup, hermanas, is not a chore. It is your moment of artistry. So enjoy it!!!!


Siempre, Bella.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Café Review: E.L.F. Brightening Eye color




Hermanas!!!

As promised earlier in the week; I have been conscientiously using my E.L.F. cosmetics shipment; and I have a lot to say about them. This will need several posts; so let's start with the Brightening Eye Color quad eye shadows.

Eye shadows are my favorite makeup item. Love playing with them to get new looks and try out stuff. So how do these ONE DOLLAR quads fare in Bella's routine? Let's see. I bought Butternut, Drama, and Luxe.

In general, E.L.F. e/s are a bit powdery and certainly do not have tons of pigment. If you are going for a precise look or want a really deep coloring; I suggest you use your MAC or Maybelline goodies.

They look shimmery in the itty-bitty packaging; but when applied they turn a bit matte, which I totally adore: us mujeres who are a bit over 30 benefit way more from matte eyeshadows. Though they are not perfectly matte, either. Some of the colors reminded me a bit of MAC's Lustre finish.

They blend quite easily, and I found that they actually transform when combined- they do not look like one color on top of another one; but have some serious mixing power. That means with 4 swatches you can get as much as say, 7 colors with mixing!!! I know, coolness.

I think these little ones can be used day or night (unless, again, you are going for a punch and hyper accentuated eye look); and they stay in place: but they do need a primer for all day haul, no question. Without a primer, they tend to not disappear completely, but do loosen up after a while.

Here are my quick comments on the ones I bought:


Butternut
Butternut could just be the perfect weekend set, or the one to carry in your makeup bag for when you don't have time to get ready and need a quick pick me up. The peachy color is fantastic as either an all over base or a lower eyelid color. The lightest one works wonders as a highlighter for the inner part of the eye (yup, right next to your nose) or as a brow bone enhancer; and the other two are a delight to blend for accent.



Luxe
I must say, this one looked a bit off-putting when I opened it. I mean, RED eyeshadow? Oh my, I could not have been more wrong. The reddish swatch is the perfect burnt rose when I brush it on top of the pink one (which I use as all over base), and makes my eyes pop like you would not believe.

The brown and coppery tones are becoming my faves. The darker one sets in like a nice smokey touch and adds mystery to the eyes; and the other one helps it not look too strong for a day at the office. Love it, mucho love it.



Drama
I know I told you before that silver eye shadow is just not for me; but I risked it with this one and was pleased. Last Sunday I did my first ever attempt at a smokey eye look. While Rojo was a bit surprised at the change in my usual palette and style, he confessed to like it. Fetching, he said.

Not only is this a great set to make baby steps in smokey eye craft; but it is replacing (yes, you heard right) my MAC carbon as my eyelining choice. Combining the darkest tones, I get the perfect blend for lining my eyes and not look like Morticia Adams (who is a belle, but I bet she did not have office hours).

All in all hermanas, I will absolutely recommend E.L.F. Brightening Eye Color. Both to the make up newbies who are beginning to try out which colors agree with them; to more experienced chicas who like to expand their stash and save money at the same time.

I will continue the E.L.F. reviews tomorrow and next week. Right now, E.L.F. sent me a coupon code to get a free lip gloss with any order. Check them out and use the code ECHYPAY when you check out.

Siempre, Bella.

Monday, February 2, 2009

No longer an ELF virgin... but a convert???


Hermanas!!!


My adorable hermana Mel (also known in the underworld as DairyFarmer) kept singing the praises for ELF cosmetics; and sexy Toma from Makeup Masala confided that her ultimate favorite tweezers were the ELFish ones. They had me honestly intrigued.

I must say I was a bit suspicious. You know I am all about the bargain, that I never pay retail (well, not usually); and that I enjoy saving the pennies. But, all products for ONE DOLLAR???? Come on!!! There had to be a catch. So I went, Paypal account in hand, to their website. I browsed around every category and ended up ordering quite a bit of goodies.

  • Eyeshadows in Drama, Butternut and Luxe
  • 2 sets of slanted tweezers
  • Clarifying pressed powder in Tone 3
  • Smudge brush
  • Lip primer+plumper
  • Liquid eyeliner
  • Candy Shop lip tins (the cutest little lip glosses ever)
  • Travel mirror
  • Powder puffs


...and god knows what else. Using all sorts of codes and coupons; I ended paying something like 12 dollars. Yup, sí, oui. My cosmetics were delivered 7 days later in perfect condition. The wrapping is very nice: I was expecting something cheapie and was pleasantly surprised.

I plan on going ELFish all week to see what I like and what I don't; and then come back and report on it for your delight hermanas. So far, I adore their liquid eyeliner that stayed put all day (and night since I forgot to take my makeup off on saturday, chica mala) without primer; and I also luvz the slanted tweezers.

Today I am wearing the Luxe eyeshadow quad (see below), the black liquid eyeliner and the tone 3 pressed powder. I am wearing of course my primers, but I will check again after lunch andthen after dinner to see how it stays- or not- put.


Mind you, all products are $1 -- exception made of their "Studio ELF" and mineral makeup lines (those are 3 bucks, puhleaze!). Right now I am going to their website again to order some beauty bags that are on sale for like 50% off. Can't go wrong with that. Besides, I have to employ my hard earned survey Paypal cash on something, right?????

Siempre, Bella.