Gel Liners vs. Pencil Liners

I've learned to appreciate applying eyeliner with a brush and gel liner or pencil liner. I find that it gives a more precise application rather than using liquid liner (unless you have super steady hands). I used to be a fan of liquid eyeliner because it was fast and easy to apply...on myself! Not so fast and easy on other people! haha. Plus with most liquid liners, you had to wait for it to get dry unless you want to ruin your eye makeup.

in2it Gel Liner Pencil in Very Black vs. Stila Smudge Pot in Black

Over time, I've switched from gel and pencil liner depending on what I have. A few posts back, I mentioned that I really liked in2it's pencil liner. I liked that it was affordable (around 300+), very pigmented, doesnt smudge and budge and waterproof. It gives me the same effect as the Stila Kajal Liner without the mess. Granted its called gel liner pencil, well it still is in pencil form with the same effect of a gel and kajal liner.


But lately, I have been using another Stila product. Stila's Smudge Pot in Black, it was part of a set I received as a gift. What I like about gel liners is that I find it more cost effective, a pot lasting me more than an eyeliner pencil would. So now I save my in2it gel liner pencil for lining the waterlines which it is perfect for! =)

Swatches:
Top - in2it; Bottom - Stila

In2it Gel Liner Pencil

Pros:
- affordable and locally available
- Water proof and smudge proof (will not transfer on to lower waterliner after applying on upper waterline)
- Creamy and very pigmented
- Has qualities of both gel and kajal liner

Cons:

- Will last for about 1-2 months max with daily use



Stila Smudge Pot

Pros:
- Dries easily so no need to worry about smudging your lids. Stays put and does not smudge even when rubbed
- Does not budge as easily as other gel liners
- Stays creamy even after several uses (remember to keep lid closed tightly)
- More cost effective, one small pot will last you a long long time!

Cons:
- You'd have to shell out more for this (but in the long run, turns out to be more affordable to get this)
- If youre a bit of an OC keeping this sanitized can be tedious



So, who wins? In my book its Stila's smudge pot. Only because it turns out to be cheaper than getting a new in2it gel liner every 1-2 months. Both are great eyeliners though, in my opinion.

Paris and Madison

I'm probably the last person to purchase the styli style liners haha. Decided to get them after getting to try a few at Beauty Bar where they are sold for around 400 I think. But of course I ordered on ebay where it's sold for 50-100 pesos. hehe.

I ordered 9 I think, I cant remember since I still dont have all of it. But for now heres a swatch of the 2 that I already have, Paris and Madison.



Right-click on images to view in full size :D

Paris & Madison


I thought it was weird to have frosted violet lipliner
until I saw the marks at the back (eye for eyeliner and lips for lipliner, doh'! haha)


Left: Paris; Right: Madison
The lipliner (Madison) is creamier in texture as compared to Paris

Top: Madison; Bottom: Paris


Better photo of the swatches

Tip:

- If you can, drop by Beauty Bar and check them out. Swatches on site are usually not accurate. I got Paris which I thought was like a pink lipliner shade and as it turns out its actually a purple eyeliner haha.

- There are different kinds as well. Flat liner pencils, flat liner etc. Also different finishes, make sure you check or ask the seller what kind of liner it is to be sure
- Make sure to get the styli style sharpener which is 150 (I think) the flat liner pencils cant be sharpened by regular sharpeners.


Will post the rest of my Styli-style haul when it finally arrives! :)

Double Wing ;)

Just a quick EOTD post. Did this the other day while attempting to copy a look. Didnt turn out how I wanted it to be but I really like the double winged line at the end hehe

I hate how my eyeliner keeps on smudging on my
crease though because of the heat/humidity. blechh :/

crazy lashes

What I used:
M.A.C. Gesso, Charcoal Brown, Carbon and Femme-Fi (ultimate staples in my kit!)
In2it Gel Liner
Lancome Hypnose Mascara


Currently reading news about the elections. So many reports of cheating, bribing and violence. Hayy so sad and embarrassing. Just goes to show how many people are hungry for power :/ The waiting begins, follow the link for the Philippine 2010 Election results: ELECTION RESULTS

How to: Winged Eyeliner

Hello! A quick post on how I wing my eyeliner =) I sometimes get complimented on how I do my eyeliner. I like winging it whether I have eyeshadow or not. Ive been playing around with makeup and practicing on myself for about 8 years now, but I didn't trust myself to do my own makeup til just a few years ago. One thing i've learned from all those years though, is putting on eyeliner.

I started with pencil, moved on to liquid and tried gel liner. I prefer Liquid eyeliner because its the quickest and I'm usually pressed for time. But liquid eyeliner can be messy if you're not used to it or have shaky hands hehe. I'd like to share how I do it. For this demo, I used a gel liner and a flat thin liner brush.

1. I start off by lining the lashline starting from the inner part to the end of the lid.
2. Follow the natural shape of the eye and take a cue of where to wing from your eye shape.
3. Draw a winged line following the curve of your bottom lashline.

4. From the line you just drew. Connect the it to the lid by drawing a line from the tip of the winged line to the line you drew on the lashline.

5. Go back and fill in the space and make sure that the line is "smoothly" connected to the line you drew on the lashline.

6. You can then adjust the winged part if you feel that its a little to thin. If you went a little overboard, clean off the edges with a q-tip. And youre done! :)

What I used:

-UDPP ( I find this lessens the tendency of NYX Jumbo pencil to crease)
- NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
- M.A.C. Gesso (Lid) and Knight Divine (Crease). Blended Gesso on the crease and brow bone area to get rid of the harsh line. Femme-Fi for highlight
- L'Oreal HiP Gel Liner. I used Stila Kajal eyeliner on a flat eyeliner brush to adjust the winged part and for waterline
- The Faceshop XO lashes

Hope this helps! :)