[REVIEW] e.l.f. - Waterproof Eyeliner (Black)

e.l.f. has been known to produce quite a bit of hit and miss products and we all know that even within the same palette line, the color payoff/pigmentation isn't always consistent. I was in desperate need for a new liquid eyeliner, but I really didn't want to spend more than $6-$8 on it. So of course I went to my trusty e.l.f. section in Target and I wanted to see what they had. To my surprise I was able to find a waterproof liquid liner for $1 and I jumped at the chance to test out this cheaper alternative.

Breakdown:

Pigmentation: I was pleasantly surprised to see how pigmented this applied. It's a rich black and dries to a pretty matte finish. I do suggest that you store this with the tip down, that way the tip will stay saturated with product and it won't dry out.

Application: It glides on smoothly and I don't have any problems with it skipping on me. I also like how I can easily get a fine line. When I first got it, I did have to use it on the back of my hand to make sure that it would even apply any product, and it did start off a little patchy, but then it became easier to apply.

• Applicator: I wish the applicator was a lot cleaner/sharper. As you can tell from the picture there are some frayed parts at the tip and it's not cut evenly all the way around. Luckily, I was able to angle the tip so that I can get a straight/even line. 

I do have to warn you that this is very liquidy and it takes a while to dry. Even when I let it set, it can smudge and transfer. 

Wear Time: I have extremely oily lids, and I have a weird scar on both of my eyelids near my lash line, which makes using any type of eyeliner very difficult. On my lids, this usually lasts about 5 minutes without smudging. Unfortunately on the corners of my eyes, it starts to smudge bunch up at the outer corners of my eyes. On the rest of my lid, it could last about 1-2 hours without smudging. I would definitely be interested to see how this will work on individuals with single lids. 

Overall:

I think this product has potential. I really wish there was more time put into the shape of the brush and also the formulation. It's opaque and applies smoothly, but it takes a while to dry and it can also smudge when it dries. If you tried this product let me know what your experience is and how you like it down below in the comments or on Twitter (@ciaociaoreview). 

Until my next post,

Stay Beautiful <3

[REVIEW] Maybelline | Color Sensational Matte Lipstick - Ravishing Rose

Hey Beauties! I hope you guys are having a great week, and I'm finally back for a new review, exciting right? Anyhow I'm reviewing an extremely popular and highly talked about line. The Maybelline Matte lipsticks have been highly talked about and these have been flying off the shelves. When they first came out I was able to get my hands on one of them, and I'm hoping to get my hands on one or two more, I've been eyeing Daringly Nude and Lust For Blush. Anyhow let's get into the review.

Breakdown:
Texture: On the lips it feels smooth without being too heavy, however, after using it on and off, I did realize that the texture changed and became a little drier and even when I applied it on my lips, it felt like it dragged a little. I've also noticed that in the tube, the lipstick itself looks pretty dried out.

Pigmentation: I was presently surprised with the pigmentation of this because it looked relatively dry (in the tube) and I felt like it kind of dragged on my lips during application, so I wasn't expecting a really great application, but it had decent pigmentation. It was pretty opaque with one layer, but I'll talk about the application process next.

Application: Although it's relatively pigmented, I found the application a little tedious. I live in a drier region, so I guess that plays a factor to it, but I found that the more I used it, the more difficult the application was. When I first used it, I was impressed with how easy it applied and how I didn't really need to fuss with it. Now when I use it, I really need to take my time with it and work with it. I apply one layer, and since it applies a little patchy, I need to take my ring finger and blend it out and even out the color.

The color itself was a little lighter than what I was expecting from the tube. In the tube, it looks like a dusty/mauve rose color, but when I applied it, it pulled a lot more pinker than what the tube lead me to believe.

Wear: I do notice it lasting a while and the first couple of times I used it I never felt like it dried out my lips. The color itself will last, without settling into fine lines and creases in your lips for about 2-3 hours, without eating or drinking. The problem is, that if the product continues to dry out, then it'll be more likely for the color to settle into fine lines/creases because of how dry the product is. It can also easily slip on smoother surfaces into the fine lines. **KEEP IN MIND IT COULD BE DRYING OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVE IN A DRIER CLIMATE**

Overall: 
I think this is a decent line of lipsticks. I do want to do a comparison between Lust For Blush (matte) and the regular Lust For Blush to see if there's a difference in the color payoff and color application. As far as this color is concerned, it applies decently pigmented, but it has dried out on me, which makes me not really want to use the color. It also applies a lot pinker than what I've seen in the tube, so I don't use it on it's own; instead I use it as a base underneath some of my balm stains. I do want to try out a couple more colors before I let you guys know whether to invest in this or pass on this.

Until my next post,

Stay Beautiful <3

[FIRST IMPRESSION] e.l.f. | Let The Drama Begin Makeup Book

Hey Beauties! It's ben such a long time since I posted anything, but I'm so excited to show all of you e.l.f.'s new Disney Princess collection available at Walgreens, and this time it's Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent! I am in love with the packaging and how much thought went into this beauty book! There are 12 eyeshadows, 2 lip glosses, and 1 eyeliner pencil.

WHAT IS IT?:

So in this little book you have everything you need to complete 2 very different looks; you can create an easy everyday look (Day Beauty) or a sultry smokey look (Night Villain). It also includes 2 lip glosses to tie the look together. 

As far as the eyeshadows go, there are 2 matte shades and the rest are either a shimmery or frosty finish. The color combinations work really well with each other and I think they represent both characters extremely well. 

PALETTE STRUCTURE:

Surprisingly, this palette feel sturdy and feels like it could be a real book. The outside of the palette has a slick hard cover to it, but don't go tossing it everywhere, it can still be imprinted. I also love how it's a matte finish and the artwork is beautiful. 

When you open the palette you'll see a decent size mirror, a little book mark, and when you open the mirror flap you have a little instruction manual on how to use the different colors to create a look. The print that surrounds the mirror is a great touch and it looks like e.l.f. put in a lot of thought into creating and designing this palette.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

The colors that are included in the Day Beauty section remind me of some of the colors that were included in the Snow White palette. All 6 colors swatch decently. When you apply it, I highly suggest you have some type of primer or tacky base because all the colors are shimmery except for Sunlight. 

DAY BEAUTY:

• Sunglight - Cream Beige (Matte)
• Innocence - Light gold with slight glitter (Frost/light glitter)
• Briar Rose - Light pink (Shimmery)
• Sunbeam - Light bronze (Frost)
• Forest Beauty - Taupe brown (Frost)
• Woodland - Dark brown w/ fine gold glitter (Shimmer)

When I used the Night Villain section (I also think there's a slight typo in 'Villain' is it just me? Am I dumb? haha), I noticed that the purple, EVIL FAIRY, took a lot of work to build up. I used a white eyeshadow base, and no brush was capable of packing it on, so I had to use my finger to apply it. Once I had a decent base of it on, I started to add the other colors, and I noticed that it did fade a bit, so be wary of that. 

Do you spy the typo?

NIGHT VILLAIN: 

• Sorcery - Silver (Shimmery/Glitter)
• Magic Spell - Muted gray-toned blue (Frost)
• Evil Fairy - Purple w/ slight magenta undertone (Matte)
• Hedge of Thorns - Taupe purple w/ fine gold shimmer (Shimmer/frost)
• Green Flames - Forest green with some gold glitter (Shimmer)
• Black Magic - Black with gold glitter (Shimmer) 

Overall, I love the looks I made with both sections. I think majority of the eyeshadows are decent to great quality. The only problem I had was with the EVIL FAIRY color. 

The 2 lip glosses are called TRUE LOVES KISS, which comes with the Day Beauty section, and BETRAYAL, which comes in the Night Villain section. Both are very opaque and they have a unique smell to them, some may find that scent appealing and some may like the scent. Both lip glosses left my lips feeling extremely dry and it dries to a tacky finish. 

BETRAYAL is a cross between a berry, mauve, and dusty rose and is opaque. If you really want to build up the coverage, then you can apply 2 coats, but since it's tacky it might become uncomfortably on the lips.

 TRUE LOVES KISS is a brighter red with blue undertones. It's not going to apply like a red lipstick from the tube, instead it applies as an opaque lip gloss. Again, you can build up the color by adding on a second coat, but because of how tacky it is, it may feel uncomfortable on the lips.

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?:

If you love to build your collection, love Disney, love Disney princesses, or just love the packaging, then I think you should pick it up! It goes for $9.99 from Walgreens. If you are looking for a great and affordable palette that provides you a great mix of neutral colors and sultry/smokey colors, then you can pass on this palette. In my opinion companies like Wet n Wild, NYX, Maybelline, and even e.l.f. have come out with great options for palettes and it'll provide you with a variety of finishes. I'm definitely excited about adding this to my collection because of the beautiful packaging. I'm really excited to see what comes next! Included in this particular collection is a brush set, nail set, this beauty book, and a mirror. I love the artwork and the thought/creativity that went into this palette. I do plan to do a full review, so stay tuned for that! If you have this let me know what you think about it down below in the comments or on Twitter @ciaociaoreview! 

Until my next post,

Stay Beautiful