John,
I have slightly sensitive eyes and really like to wear eye liner to emphasize them. I always look for really soft pencils and have found several I am very happy with. The problem is that, especially since it has been so warm, I can't sharpen them. They are just turning to mush. Any solutions that you can think of?
Chantelle
Chantelle,
And they say we should never complain when we have nice weather in the UK! I am more concerned that I myself am turning to mush in the heat, but will do my best to help solve your problem. If you are fond of a proper pencil liner - which it sounds like you are - place them in the fridge or the freezer for a half an hour or so and then sharpen them all at the same time. The cold will "set" the wax and make them really easy to get a point. You could also try a gel liner that is great at staying on in the heat and can be used both inside and outside the lashline, as well as giving you either smudged lines or true precision. Finally, while it is hot, you could do the line with a really dark shadow and a thin brush. But I think what is behind "Door Number 1" will do you quite nicely!
John
Dear John,
I have a make-up product question for you that I hope you can help with. For the last few years I've been using a black kohl eye liner pencil by Benefit. I can't remember what the pencil is called but it is black and white in colour on the outside and has the pencil tip on one end and a rubber smudger on the opposite end. It's the best eye liner pencil I've ever found. I line my eyes on the inside of my lashes, both upper and lower eye, and many pencils just don't stick, apart from this one by Benefit. However, they have stopped making this pencil and I bought the one that has replaced it, again with the dual tips, called Bad Gal waterproof liner but it doesn't seem to work as well. Please can you recommend another kohl pencil for me to try that will stick to the waterline of my eyes and make them really dark?
Thanks,
Fiona
Fiona,
Well if you are looking for something that really and truly will not budge - I would go for a gel liner from Bobbi Brown in Black Ink. It is near to indelible and honestly is there until you take it off. Regardless of heat, tears, allergies. It takes a little getting used to applying this type of product, but it is worth the learning curve! There is a reason this liner has won every "Best Liner" award for the past five years. But if you are looking for a more traditional pencil format, I highly recommend the Black Phyto-Liner from Sisley. A bit more costly, but as long as it does the trick: worth it. Clarins and Lancôme both have a proper waterproof liner pencil that I have used successfully, and Clinique does a kohl pencil in Black that is based on the more traditional Asian kohl pencils. That gives you a pretty good range of prices and products, but my first stop would be the Bobbi Brown. Give it a chance and if you can get proficient at application (...it took me a little while too...), it is black as black and stays like iron!
Benefit? Bad Gal! LOL
John
Hiya John
I'm trying to stop spending lots of money on products and am just about to come to the end of my Sisley Sisleya Eye Cream (which I must say is excellent). Prior to this I used SKII eye gel, which was great but not as good as the Sisley. What I'm after is a great eye cream, which has anti-ageing effects and reduces puffiness - for under £40! Trouble is, there are too many brands to choose from and I'm now very confused.
Can you help?
Thanks,
Tina
Tina,
Your question looks awfully familiar to me, but I am going to give it a reply anyway - sorry if I am repeating myself. I would kick in a few extra pounds and go for the old standby I blab on and on about all of the time - Strixaderm. The reason is that if the American Medical Association was able to independently test and prove the results...it is good enough for me! S.O.S. was proven to reduce darkness by and average 60% in a month and puffiness by an average of 40%. The basic Eye cream was tested at a 47% reduction in lines in a month and an increase of 105% moisture in only a week. They are £51 and £52 and can both be used on the entire eye area rather than just around the socket of the eye. I like that I can treat the area exactly where I feel it needs treating. I know it sounds like £40 should be plenty to get a good eye product - and it is - but if you want visible results, go for the Strixaderm and we can always cut back to a maintenance product once you have achieved the results you are looking for.
See the sense?
John
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