Review: Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Soft Brown

Earlier this year, I finally decided I needed to have something for filling in my brows. I still don't do it much (as I'm sure you can tell!) but  I did spend quite a long time searching for that perfectly natural, yet somewhat affordable brow product! I was really looking for a cool brown shade in an eyebrow pencil. I tried one from Sephora (Benefit, perhaps??) and discovered that it was far too dark a brown, though it was a cool tone and a nice pencil overall. After getting a makeover at a Le Metier de Beaute counter in the spring, I fell for the neutral shade of their Fawn eyebrow pencil. Obviously, I didn't want to spend $36 on a product type that I wasn't even sure I was going to use.

I searched far and wide for a shade similar to Fawn, and found this Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows. While I wouldn't say it is an exact dupe, it does provide the same effect on me. Yay! Here are some swatches with varying amounts of pressure. :)

I don't know much about brow pencils, but I find that the formula is not too hard but still has that bit of "brow product" texture. This seriously wears all day on me, and doesn't come off with sweat, rain, or anything like that. Actually, my Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water can easily remove all my eye makeup and I really have to work on this!

The pencil itself really is "superfine," as in super, super skinny. Here's a size comparison with a nickel for reference. I don't know how long it would last with everyday usage, but it is a decently packaged retractable pencil. Do you have a favorite eye brow product? What advice do you have for an eyebrow newbie? :)

Hourglass Illume Creme-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Bronze Light

As you can probably tell, I am a bronzer addict. I am also a sucker for shiny, clever packaging, and I had thought about this Hourglass cream bronzer compact on and off for the last year. In August, I decided to finally pick it up! I've always been a fan of the brand's sleek, swivel top packaging. It is just fun! Plus the mirror is always a decent size, and I just like the look overall. It would be cool if it was metal, but that's ok.

I originally picked this up because I love bronzer/highlight duos and thought the highlight shade in the duo would make for a nice cream eyeshadow for everyday. This is definitely true, but it does not last too long on my lids - max 4 hrs or so - and that Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige worked better for my eyes. (And now that I'm thinking, I also have a Nars Multiple Duo along the same lines... so clearly I just like the idea of an all in one cheek product... Hmm...)

Pretty colors, right? I like wearing the bronze shade blended out as a warm, almost coral-y blush, but most often I will put it under my cheekbones for a bit of contour. While it looks slightly orange in the sun with my photo, I don't think this shade is at all like the scary orange bronzers. In the sun, the highlight shade looks almost gold, which must be what gives my skin a nice glow when I wear it!

This duo hasn't managed to last to the 10 hour mark for me, which is a bit sad, but oh well. I know I don't apply much, and it has made it safely to  4-6 hours for sure. (Sorry, somehow I haven't managed to check the wear at any other times somehow!) I think if I were to set it with powder, it could last longer, but I haven't tried that yet.

All in all, I love the packaging and think the color is gorgeous on. I love the creamy texture, but then again, I fall in love with all cream cheek products! What do you think, is it worth it even with this wear time? (Or am I just expecting too much?) Have you tried this or other products from Hourglass?  :)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows in Rich Mahogany and Barely Beige

It took me quite a while to find these Maybelline Color Tattoo shades when they first came out a little while back. I must have checked multiple Targets, a handful of CVS stores, a Walgreens and Walmart, before I finally realized I was in California where there were Rite Aids! I'm not sure why I spent so much time looking for them, especially since the formula of the first few shades I tried didn't really impress me. Either way, I really enjoy these, and it was worth the effort to find them!

I think these are such neutral, everyday shades, and their creamy texture is very easy to use. I love cream products in general, but I hate that harder, not as slippy texture of some cream products. You know, those ones that require a lot of warming up with your fingers before they even feel creamy? Anyway, I'm happy with the texture of these and like it better than some higher end cream shadows I've played with! :)

With the other Color Tattoos I own, I found that the wear time was not very good. I'm not sure if it was something with my lids earlier this year or what, but the other ones I tried tended to last only 4-6 hours before fading, creasing, or both! I've worn these for 8-9 hours with little to no fading, and I imagine they would last even longer had I not removed them in that time frame!

As there are a ton of reviews on this product, I won't go on about them. I just have to say that I love them and you should grab them while you still can! Have you tried these or any other Maybelline Color Tattoos? How did they work for you? 

I ♥ Too Faced the Bronzed & the Beautiful French Riviera Edition

This kit is an old favorite, and I seriously love it. Aside from the 3 Piece Essential Eye Brushes, this is probably my favorite Too Faced product ever! Really, I'm obsessed.

As with all Too Faced kits, this one comes with 3 instruction cards with great how-to's. This is perfect for any bronzer beginner or makeup fan on the lookout for different application techniques - it is a perfect reminder to try different things every once in a while!

This palette includes 3 of Too Faced's regular bronzer line as well as a gold highlighting powder. The shades included are Chocolate Soleil, Sun Bunny, Powdered Sun, and Snow Bunny. As you might know, Chocolate Soleil smells like chocolate and is super smooth and matte (and pretty!) Also included in the set is a mini size of Primed & Poreless Bronze Tint.

Chocolate Soleil - This is one of my favorite bronzers. Definitely in my top 5. The scent is nice, but not overpowering, and it does wear off within an hour or so. The matte shade is brilliant, and the powder is so finely milled. It is great! (And there is a Milk Chocolate shade now for paler ladies.)

Sun Bunny - So pretty! At first I thought the shimmer would be scary, but it isn't! Definitely a pretty bronze/glowy color for summer.

Powdered Sun - A pale gold shimmer highlight that ended up being subtle and nice on my skintone.

Snow Bunny - For me, this was a lighter version of Sun Bunny that would be perfect for lighter skintones or winter time.

Primed & Poreless Bronze Tint with SPF 20 - This is one of the only primers out there that I like. It seems really dark/orangey at first, but once you blend it in, it just gives you a bit of color. I'm not sure if it will work for those of you with very pale skin, but I think it will work for a wide range of light to medium tones. I also loved this last year with Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - it really added to the coverage and was a winning combination!

What do you think of this bronzer palette? Should I do a post with the looks from the instructions? Have you tried this or any other Too Faced bronzing product? :)