Review: The Body Shop Smoky 2 in 1 Gel Liner in 01 Black

Hello dears!

Last month, The Body Shop introduced to us their new 2-in-1 Gel Liners. I was sent one to  try it out and to make a review about it. So here are my thoughts about this product!

The Body Shop Smoky 2 in 1 Gel Liner in 01 Black

Php 695.00

One of the claims that they use in their marketing is that it's the first gel liner for the eyes and the brows. They also say that it can create precise lines and stays up to 24 hours. Just by reading that, I became really excited about it. Wouldn't you be too? :)

But let's get to know the product more first by reading these info from their website and the press release: 

So this comes in two shades—Black and Brown. I think, at least for me, the two in one claim of this gel liner only applies to the brown if you'll be using this in an everyday thing. The black one is just too intense. I guess I'd only use the black one on the brows if I will be doing a creative look.

It looks so good so far. 

So let's take a look at the packaging of the product now.

It came like this. Pretty much the same as some of the gel liners I've tried.

The product itself is completely sealed. It is housed in a folded paper that contains the important labels.  

You can also see the important info around and at the bottom of the packaging.

It also comes with an applicator and it is housed on the packaging. I like this concept a lot because having to bring a separate applicator can be a hassle especially if you have the usual long handle that's included in a brush set, which can't fit in your kikay kit, or if you have a short one, which can get easily lost.

And the brush really is handy! Even if it's short, it's still easy to manipulate, the brush is soft and doesn't have any fly-away bristles, and it doesn't shed easily.

Here's the product!

It's very rich and creamy which makes application very easy. No weird smell too!

And here are the swatches:

On my hand

I applied it thickly on top and then a thin one on the bottom.

I let it dry for two minutes...

Swiped my fingers lightly once.

Yikes. It smudged easily.

Then I wiped it with a dry tissue...

Almost everything was gone!

I was surprised and disappointed. I thought this was supposed to be long-lasting? Two minutes drying time is way too long for a gel liner. 

Anyway, here's how I apply it as an eyeliner

It's not too black. I prefer the really black ones. This also transfers on my upper lid. And when I get oily, it just smudges all over. It still happens when I use primer and use powder eyeshadow to prolong the oiliness. Sigh.

The good side of this is that it makes a good primer to make your pigments bolder when you're doing a smoky eye makeup.

My bronzy eyeshadow from MAC stood out really well when applied on top of the product.

I'd rather use this under my eyeshadow than defining my eyes as an eyeliner. So yeah, it is really for the smoky eyes.

What I LIKE:

- Packaging

- It comes with an applicator 

- Creamy and easy to apply

- Sort of affordable

- Locally available

- Brown shade can be used for brows too

- Helps intensify smoky eyeshadow makeup

What I DON'T LIKE:

- Smudges easily

- Not long-lasting

- Not black enough for me

As much as I love products from this brand, I'm quite disappointed with this one. I just think that the cons are too important for me when it comes to eyeliners. :(

Has any of you tried this product yet? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them out.

Cheers,

DAWN

Review : Snoe What's Up Brow! Water Resistant Eyebrow Gel Corrector

Hello lovelies!

Eyebrows can make or break one's face so finding the right brow shape and keeping them clean and neat is always important. It's also important to find the perfect "buddy" to help shape your brows and fill-in gaps if there are any.

I've used various forms of eyebrow makeup. From brow pencils and brow gels, to powder shadows and liquid forms. I can't say which one is the best. It probably varies from each person on what works well on them. Some may find pencils easier because they are faster to apply. Some may think powder forms look more natural. It all comes down to the person in my opinion.

For me, I have oily skin and I also have full bangs so my brow makeup gets ruined if I use products that smudge easily. So I was leaning on buying this waterproof brow product from Make Up For Ever. My sister has one and it is very long lasting.

But luckily, I found a more affordable version from Snoe before splurging my savings on a MUFE!

Snoe What's Up Brow! Water Resistant Eyebrow Gel Corrector

This is Php 899.00. Still a bit expensive for a small product but you won't think it is if you compare it to MUFE's! :P

So let's check the packaging first.

I've been a fan of Snoe packaging. They make locally made products look really good! Comparable to products abroad. Good job, Snoe! 

The important info like manufacturing dates, ingredients and precautionary advices are labeled on the box. You can also check them out on their website.

What I love about this set is that it came with applicators.

The brushes are very useful and soft. The slanted brush for filling-in the gaps and the thin one to do those feathery strokes that look like hair.

The Snoe What's Up Brow! Water Resistant Eyebrow Gel Corrector is available in two shades—Ochre and Khaki. My sister and I bought both! :D

Swatch on my hand 

Left: Ochre

Right: Khaki

When spread-out

I bought the Ochre one, the darker shade, because I have very annoying, thick brow hair.

Here's what it looks like on my brows:

Bare brow

With the product

My sister, on the other hand, has thinner brow hair and a lighter shade of hair so Khaki suits her more.

And here's how Khaki performs on my sister's brow:

Bare brow

with the gel corrector in Khaki

Be careful in application because if you put too much on the brush, your brows will look too dark and fake. Just start with little strokes 'til you get the hang of it. Just follow the instructions labeled on the box and you can achieve better looking set of brows.

Is it water resistant? Yes. No need to worry if you're sweating from the hot sun or if it's drizzling out. Does it stay on my oily skin? Yes it does. Really impressed with its good, no, GREAT staying power! 

So let's make things short and clear.

What I LIKE:

- With good application techniques, the brows look clean and natural

- Very good staying power and it's water resistant

- Locally available

- Comes with two good brushes

- Packaging

What I am NEUTRAL about:

- The price. It looks expensive but it's actually like a dupe of an even more expensive product.

What I DON'T LIKE:

- May take some practice to get the brows look more natural 

(but it is sooo worth it)

 - Only available in 2 shades. My sister and I both agreed that the perfect shade for me is actually a mixture of the two shades.

So would I buy again?

Yes. A very easy yes for me.

And that's my review on the Snoe What's Up Brow! Water Resistant Eyebrow Gel Corrector. What do you think of this review? Have you tried the one from MUFE or from other brands? 

Cheers,

DAWN

Kanebo KATE Gel Eyebrow in BR-3

Hello dears!

I have thick, dark eyebrow hair so looking for a brow product that would look natural on me is pretty hard to find. You see, I don't like my brows looking too made-up but I have spaces to fill since there are areas that I over-plucked when I was in high school that wouldn't grow back anymore.

I've seen good eyebrow pencils that can do the job very well but sometimes the lines can be too harsh for my very heavy hands...

So while browsing on the products from Kanebo that were on sale several some months ago, this caught my attention...

Kanebo KATE Gel Eyebrow

I immediately picked it up and checked it out.

I find the shade, BR-3, looking pretty close to my usual hair color (I usually go for a safe brown shade).

And it was only for Php 400.00!

I can't say much more regarding what it's about since the labels are in Japanese. :P

Anyway, the product is cased in a usual pot for gel liners. I find it looking sleek and classy.

It's not creamy. It's a bit hard when you touch it and the pigments don't go to the brush very easily. I appreciate that because the amount you get in a few swipes is just right to achieve that natural finish on the brows. A little goes a long way!

This doesn't include an applicator when I bought this. I use an angled brow brush to apply it.

Check out these photos so you can see how it works on my brows:

Bare brows

with the product

It filled the gaps and still made my brows looking natural!

I'm super happy that I bought this. It's probably my most favorite brow product I've tried so far. :)

What do you think of eyebrow gels? Have you tried one before? Know any brands that has brow gels too? :)

Cheers,

DAWN