Review: Jordana Cat Eye Liner (01 Black Leather)

Picture found at Walgreens.com

$2.99/ 0.057 fl. oz (1.7 mL)

http://www.jordanacosmetics.com/p-173-cat-eye-liner.aspx

This eyeliner is described as being “Lightweight, Long Wearing, Smudge-Proof Color that Lines & Defines Eyes”, “From Novice to Pro; Easy To Use, Tapered Brush Applicator”, and having “Smooth Application”.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, XanthanGum, Cellulose, Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Mica.+/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI77499), Red 40 (CI 16035), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Carmine (CI 75470), Ultramarines(CI 77007), Black 2 (CI 77266), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), ManganeseViolet (CI 77742)..
This product is a black liquid liner with a shiny, vinyl-like finish. It is housed in a long tube with a very fine brush applicator. The applicator is slightly tapered.
Jordana Cat Eye Liner (01 Black Leather) Swatch IMG_1266
I found that about half of the claims associated with the product are accurate. This is a pigmented, very black liquid liner that provides smudgeproof wear for the whole day. The brush is so fine that you can get really thin lines and really sharp points. However, it is not at all easy to use. Because it is a brush tip and not very tapered, it is really easy to make mistakes. So I would definitely NOT recommend this for novice eyeliner-wearers as the blurb suggests. Because it is a brush/inkwell type design instead of a pen, if I draw into the roots of the lashes I get my lashes coated with the product. I can work around this, I just gently run makeup remover over my lashes, but I can see this being a problem for inexperienced makeup wearers. If you are already boss at doing liquid liner and have trouble finding a product that allows you to draw fine enough lines or points, this is definitely check this out though.
Another thing is the consistency of the product. It has a very strange consistency when it dries; the product binds together. This makes it really resistant to running or smudging (I’ve taken showers with this on and have come out with my liner intact), however, if you rub it it balls up and rubs off completely without much hassle. This only happens with liner on my eyelids, not swatches on my hands, leading me to believe that water or oil breaks down bonds between the skin and the product. This makes the product really easy and not at all messy to remove when you actually want it to, which is great. Thankfully I think the gentle rubbing is key; I have quite oily lids and haven’t had this peel off of its own accord throughout the day (unless I accidentally rubbed my eyes) even without wearing primer underneath. It never rubbed off my hand without water. So if you have super oily eyelids, I would suggest putting a bit of primer under your eye makeup; for drier lids this should work fantastically.
The finish is a bit strange, being slightly shiny- if you are familiar with the L’Oreal vinyl finish liner (I don’t know the exact name), I think this is similar if memory serves correctly. I can’t exactly say for sure if this is an exact dupe because I only have used my friend’s about 4 years ago, but I think if you like that one this one could be a good replacement. It’s also significantly cheaper!
Overall, I think this is a really good product if you are really good at doing liquid liner and like the vinyl look. It has great wear, yet is easy to remove when you want it off; it is super black and can draw really fine lines. And for $2.99 you can hardly beat it! I would be interested in seeing if Jordana INCOLOR Fabuliner has the same performance as this liner in terms of formula, but with a little bit easier application.
Rating: A-

Review: Cattier Paris Rosee Florale Soothing Beauty Lotion

200 ml/6.76 fl oz

Douglas: € 10.95

Beautorium.com: $23 (USD)

http://www.douglas.fr/douglas/Soins-Visage-Nettoyant-Cattier-Soins-démaquillants-nettoyants-Rosée-florale_productbrand_3000052568.html

http://www.douglas.de/douglas/Pflege-Gesicht-Reinigung-Cattier-Gesichtsreinigung-Rosée-Florale_productbrand_3000052568.html

http://www.beautorium.com/natural-organic-face-care-114/toners-124/cattier-rosee-florale-soothing-beauty-lotion-513.html

Found on Cattier-Paris.com

This product is an alcohol-free liquid toner (NOT lotion, at least in the English sense) that “completes cleansing and gently awakens the radiance of the complexion”. It is “enriched with organic rose and camomile waters and organic calendula extract” and “soothes, refreshes and softens the epidermis”, using “moisturising and nourishing wheat proteins [to] tone and firm the skin”. Cattier claims it is suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water*, Calendula Officinalis Extract*, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool. *from certified organic sources

I originally bought this as a possible substitute to the more expensive (and also now shown to be not so cruelty free!) Caudelie Eau de Beaute. Unfortunately the mist was not fine enough nor the liquid essential oil-rich enough to be used in the same was as the beauty water, but it did prove to be an excellent toner. I have combination skin that can lean more oily or more dry, and this product can accommodate both quite well. I cannot comment on its effectiveness with either of the extremes, though. The toner is soothing but still thorough; it removes dirt and makeup residue left after cleansing and leaves the skin clean but comfortable. It also calms skin, reducing redness considerably afterI wax my upper lip. As for brightening, it does help some in this regard; my skin can tend to get rather dull and while using this I did notice some brightening.

For application, I typically spray this on a cotton pad and then wipe my face, rather than spraying it directly on my face.

The only thing I really don’t like is the price for us North Americans (on beautorium.com). $23 is kind of steep, and I don’t really like spending that much when there are other good toners for cheaper. At the European prices, though, I would not hesitate to buy it. It is really difficult to find carriers because the Cattier website has virtually no information regarding the matter, but I know that the German and French Douglas carries it online at least (I think the larger shops should carry it, in Germany at least). Beutorium.com ships to  the US and Canada.

Overall I would highly recommend this product if you can pick it up at European prices. If you are ever in France or Germany (or anywhere you can find that carries it cheap) check it out! I will also keep hunting for an alternative to the Caudelie Beauty Water for y’all 🙂

Rating: A

Review: Catrice Abolute Eye Colour Mono (410 C’mon Chameleon)

dm Drogerie Markt: ca. 3-4€

Found on Catrice homepage

These shadows are described as having “fabulous” “color”, “durability” and “coverage”. I took this to mean good pigmentation, shade selection, and longevity. C’mon Chameleon is a medium brown with a forest green duochrome. I haven’t swatched them side by side, but I have a feeling this is a spot-on dupe for MAC’s Club.

Catrice C'Mon Chameleon Swatch Catrice C'Mon Chameleon Swatches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This eyeshadow is a dream. First of all, the color is so interesting and makes for a really gorgeous (and surprisingly wearable!) eyeshadow look. The ratio of green shimmer to the base medium brown color is also perfect, so that you can have just a wash of the warm color on the majority of the lid, with just a hint of the green, and then build the green up more in the areas that you want it. I think this is what makes this shadow so amazing- how absolutely versatile it is.

In addition, the buildable-ness of the shadow means that it would work well on so many skin tones even though the base is quite warm. On darker skin tones the base color would not show up as well I think, but the green could be built up to look amazing.

The texture of the eyeshadow is also really nice, it’s quite soft and not at all powdery, even for such a cheap eyeshadow.

 

Overall

Really, I think if you don’t have this shadow, or at least something like it, you NEED to get it. Like, shut off the computer, grab your cash, and go. If you have access to this particular brand I would highly recommend it. The quality of the shadow is amazing, as good as the MAC shadows, but it is a fraction of the price. I always enjoy that 🙂

Rating: A+

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Review: ELF Mineral Infused Mascara

8g

ELF US: $3

ELF UK: ₤3.75

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/eyes/mascara/mineral_infused_mascara

http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/mascara/mineral-infused-mascara/invt/81411/

Found on eyeslipsface.co.uk

This mascara is advertised  as creating “fuller, healthier looking lashes” and add definition while still volumnising. The mascara is supposed to be long-wearing and clump-resistant. The brush is made of silicone, and has even sized bristles placed relatively close together and a tip that tapers off.

Ingredients:

Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, PVP, Triethanolamine, Triacontanyl PVP, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate.

I love this mascara! It gives my lashes the most amazing doll-like effect, it separates them and lengthens them nicely. It does NOT stick my eyelashes together so it looks like I have about 5 total, which I do enjoy. The formula is nice and black, and doesn’t clump, flake , run, smudge, or anything on me, but isn’t too hard to get off when I want it off. The packaging is really nice and sleek, as with many ELF Studio or Mineral products it doesn’t look or feel cheap. This is one of my favorite mascaras and yes, it is 3 dollars. 3. You really cannot get much better than that. I would highly recommend this product and would definitely repurchase it!

Rating: A+

Review: Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

6.7 oz/200 ml

Sephora (Clarins.com): $40

Clarins.co.uk: ₤30

Clarins.de: 33€

http://www.sephora.com/moisture-rich-body-lotion-P95060

http://www.clarinsusa.com/Moisture-Rich-Body-Lotion/C020202002,en_US,pd.html&cgid=330&start=6

http://www.clarins.co.uk/Moisture%20Rich%20Body%20Lotion/C020202002,en_GB,pd.html?start=8&cgid=330

http://www.clarins.de/Baume%20Corps%20Super%20Hydratant/C020202002,de_DE,pd.html?start=1&cgid=330

**NOTICE: contains parabens (ethylparaben, methylparaben)**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion is a moisturizer for dry skin. It contains “peach milk, shea, candlenut oil and orange blossom” that “visibly minimize the signs of ageing caused by sun, cold, heating and air-conditioning”. It supposedly “helps smooth dry, rough patches and improve skin tone” and “gently removes dull, flaky cells for a youthful, all over glow”. It also should sink in quickly.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Myristate, Glycerin, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil, Stearyl Heptanoate, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum/Fragrance, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Malic Acid, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Ceteth-24, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Wax, Prunus Persica (Peach) Leaf Extract, Choleth-24, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Sodium Citrate, Sutilains, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Bht, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Eugenol, Citral, Isoeugenol.

This is a very rich, luxurious cream that smells AMAZING but not overpowering at all, and is excellent for hydrating dry skin. I love how it comes in a tube, so everything is very hygienic. And yes, it smoothed my rough patches. It even made the skin on my legs look polished and semi-healthy, despite their deathly paleness. I don’t know if I would call it a “glow” but it certainly is an achievement. On those points the moisturizer has certainly upheld its claims. I cannot speak for the aging part, but I mean as I, not a dermatologist/expert, understand it, well-moisturized skin looks less saggy than poorly-moisturized skin. I guess that makes sense… That having been said, it really doesn’t sink in quickly. At all. Actually, it kind of takes forever to sink in. But it really is a good product that works really well, I would just recommend applying it before bed rather than before anytime you need to get dressed. I am also not so happy about the parabens or the price. However, if neither of those things bothers you, then I think you will be very happy with this moisturizer.

Rating: A