Review: Essence Kajal Pencil in 08 Teddy

Ulta: $0.99

Rossman: ca. 0.99 EUR

http://www.essence.eu/us/products/eyes/eyeliner-kajal/e/product/kajal-pencil-08/

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1910063&_requestid=254838

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Light
R: Opaque, L: Blended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This pencil honestly doesn’t claim much on the Essence site: just that it provides “cool and trendy colors” which doesn’t really tell you much. Teddy is a mid-tone brown with gold and bronze shimmer in it. Judging from swatches online, the color looks like an almost exact dupe to MAC’s Teddy eyeliner, whose formula I’m willing to bet is not much better despite the, what, $16 price tag.

 

Ingredients

Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Mica, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Talc, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Myristyl Myristate, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetyl Palmitate, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbitan Palmitate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, Tin Oxide. May Contain: CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1lake), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).

 

I think the color would look good on most skin tones, although on middle to dark skin it will probably only show up as a sheen (which might also be gorgeous, but in a slightly different way).

They are honestly selling themselves short on this- this product is such a staple for me. The color is just gorgeous, and works really well on its own, making it a really easy look. I can have my eye makeup done in 2 minutes- I just smudge the pencil along the upper and lower lashline and blend with my finger, then add mascara. For a more intense brown smokey eye, i might use this as a base for Urban Decay’s Smog eyeshadow. Smog is a lighter tone and more golden, but they really do look nice together- the pencil adds a depth to the shadow.

Beyond the color, the quality of the product is great as well. The pencil is creamy and blends easily, but doesn’t run all over the place when its on your eyes. It also lasts pretty decently as well- on my oily eyes the pencil will fade a bit if I don’t use primer, but this isn’t exactly horrendous, as it doesn’t crease or migrate. On less oily eyelids this would stay put for quite some time unless you rub your eyes constantly. For oily eyelids, the problem is fixed with even a less fabulous primer. Also bear in mind that this product costs LESS THAN A DOLLAR. You can’t even get a cheeseburger for less than a dollar.

Because it’s so close to Urban Decay’s Smog, I sometimes use it as a base for the shadow when I’m creating a more smokey look, and it really amps up the vibrancy and staying power of the shadow.

Overall, this is a no-brainer- it is a phenomenal eyeliner in a really gorgeous color that can make entire eye looks in two minutes. It is also one of the cheapest items in my makeup collection

Rating: A+

Dupe Alert: Rimmel Scandaleyes (001 Black) and Astor Artist Kajal (080 Black)

http://www.astorcosmetics.com/products/eyes/eye-liner/eye-artist-kajal-waterproof-and-long-lasting-eyeliner

http://us.rimmellondon.com/products/eyes/scandaleyes-waterproof-kohl-kajal

If you can’t get your hands on the Rimmel Scandaleyes eye pencils that have taken the beauty world by storm, you can get the exact same results from the Astor Artist Kajal. These are the kind of “gel in a pencil” type products, giving you the wear of a gel liner without the fuss. Granted, these aren’t going to be as precise as a gel on a brush, but they hold up great on both waterlines and are my go-to products for a smudge-resistant eyeliner.

The two formulas are basically identical, I guess because both are made by Coty- I use them interchangeably. Unfortunately, though, Astor does not have the shade range that Rimmel does- including the Nude and Taupe. This really does suck because the Taupe shade is one of my favorite pencils ever. However, if you are in need of a long-wearing, creamy black eyeliner and can’t get the Rimmel one, the Astor one should work well.

Cambridge HAUL!!

Cambridge Haul!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I was in Cambridge for 3 weeks this summer, and I picked up a couple of things. I’m quite surprised actually, normally I would have gotten more things and then not used them as much, but I think this time I spent my money on things that I will actually use. Let’s just get started!

Clothing

I got two articles of clothing from Primark, a top and a jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really love both these pieces, I think the top is so elegant and stunning, and I honestly have never seen anything like it. It can be worn just in an everyday outfit worn with jeans, but it can also be a bit more dressy if tucked into a skirt so it is fairly versatile! I think it was ₤8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The jacket is one of those pieces that can finish off a bit of a boring outfit, it makes everything look a little more polished! It fits really nicely, and also reminds me of one of those Chanel jackets everyone is going gaga over. For ₤10, I was very happy!

All my other clothing I got from New Look. I must say, I really enjoy shopping at New Look because I always find something I like, and I get a 10% student discount!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again, I am very happy with all these pieces as I think I will get a lot of use out of them. I love flowey things, so the top is right up my alley. I must say I do tend to shy away from color a bit, so this is a great way to incorporate some color into my wardrobe. I would probably wear this with classic denim shorts in the summer and I think I might even be able to bring this into autumn with black leggings. This was on sale for ₤10, so I was very happy with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These pants are the most comfortable bottoms I have ever worn, with the exception of my pajama bottoms! They are really stretchy, but quite sturdy as well. I think the color and cut is quite flattering, and they go with everything. Unfortunately they are a bit big on me, but it’s not that much of an issue. I think these were around ₤17, so quite good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been searching high and low for a plain black maxi dress that I like, and now I have found it! It is very simple and elegant, and very flattering. I love maxi dresses in general because they are a great way to keep cool in the summer without showing off your legs (I am not so happy with mine), but I love this one especially because it is so versatile! You could get away with wearing this to the beach or for a more formal event. I also really like the silver detailing on the straps. I can’t remember how much this dress was, but I think it was around the ₤20 mark.

Accessories

I got most of my accessories from Primark (I love Primark, it is amazing!), but I did get some sandals from New Look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flats were from Primark, and I think they are super cute! I don’t tend to buy expensive shoes because my feet tip in a bit when I walk, so I end up ruining shoes, expensive or not! These were between ₤4 and ₤6, so you can’t really beat that. They are really comfortable, and fit very well. The only problem is they get dirty really fast because they are a suede-type material, but if you wash them in the washing machine it will take off most of the dirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got the sandals on sale for ₤3 I think, and boy was I lucky with these. The shop was closing, and I needed shoes to match my dress, so I literally just grabbed these and bought them without trying them on. In addition, they aren’t something I would normally go for, with the glitter. But now I am really happy that I bought them, they go with so many outfits and they are SPARKLEY!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bag was one of those things that I saw and I knew I had to get it. It was also an out-of-character purchase because I don’t wear red very often, but I think it will serve me well. It is huge, so I am using it as a school bag. I am very surprised, it fits all my books and still closes! It was ₤12, so just about right for a school bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t actually own any clutches, so when I saw this one for ₤6 I decided to get it. It is a rather large envelope clutch; it fits pretty much everything you would need it to for a night out. It goes with a lot as well, as it is very simple. It also has a gold chain you can carry it with , but I wouldn’t use it. I like it!

Beauty

Finally, we get to the most exciting part of the haul… beauty! This is the category where I made my most extravagant purchase of the 3 weeks, which is another out-of-character buy that I love.

Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got this mini-sized conditioner from Boots for like ₤1-2. It does the job and smells quite nice, but I don’t think it is anything really special, and is also a little bit more expensive than other conditioners.

MUA Eyeliners in Jet Black and Rich Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These were a whopping ₤1 each from Superdrug, so definitely a great deal. I got black and brown, so not very exciting, I’m afraid. I hardly ever wear brown, so I didn’t want to spend too much on one, but I think it is a good thing to have on hand. These are very creamy and pigmented, but they can be a bit too creamy at times. If applied incorrectly they smudge like nothing else, but it can be easily worked around.

Jack Wills Lipsticks in Wine and Vivid Pink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot resist pink lipstick, so when I saw these were not animal tested, I got super excited, and bought two. I got the shade Wine, and the shade Vivid Pink in the gloss finish. I bought the Wine shade for my friend who has a deeper complexion, and I think it will look amazing on her. The Vivid Pink is a more rosy but bright pink. The finish is phenomenal, they are not only not drying, but also slightly moisturizing as well!! If that wasn’t enough, the packaging for these lipsticks is to die for, it is just so cute!

Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Lush I picked up the No Drought dry shampoo it smells amazing, works quite well, and will last me for ages. I only wish it came in a spray bottle of some sort because then it would be a whole lot easier to use.

Lush Feeling Younger Highlighter

 

 

 

 

 

As most of the world knows by now, Lush has come out with a range of color cosmetics. I bought the Feeling Younger highlighter on Livie from Liviesays’s reommendation. I’m not sure how I feel about it, it is a really strange iridescent pink color in some lights. I don’t think the camera was able to pick it up at all in any of the pictures except maybe the last one, but it is really strange. I have found it to be pretty applied to the top of the cheekbones very, very lightly for a subtle highlight, but I will have to play around with it a bit more before I can form an opinion. I wish I had also bought the mascara from the Emotional Brilliance line, I tried it out in store but for some reason decided not to get it. I think I will pick it up soon, though.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Flash Lipgloss in 982 Black-Tie Plum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies and gents, this is the extravagant purchase. I saw this at a stand in Boots loved the color, but normally I hate lipglosses so I decided not to buy it. Then I saw it again on my last day, swatched it, and really, really, REALLY wanted it. But they were all out. So I had to run across town to John Lewis and I managed to pick one up right before the shop closed. And I must say, I am so glad I did. I love everything about it. The color is gorgeous, the packaging is stunning, and it can be worn not so glossy, just how I like it. It was worth every single cent.

So that’s it for my Cambridge haul, hope you liked it and have a great day!

Lilla’s Box of Treasures (LBT): June 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since June is my birthday month, this month’s LBT is formed predominately of birthday gifts. Nails do feature prominently, as I got a crapload of pretty polishes, and I just wanted to try them all out!

The Nailpolish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The three nailpolishes which have been big this month are these three from OPI: Lucern-tainly Look Marvelous, Uh-oh Roll Down the Window, and Bogata Blackberry. Lucern-tainly Look Marvelous is a gunmetal grey with shimmer (see NOTD here), Uh-Oh Roll Down the window is a creamy army green, and Bogata Blackberry is a dark red with shimmer.

MAC Costa Chic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous coral which I have been wearing unashamedly pretty much every day. Since I got it almost halfway through the month, most days I have just been wearing some eyeliner (more on that in a bit) and this dabbed onto my lips. It is a perfect color for summer and complements my long sleeved shirts wonderfully. Yes, you read that right, guys. It has been like October in Germany for the past couple of weeks!

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Black

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently I have been going for  a darker, more smokey look than I normally wear, and have been really loving it! Well, I hardly go smokey at all, so it isn’t that much. I love how I can get defined, made-up eyes using only this eyeliner and a cotton bud. If you are looking for a creamy, black-black eyeliner this definitely isn’t it. However, it works very well for the purpose I have just described to you. Because it is so hard and not creamy, I find that it is much quicker and easier to get the smokey, smudged out look I was going for. This was the one product out of this post that I did not get for my birthday!

The Ice Watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This watch is the medium-sized watch (I believe). It is white with a graphite-colored face and a black Swarovski crystal on the windy bit that you use to change the time with. I was never a big watch-wearer, but I really love this watch! It is the perfect size for me, and I love the face and the crystal. I am a thoroughly happy bunny 🙂

The Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least I have a product that shouldn’t really be here because I have absolutely no clue where it is from , but I had to include it anyway because I have been wearing it everyday since I got it along with my watch. It is a really delicate gold chain, with bejewelled bobbles placed at intervals around it. It is so delicate and feminine, I really love it. It’s funny, because it is one of those cases where it is an item I would never have picked up myself (I normally go for huge, loud, in-yo-face jewellery, and rings mostly), but I really love it and how it looks on and basically everything about it.