Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss

One of the best...

It is hard to describe what is so great about Rich Color Gloss, but I think it's the intensity of the gloss's pigment. It certainly is rich and comfy on the lips, but it is also very long lasting. It dries down to almost a matte lipstick after the gloss fades or even a stain. It's not a tacky, glossy gloss like many of the glosses on the market right now, but I also the conditioning properties of the formula. I find that tacky glosses tend to dry out your lips. This product is high on my list, and even though it is expensive for a seemingly small amount, the amount lasts and lasts. I think it's worth it. Try Pink Buff or Naked with a smoky eye. You won't be sorry.

April 14, 2010

Smashbox Jet Set Water Proof Eyeliner

Not all it's cracked up to be...

For Jet Set and I, it was love at first sight. I had never tried a gel liner before, and Smashbox's claims on QVC of lining my inner rim, lashline etc. and it's staying power were just too good to be true. I ordered a double set (black/brown) which came with the Smashbox #21 Arced Liner brush. Don't get me wrong - the product lived up to all of its claims. It went on smoothly, evenly, was brilliantly pigmented - and the brush? Wonderful. However, my love affair...like most which start off hot and heavy, was to be short-lived. I had read reviews which downplayed the product. Many people complained of flaking and drying out. To curb the drying process, I tightened the lids. I cleaned my brush after each application. Man, it was starting to be hard work. With all of the precautions I took, two months after I bought the product, the liners were drying. Fast. And not on my eyelid. Nothing I did could renew the former glory. The liners went on clumpy and flaked shortly after. I simply stopped using the brown, because it became to tough. After a time, the black began to make my eyes red, and it too dried out too much to be used. One day when tightening my cap, the cap actually cracked, rendering it useless. Lovely. Beyond this, my suggestion to Smashbox is this - good concept, but the formula needs changing, the pots need to be reinforced if your product dries easily, and last but not least, $22 is way too much for a product sure to fail after 2 months. Sorry, I do love many of your products...

April 14, 2010