Wednesday, March 17, 2010

AMW Reviews : ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner in Coffee

How's everyone doing today?  It's a Humpy Wednesday and I'm hoping the hump isn't too huge! :P  Anyone who reads my blog knows how much I love gel liners, aside from brushes, well, I love anything and everything that's worth to write about!  I gave a couple of lowdown for the gel liners I've used in the past and I stopped a bit because I only 1 set of eyes! *laughs*

When ELF came out with the ELF Studio line, one product caught my attention and the packaging is just too cute to resist.  It's the ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner!  I got the 2 basic and boring shades ---  The Brown and The Black.  It's inexpensive, but the biggest question is....does it perform? 




ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner says ---
Creates smooth lines that are defined and precise. Smudge-proof, budge-proof and water-resistant coverage for all day wear to combat against, sweat, tears and rain!

Available in 4 shades: Coffee (brown), Black, Midnight (a dark gray) and Ivory (white)

Ingredients:

Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Polyethylene, Barium Sulfate, Cyclomethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red No.40 Lake (CI 16035), Mica (CI 77019), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarine Violet (CI77077). 

AMW says ---

Pros
  • creamy and easy to apply, no tugging of the lid area
  • for the upper lash line: does not smudge, stays the whole day til I remove it at the end of the day
  • water resistant 
  • no eye irritations
  • very inexpensive
  • one pot can last more than 6 months to a year even when used daily
  • stays on my lid for the whole day even without eye primer
  • nice packaging

  • dries up quite fast, never experienced the liner transferring on my lids
  • if you are into natural liner look, this works great as its not too dark nor heavy
  • not difficult to take off with eye makeup remover as compared to other liners

Cons
  • on the lower lash line: gone in less than 2 hours, smears a bit
  • not available locally, have to purchase online
  • if you are into dramatic eyeliner look, the "coffee" shade is not for you, need to re-apply 203 times to get the darkness you prefer
  • as stated on PRO above, it has nice packaging but its not made of glass, so I'm not sure how soon this creme liner to dry up
Overall

Definitely worth the value!  One of the most inexpensive creme liner I've tried and this works like crazy!

The shade "Coffee" is a perfect matte brown shade that does not have the "reddish" undertone in which other brown eyeliner gives.  I love how it is a "creme" type but felt "mousse-y gel" in texture.  This is great for daily use! The shades itself is in between sheer and dark, its just in between so the color comes out naturally, no wonder I reach out for this daily!

Once, I was telling a story to my colleague about some "emotional" issues in my life and the crybaby in me...cried!  *hahaha*  Seriously, the crying isn't intended for review but such great timing right?  I have doubts and worries because it was the first time I'll be crying with my ELF Creme Eyeliner.  When I got back to my seat, I checked my liner right away and my upper lash line liner is still intact and no smudging and smearing!  But the liner on my lower lash line smeared a bit and the rest are gone!  It didn't smudge really bad as compared to other gel liners!  Nothing a cotton bud can't solve! 

Tips  
from ELF
  • Dip a thin brush into the formula, swirl around gently until brush is saturated with color. 
  • Swipe off any excess formula on the top edge of the pot. 
  • Trace a line along the top lash line from the inner corner towards the outer corner of the eye. 
  • If desired, apply on lower lash line as well. Remove with an oil based eye makeup remover.
from AMW
  • because the shade is not as dark as compared to other gel liners, the pigmentation is build-able so this can also be used as "smokey" eyeshadow base
  • test on different eyeliner brushes to see which brush would be easiest for you to use, I prefer my stiff angled liner brush
  • do you have very oily lids?  Apply an eye primer prior to eyeliner and eyeshadow application
  • do you have sensitive eyes? Steer clear on waterline application
  • always close the cap tightly, it's not a problem with this as you'll hear the "click" sound
Will I repurchase?
Yes!  I plan to give away my ELF Studio Creme eyeliner in Black, but looks like I'm going to keep it for myself!




Where to purchase and how much?
I'm not sure where you can purchase ELF Studio line in your country but I purchased mine at The Makeup Mix Shop for $3.00 (approx Php138.00) + shipping.


Here are the swatches of ELF Studio Creme Eyeliner in Coffee
Applied with a slanted eyeliner brush swiped once, no base


Applied on the upper lashline winging it a bit!


Applied on the lower lashline as well


It is indeed water resistant


Smudging the liner while dry does not create smudges, but smudging the liner with water smudges the eyeliner.  It's fine though, no one in the right mind would smudge the eye area as hard as I did!


Rubbing extra hard, the eyeliner goes invisible rather than looking dirty on skin


Hope this full of photos post will help readers who plan to purchase inexpensive liners that works!
Have a wonderful smudge-free liner day!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


28 comments :

  1. Thanks so much for this review! I was interested in this product but a bit iffy about buying it because the liners I got from ELF smudge like crazy! Maybe I will give this a try, hope it'll work for me too :D

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  2. yay! I might give this a shot becuase it's cheap in the USA! But I need something to last alot on the lower lid. =[

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  3. Love your nails!!! Looks so cute!
    This gel eyelinr looks pretty nice! I have used one by The Face Shop and I hate it :(

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  4. I might give this product a try I've also been using The Faceshop's eye gel for quite sometime now,but I'll try this one.Thanks for sharing this =)

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  5. i love gel liners! i find them easier to use compared to liquid eyeliners. i currently have two bottles from dollface but i still don't have a black one. maybe ill try to get it from ELF. i will try to check because our SM here has ELF studio products.

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  6. Wow, I love how this brown liner looks on you. Why I've never thought to use one is beyond me.

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  7. I just got my maybelline gel liner which is about Php 500 and I'm happy with it, but this is worth buying because it's very cheap! =D It's just sad that it's not available locally, and I can get impatient on waiting. =,(

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  8. great review! I haven't started using mine yet (still have many gel liners to go through!) but I'm definitely looking forward to now!

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  9. Gr8 review.. I have been wanting this product since it was launched.. But ELF has not launched its studio line in India - just the normal line.. Am scared to order online. :(

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  10. I've been hearing great stuff about this eyeliner. I should look into it after I finish my recent one.

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  11. "coffee" looks so natural! too bad the jar is made of plastic, but this is nice inexpensive gel liner to try..hopefully it will be available here soon.

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  12. e.motion in motion, I can't wait to read your experience on this! I have the eyeliner and it does smudge and the pencil itself is a bit too harsh on my lids!

    Y, I know what you mean? for now, haven't found "THE ONE" for the lower lashline, I'd probably continue with the eye sealant!

    Anastacia, thanks dear!

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  13. Dennipep, how do you like The Face Shop one????

    Kaith, ohhhh I know what you mean about gel liners and creme liners, I love them, they give your eyes a nice pop of color and it stays better than pencils! I actually love liquid liners too!

    B, :) You can give it a try and i'm sure you'll rock the coffee liner look!

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  14. Dang! I haven't tried the Maybelline one but I heard good reviews on it! I just have so much gel/creme liners na! I need to stop, really! Remind me ok?? hahha

    Connie, let me know how you find yours!

    Tanveer Parmar, I know what you mean, we have ELF down here but the Studio line? this is not included, for now!

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  15. Ally, you're one gel liner user too! I think you'll like it, well except that it doesn't last long on the lower lashline :)

    Khymm, I love the color, the jar is still cute, plastic or glass, its very chic looking!

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  16. Haha, just bookmark Shen's post on controlling your urges to shop for more makeup. I did! LOL. =)

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  17. Great review! The brown liner looks so pretty on you. I've been looking for a cheap cream liner for ages so I'm definitely getting this now.

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  18. this looks like a good product! but i have to think twice about buying eyeliners since my lids are super oily! hahaha.

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  19. What brush is best for gel liners? Me wants to try but I don't have a brush for it :(

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  20. You would just adore and love Aromaleigh cosmetics. :] I do, and they have a great eyeliner as well.

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  21. Dang, hahahah sorry, I'm not asking you to purchase ha? I'm not a Bad Influence!!!

    Gio, let me know how you like it, I hope it works better on you with the weather you're in!

    Crystal, yes, I remember your super oily lids! Whatever works for you right now, stick to it :)

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  22. Teeyah, I use the stiff angled flat liner brush, I use the one from Ecotools, for locally, you can try a cheaper alternative from ANY brand as long as its "thin" and "stiff"

    Emilie S|, thanks for the reco!

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  23. how does this compare to coastal scent and makeup masala?
    im using wet n wild creme liner now
    love it but it still smudges on my super oily lids :(

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  24. Hi, I just got mine today and I dunno if the problem's my brush or the liner. May i know where you got your angled brush? Mine's a little stiff, it scratches my lids, thus I don't get a smooth line when applying.

    Thanks! :)

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  25. Thanks for the review I was really thinking about buying this cute thing :) By the way, in the Philippines it is available locally. The branch that I know is in the Department Store in Robinsons Galleria and the saleslady said that ELF was also available in SM Megamall and Wall Mart. Hope that helps :>

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  26. Do you have any opinion about the gel liner of tony moly and f21? I heard raves about those other liners as well.

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  27. @MsGingerBread117 thanks for sharing! Yup after the review was made, ELF was finally available in the Philippines :D

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  28. @My name is chien I personally haven't tried both brands but I heard the F21 is really good, the only issue is the way it dries up so quickly

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