Urban Decay 24/7 vs MUFE Aqua Eyes

Good morning friends! A space for reader's query! I've had this question so many times and I've been procrastinating with the answer, so sorry! I get lazy at times! :P Yes, its about eyeliner pencils! I know a lot of ladies have chosen their ultimate favorite, and you all know that these 2 brands have been fighting neck to neck for first place! Who's the winner? Read on ....

Dear Nikki:
I know you own both MUFE and Urban Decay eyeliners. Could you do a review on both? Which one works better?

True, I own both Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Liners and Makeup Forever's Aqua Eyes, I've used both brands for months and I've chosen the winner! Please be reminded that I live in a tropical country with humidity as part of our daily living. I also have non-oily lids and very sensitive eyes. What works or does not work for me may be different to some of you. If you have something to say or experiences you'd love to share, click on the COMMENT section below, I'd love to hear from you! :D

Competition:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliner in Zero (black) and Bourbon (brown)
MUFE Aqua Eyes in 1L (black) and 2L (brown)

Buttercup ready to fight! :P

Swatch without base

Shades:
UD - shimmery black and brown, the shimmery black is darker
MUFE - shimmery black and brown

Versatility:
UD - easy to create smokey eyes as the consistency is quite creamy, great to smoke up using a smudger brush
MUFE - ok to smoke out but not as smokey as the prior brand

Texture:
UD - very creamy
MUFE - creamy but not as creamy as Urban Decay's

Pigmentation:
UD - very pigmented
MUFE - very pigmented

Smudge Proof?
UD - smudge-proof only when applied on the upper lash line. Tightlining and waterlining? Smudges like crazy in less than an hour!
MUFE - smudge-proof on upper and lower lash line. Tightlining and waterlining? Smudges a bit but not as much as UD.

Waterproof?
UD - yes, not unless you rub SUPER hard
MUFE - yes, even when you rub it along with water

Urban Decay

MUFE

How long does it stay for both upper and lower lash line?
UD - whole day
MUFE - whole day

How long does it stay for waterline?
UD - approximately 10 minutes, then it starts to transfer to lower lashline
MUFE - approximately 30 minutes, then it starts to transfer to lower lashline

Removing eyeliner:
UD - with waterproof makeup remover, a bit difficult to take off
MUFE - with waterproof and makeup remover, a bit difficult to take off

Overall:
I've read raves and raves about Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliners. But when I finally tried it on my own, I wasn't comfortable using it because it smudges like crazy and I have panda eyes 30 minutes after application. That's when I realized and understood why Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliners aren't available locally as for me, it's not even meant locally! The product was made for people living in the West. For countries with cooler climate and not as humid as ours. Think of Two Faced Shadow Insurance working perfectly for people on the other side of the world, while we down here complain about our creasing shadows! Same concept. Now, I've learned my lesson.. "A dress made for me is meant to be worn by me" ...now I think that's a good quote eh?

Overall, if I want my liner to last longer, I'd rather use gel liners or liquid liners. If I want to use pencils, I make sure to use an eye seal right after eye pencil application. That's how I deal with my pencil liners! How do you deal with yours?

Hope this helps! :)
Keep smilin!
Stay happy!

Battle of the Makeup Removers: Lancome vs. L'oreal

High end vs. drugstore brand
Pricey vs. Cheap
Lancome and L'oreal
From the same manufacturer.... The L'oreal Group...

Let's get ready to rumble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

L'oreal Dermo-Expertise Gentle Lip and eye make-up remover won hands down on my L'oreal vs. Mandom post. L'oreal has been my number 1 choice of makeup remover for months! Finally, it has met its match!!! The famous Lancome Bifacil that has been HG (Holy Grail) to a lot of beauty bloggers out there!

But...is this the new HG makeup remover for the Askmewhats? Read on!!!!

**note, the differences of each makeup remover are in RED

Lancome Bifacil
Price: Php1,500 (approx $32.00)
for 125 ml



Eyeshadow : Completely gone
waterproof mascara : Completely gone
waterproof eyeliner : super minimal left
brow powder : Completely gone
feel: a bit oily
stings the eye? NO

L'oreal's
Price: Php335.75 (approx $7.00)
for 125ml



Eyeshadow : Completely gone
waterproof mascara : Completely gone
waterproof eyeliner : has a bit of liner left on the upper lashline
brow powder : Completely gone
feel: Non-oily
stings the eye? NO

Side by side comparison
You can click to enlarge
Arrows are pointing to the makeup left

• I've put the same amount of makeup remover on both eyes
• Pressed the cotton on each eye for half a minute then gently wipe downwards
• Wiped each eyes 3 times including brows
  

Final Thoughts?

As you can see on the photos above, the L'oreal has more arrows because the waterproof eyeliner used was left. There are some fallouts from the wipe on my waterline and lower lash area but this can be easily removed if I wiped it again with a Q-tip or cotton buds or another new piece of cotton.

Lancome on the other hand removes the waterproof eyeliner but there's just some left on the outer upper lashline. The eyeliner on the waterline wasn't completely removed as well because it was my fault! I didn't wipe that area with the cotton pad as I usually use a Q-tip or cotton bud to clean my waterline.

Yes, side by side comparison can prove that Lancome Bifacil removes hard headed waterproof eyeliner better than L'oreal. BUT I personally do not like the AFTER feel of Lancome, it is oilier as compared to the L'oreal one. Oil residue left on the eye area is my pet peeve, lol I felt the goosebumps everytime I touch my eyes and I feel the oiliness. But of course, this can be removed if I wash my face with my facial cleanser.

Overall? With the price of L'oreal 's Lip & Eye Make-up remover, I don't mind squirting extra cotton to remove my eye makeup, and the best thing? It doesn't leave an oily residue on my eye area!

I know a lot will not agree, but in my dictionary, L'oreal is still on my HG makeup remover list!!!!

Agree ? Disagree?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
but don't blame me for choosing the cheaper!
Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol! LOL

Have a wonderful weekend!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Battle of the Current Removers: L'oreal vs. Mandom

Hello friends!

If you are a reader of my blog, that just mean one thing, you are a beauty enthusiast and probably 90% of you wears makeup! :D

Wearing make up won't be bad to your skin if you do take them off at night with the right products. What am I using you ask? Nothing high profiled! LOL

I know I've been telling myself to purchase Lancome Bifacil or even Clinique's Makeup remover, but before I purchase a new one, I have to finish what I currently have! Yes, I try not to waste whatever products I purchased, because we need to save money! right?

So, I will be discussing 2 of the make-up removers I've been using at present!

L'oreal Dermo Expertise
Gentle Lip and Eye
Makeup Remover

vs.

Mandom
Cleansing Express
Agecare

Here's the eye makeup
from Silver Bullet Look

I usually leave the cotton pad
eyes closed
for a couple of seconds

Wiped a bit
no rubbing
Here's the final result

L'oreal's
Price: Php335.75 (approx $7.00)
for 125ml

Eyeshadow : Completely gone
waterproof mascara : Completely gone
waterproof eyeliner : has a bit of liner left on the upper lashline
brow powder : Completely gone
feel: Non-oily
stings the eye? NO

For Mandom
$14.00 (approx $672.00)
+ $2.00 (approx Php96.00)
for 300ml



Eyeshadow : Completely gone
waterproof mascara : left a bit of residue
waterproof eyeliner : a lot are not removed on the upper lashline
brow powder : Completely gone
feel: Non-oily
stings the eye? NO

Cotton Pad
(Front side)



(Back Side)

Final Thoughts?

Though Mandom Cleansing lotion sounds cheaper because of the amount of product you get for the price, I find that at the end of the day,L'oreal is still cheaper because the packaging is simpler, no spritzing or shooting of the product all over the place, and you don't need a lot to remove your eye makeup. As seen on the experiment above, I still have more residue left from Mandom which means more rubbing to remove all the gunk I have on my eyes.

too much eye rubbing = wrinkles

So what I do? I hate wasting product, so I use my L'oreal makeup remover to remove my eye makeup and Mandom does the rest of my face. And please, you need to wash your face still! To make sure all the makeup residues are gone and you'll be a real SLEEPING BEAUTY :P

Using Mandom to remove
my foundation

Front side



Back Side

I also use Mandom to remove the foundation on my neck! At least, I'm not wasting any of the purchases I made! :)

What are some products
you left unused, because it doesn't do the job?
Tell us! Who knows?
We may find some ways to make it useful again! :D
keep smilin'
stay happy everyone!

CS Gel Liners vs. MM Gel Liners

You gals thought this showdown will take long???
Why would I do that? I love my readers so much so I try to do what they want...
well except..dance around naked...or....stop blogging! LOL

*ahem ahem, wrestling announcer voice*
Introducing,
the most requested showdown!
CS gel liners versus MM gel liners!!!

Packaging

CS - frosted glass jar with plastic cap, small and easy to take along but no label
MM - clear glass, size is bigger than CS, labeled

Price (not including shipping)

CS - $6.95 (approx Php330.00)
MM - $7.95 - 9.00 (approx Php390.00-440.00)


Amount of product

CS - 3g
MM - 3g


Gel Color

Black
CS True Black - matte, darker than MM (can create a more dramatic dark eyed look)
MM Inky Black- matte, plain black (creates a natural look, can build up the color for dramatic look)

Brown
CS Truffle- matte, reddish brown
MM Cocoa - matte, real brown

Texture

Black
CS True Black - very creamy, spreads easily but have to wait a bit for drying time
MM Inky Black - creamy, spreads easily, shorter drying time. I like this texture more

Brown
CS Truffle - not too creamy, a bit on the drier side but spreads really well
MM Cocoa - same texture with MM Inky Black, just the right kind of creaminess, easy to spread the color

Drying time

Black
CS True Black - due to it's texture, has to wait a bit to make sure completely dry
MM Inky Black - dries right after application, no waiting time, imagine using a pencil liner

Brown
CS Truffle - dries right after application, no waiting time
MM Cocoa - dries right after application, no waiting time

Smudging Factor

Black
CS - no smudging when completely dry, but if it's not too dry yet and you rub it accidentally, it smudges a bit (photo below, and I only talk about the CS True Black color)
MM - once you applied, it doesn't budge and smudge

**note, if you let CS liner dry up further before smudging
there won't be any smudges

Brown
CS Truffle - no smudging
MM Cocoa - color doesn't smudge but it disappears if you rub SUPER hard

**Note: I rubbed this super hard! Look at the redness of my wrist!

How long does it stay on your eyes? (for both colors)

CS - the lashline stays long until you remove it. For the waterline, it starts to smudge a bit after 4-5 hours.
MM - the lashline area stays long until you remove it. For the waterline, it is the same with CS, it smudges depending on how watery your eyes are

Versatility and usage (for both colors)

CS - the other colors can be used as base
MM - I'm not sure if the other colors for MM gel liners can also be used as base

CONCLUSION ---

Both liners work well. It all boils down to your own preference. If you ask me who the winner is for me, I personally go for MM Gel Liners. Why? Because I own a lot of shades of CS gel liners and I find that their gel liners aren't consistent. Though the price of MM gel liners are more expensive, I still save up a lot on shipping as I can have free shipping for orders $20.00 above. Or even if I don't get to order products more than $20.00, shipping is affordable and costs less than $5.00.

Of course, these are my opinion. Feel free to let me know your thoughts if you also own these 2 brands! :)


I hope this helps to ladies out there!
Feel free to comment or email me for any questions! :)
Stay Happy!!!

Stila Smudgepots vs. Coastal Scents Gel Liner

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I hope everyone have a great and wonderful day with their loved ones!
It was crazy yesterday! Super traffic and it isn't even the V-day yet! So I can imagine how tough traffic will get today! I'll PROBABLY stay home...and spend quality time with the hubby :D

After the UDPP vs TFSI showdown, I've decided do another showdown on my HG (holy grail) gel liner Stila Smudgepots and compare it to my newly purchased CS Gel Liner in True Black.

Sad to say, I don't own MAC Black Track or Bobbi Brown gel liner but I've used them, but not as much as I've used both Stila and CS.

Here's side by side comparison

Size:
Stila is obviously bigger than CS


Net Weight:
Stila: 4g CS: 3g
Surprisingly, it's just 1g weight difference! :D

Both looks the same when swatch on my hand
(See photo below)

Photo taken in Natural Light No flash

Photo taken with Flash

Let's start the Showdown!

Packaging
Stila - clear glass jar with plastic cap. Very pretty and presentable.
CS - packed in a frosted glass jar with plastic cap, small and easy to take along BUT no label. You have to label them on your own.


Price (not including shipping)
Stila - $18.00 (approx Php850.00)
CS - $6.95 (approx Php330.00)

Gel Color
Stila - matte black
CS - matte black, a bit darker

Texture
Stila - creamy
CS - creamier than Stila

Drying time
Stila - dries quickly
CS - dries quickly, but Stila dries faster

Smudging Factor
Stila - no smudging, NONE at all
CS - no smudging on the upper lashline. I find CS True Black is creamier than my CS Truffle, so CS True Black smudges a tiny bit on the waterline.

How long does it stay on your eyes?
Stila - forever *lol* Just joking! Until you've decided to remove it.
CS - the lashline stays long until you remove it. For the waterline, it starts to smudge a bit after 4-5 hours.

Versatility and usage
Stila - only as eyeliner, cannot be used for waterlining, can hurt the eye
CS - used as eyeliner, can be use at the waterline without burning the eye. Since these are super creamy, can also be used as e/s base.

And here's a visual Showdown :)

As you can see, Stila Smudgepots remained unbudged
While CS is very creamy, so it smudges.
BUT, if I waited longer, I think the CS won't smudge as much as on the photo.




Since it got smudged previously, I tried to wet both of them
and the smudging didn't increase.

And the monster went overboard! lol
I smudged so hard and here's the final result

Stila Smudgepots in Black wins as my HG gel liner!
I believe it should! Because of the price difference!
But, if you're on a budget and wants to have a good gel lining experience,
Coastal Scents Gel Liners does the trick!
Feel free to test on Bobbi Brown gel liner as it works really well too!

-----------------------------------

By the way, I know shipping at Coastal Scents get gets to be more expensive than the product itself at times (for international), I am glad my wonderful friend Toma opened up Makeup Mix Shop and I am excited to see she will be selling these CS Gel Liners for $5.95 (approx Php290.00) <--- these will be available on February 20, 2009!

Yes, they are even cheaper than Coastal Scents and her shipping is very affordable! And if your orders are $20.00 and above (valid for any combo of products), shipping will be FREE!!! Yes, even to international buyers like us!!!

And there's more!!! (Sounds like home tv shopping! lol)

Starting today, you can get a free Makeup Masala Mineral Eyeshadow with any $15.00 order by using the code NIKKI.
Put the code and the eyeshadow name you like in the comment section of your order :)

Well, I hope I am helping you gals out :)
Take care and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Stay Happy!!!

UDPP vs. TFSI

I guess a lot of beauty bloggers had done the showdown for both of these. But I'm actually more interested to test it myself as I live in a Tropical Country, who only has 2 season in a year. Rainy and Sunny! I'm glad I had the chance to try on both primers though both are NOT available in our country.

And I'm happy to report I've got results! Well readers, these are my eyes, my lids, my eyeshadows, do NOT take my word for it, some products would work on you but not for me or vice versa :) The report is based on MY experience using MY set of eyes!

I'll report back with Askmewhats Revisits if something happened that would make me change my mind :)

Here's the look I've created using UDPP and TFSI as labeled on the photo. It isn't a heavy eye make up as it's regular office days, so I'm on neutrals.

Not bad huh? Looks like there's no difference,
Read on for reviews and showdown photos

Askmewhats specs ---

lids: not oily
e/s staying power without base: does not last, stays on max 2 hours
problems encountered: bad base or no base would cause my e/s to line on the crease (visibly)
testing period: done the 2 base eye make up look for 4 days straight, shifting bases on different eyes and different e/s brands are used


Askmewhats says ---

Pros

UDPP

• e/s stays put for long hours
• e/s are vibrant
• dries up on lid quickly, shorter time to do your e/s application
  

TFSI

• packaging is wonderful, I love the squeeze tube
• creamy, easy to apply
  
• can easily share to other people and still remains hygienic
• you have more time to spread this out as this doesn't dry up too quickly on lids
  

Cons

UDPP

• since my lids do not produce a lot of oil, applying too much will cause my lids to dry or flaky
• bad packaging, cannot share using a wand unless you already decant this
  

TFSI

• have to wait for a couple of seconds to dry before applying e/s
• e/s creases a bit on me and some parts, the e/s are gone
  

Overall

Photos speak thousand words, so I'll show photos first
Here's a simple Stila Quad look after 10 hours

Found any differences?
I actually did!
It's not as huge of a difference with the other showdown
But I circled the differences
and read on for more in-depth review

• UDPP definitely holds my e/s longer than TFSI
• You may think that it's after 10 hours, so I should give TFSI a break right? WRONG, the look on photo for TFSI is like that even right after 2-3 hours of e/s application, but the good thing, it didn't go worse, it just stayed that way until I remove it
• For people with oilier lids, UDPP definitely is the answer as I've tested UDPP on oily lids (more than 5) and I got the same answer from all of them, it was tested to hold on the e/s without creasing and without fading for hours and hours!
• I am honestly not confident to use TFSI on oily lids especially if they are my clients as minimal creasing happened to me, and I have to remember the fact that I have dry lids.
  
• that TFSI is great for cooler season (winter in other countries) while UDPP is perfect for the warm season (summer)
  

Violent reactions?
I hope not! :)
But share your thoughts!
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks God It's Friday!!!
Stay happy!

You can check out other related posts ---
UDPP purchase
UDPP vs L'oreal Decrease
UDPP Surgery