Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (5L, 20L)

The Make Up Forever display at Sephora is so big and engaging it makes me forget and ignore how much the store itself annoys me. It's all about the colors, and I've been in the mood for some interesting eyeliners. Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils come in 24 shades, from the classics to some that are really out there (metallic fuschia and yellow, if that's your thing).

The pencils are, indeed, waterfoof. Still, they glide on very smoothly without tugging or pulling and can be nicely smudged to shade the lid (see swatch). They maintain their texture in heat and humidity, don't melt even after a hot shower and require a good makeup remover when you want to take them off. I'd predict these Make Up Forever crayons are going to be my summer staple, especially for long days spent outdoors.

20L is a blue based dark green. I've been after this color for a while and this is perfect (use with sand or beige eyeshadows and blend with a little taupe or mocha color on the lid to keep it from looking too 80s). 5L is a golden khaki with a metallic finish. It's easy to wear and would look flattering on many a skin tone, tan (fake, please!) or not.

Bottom line: As good as it gets.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils ($17 each) are a Sephora exclusive, also available online.

Photos by me.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (5L, 20L)

The Make Up Forever display at Sephora is so big and engaging it makes me forget and ignore how much the store itself annoys me. It's all about the colors, and I've been in the mood for some interesting eyeliners. Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils come in 24 shades, from the classics to some that are really out there (metallic fuschia and yellow, if that's your thing).

The pencils are, indeed, waterfoof. Still, they glide on very smoothly without tugging or pulling and can be nicely smudged to shade the lid (see swatch). They maintain their texture in heat and humidity, don't melt even after a hot shower and require a good makeup remover when you want to take them off. I'd predict these Make Up Forever crayons are going to be my summer staple, especially for long days spent outdoors.

20L is a blue based dark green. I've been after this color for a while and this is perfect (use with sand or beige eyeshadows and blend with a little taupe or mocha color on the lid to keep it from looking too 80s). 5L is a golden khaki with a metallic finish. It's easy to wear and would look flattering on many a skin tone, tan (fake, please!) or not.

Bottom line: As good as it gets.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils ($17 each) are a Sephora exclusive, also available online.

Photos by me.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (5L, 20L)

The Make Up Forever display at Sephora is so big and engaging it makes me forget and ignore how much the store itself annoys me. It's all about the colors, and I've been in the mood for some interesting eyeliners. Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils come in 24 shades, from the classics to some that are really out there (metallic fuschia and yellow, if that's your thing).

The pencils are, indeed, waterfoof. Still, they glide on very smoothly without tugging or pulling and can be nicely smudged to shade the lid (see swatch). They maintain their texture in heat and humidity, don't melt even after a hot shower and require a good makeup remover when you want to take them off. I'd predict these Make Up Forever crayons are going to be my summer staple, especially for long days spent outdoors.

20L is a blue based dark green. I've been after this color for a while and this is perfect (use with sand or beige eyeshadows and blend with a little taupe or mocha color on the lid to keep it from looking too 80s). 5L is a golden khaki with a metallic finish. It's easy to wear and would look flattering on many a skin tone, tan (fake, please!) or not.

Bottom line: As good as it gets.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils ($17 each) are a Sephora exclusive, also available online.

Photos by me.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever Kabuki Brush

My oldest and most reliable face brush is dying. I bought it 15 years ago at an upscale makeup studio/school. It was big, fluffy and could be used to apply all kinds of powders and bronzers. I remember the price tag was scary, but as the makeup artist who sold it had promised, with love and proper care it has served me for a very long time. The brand name has long faded from my memory and from the long and graceful handle which now only says "Made In France". The hair is natural and what still remains of it is as soft as ever, but I can no longer ignore the rapid shading that has made my brush much less dense and effective. It's time to find new loves.

The Luxury Face Brush from Edward Bess fits the name. From its sleek black box (that holds the brush Dracula-style) to the weight and the way it fits in my hand. The brush is soft and dense, made from natural bristles. The rounded head picks up the right amount of bronzer (a review of the Edward Bess Bronzer is coming soon) and other color products (Edward might cringe but I've tried it with Smashbox Soft Lights and Laura Geller Balance'N'Bronze with great results. Much better than the brushes produced by both these brands). Powder blushes look more natural when applied with this brush and blending is a breeze.

My other go-to face brush these days is the very hyped Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush. It's definitely worthy of the buzz. This is a synthetic brush, thus less porous and dries more quickly when I wash it. It's great with powders, pressed and loose, mineral products (I actually started testing a few, details soon) and I've used it to give the face a quick flush of color with a bronzer, though you need to be careful not to overdo it.

Both the Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush might be the best face brushes I've tried.

Bottom line: I no longer mourn the demise of my old brush.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com.
Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush ($39) is a Sephora exclusive and can be found online and in store.

All photos by me.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever Kabuki Brush

My oldest and most reliable face brush is dying. I bought it 15 years ago at an upscale makeup studio/school. It was big, fluffy and could be used to apply all kinds of powders and bronzers. I remember the price tag was scary, but as the makeup artist who sold it had promised, with love and proper care it has served me for a very long time. The brand name has long faded from my memory and from the long and graceful handle which now only says "Made In France". The hair is natural and what still remains of it is as soft as ever, but I can no longer ignore the rapid shading that has made my brush much less dense and effective. It's time to find new loves.

The Luxury Face Brush from Edward Bess fits the name. From its sleek black box (that holds the brush Dracula-style) to the weight and the way it fits in my hand. The brush is soft and dense, made from natural bristles. The rounded head picks up the right amount of bronzer (a review of the Edward Bess Bronzer is coming soon) and other color products (Edward might cringe but I've tried it with Smashbox Soft Lights and Laura Geller Balance'N'Bronze with great results. Much better than the brushes produced by both these brands). Powder blushes look more natural when applied with this brush and blending is a breeze.

My other go-to face brush these days is the very hyped Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush. It's definitely worthy of the buzz. This is a synthetic brush, thus less porous and dries more quickly when I wash it. It's great with powders, pressed and loose, mineral products (I actually started testing a few, details soon) and I've used it to give the face a quick flush of color with a bronzer, though you need to be careful not to overdo it.

Both the Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush might be the best face brushes I've tried.

Bottom line: I no longer mourn the demise of my old brush.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com.
Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush ($39) is a Sephora exclusive and can be found online and in store.

All photos by me.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever Kabuki Brush

My oldest and most reliable face brush is dying. I bought it 15 years ago at an upscale makeup studio/school. It was big, fluffy and could be used to apply all kinds of powders and bronzers. I remember the price tag was scary, but as the makeup artist who sold it had promised, with love and proper care it has served me for a very long time. The brand name has long faded from my memory and from the long and graceful handle which now only says "Made In France". The hair is natural and what still remains of it is as soft as ever, but I can no longer ignore the rapid shading that has made my brush much less dense and effective. It's time to find new loves.

The Luxury Face Brush from Edward Bess fits the name. From its sleek black box (that holds the brush Dracula-style) to the weight and the way it fits in my hand. The brush is soft and dense, made from natural bristles. The rounded head picks up the right amount of bronzer (a review of the Edward Bess Bronzer is coming soon) and other color products (Edward might cringe but I've tried it with Smashbox Soft Lights and Laura Geller Balance'N'Bronze with great results. Much better than the brushes produced by both these brands). Powder blushes look more natural when applied with this brush and blending is a breeze.

My other go-to face brush these days is the very hyped Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush. It's definitely worthy of the buzz. This is a synthetic brush, thus less porous and dries more quickly when I wash it. It's great with powders, pressed and loose, mineral products (I actually started testing a few, details soon) and I've used it to give the face a quick flush of color with a bronzer, though you need to be careful not to overdo it.

Both the Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush and Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush might be the best face brushes I've tried.

Bottom line: I no longer mourn the demise of my old brush.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com.
Makeup For Ever HD Kabuki Brush ($39) is a Sephora exclusive and can be found online and in store.

All photos by me.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara

They weren't kidding when they said this was a waterproof mascara. It survives heavy rain and a hot shower and just refuses to leave until you go after it with an oil-based makeup remover. The problem is that as far as mascaras go, Aqua Smoky Lash from Makeup For Ever is an underachiever.

While Extra Black is a rich glossy black color that gives definition to the lashes, it does diddly squat for length and I suspect the added volume is more goop than a real thick coat. The texture is quite thick and on the dry side and it clumps too easily, even when you make sure to wipe the brush before applying. I used two different tubes of Aqua Smoky Lash and the results were the same whenever I wore it.

Bottom line: Meh.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara ($22) is a Sephora exclusive. I got a couple of sample size tubes with various other purchases.

Makeup For Ever mascara photos by me.
Vintage mascara ad from pzrservices.typepad.com

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara

They weren't kidding when they said this was a waterproof mascara. It survives heavy rain and a hot shower and just refuses to leave until you go after it with an oil-based makeup remover. The problem is that as far as mascaras go, Aqua Smoky Lash from Makeup For Ever is an underachiever.

While Extra Black is a rich glossy black color that gives definition to the lashes, it does diddly squat for length and I suspect the added volume is more goop than a real thick coat. The texture is quite thick and on the dry side and it clumps too easily, even when you make sure to wipe the brush before applying. I used two different tubes of Aqua Smoky Lash and the results were the same whenever I wore it.

Bottom line: Meh.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara ($22) is a Sephora exclusive. I got a couple of sample size tubes with various other purchases.

Makeup For Ever mascara photos by me.
Vintage mascara ad from pzrservices.typepad.com

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara

They weren't kidding when they said this was a waterproof mascara. It survives heavy rain and a hot shower and just refuses to leave until you go after it with an oil-based makeup remover. The problem is that as far as mascaras go, Aqua Smoky Lash from Makeup For Ever is an underachiever.

While Extra Black is a rich glossy black color that gives definition to the lashes, it does diddly squat for length and I suspect the added volume is more goop than a real thick coat. The texture is quite thick and on the dry side and it clumps too easily, even when you make sure to wipe the brush before applying. I used two different tubes of Aqua Smoky Lash and the results were the same whenever I wore it.

Bottom line: Meh.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara ($22) is a Sephora exclusive. I got a couple of sample size tubes with various other purchases.

Makeup For Ever mascara photos by me.
Vintage mascara ad from pzrservices.typepad.com

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner (Matte Black)

Here's a product that deserves a lot more hype than it gets: Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner. It's a cream eyeliner in a pot, comes in a range of beautiful wearable shades (I'm seriously coveting the Matte Green), and their black is actually an "almost black" that isn't too harsh but doesn't lack in pigment intensity.

I've been applying the Aqua Creamliner with a Studio Gear thin eyeliner brush from Ulta. The line is flawless, thin and very easy to control. It goes right where I want it and stays there, rain or shine (I've worn it in the pouring rain yesterday while walking around town. My hair was a mess, but my eyeliner was perfect). No smudging, bleeding, smearing or any unpleasantness, while it was still easy to remove with Bi-Facil.

The color I got, Matte Black, is exactly what I've been after for a while now. It's very rich and dark and certainly appears black, so it can look quite sultry if you draw a thicker line. But it's not harsh and doesn't look too heavily made up.

Bottom line: A new favorite.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner ($20) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner (Matte Black)

Here's a product that deserves a lot more hype than it gets: Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner. It's a cream eyeliner in a pot, comes in a range of beautiful wearable shades (I'm seriously coveting the Matte Green), and their black is actually an "almost black" that isn't too harsh but doesn't lack in pigment intensity.

I've been applying the Aqua Creamliner with a Studio Gear thin eyeliner brush from Ulta. The line is flawless, thin and very easy to control. It goes right where I want it and stays there, rain or shine (I've worn it in the pouring rain yesterday while walking around town. My hair was a mess, but my eyeliner was perfect). No smudging, bleeding, smearing or any unpleasantness, while it was still easy to remove with Bi-Facil.

The color I got, Matte Black, is exactly what I've been after for a while now. It's very rich and dark and certainly appears black, so it can look quite sultry if you draw a thicker line. But it's not harsh and doesn't look too heavily made up.

Bottom line: A new favorite.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner ($20) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner (Matte Black)

Here's a product that deserves a lot more hype than it gets: Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner. It's a cream eyeliner in a pot, comes in a range of beautiful wearable shades (I'm seriously coveting the Matte Green), and their black is actually an "almost black" that isn't too harsh but doesn't lack in pigment intensity.

I've been applying the Aqua Creamliner with a Studio Gear thin eyeliner brush from Ulta. The line is flawless, thin and very easy to control. It goes right where I want it and stays there, rain or shine (I've worn it in the pouring rain yesterday while walking around town. My hair was a mess, but my eyeliner was perfect). No smudging, bleeding, smearing or any unpleasantness, while it was still easy to remove with Bi-Facil.

The color I got, Matte Black, is exactly what I've been after for a while now. It's very rich and dark and certainly appears black, so it can look quite sultry if you draw a thicker line. But it's not harsh and doesn't look too heavily made up.

Bottom line: A new favorite.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Creamliner ($20) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.