Which came first - Maybelline Eyestudio Creamy Gel Eyeliner from Japan or Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner from the U.S.?
Don't ask me because I don't remember! What I am capable of is comparing the two eyeliners to see if they're one in the same but packaged and produced in different countries!
I have to thank Adeline for providing the NO. 1 Eyeliner in Japan and myself for providing the U.S. version for this review. I made an oath earlier this year to discontinue purchasing cosmetic brands that test on animals but I purchased the U.S. version way before. I never opened it either which makes this comparison possible! Never thought I'd be thanking my old hoarding tendencies... but I am this time.
What I loved about the Maybelline Lasting Drama Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner way back when it first debuted is the brush it comes with. I loved it so much but lost two of them and eventually I was left with one that I never used in fear I'd lose it too. I'm happy to report that the brushes are the same. The brush hairs are different in color and the tiny glass jars also have different finishes. The Japanese version comes housed in frosted glass with a metal bottle cap while the U.S. version comes housed in a clear glass pot with a black plastic bottle cap.
The ingredients (listed at the end of the post) aren't the same but they don't stray far from each other. The Japanese version contains trimethyloxysilicate, talc, BHT, aloe barbadenis extracts which the U.S. version lacks. Although, the U.S. version has it's on private party of ingredients too but it's a little harder to type and sound out.
The difference in ingredients can explain the difference in shades. Both are brown but the U.S. version is a basic, chocolate-brown whereas the Japanese version is richer and contains very fine shimmer. I definitely prefer the Japanese version based on color but they're twins in terms of texture; creamy and super dreamy.
Left: U.S. Brown
Right: Japan Brown
It's important to set these creamy liners with a similar eyeshadow or translucent powder or they will smudge, especially for tapered eyelids. A primer definitely helps the liners last long on the lids but it's at 6 hours that I'll notice fading.
In any case, the liners are waterproof but not rub-proof. Soap & water won't suffice but cleansing water will remove all traces of the liner.
Bottom Line:
The Maybelline Eyestudio Creamy Gel Eyeliner from Japan & America are practically the same. If you're in the market for a creamy gel eyeliner, this one is the one to look out for and the U.S. version is available at nearly every drugstore. The Japan version can be purchased online (Sasa, eBay, etc). As for lasting power (fading, smudging, creasing), I have found better.
What's your favorite gel eyeliner?
Ingredients
U.S.:
Japan:
Who else was forced to wait an extra week or two for important mail or packages?
Among many, I was forced to wait but fortunately, one of two packages made it to my doorsteps the week before Canada Post went on strike.
All the way from Australia and sent by the lovely Adeline of Through Beauty Eyes, I received her one year blog anniversary giveaway prize:
I am/was most excited about the fact I'd be receiving something sent all the way from Australia.
It's not often I can say, "Oh hey, a parcel all the way from Australia". I have never ordered anything from the land down under but maybe that will change in the future.
So the giveaway prizes were jam packed in an extremely cute Rilakkuma square cosmetic pouch, also one of the prizes. It's a lilac colored pouch with stars and Rilakkuma heads spread out. The Rilakkuma heads are wearing a sleeping cap which I find is the cutest factor.
Inside the pouch was a mix of mostly foreign make-up goods. My excitement lies deep within the 'Made in Australia' goodies; Face of Australia, Australis and, Lucas Papaw Ointment.
Adeline included her holy grail eye liner as a prize - Maybelline Eyestudio Drama Lasting Gel Eyeliner in Brown - which also claims to be Japan's "No. 1 Eyeliner in Japan". I don't doubt it's HG-material nor a #1 product but I wonder if it's any different than the Western-produced Maybelline gel eyeliner. Perhaps I'll do a comparison post?
Deep within the pouch was a Palmer's Body Gloss which is a ultra rich body lotion that leaves my skin looking luminous as it contains very fine shimmer. It's probably going to look very good with a tan which means I better slap on some SPF & get baking!
The My Beauty Diary Mask in Cooling Mask included will help my sunburned face if I over bake! A few Korean pieces buried even deeper: Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick in#06 Great Bear Star), Etude House Collagen Moistfull samples and, VOV false eyelashes!
Also included was a Prestige lipstick in Penny (gorgeous golden bronze shade) and Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow in 310 Goddess (mossy green with a velvet/Perlé finish). The only thing un-photoed is the Easter egg chocolates & mint taffy's Adeline threw in. I ate them before I even swatched everything *oink*.
Yet another package from my significant other which ended up arriving late all thanks to Canada Post:
If you follow me on Twitter you should already be in the know about this "special" package I've been expecting. Any package from my SO is special and important but this one is the last one for a long while, seriously! No more spoiling this brat, no more he says!
Soompi's "Samples? Freebies? Coupons? Savings?" thread will be the bane of the SO's existence. I am always lurking the thread and when I came across this Laura Mercier deal back in May, I couldn't say not.
A combination of deals on Laura Mercier's website had me spiraling out of control. First the free shipping on $50 & up orders (easy). Any order over $85 at the time got a bonus 5-piece deluxe sample kit. Add in a $25 off $75 purchase code, plus a free full size foundation primer with the purchase of two face products and 3 regular samples... How could I not ask for a half-year birthday present?
Conclusion: Extremely good deal = justified. Spoiled brat + satisfied = well-behaved.
Best part of the package was the Jack Black duo and travel size slant tweezers by Tweezerman:
The SO made an order on Sephora for himself yet somehow I ended up being a part of the order. I can't say I mind much but hopefully this isn't the last time he makes an order for himself because a guy with good hygiene's will know how to wash dishes well for the future! If I cook, someone else has to clean.
That's all I received for June and I couldn't be any happier!
What did you receive in June or are expecting for July?
Last night's trip to London Drugs and Zellers was uber successful.
Before making my way back to the car, I passed by Zellers and bought the LAST Wet n Wild Pixie Holiday palette in Golden Goddess. I've been to this particular Zellers atleast 3 times since November and never found a trace of the WnW Pixie Holiday collection. I suspect someone had bought it at another Zellers and returned it at the one I went visited. I am so flipping happy but now I really want the other two (Sugar Plum and Night Elf) to complete the collection!
Editted pm February 6th:
A closer look at the EcoTools brushes. You can tell the retractable foundation brush is a round head and not flat because the ferrule is round. Ta-da!
Editted on February 5th:
I forgot about Maybelline Fit spottings... I've spotted displays at Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal-Mart and London Drugs. It's official, Maybelline Fit is AVAILABLE in Canada!
Other important news, I spotted a few great things at London Drugs.
Here we have the NEW EcoTools brushes:
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Pink arrows indicate the new ones.
The brush for $9.99 is the new Retractable Foundation brush. Sorry, I couldn't take a direct photo of it but it's not a traditional "paint" brush (flat) but instead, this one round and tapered. I've checked the MAC, Sephora, and Sigma website but I can't find a brush like the EcoTools one. I need to get it!
The brush for $14.99 is the Finishing Kabuki Brush. Everyone needs to buy this one! It features the same stippling brush head as the Finishing Brush in the Alicia Silverstone brush kits but has a short handle - hence why it is called the kabuki brush now.
I've also checked the Paris Presents website and the new brushes aren't even listed online!
Do look out for these brushes! I guarantee they are nothing like you've ever seen before in drugstores!
Lise Watier make-up brushes are also on sale at London Drugs. Each one is repriced for sale. Still quite expensive in drugstore standards but perhaps worth the look? I've never tried Lise Watier brushes so I can't claim for sure.
Second best spotting:
Peach Petal, Coral Reef, Firecracker, and Pink Pop are now featured in the PERMANENT display of Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses. FINALLY<3
I can't wait until Superstore and Wal-Mart update their display... They always have Revlon lip products on sale for $4.99 ;)
Rexall also has the updated Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss display. From Feb 4 to the 11th, Rexall has lip care/stick/gloss for 30% off so if you want to get the new PERMANENT Super Lustrous lip shades, now is better deal than none. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses go for $8.99 regularly at Rexall so it comes out to be $6.xx before taxes during this sale.
Edit: Rexall has a $5 off $25 purchases coupon available until March 31, 2011 aswell!
I'm aware I didn't spot too much but I'm so satisfied. I now know I can buy the Revlon lipglosses anytime in shades that excite me and EcoTools brushes that are extraordinary!
Keep an eye out at drugstores/grocery stores if you're interested in the things you saw in this post. I can't wait to see what other treasures I'll find :)
♥,
Ashley.
Hello again friends! I did a mini review on the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara awhile ago but now I'm back with a full review minus pictures.
Here's what Maybelline has to say:
The Falsies Mascara delivers a false lash look, giving you a full set of voluminous, bold, fanned-out lashes and the appearance of no gaps from any angle. The Pro-Keratin Fiber enriched formula is designed to deliver immediate results, distributing volume and visible intensity to your lashes. The spoon-shaped brush helps fan lashes out. The Falsies Mascara is designed to give the appearance of no gaps and spaces. In a wink, lashes you didn’t even know you had look visibly thickened!
I was a little disappointed when I first tried the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara but now I have figured out a way for the mascara to work better for me. I was using the mascara wand the wrong way (good goin' y'goof!). Instead of "spooning" my lashes, I should have been using the brush upside down so it was on a curve (hill shaped??). The bristles are a little short of medium length but not incredibly short meaning a mascara guard is necessary (for me atleast). No matter how careful & gentle I am when applying the mascara, I still manage to get it onto my eyelids! Unlike before, the brush has separated my lashes & grabs hold of each one creating a nice fanned-out set of lashes. The formula isn't as wet when I first use it also & noticed this happened with the Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara too. I actually prefer the consistency a little thicker but if you don't, you can always stick your tube of mascara in a cup of hot water & the formula will melt back into the thin, wet consistency that it once was. I can't begin to compare or explain the difference in the formula because it is changing constantly over time. For now, I find it is working well. I can get very dark, natural long looking lashes with two coats. With three I get volume but tiny clumps along the way but atleast it holds my curls! Add a fourth or fifth coat & I find my lashes all clumped up and spidery as @#$! but dramatic nonetheless. Still, it sucks to say that the volume Maybelline promised was not obtained.
*Edit: I forgot to mention that it still flakes but doesn't smudge!
Would I still recommend it? Yes but only if you ignore all the gibberish Maybelline claims in the description of their product (and at a discounted price of course). Depending on the person and technique used to apply the mascara, the outcome could be amazing or sorely disappointing. For the price I paid, I am happy with my results.
Hope you all had a happy Tuesday! I may have done very bad on my math test today but I don't find out until Thursday.. I'm off for a nap before the depression hits me like a brick :(
And I know it may ward off readers when I don't include real photos but I can't help it. My camera skills suck & I'm too shy! Help me boost my confidence??
P.S. I bought this myself and I'm not being paid for this review. Neither am I affiliated with the company.
Disclosure
Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.
All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.
Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.
