2015 Beauty Favorites | Eyes

I'm back with my beauty favorites of 2015! Only this time we are talking about products for our eyes. Let me tell ya, I am so freaking picky when it comes to eye makeup. Well, eyeshadow not so much but everything else has to be spot on. I have very sensitive eyes that have to blink a lot. When I do blink, cheap formulas always smudge and wipe away. So anything that you see in this post is top notch!

Eye primer

*Highend: Urban Decay Original Eye Primer $20

There are so many eye primers out there on the market. Every one has a different favorite but the primer potion is my tried and true. I can always rely on it for a long, vibrant wear. One day when I get married this will be the primer I put my faith into.

Drugstore: E.l.f Mineral eye primer $3

 E.l.f's eye primer is somewhat similar to Urban Decays, just not as good. However, it's great for the price. It will keep my eyeshadow in place all day long. If I ever do run out of primer, this is the first one that comes to mind if I need to purchase one in a jiffy.

Eye Shadow palette

*Highend: Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar $49

I actually just got this palette not too long ago. I always thought the original chocolate bar was amazing but I was wrong. The Semi-Sweet has softer shadows and the colors are even better. Though, either way, both palettes contain a great assortment of neutral/must have shades. I can't live without either one!

*Drugstore: Morphe 35 N $19.99

I'm not going to lie, Morphe can be hit or miss when it comes to their eyeshadows. Luckily, with the 35N palette I think the majority of the shades perform like high quality makeup. They're soft, blendable and pigmented. The staying power is good but better with a primer. The price point is what makes it a top competitor. The palette cost me around $20 and contains 28 beautiful shadows. I reach for it all the time when I am in the mood to play around with my makeup. The variety of looks is astounding with this palette.

Single eyeshadow

*Highend: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice   $21

I know the Moondust eyeshadows are not traditional eyeshadows but I included them anyway. I love how unique the properties are of the Moondust shadows. They're basically for the mobile lid alone but I can't help but think of these when I try to pick my favorite high end shadow of 2015. The iridescence is so dimensional and star striking. It can be applied dry for a nice sweep of color & glitter or applied wet for a full dimension of different tones. The tone of the shadow can be different depending on the base you apply under it.

*Drugstore: NYX Prismatic Eyeshadows $5.99

I used to love the Loreal infallible eyeshadows the most but once I tried the Prismatic formula everything changed. Like the Loreal, they are metallic/ shimmery, affordable, smooth, pigmented and long wearing. The only difference is the Nyx formula is a little creamer, so the shadows are not as powdery and have less fallout. My only grudge about the Prismatic shadows is the durability. They tend to crumble easily. Other than that, I love them to pieces! 

Cream eyeshadow

Highend: Mally Ever color Shadow stick $25

Looking for a creamy eyeshadow stick that doesn't budge all day? Go pick up one of Mallys Ever Color shadow sticks. They blend out easily, then once set, they don't move. Plus, they're very pigmented.

Drugstore: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoos $6.99

This is one of those cases where the drugstore out beats the high end brands. Maybelline's color tattoos are so amazing. Everytime I use one I'm blown away by its awesomeness. They are PIGMENTED. They don't just blend into nothing like some cream shadows. No, they stand out and they're like a tattoo. Do they blend easily? Of course (before they set)!  They're only $7 and you get a lot for your money. You need them in your life.

Gel eyeliner

*Highend: Tarte Tarteist Gel Liner $24

This stuff is so great. It glides over my wrinkly eye lids like no other. It's intense black and lasts all day. If you're looking for a highend liner, this is the one. You won't be disappointed.

Drugstore: Essence Gel Eyeliner $3.99

Essence has the best gel liner. It's shockingly creamy, long wearing, lasts forever in the jar, and it's even more wickedly black than Sigma's. Best part is it's less than $4.

Liquid eyeliner

Highend: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner $22

This liner is very pigmented and easy to apply. It's darker than your exes heart! I really love the thin tip and how it locks into place all day. 

Drugstore: NYC Liquid Liner $2.77

I love the wand on this liquid liner. It's so thin and precise. I'm able to achieve a wing with ease and it always looks great. It's super black and doesn't move all day.

Pencil eyeliner

Highend: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner in Perversion $20

 This eyeliner is very creamy, pigmented, rich, blendable and smudgeable(before it dries)....BUT, it's not as good as Pixi's Endless Silky pen in Black Noir. Yet again, another instance when the drugstore beats high end brands.

Drugstore: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Noir $12.19

This eyeliner is like a gel eyeliner in pen form. Every time I use it I'm just in disbelief of its creaminess. Not only is it extraordinarily creamy but it stays put all day. It so dark and smudge-able. I mean, just thinking about it makes me want to go smoke my eyes out right now. It's like black butter on a stick but desirable. If that makes sense? If not, let me make this clear for you all... You, your family, your friends and every girl on earth needs this liner!

Mascara

Highend: Too Faced Better than Sex $23

 Ok, I'm going to do mascara a little different. I pretty much get the same look from these two mascaras but the only thing that is different is the price. Both mascaras are pitch black, voluminous, lengthening, long wearing, clump resistant, flake free and transfer free. With this kind of mascara I don't even need false eyelashes.

Drugstore: Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black $7.99

Read the paragraph above for information on both the Better Than Sex mascara and Carbon black.

Brow Pencil

Highend: Anastasia Brow Wiz $21

 Anastasia has the best colors in the brow pencil world. They look realistic and they're easy to move across the eyebrow. They'll stay in place all day and keep you in the brow game. It's easy to use to shape your eyebrows and the tip is the perfect size.

Brow product

Highend: Anastasia Brow Pomade $18

This is for the girls who don't have much eyebrow hair. It's the best product out there to fill in your brows without disappearing later in the day. Anastasia has many shades to choose from and the price is affordable. It's creamy, yet easy to use. It lasts forever and applies without having a tug-a-war. All you need is a good angled brush and you and your brows are ready to take on the world.

*Drugstore: NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade $6.99

This stuff is a lot like the Anastasia Brow Pomade, not exactly the same but it gets the job done just as good. It's pigmented, long lasting and the shade options are pretty decent. I say save your money and buy this one instead. It's just a lot cheaper but still good. 

Ok, that's it for this post. Be sure to stay tuned for tomorrows post, which is my favorite lip products. Click here to read my 2015 Beauty Favorites for my face! 

Don't forget to tell me what your favorite eye products are for 2015 in the comments below. It's always nice to hear your favorites as well. I like to try new makeup too! (obviously, haha)

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Review & Swatches:Tarte Tartiest Clay Paint Liner

Hey, guys! I have been wanting to put up this review for a while but I decided to wait a couple months to see if this particular liner would dry out. Good news it didn't so we are off on a good start (let's hope it stays that way!). I ordered my Tarteist Clay Paint Liner on Sephora's website for $24. The amount of product icluded is .21 OZ. Tarte was also generous and included a decent angled liner brush for application. Now let's take a look at the product details Tarte Cosmetics shared! 

Product details 

What it is:
An innovative, waterproof cream eyeliner with a unique blending tip that is inspired by an artist’s palette. 

What it does:
Think outside the lines when you define eyes like a pro with tarte’s clay paint liner. Inspired by the ease of an artist’s palette, this one-of-a-kind, squeezable cream liner offers a seamless, no-budge application—simply squeeze, line, and define. The unique formula features fewer waxes, cushioned pigments, and a special development process that allows for the creamiest texture and smoothest application. The tube was created with an innovative artistic delivery system, a tapered tip, and a flat blending stage so you can simply pick up the ideal amount of product and blend for foolproof perfection. The sketcher-angled bamboo liner brush easily glides the plush, triple-black, formula along the contours of the eyelid. Featuring the same waterproof, 12-hour wear as tarte’s signature clay pot liners, this next-generation liner has cushion slide technology that lets you custom create your own signature lines without ever pulling or transferring. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens 
- Phthalates 

What else you need to know:
This product is ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.

Consistency/ Application 

The consistency is hybrid of a gel and liquid liner. It has a slip to it but not in the way where it's easy to start a paint party on your eye lid. It's just enough to glide across the wrinkles on the lid without tugging from one reminder of our aging to the next( I'm talking about wrinkles, haha). The liner itself is not runny but it's not thick either. When I squeeze it through the tube It comes out it in a circular formation that spreads out easily into the bowl like tip (blending stage).

Longevity

This part is tricky. I think this liner can last a long time if you're not an eye rubber but if I rub my eyes hard enough it does have the tendency to smudge a little. However, if  your eye area is a "no passing" zone then you should be fine. On days when I don't rub my eyes it will last for up to 12 hours, which is when I remove my makeup. So maybe it could last longer but honestly most people don't wear their makeup longer than that. Be sure to have a makeup remover handy, this liner is water proof to an extent. It will stay on if water is splashed on the face, so don't worry when you're sweating up a storm while tanning at your local pool this summer. Now, if water is applied and the liner is rubbed it will smudge some but to remove it completely you'll need a makeup remover. 

Best used for...

Winged liner. It's really easy to get the crisp tip that we all desire since its uber creamy and thin. It is smudgeable but I don't see most people purchasing this liner for that purpose. But if you are one of those people, I think you'll be pleased by its capability to smudge. 

Opacity and Finish

Honestly, I wish it was a tad bit darker. It's dark black but it's not pitch black. Although, I can get the desired darkness I want when I layer the product. The finish is most certainly matte. Once it's dry there's no smudging unless it's rubbed vigorously. Depending on the thickness of the coat, it usually dries in a minute or less. If your eyes are hooded or deep set be sure to give it time to fully dry or the liner will transfer to your brow bone. After that you should be fine for the remainder of the day. 

Packaging 

I really like the idea of a liner in a squeeze tube. I think it will last a lot longer before it dries out. The cap also features a small plug that goes into the tube when it's sealed shut. I can't imagine any air getting in there easiy if it's left shut. What I do is squeeze the tube just enough to allow any air trapped out and I'll screw the lid on. When I do that I know no air will leak into the tube and no air is left in to dry out the product. Who knows maybe this liner will last me for a year! That would be the first. 

Overall

I think it's a nice liner. I might repurchase it if it doesn't dry out for a very long time. However, I don't see it as a necessary or must have product. Drugstore eyeliners are just as good and cost a portion of the price. But if you're interested anyways just know it is a good eyeliner that's easy to use. The best thing about it is the consistency. I sometimes have a hard time applying eyeliner to my eyes because of wrinkles but this liner just glides across them so effortlessly. If your eyes are the same maybe it would be better than a drugstore liner. I honestly just think it depends on the buyers needs. 

Pro's

Easy to apply

Dark Black

Pigmented

Long lasting

Smooth/creamy 

Waterproof

Easy to remove

Matte

Smudgeable 

Doesn't dry out as fast

Nice packaging

Cons

Price

Can wear off when rubbed

Photos & Swatches 

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Have you tried the Tarte Tarteist Clay Paint Liner?

Do you want to try it?

Let me know in the comments below!