love it/hate it: Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner

normally, I am a huge fan of Benefit products. their They're Real! Mascara is one of my all-time favorites, so I was super excited to hear about the They're Real! Push-Up Liner that they had developed. like a true makeup junkie, I researched the product before the launch, read reviews, watched videos and tutorials before even getting my hands on the product. my bosses recently purchased the liner, and I was able to give it a try myself. to say that I hated this product is a bit strong, but not too far from the truth. so many reviews talked about how much product is wasted with every use, and they were not lying. it seemed that every time I clicked more product into the pen tip, I would have to squeeze out the excess- it was quite a pain. I will say, that the design of the tip is perfect for someone who is just getting into winged liner, and isn't quite sure how to get the perfect flick. it was easy to almost stamp at the outer corner, and then just connect the end to your lash line. the gel formula is great for getting a super smooth, rich, pigmented line- but the rich pigment is quite a b*tch to get off. so much so that they have to sell a special remover for the liner. I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to purchase a separate remover for one eyeliner, but I also don't want to scrub (and damage) my eyelids, or walk around with panda eyes. if only they could work on the product distribution to the tip, I would be obsessed, but for now (as the product is) I have to say I'm a bit of a hater.

have you tried this liner? what are your thoughts?

xx, marissa

like it, love it, gotta have it: winged liner

when it comes to makeup, everyone has their signature look. for some it's a super fresh face, for other's a bold lip, or a fun colorful eye look. my go-to is definitely a neutral lid, usually in a taupe or bronze shadow, with a winged cat-eye. i've tried my fair share of eyeliners (pencil, gel, liquid, etc.) and always come back to a pen form of a liquid liner. these are a few of my favorites, at a variety of different price points that make creating that perfect flick of a wing super simple.

Like it- Lancome Artliner this liner has a foam tip, and pen-shaped applicator that make it a breeze to apply. the color is super pigmented, and with a eyeshadow primer stays put all day. the bendable foam tip makes the perfect flick at the end, but also gives you control to make your line thick or thin. the price ($30.50- eek!) is what puts it in the Like it spot.

Love it- L'Oreal Lineur Intense this liner is almost an exact dupe for the Lancome liner. same foam tip, same pen-shaped applicator (except this one has curves on the handle that I think only help), and same deep pigmented coloring. the only differences that I've found are the price ($8.99), and that it's available in the drug store, which puts it in the Love it spot. I have found that it sometimes does this weird thing where it can start to peel off your lids if it's super humid, or you have really oily lids, so make sure to wear it over an eyeshadow primer.

Gotta Have it- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner this is my hands down favorite eyeliner ever; it's one of those products that as soon as it starts to dry out, I'm heading to Sephora to replace it. I received a set for Christmas from my bosses (they know that makeup is the key to my heart) which included black, dark brown, moss, and midnight- and have been hooked ever since. I originally was obsessed with the black, but one day decided to try the dark brown and instantly fell in love. the brown is super dark, almost black, but doesn't have the wet/metallic look that black liquid can sometimes have. the pen applicator is super easy to hold, gives you a perfect flick, allows you to control how thick or thin your line is, and does not budge. i'm taking heavy duty staying power that needs waterproof makeup remover to get off. it comes in a ton of different colors (I've been meaning to pick up the turquoise to use for a double lined liner look), and is just amazing through and through.

what's your go-to look when it comes to makeup? do you love a colorful eye, a bold lip, or a contoured face?

xx, marissa