Motives Khol Eyeliner

# of shades available: 2 (brown and navy blue)
RRP: £12.50
purchase from http://ukmotives.shop.com

--What does the promo say?--
"Make your eyes your best feature with our Motives Khol Eyeliner. The look can be as subtle or as dramatic as you like, and will stay defined and precisely lined all day. This great eyeliner will not pull the delicate skin around your eyes; it glides on smooth and has all day staying power."

--Packaging--
The plastic wrapping on this is a bit difficult to remove, but once this is done there are no other problems: the ensemble is chic and modern thanks to a unified black and silver colour scheme and a small band of the eyeliner colour at the end of the pencil. This is the kind of pencil you need to sharpen, though, rather than twisting up, which I know bothers some people.

--Application--
As promised, this is not difficult to apply even for eyeliner virgins, as it glides on smoothly without tugging at the skin. Follow the line of the top lashes along, flick out a little beyond the end of the lashes, and then blend for a more muted effect if desired.

--Appearance--
I was kindly sent the liner in Deep Sea Blue by Motives' publicist, and not only does this match my eyes well, but it's also a good complement to a lot of my clothes and makeup, which either are blue or go well with it. As the publicity materials mention, too, the liner can also have whatever impact you want depending on how much you blend: dramatic for nighttime, or subtle for day. 

--Texture and consistency--
Quite soft, which is good in some ways, as it helps with application and blending. However, this hot weather we've been having lately means it risks breaking thanks to being too soft. Perhaps keep in the fridge for safety!

--Longevity--
Again, as promised, it has very good staying power, lasting at least 6-7 hours flawlessly and probably more. 

--Value for money--
I have only positive comments regarding this product's appearance, texture, longevity and ease of application. This is a good supporting case for the RRP of £12.50. However, it's also a bit of a gamble, as there are a few much better-known brands retailing at £12-£13 per eyeliner stick, such as Black Up and Clarins. It's possible that they're trying to bank on the fact that this brand is designed by Loren Ridinger (whose main claim to fame, as far as I can see, is that she is senior vice-president of Shop.com), and trying to make us think, by putting her name on it, that we should all know who she is, should see her as more famous than she is, and that we should be prepared to pay for that privilege. To be honest, it all smacks a bit of the Jerome-Alexander-meets-JML case (although at least Ridinger is a real person who has achieved things, whereas Alexander seems little more than a fictional construct). So to try to reconcile this aspect of the product's price tag with its actual quality is somewhat difficult. However, in spite of my reservations I probably would recommend this product to others. It works well and comes in two classic tones to suit virtually everyone, which is more than a lot of brands manage. In short, Motives does seem to be one to watch - and I do hope that as a result Loren Ridinger is better known.

perfect partners
Pressed Eye Shadow, £12
Lustrafy Mascara, £14
False Eyelashes, £5.50
Eye Base, £12
Essential Brow Kit, £24   

Bianca's Beauty Blog's eyeliner test

Our Eye and Eye Makeup Correspondent, Gemma Summons, recently received a batch of 17 eyeliners to test. Let's see what she thought...

As you know I'm a complete eyeliner fiend - wear it every single day (probably more than I should), and I've tried a fair few over the years. I'm pretty made up (HAHAHA geddit) about these eyeliners as I'm used to paying the same amount of money (~£5) or even more for what are, frankly, inferior products to these.

I'll be commenting on these in order of preference (lowest to highest).

 

High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner 

The press release says: "17 High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner is a smooth and intense liquid eyeliner with a precise and easy to use applicator. Perfect for creating a 'high drama' effect!" £3.99 

I'd say this is a solid 'entry level' eyeliner. It's very, very similar to the Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner (to which I was a devotee for years) in pretty much all respects - the packaging, the shape of the bottle, the price, even the brush (very sturdy - more like a felt-pen tip than a brush) and the look you get - a matte finish, with the claim that it lasts up to 25 hours. However, I reckon if you got it wet - rain, tears, sweat after a gig/rave/club, any other liquid (don't really want to know, to be honest), it wouldn't live up to this claim. It is a lot more watery than the other two eyeliners. This does mean that it's so much easier to remove, which is crucial if you're just getting the hang of liquid eyeliner. The tip makes it easier to get the shape you want if you're unpractised, and because it's easier to remove, it's easier to touch up any mistakes. Especially if you sneeze just after applying it, which, by the way, happens to me on at least a twice weekly basis and is infuriating. But, for me, it's a bit too... meek. If you can call liquid eyeliner meek.

Wet Look Lacquer Eyeliner
The press release says: "17 Wet Look Lacquer Eye Liner gives a wet look shine once dry, giving a lacquered edge to any eye look." £3.99

I really like this one. It's got a thinner 'handle' which makes it look that bit more slinky than the High Drama eyeliner, and sits in your hand more like a pen. This has an actual brush - not too thick and not too thin, meaning that you can go for the sleek, classy 'barely there' eyeliner flicks, or you can build it up if you want to. Because it's a brush it's more flexible, so it's better if you're a bit more confident with eyeliner in the first place. This is also because it is pretty sturdy - you will need a decent eye make-up remover for this one. It will stick around all day and all evening, providing you're not, I don't know, swimming or something. And even then I reckon it would stand a good chance. One really good thing about this eyeliner is the look - like it says, it does have a wet finish. It looks shinier than the High Drama eyeliner, and is much thicker when you put it on. I reckon this would be best for a glam, glossy look, whereas the High Drama eyeliner might be better if you want a smudgier, smokier look.

Tattoo Me 

The press release says: "New 17 Semi Permanent Liquid Eyeliner, for up to 48 hours' wear." £4.99

I am speaking as a hardened addict of eyeliner. I LOVE THIS. It is so flipping resilient. AND CHEAP. The packaging is a lot chunkier than the others - it is effectively a normal tube (so in that respect I think I'd prefer it if the lid was more pen like and a little longer, to help you when applying it). The look of it is similar to the Wet Look eyeliner, which I like, but the brush is slightly longer and the eyeliner itself is thick and slightly sticky looking, but don't let this put you off. They aren't lying when they say it lasts 48 hours. It does. It IS semi-permanent. They tell you to use an oil-based eye makeup remover to budge it, and you will need to. I wore this and had run out of make-up remover, and despite washing my face several times with cleanser, it was still there. And the morning after. And for the rest of the next day. Given that it's taken me years to find an eyeliner that would actually stay where it is supposed to without having to fork out about £15 for the privilege, this is a revelation. This is perfect for if you can't bear to be seen without eyeliner - not that I'm advocating this, but it will survive the gym, gigs, clubbing, rain, kneading dough (see below... not that you'll be doing this with your face on a regular basis but you never know), FESTIVALS (an actual godsend) and, y'know, the morning after (wink). What a glory to wake up with your eyeliner still in place and not smeared halfway across your face like you've taken part in some bizarre tribal ink ritual rather than a night of passion. I think you could go swimming in this, if you really wanted to. Actually brilliant.

 

I tested each out on my finger (top left: Wet Look Lacquer Liner, top right: High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner, bottom: Tattoo Me semi permanent liquid eyeliner) and wore them all day - doing day to day activities. Washing my hands, rubbing my hands, even KNEADING DOUGH (yeah that's right, bread baking) to compare them and to see how much wear and tear they would realistically withstand. 

Wet Look Lacquer Liner: a pretty tough cookie, surviving repeated hand washings. Didn't survive the baking session, as it flaked off (but that's fair enough).

High Drama: is really for 'light users' as opposed to the 'hardened addicts' of eyeliner. It washes off fairly easily - which is good if you're a no-fuss girl and just want your make-up to wipe off easily - maybe less so if you want staying power. Or indeed, live in Wales, like I do, where it feels like it rains 98% of the time.

Tattoo Me: oh my god, THE COCKROACH of the eyeliner world. It is bulletproof. It survived everything, including the dough kneading (I gave it a fairly good bashing too - was unleashing female wrath on the bread that day) and was still on my finger 48 hours later. It really, really does what it says on the tin.

Benefit Primpcess

RRP: £24.50/$34/$34.50
Contains:
- 0.04 oz Boi-ing concealer in 02 Medium
- 0.04 Eye Bright
- 0.11 oz Creaseless Cream Shadow Liner in R.S.V.P. (sparkling champagne)
- 3 Powder Shadows (for contouring, accenting, and lining)
- 0.14 oz BADgal Lash Mascara mini mascara
- Dual ended Fluff Shadow & Talent Brush
- Concealer Brush

--What does the promo say?--
"Benefit Primpcess gives you the tools and skills to conceal, contour, accent, line, shadow, and brighten your eyes. Take the guesswork out of loathe-worthy eyes with a step-by-step primping lesson. With your lesson plan in hand, and the perfect products at your fingertips, you'll have a sexy stare in no time!"

Available at: www.asos.com, Sephora, Debenhams

--Packaging--
This packaging combines country girl and showgirl with bold colours and fringe styling, all packed into one box. Benefit manage to fit an impressive amount of products into this box, though it's a pretty big box for something that only covers the eyes (though if you want something to include products for other parts of your face too, I guess you'd go for Benefit's Justine Case, or, from another brand, any of Lancôme's travel cases). It also has a mirror, and a magnetic mechanism, which allows the box to be opened easily when you need it, but stay securely shut when you don't. It's lightweight enough to carry around with you, and despite my previous comment on the size, it will still fit into most handbags and is also slender enough for briefcases and carry-cases for the city slickers among you.

--Application--
Included in the box is a small leaflet providing step-by-step instructions for each product, from the commonplace eyeshadows to the more obscure Eye Bright. Brushes are also provided, and you're told in the leaflet how and when to use them. An excellent touch and very helpful when on the move. The Boi-ing concealer can also double up as a general face concealer if you have nothing else with you.

--Appearance--
The eyeshadows are generic shades of brown and cream, allowing them to be suited to any complexion. The mascara is black and the shade of concealer provided is a far more inspired choice than the shade of Boi-ing provided in the Realness of Concealness kit. The Eye Bright is a surprising shade of pale pink, which seems at odds with the yellowy concealer and brown eyeshadows/liners, but works well on the skin to provide brightening and highlighting effects. On the face, the overall look is natural, though as pointed out in my previous reviews, there are still some blending problems with Boi-ing, so make sure you are thorough in your application to avoid any patchiness. Bad Gal separates and lengthens lashes well, though doesn't provide the wow-factor that the extollers of Benefit's virtues all seem to swear it to possess.

--Texture/consistency--
Boi-ing, as previously mentioned, has some blending problems, but is easily helped along with water. It's of a slightly stiff, slightly slidy consistency that is normal with most compact products of this type. The eyeshadows are slightly too powdery, with some being left loose in the box even with most careful manipulation of the brush, although the shadow liner is better. They are all versatile and easily manipulated. Eye Bright is of a similar consistency to Boi-ing, but far exceeds it in quality when it comes to blending.

--Longevity--
I was disappointed that Boi-ing's effects on my blemishes seemed to degenerate throughout the day, despite its heavy-duty reputation, but apart from this, all of the products last very well.

--Coverage--
Only Boi-ing is designed for coverage, and it fares averagely, both under the eyes and on facial blemishes.

--Value for money--
Shopping in the UK is becoming more and more interesting with its near-parity with the Euro. However, our American friends marginally have an even better deal, with $34.50 being equal to £23.64, although shopping in the US is not currently as profitable as it once was for Brits. You get many products for the money paid, although its overall 'value' is perhaps diminished by the fact that it's for the eyes only, not for the whole face. Saying this, this is perhaps offset by the fact that this set is limited edition only, so may well shoot up in monetary value and yield profitable resale prices on auction sites when it is no longer available in the commercial mainstream.

--Which products would I buy?--
I was distinctly underwhelmed by Boi-ing and by Bad Gal, even though the latter in particular is something that Benefit fans rave about. The eyeshadows are of solid quality, but you can get better ones for the same price or less from MAC or Prescriptives. The one at the top of my list from this set, however, would be Eye Bright: it's innovative, easy to use, and adds a new dimension to making up your eyes.

perfect partners
Benetint Lip Balm, $20/£14.50
Get Even Compact Powder, $30/€30.50/£21.25
Posie Tint, $28/€31.50/£22.25

Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil

RRP: €20/$26/£13.50
# of shades available: 10

--What does the promo say?--
"This silky soft formula allows for precise, easy application and versatile looks. Use it to subtly define or to intensify your eye look. Glide the smudger over eyeliner for a sexy, smoky result. Available in a subtle palette from pale taupe to soft black."

--Packaging--
Comes in a sleek-looking black cardboard box, with the brand logo embossed onto it in shinier black. Unfortunately the box bends and becomes dirty quite easily, especially if you're carrying it in your handbag. The pencil itself is equally sleek, with the smudge brush at one end and the actual pencil nib at the other end. The lids on both end secure easily and mean you can easily carry it around without the box. My sole criticism would be that the end with the smudge brush is not well indicated on the pencil - it has a small ridge around the top of it, which the pencil end doesn't, but that's all the indication there is and it took me a while to work it out.

--Application--
"For an ultra-glamorous look, extend the eye pencil slightly outside the outer corner of the eyes. Build in other eye lining colors with the eye liner brush and moistened eye shadow."

--Appearance--
The colour of the eyeliner varies its appearance according to which colour eyeshadow it is used with, and whether it is used on top of or underneath the shadow. Clever. Mine, the grey one (#8), is also incredibly versatile in this regard: it can be used equally easily with blue shadow, brown shadow, purple shadow, or silver shadow, while still looking incredibly natural.

--Texture/consistency--
Perhaps a tiny bit too soft, but you could always keep it in the fridge. However, the only time I had a problem with this was when it was brand new and a tiny bit broke off the end - I've had no problems with it since. Works better on the top lashes than on the waterline, perhaps because of this. It is, however, easy to control: you can blend a little or a lot with the brush according to your mood and the liner 'responds' accordingly.

--Longevity--
It doesn't move an inch on the top lashes once applied. On the bottom lashes, it fares no better or worse than other liners.

--Value for money--
While this isn't perfect, I'd still say that you get your money's worth: the pencil is a generous size, it's a dream to apply because of its creamy texture, and when you compare the price to other mediocre high-street brands' eyeliners, you get an astonishingly good deal when you consider that you are buying into one of the world's biggest and most luxurious brands for surprisingly little money.

*available at: Saks, Nordstrom, Harvey Nichols, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps

perfect partner
Giorgio Armani Eye Liner Brush
Giorgio Armani Star Lash