Tag: eyebrow

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Product:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax.  Keep your unruly eyebrow hairs tame in any kind of weather with this affordable pencil that is an exact dupe for a much more expensive product.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.

Cost Best: $3.97 (.09 oz.) ($44.11 per ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  MilaniCosmetics; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Chubby wooden pencil with outer plastic cap

Description:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is a clear wax pencil that you use either by itself or with tinted brow powder to control eyebrow hairs and keep them neat and in place.

Formula:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is waterproof, completely clear and is somewhat thick.  It is slightly tacky feeling until it dries.  I usually set this with tinted powder on female clients.  I use it by itself or with translucent powder on male clients.  This is great for taming thick wiry eyebrow hairs on men.

Sensitivity:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is fragrance and paraben free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contacts.

Company Claims:

“For naturally beautiful brows, tame and sculpt with one sweep of the easy-to-use Brow Shaping Clear Wax Pencil. The transparent shade works well on all hair colors and the non-sticky medium to strong hold formula blends well with other brow beautifiers. This pencil dries to a weightless, matte finish and when it’s time to sharpen your brow-shaping skills, the Duo Sharpener does the trick.”

Discussion:  I have been a fan of clear brow waxes for decades.  The best one I ever found was a retractable pencil by Femme Couture that was discontinued.  I then had to begin my search for an alternative.  The next best thing I found was Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer at $21 each.

Product Dupe:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer and performs exactly the same.  I’ve even included the ingredients list for the Anastasia Brow Primer below so you can see just how similar they are.  The key difference in the ingredients occurs near the end.  The Milani product does not contain any parabens and the Anastasia product does.  They look, smell, and feel identical when you use them.  The cap stays on better on the more expensive Anastasia pencil.  Since the Milani pencil costs $17 less, I can live with the cap issue.

Colors:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax only comes in one color, 01 Clear.

Morning Review:  Before applying tinted brow powder, I stroke the Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax in the direction of the hair growth of the eyebrow hairs.  The wax glides on easily and has no odor.  The wax not only keeps the brow hairs in place, but it also serves as a primer and gives the powder something to cling to.  If you are using an eyebrow pencil without powder, then I would put the wax on after the pencil.  The wax can be applied prior to or following other products and it is just as effective either way.

Evening Review:  After many hours, my eyebrows are still neat, in place and there has not been any flaking or fading.

Overall Review:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is fast, easy, and helps to keep eyebrows looking their best.

Pros:

  • Applies quickly and easily
  • Stays on for many hours
  • Waterproof
  • Removes easily with eye makeup remover
  • Hypoallergenic formula does not cause any irritation
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • It is not retractable and needs to be sharpened.
  • The pencil does not fit in regular or oversized sharpeners. You need to use the Milani Duo Sharpener.
  • The outer plastic cap keeps falling off.

Suitability:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (This is a very good product for men to use as well as women.)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Package

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Package

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Tip

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Tip

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer Tip

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer Tip

Ingredients Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax:  Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Polyisubutene, Cetyl Palmitate, Talc, VP/Hexadecene, Copolymer, Myristyl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla) Wax, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Ingredients Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer:  Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina, Polyisobutene, Cetyl Palmitate, Talc, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Myristyl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit

Product:  Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit.  This is a makeup and beauty steal!

Overall Rating = 4.25 Stars – Excellent plus

Cost: $2.69 for .07 fl. oz. (Total) ($38.43 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Dirt Cheap

Sold By: US Rimmel London; Ulta; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container: Plastic flip-top package, outer blister card.

Description: Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit contains four products in one tiny package:

  • (1) A .03 ounce pan of colored brow wax to tint the skin, coat the brow hairs and tame the brow hairs;
  • (2) A .04 ounce pan of colored brow powder to set the wax and add fullness to the brow hairs;
  • (3) A double-ended slanted applicator brush for the wax and powder; and
  • (4) A spoolie brush to smooth the brow hairs.

Depending upon your facial cleanser, this water-resistant eyebrow kit may or may not require an eye makeup remover to effectively take all of it off.

Sensitivity:  Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit is a fragrance-free product suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.  I have never experienced any sensitivity issues personally and I have never had any complaints from clients or testers.

Company Claims:  “Sculpt the perfect photo-ready, high impact brow

  • 2 easy steps – Apply wax to shape & fix –  Layer powder to set
  • Comes with pro brushes for precise application
  • Long lasting formula feels lightweight and comfortable all day long”

Discussion:  Rimmel London has been around for a very long time.  Rimmel London was founded 183 years ago all the way back in 1834 and is now owned by cosmetics giant, Coty.  The founder, Eugene Rimmel, is credited with inventing mascara.  (Thanks, Eugene!)  Rimmel London is a highly-publicized, inexpensive brand that is readily available at most retail outlets.

If you’ve turned on a TV, watched a movie or read a magazine in the last couple of years, you’ve seen most women sporting rather bold eyebrows.  Whether they’re dark, heavy and bold, neatly groomed, tattooed on, or just looking natural, the brow trend is apparently here to stay.  With so much emphasis placed on the appearance of brows these days, it is important that you don’t neglect yours when applying makeup.

Yesterday I reviewed Milani Brow Tint Pen and mentioned that the brow pen was the first step in achieving well-groomed brows.  You could also use a brow pencil for step one.  Today’s product, Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit, provides steps two and three.

If you have really good brows and only need to fill in a small sparse area or tame a stray hair, then you may be able to skip the brow pen or the pencil and use Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit on its own.

Colors:  Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit comes in three colors:  Blonde, Medium Brown and Dark Brown.  I mostly use the Blonde or Medium Brown.  I like Blonde the best as it is the coolest of the three colors and does not make the brows look too heavy. 

Morning Review:  I draw on the eyebrow shape with the brow pen.  Once the eyebrow shape is on and filled in, I then go over it with Rimmel London Brow This Way wax.  I prefer to use a longer stiffer brush than the one that comes with the kit, but the little brush is quite usable if that is all you have.  The third step is to then set the wax with Rimmel London Brow This Way powder.  The fourth step is to blend the wax and powder together with the included spoolie brush.  The final step is to set the eyebrows with a taming gel that I will be reviewing in a future post.  By using a combination of products, the eyebrows have dimension, look natural and will stay on for many hours.

Evening Review:  After several hours Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit did not smudge, fade, flake or cause any irritation issues.  The products were easily removed with my makeup wipes.

Overall Review:  Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit performs quite well and is one of the best makeup bargains I have ever found.  I can buy one for each client without going broke in the process.

Pros:

  • One tiny package holds four useful items.
  • Perfect for a handbag or travel
  • Easy to use
  • Stays on well
  • Lasts for quite a while without drying out
  • Very Inexpensive
  • For sale at most US retailers

Cons:

  • Need more cool colors available

Helpful Tips & Tricks:

  • If using this over a tint or marker, make sure the marker is fully dry prior to applying the wax.
  • If you are using serum, sunscreen or moisturizer first, be sure it is fully absorbed, as the wax won’t adhere well to oily skin or products.
  • Make sure to completely cover the wax with the powder to prevent smudging.
  • Always apply both products in the direction of the hair growth.

Users:  Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4.25 Stars – Excellent plus.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting KitRimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting KitRimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Open

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Colors

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Colors

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Brushes

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Brushes Included

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Medium Brown

Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit Medium Brown

Ingredients:  Wax:  Polybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Talc, Mica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alumina, Glycerin.  May Contain (+/-):  Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Powder:  Mica, Talc, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica.  May Contain (+/-):  Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Milani Brow Tint Pen

Product:  Milani Brow Tint Pen.  This is the first step in filling in sparse eyebrows.  This pen makes it quick and easy.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Cost: $5.47 for .04 fl. oz. ($136.75 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By: Milani Cosmetics; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container: Plastic marker pen with snap-on cap, outer blister pack.

Description: Milani Brow Tint Pen is a felt-tip marker type of eyebrow pen with an ink that tints the skin.  Depending upon your facial cleanser, this water-resistant eyebrow tint may or may not require an eye makeup remover to effectively take all of it off.

Sensitivity:  Milani Brow Tint Pen is a fragrance-free product suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.  I have never experienced any sensitivity issues personally and I have never had any complaints from clients or testers.

Company Claims:  “To get straight to the point, precision brow styling has never been easier than with the long-wearing, felt-tip Brow Tint Pen. Fill in sparse areas, fake a lush fullness or simply shape and define your look. It’s an extra dose of soft matte refinement in an easy-to-use pen.”

Discussion:  Milani Cosmetics is a relatively new brand that was founded in 2009 in California.  The products are inspired by the looks of Milan, Italy.  This is an inexpensive brand that is readily available at most retail outlets.

Eyebrows are so important and when they are done badly, they look awful.  Eyebrows can make you look mad, mean, or just plain scary when drawn on incorrectly.  On the flip side, when done right they can add definition and make your eyes and overall makeup look polished and pretty.

Milani Brow Tint Pen is the first step that I use when shaping and defining eyebrows.  I do not typically use this product by itself.  If you don’t have any eyebrows at all and you only use this, you will have a tattooed sort of look to your brows.  I don’t care for that look, but if you do, then you may not need any other steps or products on top of this.  If you have good brows and only need to fill in a small sparse area, then you may be able to use this on its own.

Colors:  Milani Brow Tint Pen comes in two colors:  Natural Taupe and Dark Brown.  I only use the Natural Taupe.  The Dark Brown is very dark and I would only use that on darker-skinned clients.  I would describe the Natural Taupe as more of a warm medium brown.  To me, taupe has a cool grey undertone and the Milani Brow Tint Pen in Natural Taupe is not a cool color.

Morning Review:  I draw on the eyebrow shape with the Milani Brow Tint Pen.  This is done by using lots of light-handed tiny short strokes to simulate eyebrow hairs in the direction of hair growth.  The nice small pointed tip makes this process easy.  You will not get good results if you press too hard.  Once the eyebrow shape is on and filled in, I then go over it with an eyebrow wax.  The third step is to then apply an eyebrow powder.  The final step is to set the eyebrows with a clear gel.  By using a combination of products, the eyebrows have dimension and look very natural rather than drawn on.

Evening Review:  After several hours Milani Brow Tint Pen did not smudge, fade, flake or cause any irritation issues.  I had to use an eye makeup remover designed for waterproof makeup to get all of the tint off after using my makeup wipes.

Overall Review:  Milani Brow Tint Pen performs quite well and is reasonably priced.

Comparable Product Dupe:  Milani Brow Tint Pen in Natural Taupe is comparable to NYX Eyebrow Marker in the color Medium.  The Milani Brow Tint Pen in the color Dark Brown is the same as the NYX Eyebrow Marker in the color Deep.  They look and perform exactly the same to me.  They are both made in Germany, the ingredients are identical, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they came from the same manufacturer.  Milani Brow Tint Pen costs approximately 25% less than NYX Eyebrow Marker depending upon the retailer.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Stays on well
  • Lasts for quite a while without drying out
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Need more colors available, especially cool tones

Helpful Tips & Tricks:

  • Make sure your skin is clean prior to application.
  • If you are using serum, sunscreen or moisturizer first, be sure it is fully absorbed, as this won’t adhere well to oily skin or products.
  • Use the lightest touch possible when applying and don’t press too hard.
  • The company recommends storing the Milani Brow Tint Pen in a horizontal position to maximize longevity.

Users: Milani Brow Tint Pen is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Milani Brow Tint Pen ColorsMilani Brow Tint Pen Package

Milani Brow Tint Pen and NYX Eyebrow Marker

Milani Brow Tint Pen and NYX Eyebrow Marker

Milani Brow Tint Pen and NYX Eyebrow Marker on Skin

Milani Brow Tint Pen and NYX Eyebrow Marker on Skin

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Glycerin, PVP, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Blue 1 (CI 42090).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils

Product:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils.  Beautifully groomed eyebrows will greatly enhance not just your eyes, but your overall makeup.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $25.00 (.19 fl. oz.)  ($131.58 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By: Lancôme Paris USA

Container: Plastic tube with twist-off medium-sized tapered-brush wand, outer carton.

Description:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils is a brush-on eyebrow gel that looks like a mascara for your brows..  This water-based gel formula adds color to the brow hairs rather than the skin beneath and the gel keeps the hairs in place.  You will not need a separate eye makeup remover to take this off.

Colors:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils comes in four colors:  Naturel (clear); Chataigne (blonde); Taupe (light brown) and Brunet (dark brown).

Fragrance:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils is fragrance-free and is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

The company claims, “Keep brows perfectly in place with this lightweight gel that brushes on easily for natural-looking definition. The unique formula is made to work alone or over a brow pencil for a flawless, well-groomed look. Perfectly portable for on-the-go touch-ups anytime.”

Discussion:  I am a huge fan of beautifully-groomed eyebrows.  Eyebrows are all the rage in makeup trends right now.  A full well-defined brow is a necessity if you are at all fashion forward.  If you are not paying attention to your brows you are missing a golden opportunity to make your eyes look finished and beautiful.  Eyebrows are just like the frame on a beautiful painting.  A lovely work of art looks strange and unfinished if you tape it to the wall rather than placing it in a gorgeous frame.  Your eyebrows frame your eyes in the same manner.  Eyebrow styles change drastically from one decade to the next, vacillating between thin and thick, light and dark.  For the last several years and currently, thick and dark are in style, (a little too much for my taste).

Morning Review:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils can be used by itself on brows that are already the proper thickness and shape.  Since my brows are slightly on the thin side, I first shaped them and filled them in with a brow marker.  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils is more of a styling product than a shaping product.  I then brushed the gel through my eyebrows going in the opposite direction of the hair growth to coat the hairs and then in the direction of the hair growth to smooth them down.  The Brunet is a nice cool dark chocolate color.  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils makes the eyebrow hairs lay down nicely, keeps them in place, and gives my brows a very neat and finished look.  It takes about 60 seconds for the gel to dry and set.

Sensitivity:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils does not make my nose run, eyes water, turn red or burn.  I have never experienced any sensitivities from using this brow gel and I have never had any issues from the few clients I have used this on.

Please Note:  If you do not have any eyebrow hairs at all and are drawing them on, this product will not work for you.  You must have some brow hairs for this to cling to.  If you are drawing on your eyebrows, stick to markers and pencils with a powder on top.

Water Resistance:  I put some on the back of my hand and let it dry.  I then placed my hand under running water.  It did not run off of my hand, but once wet when I touched it, the Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils came right off.  This brow gel is definitely not waterproof.  I would not recommend wearing this if you are going to be swimming, playing sports or doing anything athletic where you will be sweating.

Evening Review:  After more than eight hours, my eyebrows look exactly the same as when I put the Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils on them.  It did not flake off but this product will come off if you rub your eyebrows.

Overall Review:  Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils is an excellent product that performs precisely as it is supposed to do.

Suitability:  I don’t use this on performers very often as I normally prefer waterproof products for greater longevity.  If an actor is on set all day under hot lights, this will melt and is not the best product to use.  I also would not use this on models that are going to be pulling clothing on and off of their heads.  For normal everyday wear, this will perform very well.

Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils is suitable for the following users:

  • All users (provided you do not need a waterproof product)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars = Very Good.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Lancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle SourcilsLancôme Paris Brow Expert Modèle Sourcils Brunet

Ingredients: WATER, PARAFFIN, BEESWAX, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, TALC, CARNAUBA WAX, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PANTHENOL, SODIUM POLYMETHACRYLATE, MYRISTIC ACID, AMINOMETHYL PROPANEDIOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYBUTENE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN.

May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.