Tag: Target

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner

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Product:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner.  This simple beauty staple never lets me down.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.

Cost:  $6.74 (.10 oz.) ($67.40 per ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Almay; Target; Ulta; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Plastic tube, automatic twist-up pencil, built-in sharpener; snap cap.

Description:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is an automatic retractable eyeliner pencil.  Depending upon your facial cleanser you may or may not need to use an eye makeup remover.

Formula:  This is a semi-creamy formula.  It can be smudged a little.  To avoid smudging for long-term wear, it should be set with powder.

Sensitivity:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contacts.

Company Claims:

“Define your eyes with beautiful color that lasts up to 16 hours. Water-resistant, long-lasting, smudge-proof formula stays true and stays put. Formulated with vitamin E to nourish and protect your delicate eye area. Built-in sharpener keeps point sharp for precise definition.”

Discussion:  Almay was invented in 1931 when chemist Alfred Woititz began making cosmetics for his wife, Fanny May, who was allergic to makeup.  I have been using Almay products my entire life.  I have severe fragrance allergies and Almay was the first entirely fragrance-free cosmetics line.  For many years this was the only brand of eye makeup I could wear.

An eyeliner pencil may seem like a boring product, but if someone told me I could only have one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be an eyeliner pencil.  With a brown eyeliner pencil I could define my eyebrows, line my eyes and even add color to my lips.

Colors:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner comes in three matte colors: Black, Black/Brown, and Brown.  There are four additional pearlescent colors that are sold under the name Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner.  Those colors are: Purple Amethyst, Brown Topaz, Black Pearl and Raisin Quartz.  (Try a black on the upper lashes and a color on the lowers.)

Please Note:  If you have hypersensitive eyes, you may need to stay away from the Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner in the colors Purple Amethyst or Raisin Quartz as they contain Carmine and some people are sensitive to Carmine.  (I have worn both of these colors with no ill effects and Carmine does not bother me at all, but there are reports of sensitivity to these two colors by some users.)

Morning Review:  I apply pencil eyeliner after curling lashes, primer and before any other eye makeup.  The Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is a retractable pencil so you just twist up what you need.  Unlike some pencils that cannot be twisted back down, this one can.  The pencil is a medium to thick diameter so if you want a thinner line you will need to use the little pull-out sharpener that is in the bottom of the pencil.

As far as the formula goes, the pencil is semi-creamy and glides on easily without tugging.  This is a good eyeliner for a classic everyday look.  I use this eyeliner on the upper lash line as well as the lower lash line.  If you are going for a heavy smoky, smudged look, you can layer with this pencil.  If you are going for an extreme winged cat-eye look, this will not make fine lines at the corner and you will get better results with a marker or gel eyeliner.  I also prefer a waterproof gel for tightlining or using on the waterline.

Helpful Tips/Tricks:

  • Do not twist the pencil up too far when you sharpen it or you will break it.
  • To avoid smudging, always set your pencil eyeliner with a powdered eye shadow in the same color as the eyeliner. This is especially important if you have oily skin.

Evening Review:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner stays on well.  After many hours there was no smudging.  This did not come off with my regular facial cleanser, but it did come off easily with eye makeup remover or my makeup wipes.

Overall Review:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is easy to use, long lasting and does not irritate my hypersensitive eyes.

Pros:

  • Deep rich color
  • Applies quickly and easily
  • Stays on for many hours without smudging
  • Does not require a separate sharpener
  • Hypoallergenic formula does not cause any irritation
  • Readily available at local retailers
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Sometimes the outer cap cracks (I have had this happen twice recently.)

Suitability:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner 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.

Would Buy Again?  Yes, definitely.

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

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour EyelinerAlmay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Sharpener

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Sharpener

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Swatch

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Classic Everyday Look

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Classic Everyday Look

Ingredients:  Cyclomethicone, Synthetic Beeswax, Arachidyl Behenate, Microcrystalline Wax, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Mineral Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Aluminum Powder, Bismuth Oxychloride, Bronze Powder, Carmine, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Copper Powder, Manganese Violet, Zinc Oxide.

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.

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes

Product: Today’s product is Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent

Cost: $6.99 for 25 (.28 each)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Target, Amazon, Walgreen’s, Other retailers

Container:  Plastic package with resealable layer

Description:  Lumene is a manufacturer from Finland.  They use a lot of natural ingredients in their products including Arctic water.  Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes are irritant and fragrance free.  These are intended to be used instead of cleansers with water or any time you don’t have time for a full facial cleansing.  I like to use them after cleansing to remove the last traces of makeup, dirt and grime from the day.

I use them on actors and models to get the layers of makeup off both before and after cleansing with a regular cleanser.  Wipes are a staple for me and are necessary for all makeup artists whenever you are on a set or location shoot without access to running water.

Lumene is a brand many of you may not be familiar with.  I first discovered this brand over 20 years ago while traveling out of the country.  Due to my fragrance allergies and sensitive skin, I am always on a quest to discover effective products that don’t cause irritation.

I have used many products from the Lumene line and have been impressed with all of them.  I have also tried over two dozen brands of other wipes and I keep going back to these.

Lumene products used to be difficult to find but they are becoming much more mainstream and available from many sources.

Morning Review:  The cleansing wipes do an effective job of cleaning my face without scratching, tugging or irritating my skin.  The cloth itself does a fairly good job of providing exfoliation without any harsh abrasives or chemicals.  They have very little in the way of scent and simply smell clean.  I also use these on the neck and décolletage.

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or irritated.  The wipes effectively remove makeup and the 3-in-1 description in the title refers to their ability to remove makeup from your face, lips and eyes.  Some mascaras and gel eyeliners will still require a separate eye makeup remover to remove all traces.

Overall Review:  These are very good cleansing wipes for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities.  My only complaint about them is the packaging, which is the same complaint I have from all makeup wipes.  The resealable flap with the adhesive backing does not seal tightly enough on its own to keep the package tightly sealed and prevent drying.  Upon opening, I immediately place my package into a heavy quart-sized, double-zipper bag and store them in there.  If you let yours dry out, you will need to add some distilled or other sterilized water to them to rehydrate them.  Tap water contains traces of bacteria, which is why I prefer to use distilled water.

These wipes are suitable for both women and men.  I have used them on many male actors and models.  No one has ever reported any sensitivity issues or complaints to me.  (I even used one on my cat once and it left her coat soft and shiny, but I don’t recommend you try that, as some cats can get very hissy at the thought of any type of bathing.)

In general, I don’t think wipes are the best way to exclusively cleanse your skin, but they do serve a very good purpose in addition to your regular cleaning ritual.

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes are suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ages, sexes, races;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Oily;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination;
  • Aging.

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.)

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes

Ingredients:  Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed), Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Benzoic Acid, Allantoin, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

Formulated Without:  Alcohol, artificial fragrance, artificial color, dyes.

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