Daily-use Eyeliner

My foray into “eye make-up” began with a little stub of Lakme Kajal that I found on my grandmother’s dressing table. This was in college. I asked her if I could borrow it. I nervously drew it along my lower waterline and admired myself in front of the mirror.  The next year, I grew adventurous and started with the liquid liner on my upper lid and since then, rarely has a day gone past when I’ve not had the eye liner on.

I stopped lining my lower lash line with kajal a few years ago as I was told it made my eyes look smaller.

I started off with the Lakme Insta Liner (which I don’t like now, owing to its thin brush). My favourite is the Lakme 9 to 5 Black Impact Eye Liner and I always go back to this one even though I may at times venture out and buy a different brand.

 I am currently alternating between 4 eyeliner/pencils in Black.

BRAND	COST	QUANTITY	WHAT I LIKE	WHAT I DON’T LIKE	WOULD I RECOMMEND?
Lakme 9 To 5 Black Impact Eye Liner	Rs. 250/-	3.5ml	· Thicker bristles to draw thick lines ·   Good colour pay off ·   Dries soon        ·   Easy to wash off	Not water resistant	Yes!
Nykaa Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner - Super Black	Rs.299/-	5 ml	· Water resistant!!! · Rich colour pay off and glossy · Thinner bristles to draw fine lines	· Make up remover resistant too! · Since it dries too soon, not easy to correct mistakes	Yes
Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner - Black	Rs.525/-	3 gm	Lovely matte finish The brush tip is best to draw wings	Hardens soon Takes long to apply	Erm...
Bella Voste Gel Eye Liner Kajal- Velvet Black	Rs.399/-	1.2 gm	· Glides on smoothly · Quick and easy to apply · Good colour pay off	·The‘line’ remains intact but the colour leaks on to the eye lid after a few hours · Difficult to wash off	Ahem !

Lakme 9 To 5 Black Impact Eye Liner- The only downside to this liner is that it’s not the slightest bit water resistant and if you aren’t careful while washing your face or yawning at a stretch, you’ll end up with a bald patch towards the inner corners of your eye. But this is what I like about this eye liner too. It can be easily washed off. Since I apply it daily, I don’t like to spend too much time or use a make-up remover just to get my eyeliner off.

Nykaa Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner- I bought this one recently and the first week, I wasn’t too comfortable using the brush as its bristles are sparser as compared to the Lakme brush. Now I have gotten the hang of it and manage to draw thick lines and wings. The finish is glossy. The liner dries up the second you apply it and a stray speck cannot be wiped off with a damp Q-tip.  I wouldn’t recommend this eye liner for beginners or those who end up sneezing the exact same moment you’re applying the liner (happens to me all the time!). You can splash water on your face and eyes all day long and probably even use a mild soap and this liner won’t budge! A bit of a pain to remove on a daily basis.

Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner- I use this only for functions as it takes time to apply. It comes with its own brush. The kohl was never smooth to begin with and it has only gotten harder over a period of time. The finish is matte. This wouldn’t be ideal for those who prefer thin lines. It is perfect for a winged eyeliner!

Bella Voste Gel Eye Liner Kajal- I got this is in the March Glamego Box. This has got to be the smoothest eye pencil I’ve ever used. It glides on smoothly and can also be smudged easily for a smoky effect. The only issue I have with this liner is that it smears on to my upper eye lid ( after a few hours), making it appear like I have black eye shadow on. Also, it is difficult to wash off.

I prefer eye liners to eye pencils and since I’ve stopped lining my lower lashline ( I would use pencils for the lower lashline), I’ve stopped buying black eye pencils. The reason I love the Lakme eye liner the best is because of the thicker brush. I generally apply a thick line, with wings at the ends. Also, since I apply it daily, I need it to wash off easily without applying too much pressure on the eye lids.

Which one would you go for!

Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte SPF 40 PA +++ Compact

In the morning, after cleansing (Soulflower Anti-Acne Sulphur Soap) and toning (The Body Shop Tea Tree Toner), I skip moisturising and directly apply the sunscreen. I tried layering sunscreen over a moisturiser but that didn’t suit me and my skin broke out. As I have greasy skin, I use lightweight sunscreens and currently I’m on my second tube of the Inveda Sunscreen Cream Gel. I also use the Olay Total Effect cream (with SPF 15) and keep alternating between the two creams .

However, no matter how light the sunscreen is, my face begins to turn oily within an hour of application. So, I decided to use a compact on the sunscreen. A Dermatologist had recommended using a compact in the mornings, before stepping out of the house. She said the powder would form a protective layer and prevent the pores from getting clogged.

As I was looking at the wide array of compacts on Nykaa to choose from, the Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte SPF 40 PA +++ Compact caught my eye. A compact with SPF? Hmm...

Price - Rs.  210/-

Quantity: 7 gm

Shade: Universal

SPF- 40

Directions for use: Blend it on cleansed and hydrated skin, 20 minutes before sun exposure

Claims: non sticky, protection of a sunscreen in a compact, forms a high coverage layer that blocks sun’s harmful rays, SPF 40 shields from UVB rays that cause sunburn, PA +++ shields from UVA rays that cause dark spots, premature aging and skin darkening.

I don’t use this on a daily basis but when I do, I either apply it on a liquid sunscreen or on a BB cream. I use a blush brush to apply this as I don’t like using the compact sponge.

What I like: Economical

A compact with a sunscreen – does a 2-in-1 job of sun protection and acts as a setting powder.

It’s easy to reapply unlike a cream or gel that I’m not comfortable with reapplying on my face without washing it first.

Mattifies my face and reduces the oily shine.

One can avoid greasy sunscreens and use this product by itself.

When used on a BB cream, gives very slight coverage. (Doesn’t cover blemishes but helps slightly with light pigmentation).

Smells good. (For the fragrance Nazis)

It’s “compact”! This is always in my Beauty Kit that I carry around everywhere with me.

What I don’t like: The sponge that comes along with it. Would recommend everybody to use it with a brush.

Face doesn’t remain matte for as long as I would like it to. (2-3 hours).

Will I repurchase? Not immediately as I have the NELF compact that I received in my April Glamego box.

Will I recommend? Yes, most definitely! (I got it for my friend on her birthday).

And hey, look what I found in my office today J