Tuesday 16 November 2010

Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Midnight Black

I was lucky enough to get a lovely little Smashbox present (all the way from America) from my boyfriend. I had run out of my usual liquid eyeliner, so it was great when he got me a little pot of gel-based eyeliner (which I've wanted to try for so long). To clear this up, his usual presents are fridge magnets and oversized tshirts which live in my pyjama draw, I guess he had been speaking to the consultant at the counter or something. 
I was eager to try this, and dug out my MAC 209 brush especially for the occasion. I'd never used a gel-based eyeliner before so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

Upon opening the product, it was quite tough on top. I wasn't expecting the eyeliner to be so viscous, and knew I was going to have some problems doing my eyeliner flicks with this liner. 


It was basically solid, and I had to dig into it to get some of the product on to my brush. I carefully applied it to my upper lid, which was no easy task. It went on quite thick and cakey, and because it was quite dry I couldn't blend it. 
Smashbox say the product "stays blendable for 60 seconds then dries to a smudge-proof, budge-proof finish that lasts all day"
My flicks on the outer corner of my eyelid were actually impossible, the product was far too dry and viscous to use! So i got my 209 brush and dug under the top layer (as you can tell, my pot is a mess...) and it was actually a bit more gel-like underneath. I was able to use this as an actual eyeliner, and it didn't look like I'd applied it with a shovel. 
As you can see from the swatches, it is a bit more blend-able now that I've pillaged the pot. Overall, this eyeliner was a bit of a let down. I expected big things from it, considering it was Smashbox and it came all the way from America. I might try leaving this in a warmer place, in an attempt to make it a bit more liquid and therefore, manageable. I'm not going to give up on gel liner, but I may try a different brand. 
Have any of you experienced any problems with gel liners? What are your thoughts?

5 comments:

  1. heyyy. thanks for your lovely comment :D the shoes were actually bought in the US but i've been told there are some just like them at Tesco at the moment hah! might check it out? there are also some similar ones here:

    http://www.missguided.co.uk/Footwear-Wedges/c33_77/index.html

    hope that helps!

    I love Smashbox! this liner does sound like a bit of a let down but I'm not skilled enough to use gel liner anyway haha.

    i love your homemade studded leather jacket btw. looks amazing x

    dottie

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  2. I've never tried gel liner before, but have you tried using a hairdryer over it for about 10-30 secs (or however needs be) to get it going? I do that when I have to use eye liner pencils and it works so much better...

    http://yourstalkerslittlesister.blogspot.com/ x

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  3. OH MY GOD WAIT
    I JUST REALISED YOU'RE FROM DUNDEE!
    ME TOO!

    I keep my blog private from friends (they have no idea i have one) so if you wanna tlak more or whatever i wont tell any of your friends of your blog if you don't want them to know, in case i know any..which i most probably wont :P

    i'm sorry, i'm just really excited, it's a rarity to come across a blogger from scotland...

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  4. I actually really like gel liners - I use them as much now but when i first started with eyeliner i found them the easiest to work with :)

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  5. I really like gel eyeliners too, although with some brushes it can be really hard to apply, I have to use the bobbi brown one that they sell with the gel liners otherwise I muck it up! Iheartcosmetics

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