Review: Lumene Liquid Eyeliner

I was really thrilled to try out the Lumene Liquid Eyeliner (Finnish brand) which I was able to buy for only 6.25 Euros at the Tallink ferry during my trip in June 2013 from Helsinki to Stockholm. Outside the ferry, the tube retails for 12 Euros a piece. Now guys, Lumene is not available in Asia so I am really using it minimally but stylishly :-P

Here are my positive reviews:

1. It is very easy to blend. It goes on wet but does not dry into a flake.
2. The tip is very pointed and firm that you can really make a nice wing-tip on your eyes. It can also line your eyes very thinly as you wish.

3. It doesn't dry from within the tube, considering I've had this for 5 months, and been using it everyday, alternating from brown and black. I love both colors. The brown has a little brick red tint which still runs dark on the eyes. The black one does not look scary black at all even in the morning when I use it.
4. This formula does not flake even after 12 hours. It is an all-nighter liquid eyeliner in my experience, yet easy to remove with facial wash and water.


Calling Lumene brand, please make this available in Asia!!!! I have yet to try your other products :)

Review: Urban Decay's Big Fatty Mascara (Reformulated)

I was raving about my first Big Fatty Mascara from Urban Decay. Before you read on, you can check out my review on the original formulation by clicking on this link:
http://kenoshasays.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-have-found-my-favorite-mascara-urban.html

This post is about my review on the reformulated version which I have been using from July-December 2013.

I have only one issue with the original formula: Its oil-based consistency is not suited for tropical weather as it barely dries up. It might take a while before you are smudge-proof. And a hot humid weather is not helping on that part. This new formula has addressed that indeed, and what joy it was to try! You can really notice the difference that formula #2 does not really dry up to a clump BUT it is not oily/wet at all. I was really sold the first few days I tried it, thinking wow, Urban Decay really does it this time.

However, here are a some of the stuff I have realized that makes me still use my very old tube (formula #1) right after using mascara formula #2 (kind of like combining it):
1. Biggest problem: it flakes. Seriously it does. It can't be an all nighter mascara because between its 9th-12th hour, it is guaranteed to drop off...whether in powder form or worse, in flakes. The worst was when I felt it go inside my eyes and I was really trying to take it out and wondering where the irritant came from. My only bet was the mascara because my Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes (at least the ones I usually use) rarely ever fall out after blending. I was also using a Lumene (Good reviews on Lumene here: http://kenoshasays.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-lumene-liquid-eyeliner.html) liquid eyeliner then, plus I do not use eyeliners to tight line my lids. It is just something I cannot do because the pores of my lids are quite sensitive.

2. The brush is not as good as the first version. It does not separate the lashes. They are not as bad as the other mascara brushes BUT they are not at par with the brush of the first version of Big Fatty. That was "Holy Grail mascara brush".

3. My lashes are pretty thick and long, so I need a good formula that wont clump. Formula#1 does not at all, even after so many applications. Formula #2 clumps on the 3rd application.

4. It does thicken and lengthen as it claims, but you need a few strokes to achieve this, which MAY lead you to clumping, so be careful.

I think this mascara works best with thinner lashes to create volume and length, and for those who have thicker lashes, you may want to limit to a maximum of 3 strokes. I noticed that when I put it on my lower lash line, it really works my eyes into a baby doll look. My lower lash lines are longer than average but not as thick us my upper lash line so I really like putting this formula #2 underneath the eyes.

I don't know if Urban Decay will still launch another Big Fatty mascara version but I'd pick the first one still, that is if it will ever be available.