Etude House Play 101 Pencil in 4, 17, 35 and 38

I was a late adopter in this one… simply because, I thought I have too too much eyeliners. Of course, I was wrong! No one in this world would ever have too much eyeliners… (or lipstick, or shoes, or bags…)

Oh well.. then I said to myself… this one is gonna be value for money, as it promises 101 use! Off I went to order four colors… 4, 17, 35 and 38. Etude House offers way more colors than what I ordered… see it in my previous post here. 

Play 101 is a gel type pencil which promises me vivid colors and various texture. I wont doubt on the various texture part… looking at Etude’s official swatches… there’s tons of colors…  of course… it can be used anywhere too… eyes, lips, cheeks… 

First of all, I love the packaging. The pencils has differently colored ends… corresponding to the colors inside the pencil itself. Making it easier for me picking up the color I wanted. Plus… it has the color number printed in cute fonts on the pencil ends. I am happy to share with you too… that this is a twist up pencil. Easy peasy for someone lazy (and unskilled with sharpeners) like myself… 

Let’s go one by one… 4 is warm off white with oyster glitter. Glitter is quite big and obvious, but not gritty when applied. It is blendable, if you blend it just after you applied it. I can see myself using this often in my bottom lashline to ‘open’ my eyes more. Also in my centre eyelid to create ‘3D’ effect on my daily eye make up. 

Number 17 is a cool magenta-pink with satin finish. No glitter here. The texture is creamy and easy to apply and blend. It sets longer…making it easier to work in the lips and cheek. I cant see how I’m gonna see this as eye color thou… may be as accent color? Nonetheless, the texture is pleasant to work with. The lip swatch below is more close to real life color of Number 17. 

On the lips, the pencil took me some time to get used to. May be because I dont apply lip pencil when I dont really, really need to. The pencil shape gives precise application. the texture itself... the doesnt glide as smoothly as I wanted it to be, and I need to apply it in few layers to get the intensity you see in the third lip swatch (full lip swatch). the partial lip swatch was done in single (but numerous) swipe of the pencil. As you can see, it is opaque. I am actually loving the satin finish of this lip color! not my usual glossy-dewy look... but definitely not drying as most matte lip colors. 

After a few sip of tea the lipcolor got diluted and somehow changed its look to more matte finish. it is not drying nor moisturizing. but since my lips is so dry... I wouldnt be using this too often on its own- most probably I will top it with my favorite gloss or use my preferred balm as base (currently I am crazy about Apivita lip care with propolis). the swatches and this review is based on application without any base or gloss top coat. Fast forward 3 hours later... I got faded thin veil of color. However, the leftover color has the tendency to settle in liplines... making it rather unsightly.

As blush... 

Number 35 is dark navy with subtle navy shimmer. Reminds me of my favorite MAC inky liquid eyeliner from yesteryear….  It is intense with single swipe. As you can see in the swatch, it is easily blended too, but you have to work as soon as you apply it… else it will appear patchy. This color is less forgiving than number 4 when it comes to late blending. 

Number 38 is pretty dark cool dark moss. Texture wise and blendability is pretty much similar to number  35. however, I found 38 to apply more patchy then the smooth-and-evenly-applied navy 35.

Number 35 and 38 stays the whole day (that's 9 to 5) without smudging or migrating or fading.... as long as I dont rub my eyes. When I did rub my eyes, the color will somehow pilled... peeled a bit and formed tiny balls. However, it didnt removes fully, some faded color will still be left on my lids ...plus the leftover pigment which didnt pilled when I rubbed my eyes.  So... as long as you dont rub your eyes, your line will stay nice and pristine until the end of the day.

Now comes the removal part… simple cream make up remover wont do it for this one. You definitely need eye-lips make up remover at least. I reckon oil remover works best. Number 4 is the first to go after some massaging with cream make up remover.  Number 17 stained my skin a bit. More gentle rub help to removed number 35 and 38. But I cant imagine doing this kind of rubbing on my face …more on my eye area… the horror! 

Bottomline...
I am loving the concept and the execution of Play 101 pencils. So far, Number 4, 17 and 35 is a win. 38 is a bit too patchy for me to love it as much i love its sisters... But... I wont generalize opinion based on this limited review alone, as each color promises different finish and intensity. 

Etude House Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick in 5 BL801 Bling Wave

Since I saw the advert in Etude House website, I am itching to try one of these Bling Eye stick myself. The name itself sounds fun… and the color looks super interesting! This Eye Stick is part of Etude’s 2013 Summer release Bling in the Sea.

These pencil shadows / highlighter is currently available in 5 colors. All appears white, but when applied nuance of colors will appear. Super interesting… Etude recommends to use this as lower lash liner for outer part of your eyes. But I also see its use as highlight for eye lids shadow, to be applied in the middle of the lids to make more 3D eyes.

I am loving the packaging color of Bling in the Sea series. This pastel seafoam blue is simply irresistible… making me want to head to the nearest beach (or at least pool) and have my own little holiday! The pencil is twist up, no sharpening… yay!

The color…. As you can see… it is nearly white on the pencil, but it becomes clear with hint of glistening color when applied. Bling Wave BL801 is cool purple-bluish in color. There is very very little white or milky pigmentation… it is mostly pretty sheen of shimmering color. Unless you are applying loads of it, like the swatch I made on my hand, I don’t think you will get the whitish cast.

This pencil is creamy, you only need a single swipe to get the shimmery colors. It takes a while to set, this gives plenty of time to blend and work with the color. My lids and eye area is super oily, hence only the most bulletproof eyeliners and shadows will stay put (hey… MAC Aqualiners and UD shadow pencil!!!)… this one, clearly don’t fit the bill. It travels a little, and I can remove it easily with wipe of my bare fingers after lunch… again, thanks to my oily lids. Thankfully the shimmer doesn’t travel or fall on my cheeks.

Bottomline,

I’ve enjoyed playing with it as accent color… it makes my eyes appear brighter, thanks to the bluish cast. Applied on eyelids, it makes eye make up look more 3D too. Longevity wise, it is not one to count on. Thankfully, the simmer doesn’t travel or fall on my cheeks. Removal is super easy. 

Innisfree Shadow Pencil in 6 Sour Citrus Fruit

Im not a big fan of pencil shadow… I found most pencil shadow crease on me by lunchtime. Unless… you have an adorable cockatoo like this one promoting the pencil like this one… too bad, she only comes as a seal sticker between the pencil and cap... gotta peel her off to use the pencil ....

Innisfree is promoting this line of pencil shadows and eye liners for summer 2013. All cheerful colors and waterproof too! Designed for quick, easy make up with creamy texture.

Of the colorful and neutrals offering, I picked apricot colored shadow in 6 Sour Citrus Fruit. The shadow is almost metallic pastel apricot. If you blend it too much, it will appear as shimmer… kinda reminds me of Nars Orgasm, but much more metallic and more warm.

The chubby pencil is not that smooshy, yet still easy to work with. Single swipe will give you sufficient pigment. The shadow is creamy enough for easy breezy blending before it sets. It takes quite a while to set, providing ample time to mix colors.

(Innisfree Shadow Pencil & Etude House Eyeliner swatches)

As for the longevity… well… nothing can beat my favorite Urban Decay Shadow Pencil… the color begins to fade after lunch. I find it last longer when I set it with similar colored powder shadow… but this is totally beside the aim of being quick, easy make up.

Bottomline…

Good range of colors, lovely & easy to use texture. Too bad it faded too easily on my oily lids. 

Innisfree Summer 2013 Launch

Innisfree is one of those nature inspired Korean brand. But true to their Korean roots, Innisfree still has the cute vibe as compared with western brands.

I haven’t paid Innisfree much attention, until I see the cute cockatoo illustration in their eye pencils… 

The chubby pencils promises creamy texture and …look at those color choices! Tempting indeed!

Along with the chubby eye shadow pencil, Innisfree also launched pencil shaped Gel Liner. Innisfree recommended lighter colors for under eye and the poppy ones for upper lid.

Not enough with pencil liners, they also introduced Waterproof Color Pop Liner. Looks like my favorite MAC line.... I shall give them a try!

Still in pencil format, there’s the all popular chubby Juicy Gloss Pencils… Some of them are color changing! Gimmicky yet I am loving it…

These lippies also caught my attention. Innisfree offers multitasking creamy lippies. 

Gotta admit, the color selection of this lippies is diverse and not as 'tame' as most Asian brands... Thumbs up for you, Innisfree!

There’s tutorial to create the lip looks and how to make it for your very own cream blush!

There’s also 98% natural balm. Interesting that they put 98%... Only in 2 colors...

Neon colors are on the rage in korea… a collection is incomplete with out one! Innisfree Neon Colors in 4 poppy colours! They are multitasking as blush too!

Everyone is having their own Tint gloss now… including Innisfree!

Little creamy shadow with cute cockatoo…. Come to me... 

(pictures from innisfree.co.kr)

Etude House Summer 2013 Bling in The Sea Series

I’m not done getting blinded by the Pre-Summer 2013 Color POP… and Etude House has launched yet another theme… boy… this Korean brand is definitely ambitious!

This time, it is fresh, light, almost mermaid-y Bling in the Sea. Don’t ask me what does it mean…

The collection includes brightening loose powder to give that fresh glow called Bling Beam Trans Powder. Comes in Pink beam and Apricot beam:

Bling in the sea nail polishes… look at those wonderful glitters!

Proof 10 Auto Pencils. Just what every mermaid need… no sharpening needed.

Yet another set of Color POP Shine tint… this time pink themed… (may be this is not part of the Bling in the sea series…)

Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick. Designed for under the eye liner…not eye shadows… but I’m gonna use it as eye shadow (okay, I’m deviating here….) the transparent glitter is supposed to make your eyes more mysterious… hmmm… (review of Bling Eye Stick here)

Moving on… Proof 10 Color Eye Stick. Now, this one is supposed to be used as eye shadow to deliver vivid color.

And of course, being Korean they have to have this: Sun BB Cream SPF50+/PA+++ with pearls to give long lasting radiance.

Etude also released Shine & long sharp liner eye pencil series.

Im eyeing on the pink tints, bling eye colors and the polishes! What about you?

(pictures from etude.co.kr)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Shadow Pencil in Morphine

What can I say... the color is amazing, the texture is amazing, the lasting power is amazing

I first fell in love with Urban Decay colourful and creamy 24/7 pencil eye liners. Graduating from the eyeliner, I saw Morphine. The color is simply... amazing... light purple with iridescent glow. It just makes my eyes appear fresher and bigger when applied properly.  

This chubby pencil is so creamy and glides easily without tugging. Easy to work with (as long as you don’t let it set), easy to blend with the 24/7 eye liner pencil. It applies evenly too.

The loveliest thing is... the color stay put and vibrant all day long. My lid is super oily, most shadow wont stay fresh and will migrate by the time the clock hits 4pm. Not this one. 

I am sooo going to buy more... totally recommended!

Etude House Shine Stick eyeshadow in 12

Who can say no to such pretty pink? I just grab it without swatching it first on my skin...

First of all, adore the easy to use packaging! No messy sharpening... just twist the end of the pencil and voila...ready to use!

The color itself is sheer blue based baby pink and loads of glitter. The texture is a little creamy with hint oil... this makes it easy to blend, but not comfortable for my already oily lids.

And yes...there is such thing as too much glitter. The glitter just drop easily and runs to under eyes area. The glitter is not so fine and I can feel it irritates my eyes as glitter flecks started dropping off. I don’t fancy this...

Dang...greedy me picked up two colors! I just hope the other one is better than this!

In summary...
Packaging: easy to use, twist pen style
Color variations: couldn’t remember
Staying power: runs easily, with glitter chunks started dropping and irritate my eyes
Is it worth it?
No I don’t think so... unless you can find other ways to utilize this ultra glittery product