If the TattooStudio is everything I did not expect it to be for the worst, Maybelline's Total Temptations Brow Definer is everything I did not expect it to be for the best. I had purchased both products at the same time, opened at the same time, yet only continuously reach for one over the other.
MAYBELLINE's description:
Total Temptation™ Eyebrow Definer Pencil precisely fills in brows with our first teardrop-shaped applicator.
Fill in and shape eyebrows with this must-have mechanical eyebrow pencil. Also, discover more of Total Temptation™, Maybelline's most addictive makeup collection. It's designed for pure indulgence!
Directions
1. Begin by defining the brow with the narrow end of the teardrop tip.
2. Use the base of the tip to fill from the brow anchor to the brow arch.
3. Fill in the remainder of the tail of the eyebrow using the narrow end of the applicator.
4. Blend and style with the fluffy spoolie end.
Ingredients
G2014168 SYNTHETIC JAPAN WAX, STEARIC ACID, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, HYDROGENATED COCO-GLYCERIDES, ZINC STEARATE, POLYBUTENE, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, CERA ALBA / BEESWAX / CIRE DABEILLE, MYRISTYL MYRISTATE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA / CARNAUBA WAX / CIRE DE CARNAUBA, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, VP/EICOSENE COPOLYMER, TOCOPHEROL, CITRIC ACID, [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE] D212789/1
Pencil 0.15 g / 0.005 oz
Maybelline (Suggested American retail): USD $7.99
Packaging
A lightweight yet sturdy plastic pencil-type tubing with a retractable brow pencil on one end and a very small sphere-shaped spoolie on the other. It is a unique design, one that I don't mind at all because it does allow for a little more precise blending.
The coloring of the tubes for the Total Temptations Brow Definer line is the same pastel-peachy-pink. The only difference lies in the color band around the cap to show the shade of the pencil itself.
Maybelline describes the shape like a teardrop. To me, a new Brow Definer pencil looks more like a diamond/kite. Either way, the shape takes more of an oval look while maintaining a pointy-ish tip once it is used and the edges have softened up.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The pencil itself is quite soft while being very pigmented. It glides easily and there is virtually no resistance when it comes to drawing a line. The finish is matte without being dry, so it blends out very easily as well. There is no scent detectable to my nose.
To me, the "Deep brown" shade looks like a neutral ashy brown. It is not too cool nor warm. There aren't any red undertones yet isn't overly gray. (I don't know...I'm terrible at pinpointing a shade like this.)
How I Apply
Sometimes I draw lines to mimic individual hairs. Sometimes I just make general swipes in the desired shape I would like my eyebrows to look. Then take the spoolie and quickly run through the eyebrows a few times.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I am glad that the first retractable brow pencil I got from the drugstore turned out to be such a great purchase. Even though it doesn't have the additional powder and sponge-tip applicator like my all-time favorite brow pencil designs, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the Total Temptations Brow Definer.
It is affordable in two-folds. The MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) is low and the drugstores always have deals/coupons for beauty brands. The pencil also has a great color pay-off while being versatile and long-lasting. I could draw with a light hand for a lighter stroke or press a teeny bit harder for a deeper color deposit.
The one thing I have noticed is people around me really notice how strong and defined my eyebrows are whenever I use this pencil (even when I thought I had tried my best to fill it in a natural way). This is great for those looking for a more Western approach with their brows. For me, the learning curve to dial back the pressure and number of strokes I need was a little difficult.
Because of how concentrated each line looks, my one pencil has lasted me many many months. The Brow Definer has yet to show any signs of drying out nor have I experienced snapping. In fact, the pencil is so creamy that excess product tends to gather around the pointed tip if I happen to press too hard.
Perhaps the biggest negative, overall, is the lack of shades the brand offers. Maybelline's website only lists 4 (Blonde, Soft Brown, Medium Brown, and Deep Brown) and what is available in the physical drugstores is usually less. I would recommend these to whoever those 4 shades would work for and need something effective yet affordable. I do warn that it may be a tad intimidating for those who aren't into the strong brows look or is new to brow products.
Never have I ever been more disappointed in a single makeup product as I am with Maybelline's TattooStudio Brow Tint Pen. I expect something to be long-lasting and easy to use with a name like TattooStudio. Yet this brow marker is anything but. Had I not made an impulsive buy and read some reviews beforehand, my wallet could have been a few dollars fuller.
MAYBELLINE's description:
TattooStudio™ Brow Tint Pen Makeup fills in eyebrows with natural-looking hair-like strokes that last up to 24 hours.
Achieving perfectly defined natural-looking eyebrows has never been easier! Our 1st eyebrow tinting pen features an exclusively-designed multi-prong tip that delivers the look of natural, hair-like strokes instantly. Our long-lasting formula delivers up to 24-hour wear that is smudge-proof and transfer-proof.
Directions
1. Always apply the TattooStudio Brow Tint Pen Makeup on clean eyebrows and use before applying other face makeup.
2. Angle the multi-prong tip up across the eyebrow and draw hair-like strokes from eyebrow anchor to tail using a small, slow motion. Repeat as desired for added intensity.
3. To saturate the tip of the TattooStudio Brow Tint Pen Makeup, hold the pen face down for 5 seconds or gently wipe the tip on a clean tissue before continuing the application.
Ingredients
AQUA / WATER / EAU, ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, PVP, PEG/PPG-14/4 DIMETHICONE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL, HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, TRIISOPROPANOLAMINE [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR, CI 16035 / RED 40, CI 42090 / BLUE 1, CI 19140 / YELLOW 5] F.I.L. D217393/1
Ink 1.1 ml / 0.037 fl. oz
Maybelline (Suggested American retail): $8.99
Packaging
A lightweight plastic marker pen with a color-coordinated cap. The applicator is a very flimsy and thin 4-pronged, maybe felt, marker tip.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
"Deep Brown" isn't quite as deep brown as one would imagine. Instead, it is a medium brown at best with some reddish, warm undertones. There is a surprisingly green-black undertone left once it is met with running water. The ink that comes out isn't wet or tacky. It has a matte look once dried and no discernible scent.
How I Apply
Brush through the general area of where I wanted my brow shape to end up.
Initially: As the second to last step (before lip) in my makeup routine.
Later: As the first step in my makeup routine, especially before any base makeup and even skincare.
Thoughts & Recommendations
Let me clear the air by saying I did not read Maybelline's instructions before using their TattooStudio Brow Tint Pen. I thought it to be like any other brow product (or even similar to liquid liners) and could use it over top a face loaded with things such as foundation, powder, etc.
A brand new Brow Tint Pen has no problem dispensing ink overtop all those mentioned things. But as the marker tip starts to dry up the struggle to draw on top of things with remotely any kind of oil and texture was real.
I found that even skincare hinders the ability of the ink or marker tip to work. Switching to incorporating the Brow Tint Pen before even having applied skincare is definitely the hardest; I like to wipe my face (and eyebrow area) with a cotton round and toner because I don't wash with cleanser in the morning. Any drop of water to the ink immediately washes/wipes the "Tattoo" Studio "Tint" away.
The other big gripe I have with this Maybelline brow product is how quickly the marker tip dries out. It seemed like within the week I opened a brand new pen, the tip or ink already had issues. At first, I thought it was my application method. Yet I had trouble even when I tried to swatch onto my dry, product-less hands. This doesn't seem like a lone occurrence either as reviews upon reviews also address the same issue. Had I looked, it would have been the deciding factor for me to not try this brow tint.
A small gripe I have is with the design of the marker tip. It is overly flexible which ultimately means something that is hard to control, especially when someone is wanting precision for their eyebrows. The natural human tendency would be to apply more pressure as the ink runs out but the marker nub flops over all too easily.
Save yourself all the disappointment and headache. Even at the drugstore, there are better and inexpensive brow products. I am honestly too scarred to try another marker-type brow product in the near future. Maybelline made an attempt but this item works neither like a tattoo nor a tint.
ECO YOUR SKIN is a bold one. It is a hefty promise for a brand to not only say their a moisturizer could provide a "moisture wall barrier" but that it could last for 48 hours. While that isn't the tagline that got me to try the Moisture Wall Surge Complex, I can certainly see where they are coming from with that claim after using it myself.
ECOYOURSKIN's description:
Moisture Wall Surge Complex, so-called "Water-Wall Cream", will form a moisturized skin wall to your skin layer for the next 48 hours. This effect improves thin and sensitive skin and heals skin damaged by UV rays.
Directions
After cleansing, use toner to moisturize your skin, then softly apply an appropriate amount of Moisture Wall Surge Complex to the face and neck except the eye area.
Ingredients
AQUA,BUTYLENE GLYCOL,PEG/PPG-17/6 COPOLYMER,GLYCERIN,1,2-HEXANEDIOL,BETAINE,PEG-240/HDI COPOLYMER BIS-DECYLTETRADECETH -20 ETHER, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM PCA,ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT,PERSEA GRATISSIMA(AVOCADO) FRUIT EXTRACT,CORNUS OFFICINALIS FRUIT EXTRACT, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE,ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER,TRIETHANOLAMINE,CAPRYLYL GLYCOL,ALLANTOIN,ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF POWDER,ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN,DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE,PENTYLENE GLYCOL,ASPALATHUS LINEARIS EXTRACT,GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE,CI 14700,CHLOROPHYLLIN-COPPER COMPLEX,CARAMEL
Cream 50 ml
ECOYOURSKIN (Korean retail): ₩72,000
Peach & Lily: USD $80.00
Packaging
A thick glass jar with a sturdy plastic screw-on lid. New boxes come sealed with a packaging label. The inside comes with an inner plastic lid for extra security, yet I don't keep it on once opened for quick access. The body of the bottle isn't opaque; it isn't a con here since I could still see how much product remains inside. I am also not too bothered by the underside/lip where the cap has its screw threads only because of the moisturizer's texture (it likes to stick to itself more than the those harder to reach sides).
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The gel has clear coral hue and a strong, fresh fruity plus aloe-y scent. It is weirdly lightweight yet thick at the same time because of its sticky and stretchy consistency. Rather than feeling watery like gel formulations tend to act when blended in, the Moisture Wall Surge Complex has almost a balmy, tacky sensation. Once the skin soaks the moisturizer in it leaves a generally satin finish and some remaining tackiness.
How I Apply
Scoop out a little with a spatula or my fingertip. Gently rub the product between my palms to create a thin layer. Press the moisturizer into my skin. Once I have generally covered my face I quickly and constantly pat all over to help the gel sink in better and lessen the stickiness.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I can't say I don't like it. I will say it isn't my favorite.
Moisture Wall Surge Complex does indeed create a great moisture barrier on the skin. I think it is mainly from its very sticky texture that it is able to adhere and stay so well. Perhaps it could last for 48 hours, but I do double cleanse my face at night and splash with water in the morning so it would effectively disturb, if not remove, said barrier before 24 hours even hits.
I love that I never show any dry patches or cakey makeup while using this moisturizer. It fairs well even when I wear the most matte of sunscreens, concealers, and powders. My skin never broke out from it or felt congested at all.
I just hate the tacky feeling left behind after application. Of course, if I sit long enough that finish becomes very minimal but I like to do my skincare routine and hop into bed; sticky skin, hair strands, pillowcases, and duvets don't mix well. Applying something non-sticky afterward also helps but for those that want minimal steps, this isn't the product to go to.
A repurchase from me, at full retail price, would be next to impossible. $80 is quite a lot for a solely hydrating product with no other actives. Granted, it does what it says well. Despite the heavy discount during the Peach & Lily sample sale, I did not repurchase the moisturizer mainly because I did not enjoy the user experience. Perhaps those with much drier skin would like this more? Those with sensitive skin may not enjoy the formulation's tug and tack nor the fragrance. Oily skin would probably enjoy something with a more barely-there feel.
