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.
Supposedly the estheticians treat you at an ECO YOUR SKIN or SKIN LAB L session, they whip out an entire bag of the Layering Essence Ringer Drip and apply it via an airbrush. How the skin can handle 120 ml of essence at once boggles my mind. Perhaps that kind of marketing worked on me because I wanted to try the product myself.
ECOYOURSKIN's description:
Whitening
Highly concentrated liquid water that instantly restores skin condition. A facial ringer drip that dulls dark spots and freckles and whitens skin tone.
Oily
Highly concentrated liquid water that instantly restores skin condition. A facial ringer drip that effectively controls sebaceous secretion and keeps skin moist.
Directions
Put it in an exclusive bottle for convenient use. After cleansing, take an appropriate amount on a cosmetic cotton or the hand. From inside to the outside of the face, spread out along the skin texture and let it absorb. When blended with our Vitamin Shots products, it is much more effective.
Ingredients
Whitening
WATER, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, NIACINAMIDE, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WATER, ASPERGILLUS/RICE FERMENT EXTRACT, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, MAGNOLIA BIONDII BARK EXTRACT, SALIX ALBA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) FRUIT EXTRACT, PROPOLIS EXTRACT, CHAMOMILIA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT, THUJOPSIS DOLABRATA BRANCH EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, ALLANTOIN, STYRENE/VP COPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, ARBUTIN, FRAGRANCE
Oily
WATER,GLYCERIN,PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL,BETAINE,1,2-HEXANEDIOL,MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) EXTRACT,HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) EXTRACT,SODIUM HYALURONATE,CAPRYLYL GLYCOL,BUTYLENE GLYCOL,CENTELLA ASIA TICA EXTRACT,GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT,ARTEMISIA VULGARIS EXTRACT,VACCINUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (BLUEBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT,GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT,ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL,CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSA WATER,BETA-GLUCAN,DRYOPTERIS CRASSIRHIZOMA EXTRACT,ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF POWDER,CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT,PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT,ALLANTOIN,DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE,FRAGRANCE,CI 42090,CI 19140,CI 14700
Essence 120 ml
ECOYOURSKIN / Ski (Korean retail): ₩55,000
Peach & Lily: USD $50.00
Packaging
The essence comes in a heat sealed plastic pouch. Luckily it does come with a plastic bottle with a press-top cap for easy dispensing. I decided to cut off the smallest of corners to make the transferring job easier but I still inevitably lost a bit of the product along the way. While the idea is novel and time it takes to fill the bottle short, it does require some extra work before use.
The bottle type gets the job done but it definitely isn't my favorite. Pressing the cap tends to create a back splash. The stream of product that comes out also gets messy unless you have a cotton to catch everything.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The liquid is is not colorless or orderless, instead it varies depending on the skin concern ("flavor") the pouch says it will target. Whitening is cloudy white in color and has a perfume-y floral scent. Oily is green-tinged in color and has a witch hazel/herb-y scent. Even though neither have alcohol in its formulation, both still give a similar effect in the sense that it feels a little cooling and refreshing after wiping.
Even though it looks and acts like water, the essence itself does leave a tacky finish until it is completely absorbed into the skin (and maybe evaporated into the air). My skin is left feeling a little more hydrating and softer than if I hadn't use it.
How I Apply
Saturate a cotton with the essence. Wipe my face and neck.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I don't quite like the Layer Essence Ringer Drip for what it is labeled as.
The scents for Whitening and Oily are way too strong for me to use in multiple layers as one typical would with essence-type products; both remind me of a cross between very strong perfume and rubbing alcohol. The slight tackiness of the formulations also doesn't encourage me to use in a patting manner.
Knowing the retail price per pouch of "essence" liquid makes me not want to waste any by pouring it onto a cotton to wipe my face with. My only justification is I purchased these at a steep discount ($10 versus $50) during the Peach & Lily sale. I could, more easily, turn a blind eye in order to quickly use the product up.
Since I use so little product each application, I don't think I am a good representation of how both worth for helping whitening or oily skin. Both act relatively the same as a toner and did well to remove rogue makeup and dirt. Neither made my skin sensitive or excessively matte and dry. Had I not looked at the ingredients list afterward, I would have thought the only differences were in color and smell.
I think it is very telling that I did not repurchase these despite seeing them again this year at the Peach & Lily sale. Not that the Layering Essence Ringer Drip are bad. Just that they aren't as special as I thought it would be. For othe price price, I would invest in a more concentrated serum/ampoule and a less scented, more hydrating toner/essence.
