The "cream", which was never very creamy to begin with, dries up and shrinks. It's now 9-10 months after I bought it, and it's just a hard chunk. I even used the thread tape trick to no avail. It's still actually useable, if you want to put in some effort, but it's more like a really hard powder than a cream. Might as well just use some eyeshadow.
This is just something to consider if you're thinking of buying this eyeliner. Of course, the $3 price tag is part of the reason why you're not getting great packaging. And yeah, they say you're supposed to toss cream products after a few months anyway, but with something like this where I'm only ever putting a brush in it, I'm not likely to follow that rule. I suggest only getting this stuff if either you don't mind throwing out most of it after less than a year, or if you think you will be using it almost daily and will be able to get through more of it than I did. I'm not out any more than $3, but I'm still annoyed when I have to trash an almost-full product that I liked.
This is why I like their powder eye shadows but not their cream ones. The powder eye shadows have good staying power, too.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me that I should have a look at the one e.l.f. cream shadow I have. I haven't used it in a couple of months.
DeleteI've yet to try a cream or gel liner in a pot that's lasted for more than 4-5 months without drying out. At least with e.l.f, I'm only out $3 when it happens (glares at MAC Fluidline). One thing that's worked for me to help reconstitute old cream/gel liners is to add a couple drops of argan oil to it, then stir the crap out of it with a toothpick. It's a little messy, and it makes it take a tiny bit longer to dry on the lid, but it's manageable and beats throwing it out.
ReplyDeleteThat's a helpful tip, thanks! I assume other oils would also work, depending on what's available. Um, other than something like tea tree oil. Ouch.
DeleteI've had other products thicken up, but this has become a completely dry lump. I'm not sure I could save it now. I probably should have got to it sooner.
I've had my Maybelline Eye Studio gel pot eyeliner from 11 months, and it's still creamy, and easy to apply. It's like, 8 bucks, so more expensive than the e.l.f. version, but it's still super pigmented, and really easy to use.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know there are those little expiration symbols on the back, but unless the consistency or the smell changes, I use it until I run out (the big exception being mascara).
I've tried a bunch of fancy gel liners and honestly, I think L'oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner has them all beat. It's pricier for a drugstore liner at $9-$10, but this applies like butter and has great pigmentation. Also, the brush that come with it is surprisingly really nice! I did notice they get a little still after a few months, which is easily remedied by adding some drops of artificial tears and letting is sit for a few minutes to absorb, then they're good as new!
ReplyDeleteSo basically, so many better options out there for just a little bit more. That is good to know. I need to use up this MICA gel liner I got from a Glam Bag a while back before I buy anything else, though.
ReplyDeleteI hate this. I've used expensive products that worked wonders, but I couldnt decide on a color so got a bunch of elfs instead... with a price tag of $3 youa re getting what you pay for. i will not purchase again.
ReplyDeleteYeah, with things like that, I tend to keep using them until there's something obviously wrong. Sometimes the surface exposed to air gets discolored or something - I just wipe/scrape it off with a tissue and spritz it with some alcohol. I'm not advocating that kind of reckless behavior (!), but I'm not dead yet. (But it sounds like Savannah would agree with you!)
ReplyDeleteI don't judge. That Bobbi Brown stuff is expensive, and as long as it doesn't' smell weird, and doesn't irritate your eyes, go for it! (And clean whatever brush you use regularly). I try to reserve yelling for people that I've slept with that start behaving like douchebags.
ReplyDeleteFor reference, I still use the MAC Viva Glam Lady GaGa lipstick (the pink one).
Yeah the one you sent me did this :(
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry!
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