Tricky tricky! Which package contains more product? (Eye makeup edition)

Okay, I've got another one for you. This is probably easy to guess, because I have only two products to show you. But let's take a closer look to see how makeup companies use packaging tricks to make you think you're getting more than you are.

Which one of these containers holds more product?

Left: Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow; Right: NYX Eyeshadow base

I'm sure you guessed that the NYX pot holds more, because it looks smaller, and you know I'm talking about tricky packaging. If you have ever held these two products in your hands, you will know that not only does the Maybelline pot look larger, it feels much, much heavier. I wish I had a postal scale to weight these, but it's at least twice as heavy. That's because the Maybelline pot is glass and the NYX one is plastic. So by looking at the top of the containers and even picking them up, the Maybelline product seems bigger. That's why you really have to look at the label to understand the amount of product you're getting and its value.

The Maybelline product contains 4 g and the NYX one contains 7 g. It's not just the material the pots are made from that makes you think the first one is more generous - it's also the design of the package. The Maybelline pot has a wider diameter, and both pots are about the same height. But check this out:

Again, Maybelline on the left, NYX on the right.

While the well that the NYX product is in goes halfway to the base of the pot, the Maybelline product only starts at the bottom of the lid. If you look at the Maybelline pot from the side, you can't see any product at all. That's just a big chunk of glass with some shit sitting on top of it! This is a big, bulky pot that is not convenient to store or carry around, designed that way simply to make you feel like you're getting your money's worth. If you stick a pin into each product, it goes down about 3 mm into the Maybelline shadow and at least 11 mm into the NYX base.

These are different types of product, sure, but they both cost $7. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the Color Tattoo (I happen to like it), but just be aware of how the packaging is designed to fool you, and how much product you're actually getting for your $7. They are nice little eyeshadows, but they are not generous portions. Tricky tricky!

(See the last installment of this series, on nail polish, here.)

What do you think? Would you have been fooled/surprised by these pots?

Do I Need This? Eyeshadow Primer (with comparison, reviews, and photos of seven primers)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Here is the latest installment of "Do I Need This?", a series about new and trendy beauty products (or just those that might be unfamiliar and baffling to both of us). I'll offer my experience and opinion about whether or not I think the product under consideration is worth shelling out for. Obviously, you don't need ANY beauty products, so the answer is always going to be no, a little bit. But is it going to change your life (or face)? Is it going to make things easier? Are you going to notice any difference at all if you use it? That's what I'm getting at. You may disagree with my verdict, because we all have different bodies/faces/brains/desires, but I'll try to give you a starting point at least.

Short answer: Yes, if you wear eyeshadow or eyeliner.

Now that you've mastered winged eyeliner (?), try this trick

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
So you've no doubt been spending the last 6 weeks perfecting your eyeliner game (as if you have anything better to do). How's it going? Here's something new for you to try! I call it: Using Eyeliner to Fuck with the Shape of Your Eye.

Fix Your Face Review: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Bronze

According to the blurb on Cherry Culture, these pencils have been a NYX bestseller for years. One of the major attractions for me was the huge range of colors: Cherry Culture has 36 shades available, ranging from basic neutrals to glittery metallics to acidic neons. Regular price is $4.50 (though they're on sale for $2.99 at the moment).

I figured I couldn't go wrong with something so popular and ended up getting the Bronze shade. Despite the name, it's copper. Definitely not bronze.

Fix Your Face: The Winged Shadow Wipe Trick

This is a good trick for lifting your eyeshadow at the corners, creating a nice edge, and figuring out where to put your winged eyeliner. I usually just use my finger to wipe off the excess, because I don't want to waste a whole wipe for this, but it works.

Fix Your Face Quickie: e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner

UPDATE: This shit dries up FAST.

I mentioned before that I love this eyeliner in Copper. I recently got it in Plum Purple and Gunmetal too. I don't like them quite as much. They're a little more difficult to use, because when you try to put on a a second layer to build the opacity, it has a tendency to remove the layer below. It's doable, but it takes patience. I don't have the problem with the Copper.

I do really love the color of the plum one though. It works nicely with my pasty face and red hair. I'll probably be using it a lot.

(Sorry about the e.l.f. overload lately - I just got a box of stuff. I'll try to mix it up, but I want to give you my impression of these things before I lose interest. I'll be reviewing some Revlon, NYX, and Jordana things in the near future too.)

Look Out: Cheap Glasses

Zenni Optical's glasses are fucking cheap. And they have really cool frames. I have terrible eyesight and need thick, complicated lenses, so a pair for me ends up costing $30-50. But if your eyes are pretty good, you can get them for $7+.

These are $7. Search for model #223025 and get them!

Fix Your Face: Eyelash Curler

This kind of eyelash curler is the shit. Much less scary than the typical scissor-looking torture device thing. Right now Sephora has it on sale for $3. (Along with a bunch of other stuff! It’s a good sale.)

If you miss the sale, you can get similar ones from drugstores for around $5. I got this one from Avon, and it works just fine.