Product Review: HiP Cream Eyeliner

I've always loved classic black eyeliner! Depending on the way you style it, eyeliner can take you from daytime to evening looks with just a swipe. The newest thing in eyeliner is cream and gel eyeliners. They are touted as being easier to apply, longer lasting and multi-purpose. As I said, I love eyeliner, so a few months back I purchased the HiP Cream Eyeliner in Black (905) with included eyeliner brush (small black one shown below).

Packaging: HiP, I feel, has attractive packaging for their products. However, my only complaint is that the pot that the eyeliner comes in weighs quite a bit. If you decide to purchase all of the eyeliner colors it's going to add a lot of weight to your makeup kit.

Formulation: The texture could be compared to that of a piece of fudge. It's thick and creamy.

Scent: This has practically none.

Application: This cream eyeliner is more forgiving than liquid liner. It goes on smoothly and with a few strokes a clean line can be created. BUT, I did not like the eyeliner brush that was included AT ALL. The line that it creates is way too thick. I use a painters brush that I bought from a craft store. Don't quote me but I believe it cost about $4. The painters brush is much smaller (less than half the size of the included one) and is perfect for creating thin lines, delicate winged tips and is also great for lining the waterline.
Left Line: Included HiP brush
Right Line: Artists brush from craft store

Longevity: It's been my experience when using liquid eyeliner that as the day wears on it dries out and then crumbly little chunks fall down onto your under eye area. With this cream eyeliner, although it does appear a little bit drier, it doesn't crack and crumble. I did notice a small amount of transfer of the eyeliner onto my upper lid when I used it.

Multi-purpose uses: Cream and gel eyeliners can also be used as a base for eyeshadows. Apply a small amount to your lid with either your finger or a small flat brush. You will need to work somewhat quickly however because once this stuff dries (about 10 seconds) it does not want to move. You'll need a makeup remover to get it off.

Price/Quantity: The HiP Cream Eyeliner costs $12 and is available at drugstores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. $12 may seem pricey to some but you get 4.5 grams of product and a little goes a long ways. Other colors include teal, eggplant, brown and midnight blue.

Shelf Life: This is a cream product. Cream products should be used or discarded within one year.

IF YOU ASK ME
This cream eyeliner is good stuff (as long as you don't use their brush). I enjoy putting it on. After a few tries you can definitely learn how to achieve a beautiful line. While it lasts noticeably longer than other liners I've used it's not the miracle eyeliner of all eyeliners. It will eventually move on you. Would I buy it again? Yes, it's worth the money. Especially if you love classic black eyeliner!

The Importance of Sanitizing

Before we even begin to talk about makeup we must talk about the importance of keeping your makeup clean. Think about it. You're makeup is something that comes into direct, prolonged contact with your skin which is, as we all know, the largest organ of the human body. If you aren't cleansing your brushes and disinfecting your makeup on a regular basis you are spreading bacteria and goodness knows what else all over your face...every single day. That's just gross! Keeping your brushes and cosmetics clean is actually very simple and affordable.

Here's how:

To clean brushes you will need antibacterial dish soap, olive oil, a dish and a towel.

1. Pour a small amount of both the antibacterial dish soap and the olive oil in a dish. A plate or bowl will work. The soap disinfects while the olive oil conditions the hairs of the brush.
2. Swirl brush in the soap & olive oil. Gently brush the hairs of the brush across the palm of your hand, working the cleanser into the brush.
3. Wash the brush under warm water. Make sure to avoid getting water onto the handle or above the ferrule (the metal piece above the hairs) as this will loosen the glue. Repeat until water runs clear and soap is gone.
4. Gently pat the brush dry with towel and lay brush on its side to dry or put on a brush guard and tip upright in a glass with hairs pointing down.

Do this once a week, at least. To keep your brushes clean in between weekly cleanings, wipe off your brushes on a baby wipe and/or spray them with a brush cleanser. Here's the one I use.

To clean your cosmetics (powders, creams, etc) you will need either 99% alcohol or a professional makeup sanitizer. 99% alcohol does the job but it tends to dry out and alter your makeup over time. The professional makeup sanitizers contain emollients that prevent your makeup from becoming dried out.
If you use the 99, simply put some into a small spray bottle. Hold it 6 inches from your makeup and spray. If you'd like a professional sanitizer I highly recommend Beauty So Clean's Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist. If you buy the large bottle it will seriously last you forever. Also, you can use a tissue to wipe off the surface of your shadows, cream products, etc. to help remove bacteria in between cleanings but a disinfectant is the only way to guarantee that you're killing those ucky germs.

If you follow these steps and make cleaning your beauty products a habit, your skin will be clearer and cleaner, and your makeup and brushes will last longer and work better. Do it. Do it now!