Marcelle Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen

I've recently become enamored of liquid liner and a cat-eye look. It immediately adds such incredible definition to the eye, with relatively little effort - assuming the flick comes easy to you. I admit it took me a loooooong time to get right, and on more than one occasion it still looks like something a toddler would sneer at.

But that's why I love pen liners - they smooth over liner ineptitude - and I was happy to give the Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen from Marcelle a try when it was sent to me.

As is evident from the packaging, this pen has two separate ends, one with a thicker felt-style nib, and the other with a finer, pointed brush type applicator.

The thicker end creates a strong, intensely black line that has a patent shine upon application but dries to a more matte finish. The width, short point and firmness make it fantastic for creating a strong, graphic liner look.

The finer end is both more precise and more malleable, which serves it well for creating a slim line along the lashes, and for defining a neat point. It comes out a little less opaque than the thicker felt end, with a seemingly thinner consistency, though it can be layered up easily.

They can obviously be used independently of each other, but I personally prefer using them in conjunction to create an Angelina-style cat eye - very fine in the inner corner, thick in the outer corner and coming to a precise flick at the end. This pen makes it easy to achieve both that intense black depth and close-to-the-lash definition.

I didn't have any problems with it smudging or fading, though at about the 8-hour mark it did look a bit cracked at the outer corner of my eye - which is about average for most liquid liners on me.

Availability: On the Marcelle website, which offers free shipping to Canada for purchases over 25$ and to the US for purchases over 50$. Price is 14.95$ CAD.

Pros: Essentially a two-in-one product, with different effects and finishes that can be used independently or combined. Very intense pigmentation on the thicker end, great precision on the finer end.

Cons: The thiner end is a bit less saturated, which requires a couple of passes to achieve the same level of inkiness as the felt end.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated, and all opinions are my own.)

Bite Beauty Best Bite Set

Despite their generally non-existant customer service and one-sided social media presence, Bite Beauty puts out consistently good products. When I saw this little set - with the balance of good value and try-it-out variety - I jumped on it.

The packaging is cute, sturdy and travel friendly (should you feel the need to bring all four of the lip pencils with you at a given moment), with a very handy mirror to boot. It's also, of course, reusable for whatever else you'd like to carry neatly in your bag (personally I'll be using it for the twelve million bobby pins that inevitable find their way to the bottom of my purse).

The pencils themselves are a smaller version of the High Pigment Pencils, and are priced very favorably at 25$ USD for the set of four 0.05oz pencils (with the regular size coming in 24$ USD for 0.09oz). Essentially, you get four half-sized items for the price of one regular-sized item, which is both a good deal and a low-commitment way to test out a selection of shades. 

(If you can no longer find this set at your local Sephora - as it no longer seems to be available online - you can at least purchase the shades in the regular format.)

The texture of these is absolutely dreamy. They are intensely creamy and rich feeling when applied, and surprisingly hydrating for a lip pencil, particularly one that has a non-glossy finish. That creamy texture carries through the duration of the wear, so while they do dry down to a satin finish, they remain flexible. That translates to both a more comfortable wear, and a slight tendency to bleed, especially with the richer colors. 

They are also deeply pigmented, and appear opaque with the first swipe. That high pigment load is possibly what helps them adhere and last better, given their buttery texture. 

I also love the fact that they twist up, because, well, I'm lazy like that. And really, who wants to sharpen these things anyway?

Madeira, Cranberry, Rhubarb, Quince 

Now onto the colors!

Madeira is a slightly warm-toned nude. It's lighter than my lips and marginally deeper than my skin tone, and once on it basically just blanks my lips out entirely for that ever-so-sexy zombie look. Not something I would ever wear on its own, but a good base for a pink-nude gloss. This is also the only one that picked up on dryness, caking up a bit.

Cranberry is a deep but vibrant red, just a touch cool-leaning. It is classic and sexy and totally gorgeous. And makes your teeth as white as can be.

Rhubarb is mauve-rose, with a slight brown undertone that makes it the Most Likely To Flatter of the bunch. It's not the attention-getter of the set, but it's by far the one I'll be reaching for most regularly.

Quince is a stunning fuchsia rose - grounded by the rose tone to keep it wearable as opposed to searing. Quince is super-confident, but not overbearing, and as such is a beautiful alternative to the classic red for a 'power' lip. It's also just a fun, flirty, fabulous color. (Alliteration for emphasis!)

So aside from the minor issues I had with Madeira, I am very impressed with the Best Bite Set, and all the more tempted to own ALL THEIR THINGS.

What about you guys? Have you tried any Bite items that you love (or loathe)?

(I purchased this item. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

Pre-Holiday Haul - Part 1 (Sephora VIB and FF)

I may have gone a little crazy, but the constant discount codes and free shipping conspired against me. :P