Stila Sparkle Waterproof Eye Liner in Starry

Described on Sephora as "waterproof, pearlescent micro-glitter, liquid eyeliners (that) are super long-lasting and designed to stay put under any circumstance" - all I can say is, boy are they!

I received Starry, an iridescent gun metal, in my May Birchbox and had noted in my Birchbox review how hard it was to remove from the swatch I did on my arm.  That put me off from using it on my eyes for a while, but I finally got around to trying it and I'm officially a fan!  I've worn the liner everyday this past week and can confirm that it is indeed waterproof, budge proof, long-lasting, and stays put until you remove it. 

It can go from a thin, precise line to a thicker line depending on the angle you hold the the sponge-tip applicator and was surprisingly easy to apply, even for the unskilled user (me).  You just have to be careful, as it dries quickly and does not budge, so any mistakes can be unforgiving.

Removal with Lancome Bi-Facil

So my concern was on getting the liner off, as it was quite difficult to remove arm swatches with even a biphase eye makeup remover.  I had to rub quite vigorously and it would flake off, as opposed to dissolving.  It was not as hard to get off of my eyes, but it does flake off there are as well.  I use an oil based makeup remover but that did not remove the liner from my eyes, so I followed with Lancome's Bi-Facil, which did the job.  

I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did, so count me pleasantly surprised!  These come in 8 different colors and retail for $22.  

Disclaimer:  I received this are part of my May Birchbox, which I purchased. 

May Birchbox: Gossip Girl

This month Birchbox teamed up with the CW's Gossip Girl, with samples inspired by the series and Manhattan's chicest events.  Here are the items included in my box:

Arquiste L'Etrog:  A perfume sample with warm notes of citron, palm leaves,and mrytle that are inspired by the aromas of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria, Italy.  A full sized bottle would set you back $165.  To me, this was a masculine scent - not bad, but not my style either.  My sample is worth about $3.

Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow:  A tinted treatment from Sarah McNamara that erases blemishes and scars on arms, legs, and decollete.  A full-size would cost $34 and mine is a .5 oz sample, which I think works out to about a $6.80 value.  My chest could use some help, so I'll be testing it there.  A swatch on my hand left behind a sheer wash of color with a slight shimmer.

Ojon Volumizing shampoo:  Made with the ultra nourishing Central American ojon oil to make your hair look and feel thicker.  I've used Ojon products before, but not this volumizing shampoo.  A full sized bottle is 8.5 oz and costs $22, so my 1 oz. sample is worth about $2.58.

stila sparkle waterproof liquid eye liner in Starry Night:  Waterproof, smudge-proof - check.  This stuff doesn't budge once on.  In fact, I had a hard time getting my arm swatch off, period.  I used an oil based makeup remover followed by soap and a few flakes come off with vigorous rubbing.  I'll try a bi-phase eye makeup remover on my next arm swatch.  Until then, I'm afraid to use it on my eyes because I'm not sure I can get it off!  Not kidding.  It's pretty though, so if you are looking for a liner that could last all day, all night, and the next few days, these could be it.  This was full size and sells for $22. 

The Birchbox extra this month was a note card.  Hand written thank you cards are always such a nice touch.  A set of 12 costs $10, so mine is worth 83 cents.  No wonder emails are so popular;-).  It's cute, and I'll use it.

Overall, I'm underwhelmed with my Gossip Girl box, but that's because the perfume sample wasn't my style and I don't use liquid eye liners.  It's not a bad box, just not my favorite.  The overall value of my box this month was roughly $35, so not bad for my $10 investment.  I do love getting my Birchbox's each month - they are quality, even if there are some samples that don't float my boat!

Clever marking on Gossip Girl's part and I know there was much anticipation for this month's box.   I'll be interested to hear what other people got and if it met their expectations.  Are you a Birchbox subscriber?  What did you think of the Gossip Girl box?