KOJI

Suqqu Eyelash Curler Review

August 19, 2011

I have such mixed feelings about the Suqqu Eyelash Curler. I am in denial that this is not the perfect eyelash curler for me – it just falls short of my expectation after I have read so many wonderful reviews about it (mostly from Asian bloggers).

Where do I begin..I was not in desperate need of a new eyelash curler. I have been content with the performance of my Shu, Koji and Shiseido eyelash curlers – they work great for me. I caved in after seeing Suqqu eyelash curler featured in numerous Japanese beauty magazines, as well as praise from everyone. Knowing that the design is tailored for Asian eyes and hooded eyes, I was attracted to it because I am an Asian with slightly hooded eyes!

The special feature of the Suqqu eyelash curler is that the tip is extended out in the center. When you hold the curler against your eyelid, this enables you to push and lift your eyelid up so it gets to the roots of your lashes for a more curled and lifted effect. A great feature for people who have hooded eyelids, short and straight lashes.

This is the instruction that comes with the eyelash curler. As you can see, the first step is to hold it horizontally against the lid and gently push it in to lift the lash line . It took me a while to get use to it.

Compared to the Shu Uemura and Koji eyelash curlers, the curvature of suqqu is in between – it is slighter flatter than Shu Uemura and more curved than Koji. It fits into my eye socket perfectly.

It would have been a perfect curler if it didn’t have a square rubber pad. Why Suqqu…why?! I have to apply more pressure to curl the lashes and they are slightly crimped for my liking. The curvature along the lash line is almost straight, so it doesn’t get to the two ends of the my lashes in one go. I had to curl it in different angles. Having said that, it is subject to the shapes of your eyes. My eyes are almond shaped so Shu fits better.

Bottom Line: Overall it is a good eyelash curler, it doesn’t pinch and it curls the lashes from the roots very well. I would still prefer Shu Uemura as it requires less effort for around the same result. I found that the special feature of the Suqqu eyelash curler didn’t have much benefit for my eyelids. It might work better for you if your eyes are more hooded or monolid.

If you are interested in Shiseido, Shu Uemura or Koji eyelash curlers, you can find my review here.

{ 14 comments }

Labels: Eyelash Curler • KOJI • Shu Uemura • SUQQU

Best Liquid Eyeliners

July 12, 2011

Nothing defines my eyes better than the use of an intense black eyeliner – it is something I cannot live without since high school! I am always on the hunt for the best, blackest and smoothest black liquid eyeliner. I have tried tons of them from the most expensive brands to the most affordable. This post is going to be a comparison of some of the best liquid eyeliners that I have tried so far, and the good news is..most of them are drugstore brands and cost less $12 bucks!

All of these eyeliners are intensely black. They all have a fine tip which allows for easy application and gives a precise and clean line. They go on smoothly and fluidly without smudging and last all day.

From Left to Right:

1. Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black: felt tip

2. Majolica Perfect Automatic Liner in BK999: brush tip

3. Koji Linequeen in Strong Black: brush tip

4. MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt: felt tip

5. K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h in 01 (best seller in one of the biggest Japanese drugstores): has a brush tip and claims that it wears like a tattoo for 24 hrs

Battle 1: THE FINEST TIP

Winner: Koji Linequeen has the most ultra fine tip of only 0.1mm – perfect for defining the winged look precisely. (shown in the far right)

Runner Up: K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h (shown 2nd from the right)

Battle 2: THE BLACKEST BLACK – tested with swatching each eyeliner with only 1 stroke at the same pressure

Winner: Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black

Runner Ups: MAC ties with Majolica

Battle 3: MOST SMUDGE PROOF – tested with rubbing my fingers over them several times

Winner: Majolica Perfect Automatic Liner – the opacity stays the same while the rest show signs of fading.

Worst Performance: MAC – the only one that starts to flake off.

Battle 4: MOST WATERPROOF – tested with spraying water over them

Winners: All good except for K-Palette

Worst Performance: K-Palette starts to come off as soon as it touches the water

Battle 5: BEST STAYING POWER – swiping them off using a cotton pad

Winner: Dolly Wink

Runner Up: K-Palette – although the color has faded you can still see the remnant (“the tattoo effect”) in a smooth line

Battle 6: EASIEST TO REMOVE -removed them using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Crealine Cleanser

Winners: All good except for K-Palette

Worst Performance: K-Palette: it definitely wears like a tattoo

Prices:

MAC: >$30 in Australia (cannot remember the exact price)

The rest of the brands: <$15

I know we are all looking for different qualities from an eyeliner. I hope this post would help if you are interested in any of these brands. After years of experimenting I really think there is no point of spending more than $15 on a liquid eyeliner. The drugstore brands, especially the Japanese ones are just as good. As for me, hands down, I would repurchase Dolly Wink and Majolica over and over. They are the best!

{ 24 comments }

Labels: Dollywink • EYELINER • KOJI • MAC • MAJOLICA

Best Eyelash Curlers

March 9, 2011

When it comes to eyelash curlers, I tend to gravitate towards Asian brands as they are designed for asian eyes. The most well known is the legendary Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler , which I absolutely adore. I have had this one for 10 years and it still works as good as it was brand new.

My other favorite includes the Shiseido Eyelash Curler. Both Shu and Shiseido’s eyelash curlers are very identical – I can’t tell the differences in my lashes between the two of them. They have very identical curvature – I can get them really close to the roots of my lashes and they never pinch my eyelids. They also apply the perfect amount of pressure by gently pressing them, giving a nice smooth curled look without crimping your lashes.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler vs Shiseido Eyelash Curler

Shu on left r vs Shiseido on the right

Recently I have discovered an amazing eyelash curler, which I hate to admit but it truly blows my other favorites out of the water.

It is the Koji Curving Eyelash Curler. According to Koji, they have tested this on thousands of Japanese women and came up with a unique curvature that is suitable for every shape of eyes.

The width of Koji eyelash curler is 38mm, so comparing Koji with Shu, the Koji eyelash curler is much wider and more curved. It gets all my lashes without pinching my eyelid.

koji-eyelash-curler-vs-shu-uemura-eyelash-curler-1

Left: Koji Eyelash Curler Right: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

koji-eyelash-curler-vs-shu-uemura-eyelash-curler-2

Left: Koji Right: Shu

If you compare the curvature from this angle, the Koji one is flatter than Shu’s.

koji-eyelash-curler-vs-shu-uemura-eyelash-curler-3

Left: Koji Right: Shu

So what makes Koji more superior than the rest? The picture below is the best illustration, with its unique shape, it spreads your lashes out to 120 degrees which gives it a more fanned look.

Left: Ordinary eyelash curler Right: Koji Eyelash Curler

Have you tried Koji? Which brand is your favorite?

{ 5 comments }

Labels: Eyelash Curler • KOJI • SHISEIDO • Shu Uemura