Duel: Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner vs. NYC LiquidEyeliner

Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner vs. NYC Liquid Eyeliner
For the record, I bought these both last week and both in black.  They are both completely new to me.  I have been trying to find a good alternative to felt tip liners as they dry out too fast and I don't find them easy to do a cat eye with.

Let the duel begin!

Maybelline Ultra v. NYC Liquid Liner

Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

From Maybelline.com:  

• Waterproof liquid liner delivers all-day wear
• No skipping, no smearing
• Precision brush for perfect application
• Safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested (contact lens safe)

Shades: 2 - Black, Brown
Size: .25 fluid ounces
Price: $5.49 [Target]

My thoughts: This brush was a bit harder to work with than the NYC.  I didn't find the formula as fluid as I thought it would be. The product tended to cake up a bit where I went over it trying to get a bit more pigment. It tended to flake off even if you ran your finger over it (not 100% waterproof ).  I did put some on the back of my hand and it stayed in through water, but not soap and water.  I also ran some water over my lid and it stayed, but I didn't put down or rub at it.  So I think swimming would be safe but probably not rubbing your eyes after because of the flaking.

NYC Liquid Eyeliner
From www.newyorkcolor.com:
Ever dreamed of having Audrey Hepburn's glamorous look?

NYC New York Color will make you look as charming as New York’s most famous actress with its Liquid Eyeliner.  Just elongate your lash line to shape and define your eyes like never before.

Choosing your style has never been so easy, with its mistake-free applicator, do fine or bold lines without the fuss.  You’ll get the Oscar of the hottest intense look.

Deep and strong color

Perfect line, high-precision applicator

Fast-drying, smudge-resistant formula

With skin conditioning ingredients

Dermatologist tested

Shades: 2 - black and pearlized black

Size: 0.5 fluid ounces

Price: $2.99 [CVS]

My thoughts: This had a much better brush than Maybelline.  It was muchc more pigmented and opaque than the Maybelline as well.  It was almost in between a laquer and matte finish.  I found it stays on if you don't rub your eyes.  It definitely didn't flake off or get patchy where I built it up.

NYC (L) v Maybelline (R)

WINNER: NYC Liquid Eyeliner

The pigment, opaque formula, and smooth application made this one the winner for me.  The brush is better on the NYC liner as well and the pigment doesn't fade out as fast with one swipe (as you can see in the photo above).  At about three dollars cheaper than the Maybelline Ultra Liner, it's a true bargain as well!

Duel: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse v. Dream Matte Mousse

I have been hearing about the Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse for a while now and have been meaning to pick one up to give it a try.  When I finally went out to buy it, my brain happened to erase the word Smooth.  For some reason the Dream Matte Mousse seemed to be what I saw everywhere, so that's what I bought.  Then watching a review one day I wondered why my pot looked different.  Oh.  That little word Smooth makes it an entirely different foundation.  So that brings us to today's post...a duel!

The Duel: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse v. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.

Dream Matte: Normal to Oily Skin, 12 shades

Dream Matte has double the shade range of Dream Smooth, so it would be easier to find a perfect match.  I bought this one first and in shade Nude (Light 4) at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Dream Matte*

I applied Dream Matte with my fingers and it's a light, fluffy, whipped texture that glides right onto skin.  I actually forgot I was wearing makeup because it was so light, even hours later!  It stayed matte, even without powder, and I wouldn't even use powder with this foundation because it almost has a powder look already to it once it's on.

Dream Smooth: Normal to Dry Skin, Hydrates for 14 Hours, 6 Shades
This one seems not as readily available as the Dream Matte.  I bought shade Nude Beige 180 based off my shade (Nude) in Dream Matte at Target.

Dream Smooth*

 

I can definitely see why they call it Dream SMOOTH because that's exactly how it feels!  It has great medium coverage and feels extremely weightless.  I applied it with the sponge that's housed in it's lid, and it glides right on.  Another day where I felt like I had no makeup on.

WINNER:  TIE!  Both these foundations apply beautifully and are great lightweight foundations, especially for summer.  I love the flawless finishes and easy to travel packaging.  Both give a 'My skin...just better" look and feel.  If I had to pick, I would say the Dream Matte looked slightly better on me, but that may be because I have an oily/combo skin type.  It was really so close though, and I will be keeping both in my foundation cycle.

*For the pictures, all I have on is the foundation and the L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black.  I didn't want to add anything else to distract from how the foundations looked.
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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
Makeup Forever HD -- 117-118
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Medium Beige 240
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers -- Nude 40
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3