mql1208's Full Review: Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel Caramel
While plenty of women pay for the golden hair tone nature gave me, I've always envied the rarest of all ... redheads! Certainly easy enough to fix, and so I did. In less than an hour, and $$$ poorer, the deed was done. But, there's so much to consider when you go from yellow to red! Wardrobe, makeup, eyebrows!
The honeyblonde eyebrows just didn't work with my new titian locks. Since my stylist and I forgot about dyeing them to match, I was presented with the challenge of finding some interim product until my next coloring. I googled "makeup for redheads" and found an infinite number of ideas within minutes. Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel appeared with positive reviews. Within a couple days, I was armed.
Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel looks exactly like a tube of mascara, with a mascara brush wand to apply the gel. Once in hand, the gel tint scared me --- more gold than I expected, but my "red hair" is a deep copper (red gold), not red brown, red purple, red orange. Ostensibly it would work. Empirically, it did.
It's simple to apply. Easier, and more natural looking than pencils or powders. I like pencils the least, powders are okay with a great brush, but this mascara-like gel is nearly foolproof and that's exactly what I need. In other words, pencils might be good, but I have a hard time getting the application just right. With Anasatasia Tinted Brow Gel, it's hard NOT to get it right.
I mentioned the Caramel gel color was a little offputting. It's actually a medium toned bronzy gold shade and what really surprised me is that it's metallic. I thought that was an odd choice, but gave it a go. Simply untwist the applicator and just the right amount of product gathers on the brush as you pull out the wand. A little too much product gathers at the tip of the brush, so I just wipe the excess against the inside of the tube opening, or dab it with a tissue. The inch long brush tapers at both ends, and is approximately 1/4" at its widest measurement. The bristles are short, dense, and firm, wrapping around the applicator with about 1/16" in between each spiral. The design facilitates an even, dependable application. No mishaps, no learning curve; goofproof even for goofprone me.
Simply following the natural curve of my brow and using short upward strokes with the brush to fill in color, makes the most of my sparse brows. I manage to do both brows without redipping. It takes seconds and Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel dries in less than a minute. That's fine because it's my last step, and if I made a mistake, there's time to rework before it's set. I don't even have enough brows to worry about threading or plucking, but luckily my natural brow line is well shaped. Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel enhances that shape by defining what I have and keeping it in place all day without looking unnatural or overdone. Even if your approach to makeup is minimalist, don't overlook your brows! Well groomed brows can have a dramatic impact, framing your eyes, waking them up, and helping to define facial features.
The gel has a slight scent which I can detect only when it's right under my nose. It's kind of pleasant and reminds me of anise. While the gel doesn't look unnatural, I can detect its presence, as if you swiped on hairspray with your fingertip. It doesn't cause any reaction on my skin or make me itch like hairspray might, but I do not have overly sensitive skin. It doesn't wear off, but washes off trouble free, with whatever facial wash I'm using.
So what about the color? Caramel does help camouflage my natural color, and works well with my new red hair because of its golden tones, but I wish they'd offer more of a coppery shade. Great option for golden blondes, and strawberry blondes! There's no mistaking the metallic quality of this gel, but once applied, there's no trace of it. I think it prevents the gel from looking too matte. Although I like to keep my makeup routine as simple as possible, using Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel is easy, quick, and makes a positive impact. Set it, and forget it, all day long, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product. Earns 4 stars from me and apparently, I'm in good company! It's one of many products that earned Allure (magazine) Editors' Choice Award.
Anastasia Tinted Brow gel is also available in Blonde, Brunette, Expresso, or Granite if Caramel isn't for you. Clear too, if you have ultra light, or true black brows, or want to proceed with caution! Easy to find a number of online sources, or your local Sephora and Nordstrom retailers.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), VP/VA Copolymer, Alcohol Denat, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Glycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Chamomilla Recutita Extract (Matricaria), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica, Iron Oxide (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470)
What it is:A tinted brow gel.What it is formulated to do:For those with thin, sparse brows, this unique, botanical formula actually plumps the hair fo...More at Sephora
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