Jamie tried it:

This kit is a fabulous idea in theory, but in reality, falls short of the reputation for quality implied by its creator: brow guru to the stars, Anastasia. There are six pieces - combo brush/wand tool, clear brow gel, brow highlighter pencil, tweezers, dual-shaded brow gel/powder, and four brow shape "templates." This kit is for those who really want to spend time perfecting - not the quick-swipe-and-go crowd.

Great things: the large set of tweezers (near in quality to Tweezerman) are fabulous, the angled brush on the combo tool is just right - not too hard, not too soft, and the shaded gel/powder is a mysteriously effective, softer alternative to traditional wax.

Average things: the eye highlighter pencil is substantial, but for me, the consistency was chalky - my eyes need something a little more dewy. Also, the clear holding gel (in a mascara-style applicator) was too thick and dried too stiff to be considered comfortable for long periods of time.

Not so great things: the clear, flexible brow shaping templates were too wide for my face (my actual eyebrows ended far short of the "end" of the piece - what to do?) which is a significant problem if you purchase this product looking for help with shaping, and the bag that holds it all is sort of bulky. After all, it's just eyebrow stuff - I can't justify it being 50% of my daily makeup real estate.

Considering the price (and considering the cult following this product has), I have to say that this product is only average at best. $75, available at Sephora.

Rating:

Melissa Tried It: Even on days when you want to have a mostly clean face, defined brows will make a major difference in your look with little effort. I've tried many brow pencils & powders, and this superslim retractable pencil gives some of the most natural results I've seen.

The shade, 'Universal Brown', should work well for many of you who have dark blonde to dark brown brows (and maybe some redheads), but if you are looking for something to CHANGE the color of your brows (i.e., make it match much darker hair color), this probably won't do that for you (unless you have very light brows) because it is not that drastic. What it IS excellent at is adding definition and filling in gaps with perfect control in whisper-thin strokes. On the other end of the pencil is a very tightly-bristled brush that helps to blend the product and tame every hair.

This pencil didn't disappoint, and though the price point may be a bit high for some of your tastes (or budgets) in terms of brow grooming, it seems that it will last quite a while so you may decide it's worth the investment for you. $28, Sephora.com and makeup counters.

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "The art of perfect brows is simplified with this all-in-one brow kit. Features three powder shades, mini tweezers and mini brush for professional results."

Melissa Says: It feels a little decadent, in its shiny black case filled with three blendable brow powders and tiny perfector tools (tweezer, brow brush, and applicator brush), but seeing the end result is just about enough to justify the luxury.

The powders are the perfect sheerness to add depth to brows without making them obviously "touched-up". Utilizing a slightly lighter shade to do most of the filling in and then a shade up to finish creates an incredibly natural-yet-groomed look. The size of the applicator brush may seem ridiculous, but actually when you apply the powder a small bit at a time, you are less likely to go outside of your natural brow shape. Also, you can easily perfect even the tiny outer corners with no obvious shading showing.

This is a great tool for creating that perfect face frame with your brows. And there is plenty of product to last a very long time.

Retail Price: $65.00 (at Chanel online or in select department stores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: (about the Pencil) "Makes it easy to evenly define and shape brows with a micro-precise pencil that produces natural-looking, smear-free results every time.

• Blends easily with brow hair
• No skipping, tugging or dragging during application
• Smear-proof formula wears all day and is water-resistant for stay-put color
• Safe for sensitive eyes
• Contact lens safe and ophthalmologist tested"

(about the Gel) "Effortlessly tames brows with a feather light, clear setting gel that keeps brow looking defined and 'in line'.

• For all hair colors
• Crystal clear gel sets instantly for perfectly defined brows
• Feather-light formula keeps brows soft and natural
• Hypoallergenic
• Safe for sensitive eyes
• Contact lens safe"

Melissa Says:
(about the Pencil)
This super-tiny pencil clicks up in very small increments so that you don't run the risk of losing any of it to breakage. As far as application and wear goes (I tested this in Medium Brown which worked very well but, you can see other shades here), it goes on just subtly enough to not look like you drew your brows on, and its size makes it even more workable on the outer edges of your brows where they taper into thinner areas. You don't have to worry at all about smudging too much color on the ends, which never looks natural. The close-tined comb on the opposite end puts the hairs into perfect position and helps blend the pencil a bit more. Though I have typically preferred powder when I enhance my brows in terms of creating a natural look, I actually really like this little, easy-to-manipulate pencil. I love the fact that it comes in several shades, so you have a greater chance of getting a natural-looking outcome.

(about the Gel)
This does the basic job, yes. But it's hard to get very excited about it. It does comb them into place, and the hold is quite light (not that I'd want to have stiff-feeling eyebrows). I do appreciate that it doesn't deposit too much gel, but instead just the right amount to add a little bit of control. I can think of several other products for keeping my brows in place, but this one also does the job just fine.

Retail Prices:
(Define-a-Brow Eyebrow Pencil) $6.95
(Define-a-Brow Gel) $5.99
(both at drugstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:
(Define-a-Brow Eyebrow Pencil)
(Define-a-Brow Gel)

What They Say: "If you love bold, beautiful brows, this kit has it all. Our Brow Babe Kit contains our exclusive mix of Brow Boost, Brow Powder, and Gel.

Brow Boost will help strengthen and thicken your brows. Our smooth, easy to apply brow powder will enhance your brow line, giving your brows a beautiful, natural finish. Lock in your look and set your brow hairs with our silky Brow Gel.

Day: Apply brow powder and set with Brow Gel

Night: Use Brow Boost to help get brows healthy and thicker.

Brow Powders come in three easy to use colors:

Blonde: Very blonde to Dirty Blonde
Taupe: Light brunette to Dark Brunette
Raven: Very Dark hair"

Melissa Says: This is a great combination of useful products for anyone who's realized how important the simple act of making the brows look defined and healthy can do wonders for your look. The Brow Boost Gel is a nourishing and conditioning treatment that helps to re-stimulate areas of your brows which have been sparse. Though my brows tend to be healthy in the first place, I did notice some quicker growth when using this than normal. The Brow Powder is very smooth and can be applied with your current small brush (if you don't have one, the next kit up the price ladder includes one - check the website), and the Brow Gel is non-sticky and doesn't dry stiff, but makes hairs look neat and groomed with its tightly-bristled mascara-like wand.

I wouldn't doubt that for some of you this may be a bit pricey, but if you really long for a brow solution and want everything within easy reach in a convenient set, this could definitely be worth the cost for you.

Retail Price: $39.95 (at billiondollarbrows.com and at Billion Dollar Brows locations)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This double-duty wizard is comprised of a velvety pencil on one end, and a brow brush on the other, each uniquely suited to create a beautifully natural brow. "

Jen's Experience: My brows could definitely be described as unruly, and whenever I try to whip them into shape, I find that some areas are thick while other areas are more sparse. With the trend going towards thicker and thicker brows, I've been playing with ways to make mine stand out.

I spent a lot of time at Sephora and decided on this pencil by Anastasia since it seemed like an easier solution than the powders and the gels I've seen. I've used other, less expensive brow pencils and had reasonably good luck, but nothing so outstanding that it makes a place in my daily routine. This is probably the best that I've tried. The look is very, very natural, which allows me to fill in the sparse parts without looking too overdone. The brush at the end does a reasonably good job at keeping my brows in place, especially if I spray it with a little hairspray. My only complaint is that the color doesn't last throughout the day. Overall, I'm pleased with the result, and it's worth the effort, at least for more important occasions.

Retail Price: $22.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

About the Mineral Lip Sampler: "All Nine New Mineral Volumizing Lipsticks! Designed just for redheads in a convenient, mirrored case with dual applicator for perfect lips. Each shade is available in separate full size tubes."

Jamie’s Thoughts: "Lip products present an intimidating challenge for most redheads. We don’t have much natural color to our lips (at least the majority of us), so buying lip products can be terrifying – I usually find something either (a) too orange, or (b) too red. This palette of 9 lip colors is, like a lot of palette style makeup, simultaneously overwhelming and thrilling. All those options! What’s a girl to do? It took me a week to get the hang of mixing and matching these lippies – most with success, others, not so much. Here are the vital statistics that you’ll need to know:

Texture: Slightly gritty, use a balm first.
Color: Stain-like, apply sparingly – remember, you can always go back for seconds!
Mix & Match-ability: Fantastic – the “mushroom” shade is perfect for muting those brighter colors.
Staying Power: Above-Average
Tool Time: Brush/Sponge combo was difficult to use, and hard to clean
Volumizing: No visible difference here!

Truth be told, I’m not completely sold on this product. It would be great for travel (and any other moment when you can’t drag your entire lip care collection along with you), on the other hand, how important is convenience when it comes at the price of the feel of the product? While the range of colors is impressive, I think I’ll stick with my smoother, more comfortable lippies.

Retail Price: $19 USD (special price at JustForRedheads.com)

About the Advanced Waterproof Eyeliner: "Unique Expresso shade provides incredibly natural depth. Creating natural definition is a must for redheads. Now with the
JFR Advanced Liquid Waterproof Eye Liner you can have it all. New high definition eye liner brush."

Jamie’s Thoughts: Love the color, love the applicator, love the packaging. I usually find liquid eyeliner intimidating, but this product put me immediately at ease. The brush is easy enough to manipulate – just change the pressure when you apply, and you’ll get whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a natural outline, or something more dramatic (think Amy Winehouse or Cleopatra).

As for the waterproof claims, those are totally accurate as well. This stuff didn’t budge, baby. Not only did it NOT move when I wet my face, but it also didn’t come off with just soap – I had to rub it off. This eyeliner isn’t going anywhere, which is good, because I plan on continuing to use it! A must-have for the upcoming sweaty summer, and tearful wedding season.

Retail Price: $13.00

About the Brush-a-Brow: "Designed for those with auburn hair. Adds a natural,warm auburn depth to brows. New long-wearing formula."

Jamie’s Thoughts: This product disappointed me immensely. The powder consistency was WAY too hard – when I put the brush to it, it crumbled away in every direction. Not good. Also, the bristles on the applicator brush were very stiff – stiff enough to brush the product through my eyebrow hair(s) and onto my face. The color was appropriate for my skin tone, but totally unpleasant to apply! What a shame.

Retail Price: $15.00

Ratings:
Mineral Lip Sampler
Advanced Waterproof Eyeliner
Brush a Brow

What They Say: "Browwow includes a lightly color brow powder, tinted pomade, and champagne shimmer highlighter, all fitted into a copper bronze palette with a large mirror and professional double-ended brush. You no longer have to use many different products to achieve perfectly polished brows – Browwow has all three brow essentials in one convenient compact."

Jamie’s Thoughts: I’m indifferent about this one. The color is fairly neutral, and probably an excellent match for anyone on the pale side of the skin color wheel. The powder crumbles a lot, and the first time I used it, it ended up all over my cheekbones. Not a good look. After some practice, it got better, but I’m fairly sure it had something to do with the brush – it’s difficult to pick up just a subtle amount of anything using a hard, tiny, rigid brush. One should take care when applying this.

The pomade is great and really does its job. It even corrected the wonky part of my left brow that is always a challenge! My brows are so pale that the tinted pomade would be enough color, but for brunettes and blondes, the powder and pomade are a good pairing.

The best thing about this product, oddly, is the highlighter. It is perfectly neutral, and very subtle. It would look fabulous on any age, any skin tone, any woman. Love it!

Overall, I find this average at best. The product is clearly top-notch from a quality perspective, but also fussy. It’s difficult to use, and takes valuable time away from more important parts of my morning routine.

Retail Price: $34.00 (at duwop.com and at Nordstrom, Sephora, and other high-end retailers)

DeLush Rating:

If you'll remember, I overplucked my eyebrows one fine morning and, as a result, started using a brow definer to fill in the blanks.  Well, the missing hairs have all grown back again, but I've gotten to the point where I really like using a brow definer to get more perfectly shaped brows.  That Maybelline brow pencil was great, but I wanted to try one a little closer to my brow color, and I stumbled upon this product from Rimmel.

What They Say: "Professional Eyebrow Pencil is used to enhance and refine the shape of the eyebrows.  It can be used to fill gaps or lengthen the arc of the eyebrow to create the desired look."

My Experience:  Because my last eyebrow pencil was a darker brown than my eyebrows, I had to have a light touch when I was applying it.  This pencil was very close to the color of my eyebrows, and as a result, I got much more natural results, even if I pressed a little harder.  I was able to fill in areas to make it look like I have the perfect eyebrow arch, and that's all I really wanted in a product.  I also like that it comes with an eyebrow brush on the end so that when I am travelling, I no longer have to carry one.   This product doesn't perform miracles, but it is a very capable eyebrow definer.

Retail Price: $2.49 (Walgreens)

Rating:

Jen's DeLush Experience: I normally would not have much of use for a product like this; I don't normally wear eye liner and I've not been one to fill in my eyebrows (they're thick enough, thank you).  But I got this as a free trial bundled in with my Maybelline XXL mascara.  And just in time.

A month or two ago I was plucking my eyebrows in a rush before I left for work and I plucked out a few hairs from the center of my left eyebrow that apparently formed the cornerstone of my brow.  They've almost grown back in good as new now, but when it happened, I reached for my sample of Expert Eyes and I was good to go! 

What I like about this product is that it goes on really smoothly, and you can easily vary the darkness and the weight of the line by changing your pressure.  I have even tried it as eyeliner once or twice and have been impressed with the results.  It bothered my eyes just a little, but it stayed put all day and didn't give me major football-player eyes like a lot of eyeliners do.

Retail Price: $5.49 (Walgreens)

Rating: