Review | Tony Moly Backstage Self Smoky Eye Collection in 02

Tony Moly Singapore recently sent me its Backstage Self Smoky Eye Collection in 02 to review. I’d first seen this range at the Tony Moly press preview and liked the nifty packaging.

Here are my thoughts on this useful makeup item.

The Pros

It is a 3-in-1 product

The half-hourglass case cleverly houses a taupe and brown baked eyeshadow duo, a black gel eyeliner and a detachable nylon eyeliner brush. You can easily create a complete look with the gel liner and complementary shadows. I like using the gel liner as an eyeshadow base too. It’d be good if this kit had a base/highlighting shade too but these accent colours are really all you need when you’re in a hurry.

• The colours are very easy to wear

It’s hard to go wrong with these neutral hues. The bronzy chocolate and taupe blend well into and over each other, something I appreciate very much. I also like their soft, twinkly finish – the subtle shimmer shows up very prettily when the light hits my eyes.

• The gel liner makes a good shadow base

It spreads smoothly on the lid (it doesn’t skip or cake) and helps the shadows to pop. I usually apply the gel liner on my lid, after I’d applied I Nuovi Eyebase from lash to base. This combination seems to hold the shadow colours exceptionally well.

• It is portable

Its petite size is perfect for touch-ups on the go. The shadows are firmly pressed into the pan and aren’t crumbly, so the chances of shadow damage aren’t high. I also like that the retractable brush fits easily in the case’s hollow tapered tip for handy – and necessary (see below) – liner touch-ups.

The Cons

• It can be a little unwieldy

While I appreciate the compact nature of this eye makeup set, the flip-top lid can be a little hard to handle because of its small hinge and tapered tip. It’s a little disconcerting for me but I suppose I’ll get used to it.

• The gel liner doesn’t last on the lash line

Despite lasting on the lids, it seems to fade easily over shadows and after lash curling. I need to play with it more but for now, it works nicely as a guide for liquid liners – this combination is great for creating and preserving an intense/tapered lash line.

• Its price is a little high

The price actually made me baulk at first but I suppose if you split the cost – S$45.90 for a brush, two shadows and a gel liner – the sticker shock can be mitigated.

Moreover, if you’re looking for something versatile and convenient, the price might not be that much of a deterrence. After all, you’re not just shelling out money for the shades, you’re also paying for the ease of use.

Here’s a simple EOTD with this kit. It looks pretty decent, considering that I had it on for about 10 hours (I’d only touched up the waterline).