After running this feature on Smashbox’s new eye liners and seeing all the makeup sharpeners I owned, it got me thinking. What makes for a good one? As in, what makes for a good makeup pencil sharpener or what makes for a good anything really? After trying and playing with products for the past 12+ years, I think I have a bit of expertise when it comes to specific topics and what makes for a good something.

So I decided to start a new on-going feature called …

and in these features I will discuss what I think makes for a good product or way of doing something beauty-related.

This first one will investigate what I think makes for a good makeup sharpener, so let’s get to it!!

What Makes for a Good Makeup Sharpener?

Like the ones shown in this picture I took of the ones I own, they all fill a purpose. Since there is no set size for any pencil for lips or eyes, you will probably find yourself having to own quite a few different ones.

If you are just going to invest in one or two of them, here is what you should look for in a good one. I like a duo sharpener like this one from Pixi Beauty I recently featured. Also, since I don’t have a trashcan next to my makeup table, a case that surrounds the sharpener to catch the shavings is also convenient. And with all the ones I’ve tried, that small pokey thing to poke color and shavings away from the blade is totally underrated. Believe it or not, only some include this pokey thing.

Here are some good ones that can get you by.

Clockwise:

• URBAN DECAY Grindhouse Double Barrel Sharpener ($10 @ ulta.com)
• JAPONESQUE Dual Sharpener ($10.99 @ amazon.com)
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Dual Antibacterial Sharpener ($4 @ sephora.com)
• ULTA Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($2.50 @ ulta.com) 

But if you really want the best of the best, I’ve tried a bunch and these ones below are the best as they meet the key criteria:

1. Should be able to sharpen two different sizes; so make it a duo, please.
2. Should have a blade-cleaning pick with it. This is so useful!
3. Should be encased to catch the pencil shavings.

Clockwise:

• KEVYN AUCOIN The Precision Pencil Sharpener ($8 @ barneys.com)
• TWEEZERMAN Deluxe Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($4 @ amazon.com)
• MALLY BEAUTY Dual Sharpener ($12.50 @ ulta.com)
• ELF Dual Pencil Sharpener ($1 @ eyeslipsface.com)
• DuWOP Beauty Blade, Antibacterial Dual Eye and Lip Pencil Sharpener ($11 @ dermstore.com)

So do you have a favorite makeup pencil sharpener? Let me know in the comments!

Mally Beauty Get Cheeky Dewy Blush – Hall of Fame Worthy?

Pros – great gel cheek color.
Cons – pricey.

Does it stay in the Hall of Fame?

Click here to read more

Let’s continue the obsession with all things fat liner! MALLY BEAUTY Eye Amplifying Shadow Liner Duo in Deep Plum and Stone are waterproof and can be used as a liner or all-over the lid. On one side is the liner and the other is a smudger, which I always find myself needing no matter which liner I use.

Click here to read more

I am a sucker for these shadow liners mostly because they are so easy to use and great for when you are in a rush. The latest ones are from the MALLY BEAUTY line. Evercolor Shadow Sticks ($45 @ qvc.com) come in 17 different colors and are really smooth going on and quite pigmented.

Click here to read more

This MALLY BEAUTY Poreless Face Defender has to be one of the strangest (in a good way) product I have ever come across. It was created to act like a face powder but without the powder residue. See Mally hates powders. I can’t say I agree or disagree with her as I’m just so used to them and really only feel that my look is complete as soon as I swipe on a translucent finishing powder. What she was after with this Poreless Face Defender is the perfectly dewy finish that’s not shiny or powdery looking. The result in the compact looks like dried glue that you dab the enclosed sponge on and buff it around this face like you would a powder. It seals the makeup on just like a powder only without the powder after-effect. And I have to say, it really does make the skin look great and it feels quite slick too. So maybe think of this as a primer for after makeup it applied instead of before?

And thankfully QVC has a video on their site you can see before and after video! $40 @ qvc.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I’m really into eyeliners these days and I just read somewhere that they are going to be big for fall so time to stock up on some new ones. MALLY BEAUTY just came out with Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner Trio contain everything if you need to update your basics – rich smooth color, good pigment and in this case (yes!) waterproof.

>  Midnight – rich black
>  Lucky Penny – bronze
>  Caribbean Sea – teal blue

A few tips from Mally herself – Pair Midnight on top of Lucky Penny on the bottom lash line; Use Caribbean Sea to accent the inner corners of the eye or layer it on top of Midnight on the top lid.

And they are only available @ ulta.com and are on special right now for  $22.84 – that’s $7.61 each! Now how's that for budget-friendly?

It’s a cute little gadget to pop in your purse for on-the-go powdering. MALLY BEAUTY's Perfecting Powder comes in a small container with a mirror on top so you can see where this lightweight powder is going. There is a soft suede like puff that makes it easy to control where you put the micro-fine loose powder. Hint: Give the top of the puff a tap on the back of your hand to release the powder and then blot away those oily spots on your face. Don’t rub it on, just buff it on the areas that look shiny. Portable powder that doesn’t spill? Mama would love this one! $28 @ mallybeauty.com ~Lisa