What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

A picture of MAC Coffee Eye Pencil ($18) with a big-@ss cup of ☕ coffee? So meta, I know! Oh, and not just any big-@ss cup of coffee. This was my second cup of the morning.

Dude, I wake up at 5! An obnoxious level of caffeine is the only way I get through life these days.

I’ve mentioned MAC coffee a few times lately, but I’ve been hesitant to give it the “unsung heroes” treatment because, for reasons unknown, it vanished from the MAC website, which was sacrilegious craziness to me because it’s the best dark brown matte pencil I know.

It really is. I wear it more than all of my other MAC liner loves.

Yes, even more than Teddy, Costa Riche and — I can’t believe I’m about to type this — Powersurge.

Ever since I discovered the power of pencils that *aren’t* black, I’ve been all about brown liner (it’s the whole “black liner looks so harsh on me now that I’m older” thing).

This particular dark chocolate brown doesn’t have red undertones, and it does all the right things for me. It works on my water lines (both upper and lower), doesn’t irritate my eyes (and, GIRL, everything irritates my eyes these days), and it doesn’t smudge unless I want it to.

It’s not as soft as a gel or a soft kohl, so it doesn’t glide along like those formulas, but perhaps that’s why it sticks to skin so well. I can wear MAC Coffee all day long without any transferring onto my lower lash line or up into my crease.

(Don’t worry — you won’t be tugging to apply it. It’s hard, but it’s also very pigmented and not dry at all, so no skipping, if that makes sense.)

Be warned: Once you try MAC Coffee, you’ll become addicted…just like real coffee.

Speaking of coffee…

Archer Farms from Target is really good! Full disclosure: I’m NO coffee snob, by any means, and if you like your coffee strong enough to power a nuclear reactor, you’d probably say that the coffee I make tastes like milk with a coffee chaser.

Right now I’m drinking the Archer Farms Kona Blend (no, seriously, I have a cup on my desk as I type this), but I also like their Donut Shop and Vanilla Creme Brulee. A regular 12-oz. bag is only $5.99, AND they go on sale all the time!

So there’s your coffee rec of the day! Happy Tuesday, friend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Reasons Why Kohl Eye Pencil is a Must-Have in Your Makeup Kit

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There are different ways to use makeup products for the eyes and cosmetics like eyeliners are must-haves for every woman. If you don’t have kohl in your makeup kit then you are not doing your eyes justice. Read on to find out why kohl should be part of your makeup arsenal.

The eye kajal is one of the most essential and versatile products in the makeup kit. A kohl eye pencil enhances facial beauty by accentuating the eye line. For all makeup lovers out there kajal pencil can create several types of looks and add to their beauty. The eyes are the most attractive feature of the human body and also they are expressive. Investing in good makeup products for this valuable part of the body is very sensible.

Here are five creative ways to use a kohl eye pencil:

1. Use it for outlining: It is easy to buy any kajal pencil online as there is a huge variety of them. However, using a well-branded pencil can make a huge difference to the makeup. Use them to outline the natural shape of the eyes. Always start from the inner corner and thicken the line towards the outer corner. Create a wing if you wish by slightly twisting the line upwards.
2. Give a dark effect: The eye kajal can be used to create a ‘smokey’ effect for the eyes. This kind of look can never get outdated. Apply a thick layer of kajal on the upper eyelid and along the lower lash line. Blend it well using a finger or a flat brush. It creates a smudgy and smokey effect in the end.
3. Everyday usage: To wear the kajal every day, one can also try the white kajal. It creates a distinctive look for the eyes. Also, the makeup looks minimal and yet attractive. It pairs well with nude lipstick and also can make the eyes look bigger and bolder. Apply a thin line of the pencil on the upper and lower eyelid.
4. Use it on the eyebrows: The kohl eye pencil can also be applied to the eyebrows. It can be used to fill in the gaps in the brows and make them appear fuller. The brows look thick and add volume to the eyes. Start from the inner corner of the brows and work towards the outer edges. However, be mindful about not putting too much pressure on the pencil. Just use gentle strokes to do the filling.
5. Keep the line taut: The eye kajal ultimately needs to make the eyes look big and bold and beautiful. There may be certain days when one does not wish to wear any makeup. On such days, use the pencil on the inner line of the eyelashes. The pencil will fill in the gaps in the lashes and makes them appear fuller. This simple trick will work wonders for the entire look.

In conclusion

A single Forever52 kajal can be used in different ways and that is why it is a must-have in all makeup kits. Invest in a good kajal pencil so that your eyes can be made to look more attractive. It also helps to cool the eyes and prevents dust from entering the eye. A good kajal pencil can also improve the vision on regular usage.

If you are looking for the best quality eyeliner pencil or kohl, you cannot go wrong with Forever52. It is a global cosmetics brand that offers chemical-free and vegan cosmetics to suit all skin types and tones.