In this review I will be looking at some Make Up For Ever eye products that I've come to depend upon onstage, the Aqualiners (as opposed to Aquarelles), and their mascara formulas.

I specifically like MUFE because its intensity of pigment and variety of product lends itself well to specialized application and long lasting wear. I have come to depend on the durability of their eye makeup and would like to share some findings with you.

First off, I must rave about their mascara. The regular formula mascara ($16) and the waterproof ($19) both tried in black (tho they come in a great variety of shades) are both effective formulas. I would say the non-waterproof is the easiest to apply; its not too 'wet' of a formula and will therefore not cling to eyelids or smudge easily. It lengthens without annoying fibers (I wear contact lenses) , and dries quickly and lasts well, unless of course it gets wet or sweaty. I tend to wear this one during the day, saving the waterproof formula for night.

The waterproof formula has its ups and downsÖon the plus side, its non irritating, and for a waterproof formula, it goes on well. If you like Cover Girl's mascaras, especially their washable waterproof formulas, you will probably like this one slightly more. However, being waterproof means it is much slower to dry and therefore its easy to smudge or smear and it tends to clump a bit more and not lengthen quite as much. However, it can be worth it: as I spend three or four hours in a gig (unloading, setting up, performing, unloading then hanging out at the club) in a sweaty summer rock club environment, it holds up well. I have noticed that it will smudge sometimes at the corners on the lower lashes, and sometimes slightly in the shower but overall, I am pleased and will continue to use the product.

Aqualiners are great, nifty little bottles of eye color that will last you ages. At $19 apiece, they are not the cheapest eye item but they will last a long time and are worth it if you are looking for a way to lengthen the life of your eyecolor in situations where humidity, heat or sweat are a factor. Though you need to give them a moment to dry properly, which can be a constraint if you are short on time, they are so versatile that they more than make up for it. From standard liner colors of black and brown to nonstandard yellows, emerald greens, etc, these are waterproof liquid colors that stay where you put them and can be used in a multitude of ways. Here's one way that I've found they are very convenient:

For shows or situations where I need the ultimate staying power without 'glop', (I hate wearing tons and tons of makeup onstage and get away with as little as I can but still get an effect) I will line the eyes with the black (over fake lashes at night) with a thin liner brush, then smudge it gently before it dries to gradually lighten it into a contour. Then I go over the liner with a deep powder color, such as Stila "Ebony' or 'Storm' to further set the liner. Finally, I will graduate that darker color into something lighterÖ. such as one of the silvery -white MUFE starpowders, or something natural like NARS Edie. I might then take a lighter Aqualiner, like a green or gold and use it as an accent on the lid, or even on the tips of the lashes. This allows the black, with the fake lashes, to create a strong, lasting impression with a minimum amount of actual cosmetic.

MUFE is a line which often gets as many negative reactions as it does positive, but if you've not checked out the line, you owe it to yourself to give it a try, particularly if you're adventurous and love a lot of color. Even if your makeup tendencies lean towards the more cautious, MUFE's long-wearing shadows and liners can help you keep your look neat and tidy throughout the day.