We’ve been put on notice today — theNotice, that is. The charming Rae of theNotice blog shares one of her all-time drugstore makeup faves, NYC’s Pencil and Pout.
Posing for the camera
So you know those mornings when you just don’t want to get out of bed? Yah, those ones — the ones where you sit in front of the mirror after taking caffeine into your bloodstream and realize that you’re too tired to tell your mascara from your brow gel, much less match your lipliner to your gloss?
Well, if you can track it down (can be hard to find online), NYC may have a solution. It’s their cute little Pencil and Pout lipgloss in Parfait Duet (about $5), with its hidden liner in the stem of the applicator.
Swatches: gloss on right
The gloss
I think it’s pretty great. Medium wear for a drugstore gloss — nothing totally amazing — but the shade’s like strawberry pie, and nothing reminiscent of strawberry pie could possibly be bad, because, well, it’s strawberry pie.
The liner
A cool red with raspberry undertones, creamy but not to the point that it mars a sharp lipline. I love that it’s an automatic lip pencil and doesn’t need a sharpener to make precise lines on the go!
I quite like the shade and checked for dupes in my stash. Guess what? It’s actually pretty unique. I mean, I’m sure you could find something similar if you really tried, but HEY — it’s insanely well priced, even mail ordered from eBay, so why the heck would you?!
From left to right: NYC Pencil and Pout in Parfait Duet, Cargo Berry, Victoria’s Secret Sizzle, Aura Science Sugar Plum (disc.), MAC Quartz and MAC Cranberry
The two together
Pure creamy goodness! It’s a great neutral-cool red with raspberryish undertones, and I just can’t get enough.
The verdict? I don’t know about the other shades, but Parfait Duet gets a huge thumbs up from me. I love the texture and finish of both the liner and the gloss. Sure, they’re not “high-end calibre” and won’t wear for six hours without feathering like Chanel Rouge Allure Laque, but man! For $5 a pop, this duo’s a steal.
This post was written by Rae, the beautiful brains behind theNotice. Beauty blogger (with a wicked penchant for lip looks), student and makeup enthusiast, Rae can’t remember a time when she didn’t love makeup.
🙂 This is such a good review. I like how you added a rebuttal about how it isn’t as high quality as more expensive brands, but still good for it’s price. You’re absolutely right! For $5, it’s a steal 🙂
Loving your guest posts, Rae!
$5 is a steal. I’m not much of a lip liner person (unfortunately), but the gloss looks fab! 😀
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Earthy Autumn Neutral EOTD with the UD Show Pony Palette! =-.
Oooh, such a pretty color! I especially love the two together.
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Korres Face Primer Review =-.
Once upon a time, I got this for a buck and gave it away. The color is too bright for me but I hope the one who received it would enjoy it. I don’t see this NYC product anymore, I wonder if it was phased out.
.-= Dao’s last blog post… Sunday Read List; GILTY Pleasres Weekly Blog Tour Vol. 3 =-.
Hi Megan,
Thanks! I find it really hard to tell how good an item REALLY is when it’s not compared to anything — for me, a high-end gloss has to be better than a low-end one to warrant the same kind of raves. (For instance if it was the same gloss, the $5 version might get an A-, whereas the $30 one would bet a B. Different standards, y’know?)
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GLITTER! =-.
Maggie: Thanks girl =) The gloss is great, enough so that even if you never wear the gloss, this is still worth it!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GLITTER! =-.
*whoops! That should have said “never wear the liner,” rather than “never wear the gloss” 😛
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GLITTER! =-.
Rebecca: I know! It’s like stunning + stunning = superstunning 😛
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GLITTER! =-.
Hi Dao,
Aww man 🙁 I hadn’t even noticed that. I really hope NYC hasn’t phased these out, because I think they’re wonderful… here’s to hoping!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… Wedding bells ring =-.
The color is not among my favorites, but looks better with the liner on and with those white sparkling teeth 🙂
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… NEW: Lancome O My Rose Collection – Spring 2010 =-.
Oooh, time to go to Zeller’s 🙂 I’ve never tried NYC because they never have testers available. But now I see that they’re worth a shot.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… MAC Holiday Mischief Makers Soft Shenanigans & Frsiky Business Review & Swatches =-.
Ha, I used to have this same product, but in a different shade. Your review is spot on!
.-= sarahPUFFY’s last blog post… Review: Cover FX’s Conceal FX Camofauge Concealer =-.
Hi Tavia,
Aww, thanks! It makes my teeth look a little whiter than they actually are, thanks to the blue undertones 🙂
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GOSH sale =-.
Hi Christy,
Lol!! I’ve tried a couple of their items, and they’re pretty hit/miss. When you find a “hit,” though, they’re amazing!! (Especially for the price.)
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GOSH sale =-.
Hi sarahPUFFY,
Thanks! It’s a great product 🙂
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GOSH sale =-.
That is a lovely shade of red. I always see NYC at London Drugs but never paid much attention. I will sneak a peek at their kiosk the next time head down that way.
.-= amy’s last blog post… EOTD Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil Super Stash Product Pictures, Review, Swatches on Eyes Part 3: Ransom, Rockstar and Stash =-.
i like the color! I do think the dual function is great. cause I’m too lazy to reach for my lip liner…
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Honey Love + Pink Nouveau + Jap. Mag. =-.
Hi Amy,
Thanks! You should definitely check out the stand next time — some of it’s utter crap, but there are quite a few gems in there!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GOSH sale =-.
Hi Blovet Beauty,
I know, me too! Though I love my liners, it’s usually gloss-only for me in the morning… picking one out requires too much effort 😛
.-= Rae’s last blog post… GOSH sale =-.
Ahhh guest writer… I was looking at those lips thinking, that’s not Karen?!
This does look to be a good deal, will look for it… thanks!
Hi! That looks fab! Thanks for the review, you are right in that some of it is awful but for $5 or less their stuff is worth a try!
I recently tried their eyeliner pencils and for a girl who hates eyeliner pencils (even some of the $$$$ ones) they are Amazing for $2!!
In Florida they have NYC at EVERY CVS and Walgreens and Walmart. The stuff is literally everywhere.
.-= Shannon’s last blog post… How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! =-.
Hi Shiny,
LOL! Yah, I’m not Karen… I only wish!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… The one in which the intro gets WAY TOO LONG. =-.
Hi Shannon,
The liner pencils sound great! I have way too many liners already, but at $2 perhaps I can justify checking them out 😛 I’m jealous, it’s so hard to find brands like NYC up here!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… The one in which the intro gets WAY TOO LONG. =-.
I actually got the kit that has three different ones in it the only reason i found your website was because i was looking for a review on them i got mine at my local Factory 2 U for $2.99 it comes in the shades Mauvette duet, Lilac duet [ which is actually a pink] & Ruby duet i saw these & thought hey why not they look really cute im happy i got them & for $2.99 for three its a steal!
I’ve been trying to find any info on these for AGES!!! I remember them from years ago, actually I swear it was from before 09 when I first saw them. I used to LOVE these, the glosses were nice & pigmented & the matching liner was convenient. I couldn’t for the life of me remember what they were called-I was thinking along the lines of ‘line & shine’, but that wasn’t right. Now I know it’s pencil & pout. I also had for whatever reason thought they were Wet n Wild, but it was NYC-I sometimes mix those two brands up. But this is the only photo or any mention of them I’ve found so far, so I’m thinking finding any on Amazon may not happen.