CHUBBY EYE STICKS - I'M OBSESSED!

I'm so crazy about chubby sticks, but lets start from the beginning. First there were eyeshadows which needs applying with one brush, blending with another, re-applying, more blending with a cleaner brush, then more applying etc. Then clean up the fallout mess and re-do the foundation/concealer you've wiped away cleaning up the fall out. Then came MAC paint pots and I was obsessed. So easy to apply with brush or fingers, even easier to blend with just one brush, I could create stunning smokey eyes in a minute that do.not.budge. Unlike eye shadows that crease.

Then came chubby sticks, and I really don't know how much easier it can get. I started off with Smashbox Shadow Liners (£17/$22), fell in love and then other brands followed. Maybelline have just bought out a range called Maybelline Master Smoky Shadow Pencil (£5.99/$NA) which are fab and like Smashbox come with a smudger on the other end, you really don't need another brush. Both these and the new amazing MAC ones that are coming out soon but haven't been released yet (perks of the job) you need to buy a separate sharpener as a regular pencil one is too small. All three of these are just small enough that they can also be used just as an eyeliner if you don't want to apply to the whole lid (but you can if you do).

And now there are Clinique Chubby Eye Sticks (£16/$16) who spawned the Chubby name with their lip pencils last year. These are a much more highlighter/glossy formula, there's no black or deep browns for a matte smokey eye. They are a group of 16 really wearable fantastic colours. As a nude/neutral colour obsessive I love Fuller Fudge, Ample Amber and Bountiful Beige (the perfect colours for anyone for every day). These sticks are fractionally bigger and cover the whole lid in 1 or 2 strokes, follow with your finger or any soft blending brush to smooth over the edge and that.is.it. It couldn't be easier! An added genius stroke is these Clinique ones are twist up so no need for sharpener, that is just so simple and brilliant.

I probably use paint pots more at work, but that's more to do with how each artist prefers to work. Since I discovered these sticks about 6 months ago they are all I've worn on myself. I wear Smashbox 'Charcoal' as a thick line on it's own or with the 'Metallic Marble' (a bronze colour) or Maybelline 'Smokey Chocolate' for a more dramatic evening look and I wear Clinique 'Ample Amber' or 'Bountiful Beige' every day, I literally spend about 3 seconds on my eyes. Chubby sticks could not be more fantastic or easier to use.. I love them!