I've recently been on the hunt for the perfect cost-effective, super long wearing, waterproof eyeliner. Eyeliner is one of those makeup items that I hate buying "high end." I find that most of the time, the highest end brands still tend to fade, run, and leave the waterline even though they are much more expensive than a typical drugstore brand. I have a few that I have been using on my clients that I enjoy, but I wanted to take things to the next level and truly find a great, more affordable product.
After reading tons of reviews, I was determined to try out these Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliners. They were rated very highly by several beauty bloggers, makeup artists, and regular consumers. I decided it was time to see if they lived up to the hype.
Needless to say, I was hooked. I started out by trying a gorgeous purple shade (Polished Amethyst) and a nude shade (Soft Nude). I chose a purple "fun" shade, since it's not something I wear everyday and if it wasn't the best formula, I wouldn't be too disappointed. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I chose a nude shade, as I find that nude shades are the true test of a good eyeliner. Nude shades, since they are not a dark shade, often fade the fastest and show up the least pigmented. Luckily, both of these were winners.
The formula is a gel consistency, and it truly glides on perfectly. Very soft, creamy, and absolutely no tugging on the waterline. This formula will be very comfortable for those with extra sensitive eyes that tend to water when applying. Because the formula is SO soft, be somewhat careful, as it can get smudged and messy if you use a heavy hand.
The pigmentation is outstanding. True to color, opaque coverage. The brighter shades truly stay bright and those that contain a sheen or shimmer, also holds up on the eye.
These are a type of "plastic" pencil, therefore they will require sharpening with a good sharpener. I didn't have any problems, but be careful when sharpening to use a soft pressure, as it can be easy to over-sharpen and lose some of the product.
The most impressive part of these eyeliners is the wear-time. I've been wearing them in the lower waterline, and have had coverage for over 12 hours! I don't have particularly oily lids or watery eyes, but I did go out and about in a snow storm and my eyeliner stayed strong. There was some slight fading after 8-10 hours, but even the bright purple shade stayed around much longer than expected.
Best of all, these pencils are extremely easy on the wallet. I found them for under $7 per pencil. I enjoyed them SO much, I went back and purchased a few more shades. I will probably end up buying all shades, as they are truly beautiful eyeliners.
Polished Amethyst, Striking Copper, Glazed Toffee, Smooth Charcoal, and Soft Nude
The first photo shows normal swatches of the shades. The photo doesn't really do justice for the purple shade, as it is much brighter and had a small amount of "sheen" to it. The gold copper shade and nude shades also both have a soft sheen to them.
The second photo shows the shades after letting them sit for a few minutes, and then using hot water to "scrub" them of. I literally scrubbed as hard as a could, and as you can see, there was very minimal smudging.
Lastly, this is AFTER washing my hand with soap, AND showering! Obviously there isn't much left, but it was crazy to see there was still some pigment left on my skin after using soap multiple times. (Have no fear though, eye makeup remover or coconut oil will take these off instantly.)
A few quick tips:
If you want a softer, smudged-out line, use your finger or brush immediately after applying
These will set within 3-5 minutes, and thereafter should be "budge-proof"
Always set with a matching shadow to really lock-in the pigmentation
Definitely check these out if you need a new go-to eyeliner, or just want to experiment with some fun shades and don't want to spend a ton of cash. The low price point and exceptional quality make them a worth-while purchase. They also have a gorgeous emerald green and teal blue shade, both on my shopping list!
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