I am on a liquid eyeliner kick. I find that while I do like my eye pencils, liquid eyeliners are faster for me to work with and apply. Not only do they give me that crisp clean line with only a few swipes, I also never have to worry about sharpening them in comparison with the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners that I have and love but for me are a pain in the butt to sharpen because they are so soft.
Now, the first liquid eyeliner I picked up was the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black. Now, I hear rave things about the Colorstay line from Revlon and after trying out this eyeliner I can attest to all the hype. What I do love about this liquid liner is the staying power it has. It is absolutely amazing. When it says it will stay for sixteen hours I will trust that claim completely. When I wear it, it will not smudge; it will stay exactly where I want it to stay for hours.
It has a felt tip applicator, just like a fine tipped marker and Revlon says that it is easier to apply than the traditional liquid eyeliner. Well, I agree with the claim that it is easier to use because you can hold it and use it just as a pen without the awkwardness that a separate brush applicator might have for some.
But, the qualms that I do have with it are that when I apply it to my lash line, it feels as if the formula on the tip of the applicator is drying out as I am using it. It takes a couple of sweeps and a few shakes of the pen (with the cap on) for me to get the color payoff that I want with it; and even then I wish it was more intensely black. I am not sure if the product is drying out or what, but from the beginning when I bought this it has felt like it was drying out on me already.
I have heard people say to store liquid eyeliners that come in a form of a pen, as this one does, with the tip of the applicator pointing downward into a makeup holder or jar so that the product will settle towards the tip and not settle in the back, which they say causes the formula to dry out faster. (This I have done with this pen, and still not impressed.)
So, the other liquid eyeliner I bought was Maybelline's Line Stilleto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black. I have heard mixed reviews about this product, either you love it or you hate it. So, I figured I should try it out for myself and form an opinion of my own. And after much use I can inform you that I hate it. Sorry, Maybelline, but it is true.
Let me start with what I do love about it. I really like the way it is packaged with the brush that unscrews from the half where the product is kept. Maybelline says that the flexible felt tip will help the liquid liner glide on smooth for an easier application with no tugging or dragging. While, it is true, I love the applicator brush and it does make it easier to apply the product, I think the reason there is no tugging on the lids is because the formula is way too watery! Halfway through lining my eyes the color runs so liquidy it starts turning into a grey color. It offers no color payoff what so ever.
This is not blackest black, this is more of a charcoal color to me; a very poor charcoal color, considering the formula is so liquidy. They sell this not only in blackest black, but black and black-brown. Hate to see what the black color looks like if the blackest black looks grey to me. Needless to say, this will not be a product I will be repurchasing ever.
I have to add that Maybelline says that this liquid eyeliner will last for up to eight hours. I find that while it takes longer to dry completely than the Revlon, I still find that it will smudge on me. Maybe it is just on my super oily skin that it will transfer to my upper lids as the day goes on, but I am not impressed. The Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen stays where I want it to stay and it ain't going no where!
 |
| LEFT to RIGHT: Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black; Maybelline Line Stilleto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black. Both products swept once in clean line; second swatched to build up color; third line is drawn over twice. |
I think that while I am not sold on either product, the Revlon one would have to win this round hands down. I tip my hat to both companies and hope that Maybelline will try their hand at it again in the future because I love the packaging and the brush; just work on your formula, guys!
(Dramatic sigh...) Someday I'll find that perfect black liquid eyeliner that every girl dreams of...
No comments:
Post a Comment