Product Review: Revlon Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Shade I bought: "Blackest Black"
Other shades it comes in: Black and Blackened Brown
Where to buy: Many drugstores should have it now
Price: Around $7-8 (varies)
Would I buy again? Yes

I went to Wal-Mart the other day to re-stock on my beloved Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner but to my surprise they didn't have the one I usually get (the triangular shaped bottle) but was instead replaced with their new Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner Pen! I am impartial to eyeliner pens just because they seem to dry out faster than the ones in the pots, even when stored upside down or horizontally, they don't last as long as the ones that have pots. However, what I DO love about them is how easy it is to create a nice line or wing with the precise brush as well how it's easy to tote around for any touch ups.

As much as I LOVE my MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack", sometimes it's hard to get the perfect wing even with the most precise eyeliner brush (the little line of eyeliner some of you 'wing' out at the outer corner of your eye). So sometimes I like to apply my fluidline then use the Revlon liquid eyeliner for the wing portion of my eyeliner, or I will use it OVER my fluidline to create the darkest line.

I have NOT personally tried MAC's Penultimate Eyeliner, I have played with it in the store, and I can honestly say that the Revlon Eyeliner Pen seems JUST AS good, it stays on for me even at the end of the day, doesn't flake or rub off for me at all, and their "Blackest Black" is a nice true jet black and offers an intensified black like the Penultimate Eyeliner. Not to mention the Penultimate Eyeliner is $16.50, whereas the Revlon Eyeliner is around $7-8.

Anyway, here is my review on it!

PROS:
- The pen form is easy to tote around and allows for easier application to line the eyes, no mess or globs of liquid eyeliner all over the place
- Colorstay technology allows wear for up to 16 hours! And it totally does for me, I can wear this all day and it still looks just as fresh!
- The fine-tapered felt tip gives a nice soft thin or thick line, as well as giving me better control to be able to line the eyes smoothly and evenly, dispenses the right amount of product to eliminate mistakes!
- You can control the intensity of the color
- Doesn't flake on me, or fade, no weird smell

CONS:
- None, other than because it's in pen form it may dry out faster than the traditional liquid eyeliner (I will let y'all know!)

You might like this if: You have trouble lining your eyes, have shaky hands, or want an eyeliner that is easy and fast.

Overall: I am an avid fan of Revlon, especially their Colorstay Liquid Eyeliners and even their Colorstay Eye Pencils. I use their lipsticks and used to use their eyeshadows and concealers before I got bit by the MAC bug, (because MAC gives me more product for my money for certain things). It was no surprise that this eyeliner performed remarkably well because it's just as awesome as their original and to me it's just as great as MAC's Penultimate Eyeliner Pen, and cheaper! I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a good eyeliner that lasts and gives a nice bold black, or especially for those who are new to lining the eyes or have a hard time lining the eyes because the pen forms allows you to just concentrate on applying it just right and dispenses the right amount of product.

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MAC Creme Liners

Creme Liner is an advanced version of traditional creme liner, which can be used wet or dry. It can be applied straight from the container for a concentrated opaque line, or with a tiny bit of water for a more liquid/fluid application. It dries quickly, is streak-resistant, and long-lasting. Not made with harsh solvents or lacquers like some, this formula contains Vitamin E. It provides the most versatility for the artist.
2.5 g / 0.08 US OZ
US$11.50

These Creme Liners are the newest thing to hit the MAC PRO stores! They are not available in freestanding MAC stores (at least as of yet). MAC PRO stores only, and you do not have to be a MAC PRO member to buy from the MAC PRO stores, but you do have to be to buy online.

***EDIT*** Many of you asked how these compare to the fluidlines, I personally only have the Fluidlines, so I don't know how they truly compare, however I am guessing that the Fluidlines are more of a gel consistency, whereas the Creme Liners can be used dry (as is from the pot) or you can wet your brush to create an affect similar to that of liquid eyeliners. They say its also streak resistant (a plus!) and long lasting (although the Fluidlines to me are also long lasting). They are a more re-vamped version of the old traditional creme liners.

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Product Review- L'Oreal Voluminous Eyeliner Marker

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Price: $7-$9, CVS Pharmacy, any drugstore
Color: Black

What they say: Design a soft or dramatic liner look for your eyes with L'Oreal's Voluminous eyeliner in a mistake-proof marker.

I am a sucker for eyeliners, I know when it comes to us Asian gals, many say eyeliner makes our eyes appear smaller, but for me it's the opposite, eyeliner makes my eyes look bigger (I will show you a pic oneday haha), without eyeliner I think I look sleepy...so when it comes to buying eyeliners, I like trying them all. I went into CVS and picked up the L'Oreal Voluminous Eyeliner, I was intrigued because it was like a marker and reminded me of the eyeliner pens like Physician's Formula Eyeliner Pens which also worked great but dried up fast.

PROS: It's pretty neat, it has a chiseled felt-tip, just like a marker, making it easy to line the eyes from the inner corner out. The flat part can be used to line, and the pointed part can be used to wing out your eyeliner. The fluid itself is like regular liquid eyeliners and stays on all day. I love it because it's my "makeup bag eyeliner" that stays with me in my purse for any touch-ups, and since it's like a marker, it's a good space saver.

CONS: None!

Overall: It's pretty neat, if you are looking for a cheap but good eyeliner that will last, give this a try!

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Product Review: Revlon's Line Fantasy Cream Eyeliner

Product: 2 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Overall: 3 out of 5
Would I re-purchase? No
Price: $10, Walgreens

I first introduced this product a few posts ago, and finally tried it a few days ago...I wasn't happy with it. First of all, I have been using MAC Fluidlines, Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliners (both pencil and liquid form), and Indelible Gel Eyeliners from Mad Minerals, and NONE of them are TOO creamy in the sense that it's hard to apply in one motion, nor do they crease like crazy.

Many of you have asked what my favorite eyeliner is and I really don't have one, it really just depends on what I feel like using that day, if I am in a hurry, Revlon's Liquid Eyeliner does the trick and stays on without flaking, I love the smooth and lasting application (as well as how long it lasts for a tiny jar!) of the MAC Fluidlines. The Indelible Gel Eyeliners are a great alternative to the MAC Fluidlines, however they are SUPER tiny and they dry out really fast.

In terms of preventing smudging (another frequently asked question), you can try powdering your lower lashline to absorb oil and then lining your eyes. I like to just line my waterline or line my lower lash line and smudging it on purpose for a soft smokey look. An eyeliner sealant also seals the deal to help make it last longer and prevent a lot of smudging.

I tried applying the Revlon cream eyeliner like you normally would with any cream or gel eyeliner; first with the tiny brush it came with (which also sucked), so then I used my own eyeliner brush and I had to apply it like 5 times to even get an even amount of color because it was streaking across my lashline. It also didn't dry as fast as other gel eyeliners such as the Fluidlines. (I have NOT tried L'Oreal's HIP eyeliners, so I wouldn't know how they compare).

I then tried it with Silk Naturals's Eyeliner Sealant, and it seemed to do the trick and made it stay without creasing.

PROS: Using this with an eyeliner sealant makes it a cream eyeliner you can work with, it's inexpensive and comes in brown, purple, black, and blue. Available at drugstores that carry brand new product collections.

CONS: Creased like crazy for me and I don't have oily eyelids either! Takes a few applications to get an even pigmented line.

Overall: I am so accustomed to how well other eyeliner perform, such as the Fluidlines, Indelible Gel Eyeliners, and even Revlon's other line of eyeliners, their colorstay eyeliner pencils or liquid eyeliners work really well. However, I would not re-purchase this as I would rather just get something else that I don't have to struggle with to stay on or give me a continuous even line of color.

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Beauty Find: Revlon's Line Fantasy Cream Eyeliner

With all the new makeup products being released every month from the low-end to the high-end brands, it's so hard to keep up! Even my wallet is having a hard time keeping up! LOL.

I found the new Summer Collection by Revlon, featuring new lipglosses, eyeshadows, bronzers, and more. One of them are the new "Line Fantasy Cream Eyeliners", which remind me of the L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliners. They are $10.99 at WALGREENS and comes with a tiny eyeliner brush.

I haven't had a chance to actually use it yet, but just by swatching it on my hand, it was nice and creamy and easy to apply, same consistency as the MAC Fluidlines. Staying powder seems ok for now (won't know until I actually test it out!) and from what I remember, it came in a few colors (I don't know all the names), but they were "Chocolate", a purple and a blue one, and I think a black one but it was all sold out.

I bought "Chocolate" because I was actually in need of a chocolate brown eyeliner when doing soft brown and neutral looks as black eyeliner against my light skin tends to be too dark and overpowering, although I love the classic black eyeliner, I really want to try different colors of eyeliners.

Again, I have NOT tried these yet as I just got them, so I don't know how they compare to other eyeliners such as the Indelible Gel Eyeliners, or the MAC Fluidlines. Also, I have never tried any of the L'oreal HIP cream eyeliners so I don't know how they would compare to those but I imagine they are pretty similar....

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Reader Question: Preventing Eyeliner Smudging

Q: How do you get your eyeliner to not smudge or end up below the eye?
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A: To be honest, after a long day, my eyeliner eventually does the same thing, but that's because after awhile I'll rub my eyes forgetting I have makeup on! LOL. I use Indelible Gel Eyeliner in "Black Out" from MadMinerals.org, I mentioned this before in my blog but thought id bring it back to the surface since I've been getting a lot of questions about eyeliners lately. It seriously is compared to MAC's Fluidline in "Blacktrack". They are both very similar, of course MAC has a larger jar and is actually a tad bit creamier than the Indelible Gel Eyeliner. Also, the Indelible Gel Eyeliner can dry out but can easily be "brought to life" with eyeliner sealant which is also available on MadMinerals.org, or I use my Homemade Mixing Medium to seal my liner so it stays on and is smudge free.

For you gals that are into the traditional pencil or liquid eyeliner, eyeliner smudges because your lids are producing OIL in which your lid is no longer holding onto your eyeliner like it should.

Try powdering your lids first, concentrating on your lashline and lower lashline as the powder will absorb the oil and lasting longer, I really like Revlon's Colorstay Pencil and Liquid Eyeliners, for those of you who are not allergic to MAC's Liquidlast, that one REALLY stays on! (My eyes were irritated when I tried it).

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Reader Question: Tightlining & Waterline

Q: Since you are the GURU of eyes, do you have pictures that compare the effect when you just:
1. line your upper and lower lash,
2. line upper, lower lash and waterline
3. and tightline?
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A: I usually line my upper and lower lashes, so you can always just refer to some of my looks (FOTD's) to see how that is done, I seldom do all three including the waterline, I personally have watery eyes due to allergies so I avoid putting liner on my waterline since it's gone in 5 minutes after I put it on!

But here are some pics on what is called "tightlining" which is basically putting eyeliner on the upper waterline (opposite of your upper lashline), some gals do this for a more natural look.







Eye with tightlining:




A pic of upper and lower lashline lined:


A pic of upper, lower, AND waterline lined, see the difference?

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Reader Questions and Testimonials

Q: Hey Nessa!!

I just received the MAC pigment samples in the mail today. I was so excited I tried them all today doing different eye looks. Absolutely love the pigments! THANKS so so much!!

I also bought me some NYX eyeshadows and pearl pigments as well online and it came today as well (don't have a store closeby that sells NYX). And can't wait to try them too!! The colors look just as good if not better than MAC brand at way less of a cost!!

BTW, where do you buy your jars to put samples in?? The NYX pearl pigments come in these itty bitty bottles. I would rather stick them in something that my makeup brush can fit into. Can you buy these things at beauty supply stores? Or online?? Curious to know. Also when I do plan on buying the full MAC pigment bottles I'd rather take some out and separate them rather than keep opening up the huge jar and risk letting everything spill!

Joy
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A: Thank you! I am so glad you received the pigments and enjoyed them as well. Do a look and share with all of us! I bought my sample jars on eBay, but you can also find them on mineral makeup sites if you don't need that many (as the ones on eBay sell them by the bulk). I also like to use stacks that you screw on top of one another that you can get at craft stores such as Michael's. Also check out my storage idea for pigments, by CLICKING HERE.

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Q: I have an eye liner crisis! I used to use a twist up eyeliner, and my problem was that the color was brown, and it wouldn't show up very well, and then it would give a dark circle below my eye when i wouldn't even put the eyeliner there. I would but the eyeliner basically on the little rim on the bottom of my eye, very close to my eyeball. I have recently switched to a black pencil, but sometimes it shows up way too thick. I have tried all the different brands...what do I do?? Also, what do you think of the loreal HIP series? are there any good tips for using it?
Thank you for puting up a website like yours. It is a great resource!
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A: If black eyeliner is too dark for you, try using shades lighter than that such as "slate" or "onyx (I use Covergirl gel eye pencils which work great) so it's not so dramatic as a black eyeliner. Also if you want to stick to brown, I HIGHLY suggest using Indelible Gel Eyeliner in "Chocolate Mousse", these eyeliners last ALL day, with no smudging whatsoever, especially since it sounds you usually line the top and not the bottoms, then these are perfect! Application is used with a "push brush", which a flat head eyeliner brush. If you still want to stick to pencils, give Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliners a try, I use them and they last all day as well, no flaking or smudging.

I don't really like the L'Oreal HIP series personally, I bought their duo eyeshdows and didn't like them very much, the colors just weren't for me, I did however purchase their HIP pigments and they are lovely, a decent dupe for the MAC Pigments for you gals on a budget, but I really love the NYX Pearl Mania loose pigments, those are gorgeous!

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Reader Question: Allergic reaction to liquid eyeliner

Q: Hey Vanessa!
I just wanted to say I love reading your blog, I read it like a religion, hehe. I've always used a stick eyeliner but decided to change to liquid. I bought Wet n Wild liquid eyeliner in Megaliner. When I put it on I got a burning and itching sensation. I didn't understand why, the only thing I'm allergic to is bleach. Do you have any theories of why this happened? I'm scared to get a different liquid liner now. Thanks!
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A: Hi Mary!

I am glad you asked me this because I have the same experience with SOME liquid eyeliners. Prestige liquid eyeliners and surprisingly MAC liquidlast eyeliners give me a burning sensation recently to the point where I find myself scrambling for a makeup wipe to wipe it off because it stings so much! I am not quite sure what causes these allergic reactions, as I don't experience this with my Revlon Colorstay Liquid eyeliner in "Blackest Black", nor do I experience this with my Indelible Gel Eyeliner.

I suggest you give the Indelible Gel Eyeliner a shot if you have a steady hand because it's very soft and creamy, easy to move and use, and perhaps won't cause such a reaction. Also, try using different drugstore brands such as Maybelline or Covergirl and see if those do the same thing, if you purchase from Rite-Aid (not sure what state you live in), but some drugstores have a very lenient return policy in which you CAN return opened makeup items in the event it doesn't work out.

Hope that helps!

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Indelible Gel Eyeliners

I love this stuff!

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EDIT

I was reading reviews on Makeup Alley and A LOT have suggested Avon's "Transforming Liquid Eyeliner" which is A LOT cheaper and works just the same, if not better. I am definitely going to be ordering this one! Only $2.99 on AVON.COM!

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Another eyeshadow to liquid eyeliner product! Thanks BELLA!

Hi Vanessa...just also wanted to let u know about Liquefy by Too Faced. It also turns shadows into liner so far it's great for me!

~~Bella
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This awesome product seems A LOT easier than the Paula Dorf one since it already has the wand. Just dip and apply!

It's definitely going to be a must have in my makeup box!


I also like their starry-eyed liquid eyeliner with sparkling micro glitter:

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Sexy Eyes and Baggy Eyes

Ingredients for powerfully sexy eye makeup:

* Black eyeliner - pencil. Ensure that it is sharp.
* Black eyeliner - brush. The thinner the liquid eyeliner is the better.
* Eye shadow brush. Thin stumpy bristles are best to maintain control.
* Dark eye shadow. Irridescent rather than flat matt (too hard), or shiny (too messy).
* Highlight shimmer for under the eyebrow. Avoid garish looking ‘high glitter’.
* A good eyebrow pencil. Try to select the most natural shade for you as possible.
* Eyelash curlers
* Black mascara. Obviously choose a quality brand to avoid clumping and ‘spider eyes’.

Step-by-step instructions for smoky cat eyes:

Apply your foundation, under eye concealer and powder.
Using your black eyeliner pencil, start from the front corner of your eyelid. Draw a soft smudge line to the end of your lash line.
Use your eyeshadow brush to apply the dark eye shadow over the top of the smudged line for a soft smoky look. Ensure that the edges are neatly blended.
Then take the brush eyeliner and apply as close to your lashes as you can on the top lid only. Make the line as thick and pronounced as you wish, but make sure that the line is thickest at the outer corner, and thinner as you go inward.
Apply another smoky coat of eye shadow with the brush to blend the harsh edges.
Subtly blend your darker eye shadow up from your lashes to your eye crease. Then apply a shimmery highlight in white or cream under the outside corner of your eyebrow.
Use your eyebrow pencil to make your eyebrow curve more pronounced.
Curl your eyelashes, then apply thin coats of mascara, building the layers up gradually to avoid clumping.

I use:

Sephora's Eyeliner Quad in "Earthly Tones"


Revlon's Bedroom Eyes Powder Eyeshadow in "Sultry Sapphire"


Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliner (always a must have! stays on for 16 hours!)


Revlon's Liquid Eyeliner in "Blackest Black"


For baggy eyes:

* Take a metal spoon and run it under cold water. Place the metal on the puffy area for at least 60 seconds.

* Apply hemorrhoid cream (look for brands that contain ingredients of yeast and shark's liver oil) to the puffy area. Insiders have known for years that in just the way it gets the swelling out of that other area, it works the same way for the face.

* Thin cucumber slices used as compresses over closed eyes will relieve sore, puffy eyes.

* A black tea bag soaked in cold water on each eye for ten minutes will reduce swelling caused by fluid retention. Gently press from inner to outer corners to hasten drainage.

* Avoid salty foods, which cause the under eye area (and the rest of your body) to hold fluid.

* Elevate your head when you sleep, to keep fluid from settling around your eyes.

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Reader Questions:

To answer some of my reader questions, I will post them here, you gals have really great questions! Keep them coming!

Q: Hey Nessa! I bought the NXY loose pigment pearl eyeshadows. I bought all 24 colors new on ebay for a really good deal. They came in today and I know this might sound silly...but how do you use them??? I was playing with it and got the powder all over my hands and face. I LOVE the colors though! But what type of brush and how do you properly apply it and get it out of the bottle?

Thanks,
Jenn =)

A: Jenn, I am really glad you liked the colors, they have really awesome pigments that complement any look. I must admit, they do get messy since they are loose powders in tiny, tiny bottles! What I do is:

1. I shake the bottle upside down so that some of the powder goes into the cap, then when you open it, I get a tiny brush similar to the one below and gently scoop up a small amount, then apply it to my eyelids. Another thing I do as well when working with more than one pigment, is that I pour each color on a piece of paper (you do not want to use paper towel or tissue, because it absorbs the powder almost like a sifter, and also because it's harder to pour any excess powder back INTO the bottle).



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Q: heyy vanessa..well i`ve loved all the tips you`ve given soo far its really helped..i was wondering could you make a tutorial on applying eyeliner the right way because for some reason everytime i do it, it never comes out the way i want it to.thanks

<3 chrysee

A: Thanks Chrysee! As I write this, I already have eyeliner on, so tomorrow, hopefully I can take some pics on "how-to" apply eyeliner, but for now, I can write steps on how-to correctly apply eyeliner.

If you have small set eyes, you want to apply THIN eyeliner, as thick eyeliner can make your eyes appear smaller. If you have wide, large eyes, then feel free to be as playful as you want to be. Close your eye, with one hand (usually the hand you are not dominant in), pull to the side the corner of your eye lid, so that you are holding your eye down, smoothed with no crease or wrinkles, and with your other hand apply your eyeliner starting from the INNER corner of your eye, to the OUTER in a gentle sweep, side-to-side motion; as STEADY as you can. For the "wing" effect (like Amy Winehouse), or how I do my eyeliner, go PAST the natural corner of your lid, and slightly brush up. Then repeat with the other eye. [see below]

To fix mistakes: Take a Q-tip and dab with water or makeup remover and gently clean up the mistake, for best results, wait for the eyeliner to fully DRY before cleaning any mistakes, as wet eyeliner can cause a bigger mistake and smudges. You can also try using a makeup eraser pen like Sephora's $12)

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