It's probably no surprise that I love black eyeliner. What "alternative" girl doesn't? So I have started on a quest to find the best black eyeliner for the price. I want something long lasting, inexpensive, and easy to find in the local store (as much as I support independent makeup companies, I like to be able to easily pick up the basics when I run out).
The Contestants:
So I'm a bit biased and always head to the Maybelline section to buy eyeliner for some reason. I really have no idea why, but I do. I think my first eyeliner pencil was Maybelline and it's just a force of habit? I'm trying to break myself of that compulsion in any case. Anyway, I'm going to compare these two Maybelline eyeliners: (I was going to compare three, but apparently they stopped making the liquid eyeliner that I have from them)
Contestant Number One:
Maybelline Define-A-Line in soft black
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| from their website because mine is so used the label has worn off |
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner in blackest black
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| to show size |
The Review:
How do you like contestant number one?
First off, the define-a-line pencil. It's advertised as "an eyeliner that stays put all day" on the Maybelline website. I'm not sure I agree with those sentiments. It's certainly a soft eyeliner, and very easy to put on and get heavy lines with for that reason, but it also smudges just as easily. I usually end up with dark smudges under my eyes by the end of the day if I don't go to the bathroom to wipe them off. If you like the smudgy look, then I guess this eyeliner is pretty good, but I think it just starts to look messy in non-intentional way. Actually I think the bad dark smudges under my eyes in the picture in the last review were from using this eyeliner, if I remember correctly.
How about contestant number two?
So I recently picked up this eyeliner because a) I thought I lost my other black eyeliner and b) I wanted to try out the "gel" eyeliner that seems to be the new hip thing. Maybelline advertises this eyeliner concoction as their "most intense line for lasting drama." I will admit that this eyeliner holds up to their advertisements better than the define-a-line. The brush-type applicator takes a bit to get used to if you don't come from a makeup-intense background (I was flubbing up my line all over the place until I got the hang of it), but I guess if you are used to using fancy brushes with your makeup, you won't have any trouble. I was initially a little disappointed with the amount of product in the little pot, but I've been using it nearly every day since I bought it and it seems to not disappear as quickly as I thought. The container could have been made a lot smaller to save on packaging (pretty much remove the entire glass section below the lid), but I know most makeup companies want it to look like there is more product than there actually is. Anyway, amount of product aside, the gel itself feels like they just melted the define-a-line eyeliner down to fit into this new form. It goes on just as easily, but it doesn't come off like the other does. I can get a much more controlled line with the brush and it ends up looking like I have liquid liner on because of how perfect I can get my line. As I said before, I'm not a huge fan of the smudged look, but I guess you could smudge it to get that effect. I don't think you would have to worry about it smudging even more throughout the day either.
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| flippy winged eyeliner is the best! Also, I have no idea what my camera did to make this so orangey |
How do the prices compare?
Well, I don't remember how much I paid for either eyeliner, but a quick search on the internet tells me that I paid a lot more than I normally would for the gel eyeliner. The define-a-line will probably only put you out $5, but the eyestudio gel can run around $8 or $9. Is the extra expense worth it? I think so. The define-a-line is the right price for me, but I don't want an eyeliner I have to take care of throughout the day, so I'll drop the few extra dollars on something I don't have to worry about.
So who's the winner?
Definitely the eyestudio gel liner. I haven't had any problems with its staying power to date, which is my biggest concern. It does lose some points because of the price, but I think it's worth it. I won't be buying the define-a-line anytime soon in any case.
Expect more on the Battle of the Black Eyeliner as I try to find the longest lasting black eyeliner for the best price! Any suggestions are appreciated ^.^
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