Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Packaging:

Small glass jar with a shiny black screw off lid. It comes with a brush that has small rounded brissles. The brissles are small in length, but can be used to create thin & thick lines. I have found that using an angled liner brush gives a much finer, thinner line which is what I am after.

Smell:

None.

Colour:

950 Blackest black. Medium to opaque pigmentation with a matte finish. Available in 2 shades.

Texture/ Formula:

This gel is smooth and thick. It glides on easily, not leaving any chunks of product behind. A basic makeup wipe will remove it this. I have found that if this gel is loaded on and into the lashes it does take an additional swipe or removal  to take off.

The packaging does say this is both smudge and water proof. I have to disagree as it does smudge and transfer, especially if worn on the lower lash line. I've tried various combinations from using this on a bare eye, with shadows, just eye primer, a little amount, a large amount, setting the line with black eyeshot powder and using a makeup setting spray. All have the same result; smudging and transferring.

I don't have oily eyelids but I have noticed that using a very small amount with a setting spray combats this problem 99%. This does mean this little pot will last you a long while, getting bang for your buck. Having to check or remember to check my eyeliner for smudging shouldn't be that time consuming but be effortless and simple. Makeup shouldn't be as fiddily and fussy cause as much as I love applying makeup sometimes there are days when I need to be out of the door 2 minutes ago. So this makes me think that the formula of this gel isn't the best, especially to convert a liquid lover to gel.

It lasts until you take it off, however the intensity does fade over the day with a longevity of 6hrs. Setting the liner with a black eyeshadow powder does make it last an hour or two longer. That's not something I'm particularly a fan of as I want something that looks exactly the same as when it was applied. No moving or creasing or anything among those lines. I do know that the longevity of a gel eyeliner is one of it's main attractions, yet I feel like I'm not experiencing that. I haven't found this eyeliner to be drying or flaking though.

This is my first gel eyeliner and I find the application of this to be very fiddly coming from a liquid world. Mainly trying to get the liner to be of similar thickness but practice and continued use has made this easier. The brush this comes with is stupid. I haven't found the best way to hold it to get the best angle to create a smooth line. You defiantly can't get the perfect line as shown on the front of the packaging.

I find an angled eyeliner brush works much better at getting an even, clean line. It does widen over time, making the line a little thicker so that s something to be aware of. Another brush is a small pointed eyeliner brush. It's defiantly not something that you can chuck on and go when in a rush. I do think you can apply this quickly if you want a smudgy line.

Overall it's an ok drugstore eyeliner and I'm glad I've tried a gel eyeliner, I just like the precision I can get with a liquid liner. If you want a smudgy line and don't care so much for precision, then this is for you. If you want a soft eyeliner, then you should be using a grey or navy liner shade. I am very hesitant to try any other brand of gel eyeliner maybe a little trial size from what I can only pin point as the formula of this gel liner. I want to say this is a good gel eyeliner but I'm struggling for good points.

Available:
From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department stores for $17 for 3g.