Makeup Review: Maybelline Gel Eyeliner

This whole blogging thing is very educational. In addition to sorting out the myriad of thoughts in my own head, I am learning that you can tap into the experiences and recommendations of others via Google Friend Connect.

In my 30 before 30 list, I stated that I want to do a makeup course. This is sorely needed, because on a day to day basis I wear hardly any makeup and when I do wear it, I don't think I get the best out of it. I have improved over the years, and my makeup collection has steadily expanded, but I still feel completely useless at making my face look beautiful.

I have never even used a primer. There, I said it - I have committed a beauty sin. So I am deciding whether to buy:

Benefits Porefessional

or

Clinique instant perfection pore minimizer

They both have pretty good reviews, and cost around the same amount for a little tube. My plan of attack is to check to see whether I can steal a Clinique tube from my Mother, who is the lover of all things Clinique. If not, I'll rethink.

I also really wanted to try Maybelline's new gel eyeliner. Reviews say that it is easy to apply, even for beginners. I have improved at eyeliner over the years, but I am a lot better at doing a smudgy smokey eye than a clean crisp corporate eye. And now that I work in an office, the latter has become a necessity.

Here is a photo of the application on my eye (bottom only):

Verdict: The above was done in a massive rush (it took about a minute to do both eyes, maybe less) and it still looks okay. As a result, I'd have to say I'm quite happy with the brush that comes with this gel and its ease of application. NB: You definitely need to wash or at least wipe off the brush between uses. I found it a lot worse on the second application the next day because it had dried product on it. I haven't worked out what the best way to remove the product between uses is. If you are a beginner, buying an even finer brush that is better quality would be helpful, but I found the one it comes with to be fine as a starting point.

For a waterproof eyeliner, I think it has very good staying power. By the end of the day, the line had hardly dissipated. I didn't remove it properly before bed and I didn't wake up with panda eyes, the line was still intact (albeit faded).  I therefore found it to be smudge proof and waterproof, however if you want to use this on your water line (as a kohl pencil) then you are wasting your time - it comes right off there. Make sure your skin is clean and dry before application. If you have oily skin, you will probably still need to use a primer.

The colour is vivid, I did not need to layer it on more than once. It glided on easily, has great staying power, is very affordable (and excellent quality for the price) and is so much easier to apply than liquid eyeliner (but gives a similar well-defined line).

I would go as far as saying that it is now my favourite eyeliner and supplants the previous entry in that category on my must-have list of makeup basics!

Hooray for peer reviews and affordable, well made makeup products!

UPDATE (5 Feb 2012):
I am very impressed with the staying power of this eyeliner. It needs some time to dry but once it has, it stays. Last night I got home at about 4am and used a makeup wipe to remove my eyeshadow (mild makeup wipes have a very limited effect on this eyeliner). I then went to sleep and this is my eyes on waking up:

Very impressive - no panda eyes. In fact, I went out without even needing to re-apply or tidy it up.