Battle Of The Brands: Maybelline & Bobbi Brown Gel Eye Liners

Eye liner is one of those things, especially on the waterline that wears differently on different people and so whatever works for me may not work for you and visa versa. I have been on a quest to find an eye pencil/liner that actually stays on the waterline. I tried the Maybelline gel liner before the Bobbi Brown one, and instead of doing separate reviews I thought I'd do comparison / mini reviews.

I've used the same brush with both of them, and that is the one that came with the Maybelline gel liner.

Maybelline

I've read such great reviews on this gel liner. Even though I agree it is really good, it didn't work as great as I had hoped. While applying it on my waterline little flakes would get in my eyes and some would stick to my lenses. I had to start applying lenses after applying the liner on my waterline. This just showed how water proof the formula was, because my lenses would obviously be wet when I'd apply them and often my eyes would tear up. Despite my eyes tearing up, the liner would not budge.

It's not very long lasting on the water line though. I've used it with and with out foundation .With foundation it stays on a bit longer, but it would still start spreading from the inner corner within an hour or two.

While using the Maybelline gel liner the eye liner brush I noticed that a thick crust formed around the bristles. I had to wash it every time before using it. It just goes on to show the drying formula of the gel liner. It doesn't happen with the Bobbi Brown one.

Pros 
Long lasting as a traditional eye liner (on the lids)
Water proof
Extremely pigmented 
Price
Comes with it's own brush
Available in Pakistan

Cons
The consistency of the gel liner is a little thick and is not ideal for tight lining the eyes. 
Is not long lasting on the waterline
Starts to fade a little during the day (on the waterline)
Flaky 

click to enlarge image (This isn't the most flattering picture of me, but I wanted to make my point. This is when I decided to buy the Bobbi Brown one)

after 2 and half hours of first applying it

Bobbi Brown

After trying so many eye pencils/liners in the last few months, I was a bit sceptical about it's claims as well. I used the same brush with this one, and I discovered that it applied more easily, and smoothly. It's great for tight lining as well. What I often do with the Bobbi Brown one, which I could never even think of doing with the Maybelline gel liner is that I close my eye and swipe the brush to and fro like a kajal. It doesn't hurt, not does it get in to my eyes. If I'd done it with the Maybelline one my eyes would have been full of flakes.

This liner lives up to it's claims. I've used this with and without foundation as well. On days when I've used just  a sunblock and moisturiser it stays for more than 3 hours and it just spreads a little from the inner conner of my eyes. This is when my skin gets super greasy. On days when I've had foundation/face powder it lasts for a long time.

I wouldn't have been able to survive the last few weeks without the Bobbi Brown gel eye liner. I've used it during dance practises and it would stay in it's place by the time I'd come home.

Pros
Long lasting (on the water line and as a traditional eye liner)
Water proof
Doesn't hurt the eyes
Glides on like a dream
Ideal for tight-lining 
Extremely pigmented 


Cons
Price
Doesn't come with it's own brush
Hard to find in Pakistan

click to enlarge

After 4 hours

Click to enlarge

After 6 and a half hours (don't mind the flash)

If you're looking for a long lasting, water proof eye liner that doesn't budge from the eye lids, then go for the Maybelline one. For those who want a multi-purpose gel eye liner (water line, tight-lining etc.) then I highly recommend the Bobbi Brown one. It's a little expensive, but if it can work on me it can pretty much work for anyone. It definitely lives up to it's claim.

Prices
Bobbi Brown: 21$
Maybelline: RS850

Review: Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eye Pencil

These last few months I've been obsessing over finding an eye pencil or liner that actually stays on my waterline. I've tried a few high end brands from Urban Decay to NARS in the hope of finding one that works for me. I have watery eyes, and when I wear lenses it gets even worse. I bought the Bourjois 'contour clubbing waterproof ' pencil two months ago and it's fared better than any high end brand. 

The black one is a repurchase (proves how much I love it). The softness of this pencils can rival Urban Decays 24/7 eye liners. The Bourjois pencil is extremely pigmented and it glides on smoothly without tugging at the skin. The lasting power of these pencils is ah-mazing. These stay on for four to five hours before they start fading just a little. I don't mind the slight fading because I'm happy I don't get raccoon eyes. I've tried both these pencils with and without lenses. They work best with my glasses because, then my eyes aren't that watery. The only issues I have with this pencil is when I'm wearing lenses. After an hour or so it'll start spreading from my inner corner. That is the only place where I experience the spreading.

The softness of the pencil makes it easy for tight lining the upper water line. However the colour transfers to my lower waterline, which I find very annoying especially on the days when I just want to tight line my upper water line. 

My sister had the same problem as me, everything she tried gave her raccoon eyes. I suggested this to her and now her pencil lasts pretty much all day, without any hint of raccoon-ie-ness (note: she does not have to wear glasses/lenses). This is what I reach for to line my water line when I plan on wearing my glasses. Since I wasn't happy when I paired it with my lenses, I continued my search for perfection. Now Bobbi Brown gel eye liner is getting a test run. 

I highly recommend the Bourjois clubbing pencils for those who have problems with pencils/liners staying on the waterline. These come in a variety of colours and are cheaper compared to Maybelline and Rimmel pencils and are definitely worth a try.

Price: RS660

Available at Al-Noor Liberty. Pot Pourri, Al-Fatah. Hyperstar and Mall of Lahore

Review: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

I had read so many reviews and seen so many video's that raved  about the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils, that after much deliberation I decided to give them a try. My best friend sent Urban Decay Zero from the states a while ago and I got to try it over the Eid holidays.

On special occasions or events (like Eid) I tend to use my Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. It has magical properties! When applied over make-up, that make-up becomes sweat proof and smudge proof. You can try to smudge it as much as you want you, it won't move from it's place. That is what I thought the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils were supposed to be like. I thought it was Zero that had the power to stay in place, rather than my finishing powder helping it stay in place (I'd applied the finishing powder under my water line). I started raving about Zero. Now, I feel a little silly doing the opposite.

On normal days I used it with the my everyday face powder, and the results weren't the same. I was second guessing everything. 'Maybe something is wrong with the one I have', ' maybe it's melted', 'maybe it's expired' or 'maybe it just doesn't work for me' were some of the things that popped in to mind (I'm the Queen of paranoia).

That's when I did some more research. What I discovered was, I wasn't the only one the pencil wasn't working for (*phew* I was a little relieved).

The Good

It is probably the most softest pencil in the world. As the name suggests it really glides on effortlessly and doesn't tug on the sensitive skin. The pigmentation is lovely, it's a deep dark black. However, it'not the blackest black one can find.

On the eye lids it lasts for a few hours. I don't have oily lids, and any eye liner works fine for me and this one is no exception either. It has a good staying power on the eye lids. (three to four hours in my case).

What I love about these Urban Decay eye pencils, is that they are available in a variety of (mouth watering) shades. Even though these don't work great for me, but when I see their colour range and their new limited edition pencils, my heart wants them all.

The Bad

The only reason I wanted this was to line my water line. I thought since these are supposed to be smudge proof and aren't supposed to budge from their place, Zero would be ideal for me. Well, its not. It hardly stays on for more than twenty minutes (at the most) before giving me raccoon eyes.

 Although they have better staying power on the eye lids, I've read reviews where people with oily lids didn't have a great experience with the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils. One can always wear a primer underneath to make the pencils last longer on the eye lids.

These pencils are not supposed to budge after thirty seconds. I thought maybe my eyes are too watery, and tried them on my hand to see if they smudge/budge. THEY DO! I smudged after more than thirty seconds and they easily budged. ( I thought these were going to be like the NARS or Make-up Forever pencil which don't budge at all after thirty seconds or more).

Final Thoughts

Zero, has been a disappointment for me. It took me a while to get over it! (Yes, I am a drama queen) These are great if they work for you, but there are cheaper pencils who work just as well. (I've found one that works even better). 

The Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencils are for 18$, and I was hoping they'd be the miracle pencils they claim to be. They're not. I suggest you either save your money and buy something cheaper or go for Make-up Forever's Aqua eyes. 

If you like creamy soft pencils that glide on like a dream, this one is for you. 

Would love to know if you've tried the 24/7 Glide-on Eye pencils. Would love to know your thoughts.

Sana