My Blackest Long-lasting Eyeliner

Ladies, I know I'm not alone when I say "our quest for finding the blackest and long-lasting eyeliner never ends". But, I am quite content with my recent eyeliners. Following are the black liners I've experienced so far:

Liquid Liners: Milani Eye Tech (Pen Felt tip), N.Y.C., Mac's Rapid Black (Pen Felt tip)

Drugstore liners have impressed me. Milani Eye Tech is a very black liquid with a felt tip that provides proper control. Mistakes are extremely easy to fix without make up remover. In the beginning, the pen would release a lot more fluid. Over time, this problem disappeared. (Probably because it was summer time and the heat reduced viscosity of the fluid).

N.Y.C. caught my attention with its low $2 price. I had heard good things about it. After using it, I realized how extremely long the eyeliner wand was. The long wand length gave less control over liner application. The formula itself isn't bad. After drying it turns 'cracky' if you try to remove it. 

When it comes to liquid liners, we know we're talking about a glossy black cat eye. I was disappointed in Mac's Rapid Black. After about 2 weeks, the pigmentation was extremely dull grey. I did appreciate the fine tip, but it was useless without the proper opaqueness. 

Best: Milani Eye Tech for $6.99

Gel Liners: WetnWild, coastal scents, Mac's Fluid Line

I would list each gel liners' attributes here but bottom line is, they all eventually dried out too quickly for my money. Coastal Scents (within 1 month), WetnWild (Lasted 2 months), Mac's Fluid Line (3 Months). I feel cheated enough to not invest in a gel liner anymore. I have heard great things about Bobby Brown and Clinique gel liners, but I haven't the pocket to spare money to try those.

If I must pick one, I would have to say WetnWild was the most pleasant gel liner, the blackest and lasting.

Kohl Pencils: Mac's kohl power Feline, Urban Decay Zero, Estee Lauder Artist's Eye pencil, Dior Crayon Eyeliner, Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Eyeliner

Mac's kohl power pencil in Feline (Limited Edition) is smudge-able, super black and great for water line, or as an eye shadow base. It does slip off. A great dupe is Milani black eye kohl pencil and even Loreal Extra Intense Liner, Stila Eye Kajal, all are extremely black and creamy.

Urban Decay Zero is not that exciting. It's a dull grey-ish black. Great to use as a base under shadow.

Estee Lauder Artist's Eye pencil is very similar, much darker black than UD though.

Dior Crayon Eyeliner is pricey ($28) and supposedly waterproof. It is not a creamy eye pencil at all. If you are rubbing this on your waterline, it will not glide smoothly. It's not very black either. You can pack mat black eyeshadow on top (Mac's Carbon etc) to make it last longer.

You know when you get those $10 off Victoria's secret coupons and don't know what to get. Well this is what I got: Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Eye Liner in Black Velvet. It's a relatively good eye liner. Does smudge very easily (even when you don't want it to). It's not extremely black but does a fair job for fair skin ladies. It is definitely darker than Urban Decay's zero (I did not understand the hype behind UD Zero pencil...) Plus VS is having semi-annual sale, currently. Regular priced $10 liners are $4.99 which is not a bad deal at all! Personally, I think it's a great dupe to Mac's Feline Kohl pencil. 

Best: Feline Kohl pencil for $14~15

Swatches of the Liners: (Excludes gel liners as they've dried out)

Left to Right: N.Y.C, Milani, Mac Rapid Black, Urban Decay Zero, Mac Kohl Power Feline, VS Black Velvet, Dior Crayon Waterproof liner, Estee Lauder Artists Pencil

Now you see, why Milani beats them all. It's fantastic for the price. I can't imagine why I would want to pay high end brands when I can achieve better results with a drugstore brand. Plus it lasts all day! Doesn't smudge or smear. As for the waterline, if you truly want something that is going to last all day, without having to re-apply it, your best bet is to try a gel liner on your waterline. It's not optomologically tested or recommended in most cases, but I've personally done it. If you don't have easily irritable eyes, then you'd probably enjoy its long lasting effects as well.

Anyways, if you have a favorite black eye liner, or know of an amazing gel liner that doesn't dry out so quickly, please let me know. Thank you for visiting, come again!