Battle of the Black Liners

As a makeup fanatic, I find it quite normal that I own 6 black liners. In fact, I'm surprised I don't own more. As any makeup fan knows, finding the perfect black liner can be quite a challenge. It's not easy to find one that is black enough, doesn't smudge or transfer and doesn't migrate to the inner corner of your eye.

Here are my black liners. I'll take you through the pros and cons of them and let you know which ones work best for me. 

From left to right: MAC Kohl Power pencil in Feline, Lise Watier Waterproof eyeliner in Noir Intense, Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in 01 Softsmudge Black, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved, MAC's Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack and lastly, L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense.

Same lineup, a little more disorganized.

Same order, swatched: MAC Kohl Power pencil in Feline, Lise Watier Waterproof eyeliner in Noir Intense, Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in 01 Softsmudge Black, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved, MAC's Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack and lastly, L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense.

As you can tell for the picture, the blackest of the liners seems L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense. However, and this is a bummer for me, it's also the glossiest. While some people like glossier liners, it just doesn't float my boat. I also do not like the liquidy formula of this liner. Perhaps it's because I'm clumsy when it comes to pen liners, but I can't seem to make it work for me. The second darkest is probably MAC's Feline, which has a reputation of being very black. I agree with this - of all my black liners, of the non-liquid variety, this is definitely the darkest. This liner, however dark and sultry it looks on, migrates to my inner tear ducts throughout the day, and transfers on my lids, especially if it is heavily applied. The least black of all of them is my Estee Lauder pencil. I quite like it though because it has a smudge end. This makes it great for traveling.

Of all my liners, the one that stays on the longest and does not transfer is, hands down, my Lise Watier. I don't know what kind of science went into this liner's formula, but it does not budge. Proof below.

 

 These are my swatches after a couple rubs of a cotton pad loaded with Nuxe cleansing milk. Crazy eh? I really had to scrub the Lise Watier pencil off while all my other swatches came off easily. I must say though, MAC's Penultimate in Rapidblack and Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved both stay put during the day, without liner transfer. I quite like both of these as well, especially the Penultimate, since it is so easy to use for a liquid liner.

All and all, if I could only pick ONE black liner to go on a week long trip, I'd probably go with either the MAC Penultimate, or Lise Watier's Waterproof eyeliner in Noir Intense. And between the two, for life in general, I'd go with the Lise Watier, as unfortunately, Mr. Penultimate does dry out fast. I've rediscovered my love for Lise Watier's eyeliner formula lately and have been wearing Noir Intense almost every day. 

I guess Noir Intense has won the Battle of the Black Liners this time! Until next round (because we all know, there will be more black liners to come and go)!

What are you favorite black liners? Is long-wearing liner a must for you?