Where are my watery-eyed ladies at? (*frantically waves arms above head*)
If you’re raising your hands, listen up!
And even if you aren’t raising your hands, still listen up.
If you’re in need of an uber-pigmented, budge-proof eyeliner, look no further. The Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof Eye Pencils have arrived, and they are the *BLEEEEEP!*
Make Up For Ever teamed up with Charli XCX to create these 20 amazing $21 shades, and let me tell you about the formula, because I’ve never met another eyeliner that does what these do — and I’ve met a lot of eyeliners.
First, I’m so impressed by how smooth and pigmented they are. When first swatching them, I couldn’t believe how lightly I had to press to get a smooth, opaque line. There is no tugging or skipping here!
I did a look using shade M-26 (a matte pastel blue) on my upper lash lines, and I was able to get a wing with a pencil eyeliner.
I have never been able to do that before!
Because they are so smooth and blend-able, I was able to use a tiny angled brush to pull out the color to get that sharp wing I was looking for, and you do have some time to play and smudge if you’d like. But once they set, giiiirl, they are not moving around!
Now back to why I think watery-eyed girls will love these: wear time. It is usually so pointless for me to line my waterline and tightline because my eyes just wash away the color within minutes, sometimes seconds, so after hearing about these pencils and their reputation, I had to give them a go.
You guys, this liner stays on my waterline THE. ENTIRE. DAY. I kid you not. I did my makeup and used ME-42 (a metallic bronze), and when I looked in the mirror to take off my makeup that night, ME-42 was still where I put it. That has never happened to me before.
I have found a few of them that only last a couple of hours, which is still great in my book, but many of them, including ME-42, last well over six hours.
Among all of the delicious colors they have available, there’s something for everyone here.
If I’m being persnickety (I’ve always wanted to use that word), I do have two things that ever-so-slightly bug me.
First, I broke probably about eight of these pencils while doing these swatches because of how soft they are. And that was even with me trying to be careful! I’ve never had one break when I’ve been using it on my eyes, though, so that’s good. And they sharpen right up, so it’s not a big deal.
My other beef is that I just wish they had a nude shade to brighten up the eye, but again, that’s me being super picky. Other than that, I have nothing negative to say about these.
Are you interested in trying any of these shades? There are so many to choose from!
Kirsten says
Those look gorgeous! So many pretty colors.
Have you ever tried the Marc Jacobs highliners? Those are pretty long-lasting for me and have some similar colors. I wonder how they compare.
Deborah says
Hi! I am so dissapointed by the Marc Jacobs highliner. The reviews were great so I went ahead and purchased one. It barely stays put 10 minutes?.
Kirsten says
Oh, that’s too bad. The ones I have are really long lasting and even hard to remove. I know they had a bad batch about a year ago and had to pull them off the shelves. If you got one last summer, you might see if they’ll replace it.
LindaLibraLoca says
The only liner I have found so far to last on my lower waterline is the L’Oreal Silkissime one, but not for 6 hours. These sound impressive, and the color selection is amazing.
Becky says
WOAH! Dat pigment doe!
These look amazing! I have eyes like the Amazon river so this looks like the answer to my eyeliner prayers! I am loving the pastel shades-they are so often so chalky and disappointing but these look great!
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Kris Ong says
Love the @@ look! Could you share what we’re you wearing?
Rachel R. says
Very impressive wear for the waterline.
Anita says
Have you tested their waterproofness? I’ve yet to find one that is actually waterproof and transformed into a raccoon when I tried the urban decay 24/7 line!
I have been wondering how water and smudge proof these are!
Kiss & Make-up says
Just… wow! Gotta catch ’em all! 😉
Brianna says
These eyeliners are stunning! I am loving the colors!! How do they compare to the Urban Decay 24/7 liners, as those are my current go to for application ease and staying power?
kwmechelle says
I swatched ME-60 in the store & that bad boy did not want to come off- even with heavy makeup remover. But I still wasn’t convinced I’d get the same kind of wear on my waterline. But, you’ve sold me. Funny how everyone in this blog manages to do that. Lol. Once I’m done with my UD Darkhorse, I’ll be picking up ME-60. Btw, those swatches look UN. REAL!! Color me impressed 🙂
Chelsea says
I’m not sure how flattering the lavender would be on my coloring, but I need to try it! However, the bronze and khaki are very me!
Erin says
I’d have preferred a nude color too but the white might be ok for how white I am lol. Lagoon is my other top pick color wise cause it’s like nothing I have.
Lulle says
If they last on the waterline I need this in several colors! I’m not surprised they would do well though, the previous version of MUFE pencil liners were actually one of the longest wearing on the waterline for me.
Tatiana says
Gah!! Did they discontinue the regular Aqua Eyes Liners?!!! Oh no!! I don’t see dupes for the two colors I use all the time and both of mine are down to nubs. I really wish I could have gotten back-ups before they changed the formula and the colors. Sigh.
Lupe Hernandez says
Such pretty colors! Aw, I wish they had made a nude shade.
ame says
If they made that Matte Plum in a shimmer version and the D-62 was not a Diamond and just a metallic, I’d be all over both.