What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
I know…. A picture of MAC Coffee Eye Pencil ($18) with a big-@ss cup of ☕ coffee? So meta! Oh, and not just any big-@ss cup of coffee. This was my second cup of the morning…
Dude, I wake up at 5! An obnoxious level of caffeine is the only way I get through life these days.
I’ve mentioned MAC coffee a few times lately, but I’ve been hesitant to give it the “unsung heroes” treatment because, for reasons unknown, it vanished from the MAC website, which was sacrilegious craziness to me because it’s *the best* dark brown matte pencil I know of.
So specific, I know.
But it really is. I wear it more than all of my other MAC liner loves.
Yes, even more than Teddy, Costa Riche and — I can’t believe I’m about to type this — Powersurge.
Ever since I discovered the power of pencils that *aren’t* black, I’ve been all about brown liner (it’s the whole “black liner looks so harsh on me now that I’m older” thing).
This particular dark chocolate brown doesn’t have red undertones, and it does all the right things for me. It works on my water lines (both upper and lower), doesn’t irritate my eyes (and, GIRL, everything irritates my eyes these days), and it doesn’t smudge unless I want it to.
It’s not as soft as a gel or a soft kohl, so it doesn’t glide along like those formulas, but perhaps that’s why it sticks to skin so well. I can wear MAC Coffee all day long without any transferring onto my lower lash line or up into my crease.
(Don’t worry — you won’t be tugging to apply it. It’s hard, but it’s also very pigmented and not dry at all, so no skipping, if that makes sense.)
Be warned: Once you try MAC Coffee, you’ll become addicted…just like real coffee.
Speaking of coffee…
Archer Farms from Target is really good! Full disclosure: I’m NO coffee snob, by any means, and if you like your coffee strong enough to power a nuclear reactor, you’d probably say that the coffee I make tastes like milk with a coffee chaser.
Right now I’m drinking the Archer Farms Kona Blend (no, seriously, I have a cup on my desk as I type this), but I also like their Donut Shop and Vanilla Creme Brulee… A regular 12-oz. bag is only $5.99, AND they go on sale all the time!
So there’s your coffee rec of the day, LOL! Happy Tuesday, friend. 🤗
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
January 8th, 2019 at 7:02 amArcher farms coffee is good, I second that. Also if you’re out and about McDonald’s has really good coffee and coffee drinks for half the price of Starbucks!
Karen says
January 8th, 2019 at 7:29 amI’ve heard that but haven’t eaten there in ages! Next time I get the urge for some fries I’ll try it. Do you have a specific drink that you like?
Jane says
January 8th, 2019 at 7:39 amLove my coffee too! I haven’t used black liner in so many years, since my late 30’s. My go to pencil these past few years is the Chanel Stylo waterproof liner in Espresso. I used Mat Taupe over the summer for a lighter touch. It goes so well with the Clair Obscur eyeshadow palette. Love the look!
Karen says
January 8th, 2019 at 9:24 amHi Jane,
Mat Taupe is THE BEST! Still one of my faves. I don’t know if I have Espresso… Gonna have to look that up. I know you’re a Bobbi fan and am wondering if you’ve ever tried her Long Wear pencils? They have one in Mahogany that you might like.
Savannah says
January 8th, 2019 at 8:04 amThis look is amazing on you! How beautiful! I really want to try this as the color seems perfect but my eyelids are mega oily 🙁 I don’t think we’ll be a good match.
Karen says
January 8th, 2019 at 9:21 amThanks, Savannah. Hmm, perhaps a gel liner would be a better fit then? There’s so many good ones out there. I don’t really use them often because they dry out my skin (especially my waterlines) but once they’re on THEY DON’T MOVE. Bobbi Brown’s Mahogany might be a better fit for you.
Christine Beck-Millan says
January 8th, 2019 at 10:17 amBEST. POST. EVER. Makeup. Coffee. Coffee. Target.
I have Teddy and finding it very red brown. Been looking for a neutral but deep brown that does not look dirty/muddy. May have to try dis!
P.S. I was tap/jazz/ballet 5-17 years old. 17 + I studied West African, flamenco, bharatnatyam (a style of classical dance from Tamil Nadu, India), and then Middle Eastern Dance, which became my mainstay for the next 23 years professionally. 2003 Belly Dancer of the Universe, too! ;D
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:39 amUM, WOW! I’ve always admired belly dancers and their amazing core mobility… Your core strength must be off the charts, girl! Do you still do any dance these days?
Lexi says
January 8th, 2019 at 11:25 amI’m a diehard Peet’s girl to the end! And you know how much I love Coffee eye pencil so I won’t repeat myself. I swear tho MAC better not mess with our emotions by taking it off the shelves!
Christine Beck-Millan says
January 8th, 2019 at 11:36 amYou know it. MAC has broken my heart many times. ;’-( Makes me want to hoard “just in case.”
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:35 amRight? I have a long list of things I wish they’d bring back. 🙁
Do you guys remember the MAC Paints in the tube? I LOVED THOSE.
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:36 amRight? I would have to start an internet campaign or something if Coffee went away.
Eleni says
January 8th, 2019 at 3:15 pmThat’s my relationship with the B.B. Mahogany pencil! Been wearing it non stop fo years! I think I have coffee, nee to dig it out! x
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:33 amYes, do it! It’s so good.
Diana says
January 8th, 2019 at 4:08 pmCoffee coffee coffee!! I am coffee crazed. Love Archer Vanilla Creme Brulee for a treat. I bought a milk frother on Amazon and pretend I’m at a coffeehouse lol
This look is so gorgeous on you Karen! I love that it doesn’t have red tones in it. I have BB Caviar gel, need this Mac coffee pencil. Hope your New Year off to a great start xo
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:29 amHey Diana,
Happy New Year to you too! I hope 2019 is treating you well.
I just bought a bag the Vanilla Creme Brulee on sale! Have you ever tried the Buttery Caramel? It sounds delicious.
Michelle says
January 8th, 2019 at 4:15 pmOh my word when did this color go back up online??? I am clearly not with it!! Oh my word this post just made my day!!! Yaaay coffee liner!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:28 amI KNOW. I was stressing there for a second! Glad you are able to get yourself a stick.
Chelsea says
January 8th, 2019 at 7:44 pmI love your makeup look here! So perfect. Almost makes me want to try glossy lips.
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:25 amThanks friend! I like a little gloss sometimes. 🙂 It can be fun.
BTW I went to Ulta yesterday looking for the dual-ended Clinique mascara you mentioned a few comments ago and they were sold out EVERYWHERE.
Chelsea says
January 9th, 2019 at 6:51 amThey’re sold out at my Ulta too 😤 I went to get a new one yesterday.
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 7:08 amThey’re also sold out online! And pretty much everywhere, according to the person I talked to yesterday. I was so bummed because I was totally ready to fall in love.
Michele DiCola says
January 8th, 2019 at 9:37 pmI just put another coffee in my Mac cart . Just in case .
Speaking of coffee . Did I mention my daughter gave me a coffee press for Christmas?
This thing is the bomb !
Hands down the best coffee ever .
Target coffee and press !
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:23 amOh yeah, coffee presses are great! That was really nice of your daughter.
Mimibelle says
January 9th, 2019 at 1:17 amLove this ‘not quite black, darker than brown’ colour. BTW, you hair looks amazing. So thick and shiny!
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:22 amHi Mimibelle,
Me too. It’s so useful for everyday looks, but I bet you could easily glam it up as well!
Linda Libra Loca says
January 9th, 2019 at 4:36 amI don´t drink coffee, but I treated my husband to a coffee subscription for Christmas and so far he has discovered a few formerly unheard of versions he really likes.
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … Best of Beauty 2018 – My skincare and makeup favorites
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 5:20 amCool! Sounds like fun.
Ditte K. says
January 9th, 2019 at 10:35 amNice, was looking for a good brown eyeliner – and went by the MAC pro store in Copenhagen by coincidence today, and grabbed it. I hope it’s as good as Clinique was in chocolate intense. Till it started coming pre-broken, and tried purchasing it from Greece to Norway.
Karen says
January 9th, 2019 at 7:59 pmHi Ditte,
I hope you love it!
Erica says
March 25th, 2019 at 7:06 pmI love brown liner to black as black has ALWAYS been harsh. It makes my eyes appear smaller and too much for my fair skin. However I prefer bronze that isn’t too orange as it brightens my eye. I fear a matte dark brown will have a flat effect. I’m currently working through MAC’s Modern Twist Kajal Liner in Groundbreaker. I may give coffee a try if I can find it at the CCO near me. I want to try Costa Riche as well!
I love a steaming cup of coffee and will have to check out Target. Usually I pick up something from Aldi