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MAC Unsung Heroes: Coffee Eye Pencil

January 8th, 2019 by Karen 32 Comments

mac coffee eye pencil

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.

mac coffee eye pencil

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).

mac coffee swatch
Livin’ that NC42 life, yo.
mac mineralize foundation loose medium dark
Wearing Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyehadow Palette, MAC Coffee liner, MAC Gingerly blush, MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice and MAC Dazzleglass in Tangerine Tropica

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.)

mac coffee eye pencil

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

MAC Unsung Heroes: Coffee Eye Pencil / Originally published January 8th, 2019

There are 32 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews, Unsung Heroes Keywords: mac, mac cosmetics, mac unsung heroes, unsung heroes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    January 8th, 2019 at 7:02 am

    Archer 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 8th, 2019 at 7:29 am

      I’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?

      Reply
  2. Jane says

    January 8th, 2019 at 7:39 am

    Love 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 8th, 2019 at 9:24 am

      Hi 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.

      Reply
  3. Savannah says

    January 8th, 2019 at 8:04 am

    This 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.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 8th, 2019 at 9:21 am

      Thanks, 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.

      Reply
  4. Christine Beck-Millan says

    January 8th, 2019 at 10:17 am

    BEST. 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:39 am

      UM, 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?

      Reply
  5. Lexi says

    January 8th, 2019 at 11:25 am

    I’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!

    Reply
    • Christine Beck-Millan says

      January 8th, 2019 at 11:36 am

      You know it. MAC has broken my heart many times. ;’-( Makes me want to hoard “just in case.”

      Reply
      • Karen says

        January 9th, 2019 at 5:35 am

        Right? 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.

        Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:36 am

      Right? I would have to start an internet campaign or something if Coffee went away.

      Reply
  6. Eleni says

    January 8th, 2019 at 3:15 pm

    That’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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:33 am

      Yes, do it! It’s so good.

      Reply
  7. Diana says

    January 8th, 2019 at 4:08 pm

    Coffee 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:29 am

      Hey 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.

      Reply
  8. Michelle says

    January 8th, 2019 at 4:15 pm

    Oh 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!!! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:28 am

      I KNOW. I was stressing there for a second! Glad you are able to get yourself a stick.

      Reply
  9. Chelsea says

    January 8th, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    I love your makeup look here! So perfect. Almost makes me want to try glossy lips.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:25 am

      Thanks 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.

      Reply
      • Chelsea says

        January 9th, 2019 at 6:51 am

        They’re sold out at my Ulta too 😤 I went to get a new one yesterday.

        Reply
        • Karen says

          January 9th, 2019 at 7:08 am

          They’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.

          Reply
  10. Michele DiCola says

    January 8th, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    I 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 !

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:23 am

      Oh yeah, coffee presses are great! That was really nice of your daughter.

      Reply
  11. Mimibelle says

    January 9th, 2019 at 1:17 am

    Love this ‘not quite black, darker than brown’ colour. BTW, you hair looks amazing. So thick and shiny!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:22 am

      Hi Mimibelle,

      Me too. It’s so useful for everyday looks, but I bet you could easily glam it up as well!

      Reply
  12. Linda Libra Loca says

    January 9th, 2019 at 4:36 am

    I 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 5:20 am

      Cool! Sounds like fun.

      Reply
  13. Ditte K. says

    January 9th, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Nice, 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.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 9th, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Hi Ditte,

      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  14. Erica says

    March 25th, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    I 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

    Reply
  15. Zonie Maloney says

    December 7th, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    and as of today–12.7.19–All Eye Pencils are gone–discontinued I guess. I got my last Coffee on the Black Friday 25% off sale and went bacl to re-order but Eye Pencil –in ANY color is no longer showing on the MAC webpage. Boo hoo.it was a unique product.

    Reply

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About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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