I feel so secret squirrel when I’m browsing beauty aisles at the drugstore, like I’m always just moments away from a huge discovery and the unearthing of some ancient treasure lost to womankind for centuries.
Case in point: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner ($7).
Because it’s from a big brand like CoverGirl, the logical part of me knows I’m totally late to the party. It’s been out for months. Millions of women are well aware of the product, but such is the power of the major budget beauty score!
I’ve been wearing Exact Eyelights all weekend long, and if you don’t throw one in your basket on your next trip to Walgreens, I may have to come over to wherever you are and shake you silly. 🙂
This. Stuff. Rawks.
Exact Eyelights Eyeliner twist-up pencils don’t require sharpening and come in four shades, each designed to complement a different eye color:
- Vibrant Pearl: a deep black for girls with brown eyes
- Radiant Sapphire: a dark navy for blue eyes
- Vivid Ruby: a dark reddish brown for green eyes
- Majestic Jade: a dark green for hazel eyes
Lasts and lasts
CoverGirl claims Exact Eyelights Eyeliner “brightens eyes by 4x.” I didn’t notice particularly brighter eyes, but I like it as a basic liner that stays put for a *very* long time.
I’ve been using the Vibrant Pearl pencil for the past few days, and this puppy stays put like nobody’s bidness.
When I’ve worn it along my lash and water lines, it hasn’t migrated, smudged or disappeared, even after 12 hours of wear. It’s not marketed as waterproof, but it might as well be.
But where’s the pearl?
Swatch of Vibrant Pearl
I admit the name is a little odd… I’m not sure how they came up with Vibrant Pearl, because I don’t see any shimmer or pearl in it at all, but I really dig the dark, true black (no hints of blue or green).
A few items of note
Exact Eyelights Eyeliner applies smoothly, but it’s not as buttery or slick as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($16) or MAC Technakohl Liners ($15). I think it skips and tugs a little, but at $7 I can totes forgive that.
I appreciate that CoverGirl tried to make it easier for people to pick a shade to complement their eye color, but I wouldn’t let that stop me from trying any of the other shades, too.
CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner
Price: $7
Use: An affordable, long-wearing eyeliner available in a nice selection of colors
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
You might like CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner if …
- you want an eyeliner that lasts for hours;
- you don’t want to spend too much; and/or
- you have oily eyelids.
500 Days of Summer
I finally made it to the movies last night and I’m so glad I did. I won’t post any spoilers, but if you watch one movie this month, let it be 500 Days of Summer. I just loved it to death! — funny, touching, quirky and a killer soundtrack, to boot (not to mention that young Joseph Gordon-Levitt is smokin’ hot).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Brenda says
August 9th, 2009 at 11:52 amoooh, that looks pretty black which is a huge plus for me since I hate blacks that look blue or some other colour. I think I might abandon my “no drug store brand ever works” theory to try this one, but only because you said this works!
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pmHi Brenda,
It’s pretty great liner for the price!
What department store brands do you usually wear?
Michelle (Lipstick Rules) says
August 9th, 2009 at 11:59 amI might have to try this out! thanks Karen!
BTW, just finished reading the True Blood series on paperback — soooooo good!!
.-= Michelle (Lipstick Rules)’s last blog post… An award!! =-.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pmHi Michelle,
You’re welcome. I hope it works out for ya. 🙂
You just reminded me — I need to order the next Sookie book from Amazon.
Will you be watching the show tonight?
Michelle says
August 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pmI’m adding this to my Target list, along with the Sonia Kushak lip pencil/lipgoss. I have tried the Cover Girl Exact Eyelights mascara — and I really liked it (and I have tried every high end brand under the sun!!).
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pmHi Michelle,
I think I might want to try that mascara — I’ve heard good things about it.
Have you tried any of the Exact Eyelights Shadow Palettes? I think that’s next on my list.
Stephie says
August 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pmHmm. This is definitely something I’ll check out the once the next Covergirl BOGO sale hits. I honestly never look twice at the Covergirl aisle. I haven’t found anything from their line in particular that I really love [i.e Maybelline mineral blush, Sally Hansen eyeliner, Revlon Colorstay foundation] Maybe this will be the first!
.-= Stephie’s last blog post… Stila Covertible Colors =-.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pmHi Stephie,
I was really surprised by this product. Maybe it’ll be the one to change your mind about the brand, who knows?
As for the other brands you mention, I haven’t worn Maybelline in years! I might have to try that mineral blush. 🙂
Rosie says
August 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pmgrrrr. why did i read this after i came back from target? i guess i’ll have to make a special trip
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pmHi Rosie,
Aww, well, at least while you’re there you’ll probably be able to pick up a few other things… I swear I can never leave that store with just one item. I go in for something like paper towels and leave with a cart full of stuff!
Patti says
August 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pmOhh that’s neat, I might give this a try because I was looking for a cheap but decent black eyeliner-
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pmHi Patti,
It’s a fabulous basic black liner that stays put! I hope you love it. 🙂
Kailey says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:08 pmThe whole eyelights collection doesn’t “brighten” at all, but the products are still very good and long lasting 🙂
The mascara is really nice, even though it doesn’t brighten my eyes more than any other mascara.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:41 pmHi Kailey,
I will have to try that mascara!
Have you tried the Shadow Palettes?
Karen B says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:08 pmOooh I’d love to try that. I can’t decide on whether to take the one for green or for hazel eyes…
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:42 pmHi Karen B,
For you I’d lean towards Majestic Jade. 🙂
Marce says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:14 pmYay for Cover Girl eyeliner! Have you seen their latest mascara ad though? Shocking! Am happy you finally made it to the movies! Last night I stayed in watching Coraline & Magnolia. I hate frogs now. LOL
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Look – Join The Navy! (Blue) =-.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pmHi Marce,
I haven’t seen their latest mascara ad! What’s going on with it?
Catherine says
August 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pmOooh, thanks for the rec! Even the Prestige wp liners smudge on me (a little, esp at the outer corner of my eye) so I might just have to pick this one up. This is fab esp as I’ve been looking for a tightlining pencil lately. =)
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Sunscreen Series, For Face: DDF Organic Sun Protection =-.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:14 pmHi Catherine,
You might really like this one. The lil’ point is really good for getting in between the roots of the lashes!
Tiffany says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:10 pmOooh, I so want to get one or two of these! Thanks for the review!
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:14 pmHi Tiffany,
You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope you like it!
Kailey says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pmI refuse to try the shadow palates lol.
Cover girl shadows are nawt my thing.
I try to buy all physicians formula organic stuff (but I do crack and buy covergirl, maybelline, loreal, nuetrogena, and almay when it’s on sale) 🙂
Go cruelty free organic makeup! 😀
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:53 pmHi Kailey,
Physicians Formula is pretty awesome for drugstore. Love their Shimmer Strips. 🙂
Anna says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pmI do need a good long-wearing eyeliner. I can’t afford the Urban Decay’s or MUFE’s eyeliners, I can for $7 for the CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner.
Karen says
August 9th, 2009 at 3:55 pmHi Anna,
I hope you like these. 🙂 They last a really long time!
Isabel says
August 9th, 2009 at 5:34 pmI haven’t seen 500 Days of Summer yet but from seeing him in other movies, I must agree that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is quite yummy. 🙂
Marisol says
August 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pmI’ll have to get it next time I go to Walgreens. I am looking for a waterline liner that will stay and haven’t found one yet.
I am so glad that you enjoyed the movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pretty hot and I love Zooey’s character. I already downloaded the soundtrack from iTunes since I enjoyed it so much.
I also saw Julie & Julia and it was ok. I enjoyed 500 days more but it was still a good flick.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… I heart Shu Uemura =-.
Linda says
August 9th, 2009 at 10:59 pmAfter reading your review I went to Target and bought this eyeliner! I’m excited to use it tomorrow!
.-= Linda’s last blog post… The Fabulous Contest Winners… =-.
Luinae says
August 10th, 2009 at 2:07 amI hope it’s better than there exact eyelights mascara- I got the one for green eyes and it was CRAP. Made my eyes look smaller because it was this wierd eggplant colour with sparkle chunks. I’m sticking to Maybelline for mascara.
BTW, if you live in Canada, Annabelle makes the BEST eyeliners. They are so smooth and creamy and lovely. Seriously, I cannot reccomend them enough.
.-= Luinae’s last blog post… Basic Beauty Essentials =-.
Karen B says
August 10th, 2009 at 4:59 amThanks, I’ll see if I can get my hands on it here 🙂
Adrienne says
August 10th, 2009 at 8:46 amAll I need to hear is “no sharpening required, and I’m sold! I hate having to look for my pencil sharpener. I will use my eyeliner, until it is so dull the jagged sides stick out scraping my eye.
Glosslizard says
August 10th, 2009 at 9:13 amThat sounds great! I am always in the market for a great liner, and $7 is a fantastic price!
But I just hafta say… I hate it when cosmetics companies try to tell you what color to wear based on your eye color! I know reddish colors bring out the green in my eyes, but they also make me look like I’m having an allergy attack! Just put out colors and I’ll buy the ones that I like! Besides, with this strategy, we’re likely to see more than four colors to choose from (as if there’s only four eye colors in the world)! Ok, rant over (I’m still gonna buy one)! 😉
Yaya says
August 10th, 2009 at 9:58 amlove this review – i don’t like their exact lights mascara but will def check out the pencils
.-= Yaya’s last blog post… Essie + J. Crew =-.
Nessa says
August 10th, 2009 at 11:11 amKaren,
You are totally wrong, I have never heard of this! I am going to get this next time I am at a drugstore, they sound amazing! Thanks for the post!
.-= Nessa’s last blog post… Win All About the Eyes Purely Cosmetics @ Bionic Beauty =-.
Lulee says
August 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pmhi karen! i like a dark waterline pencil that doesn’t smudge but ive never found anything that quite fits the bill. I used mac’s kohl in smolder and it was dark but smudged like crazy. then now im currently using mac’s powerpoint pencil in engraved and although it doesn’t smudge its not quite dark enough. stila’s onyx smudges, UD’s zero isnt dark enough etc etc. which brings me to this. is there any way u can post of pic of u wearing the eyeliner? thanks!
Emma says
August 11th, 2009 at 11:26 amThanks for this…I might try the one for green eyes! Sounds like a nice plummy shade.
Oh, and I adored 500 Days of Summer too!
Janelle says
August 11th, 2009 at 7:37 pmHey Karen!
This Covergirl product looks similar to my Revlon ColorStay eyeliner, which is my go-to eyeliner as of now. Unfortunately, it sometimes gives me a bit of a racoon eye at the end of the day (even if I’m wearing primer), especially when I apply it in my waterline.
Have you tried Revlon’s ColorStay eyeliner and, if so, how do the two compare? If not, then does this Covergirl liner stay put in the waterline?
Thanks!
ezzie says
August 29th, 2009 at 7:15 pmhey karen, if you blow dry your stubborn/tugging eyeliner for like 3 seconds before application, you instantly get a much smoother, creamier application(:
and it won’t damage the eyeliner itself unless you blow dry it for like 3 whole minutes. lol.
Wendy says
December 19th, 2010 at 1:18 pmI was thinking about getting this for my mom for Christmas, but Now it’s a sealed deal! 🙂 Thank you!