I recently traveled to Chicago, but I forgot to bring my eyeliners with me =/ I made a quick trip to a nearby drug store and purchased some black and brown liquid eyeliners. I’ve never used liquid liners from ELF, but I’ve heard and read many good reviews of ELF’s gel liner. Unfortunately the drugstore that I went to did not have gel liner, so I got their liquid liners hoping that they are as good as their gel liners. I paid $1.49 for each. Before I start reviewing, here’s the bottom line: You get what you paid for.
The packaging design is fine. It’s made with cheap plastic, so it gets scratches easily, but it’s very lightweight and easy to carry around.
The brush is pretty thin, but the brush hairs are very weak, which makes it very hard to control drawing lines. You really need a lot of practice to get use to the brush in order to draw clean and precise lines.
Also, the colors were very disappointing. The ink was extremely watery. It made me feel like I was applying a water color. I could still see my skin through the liner after the first application. You’ll need to reapply this at least 5 times to cover up your skin and actually have a strong brown/black line. When I rubbed the lines, they didn’t smudge, but they faded a lot.
For ease of understanding, in the pictures below, I applied ONLY the eyeliner. No eyeshadows, a primer, or press powders on top of it. I applied a black liner on my right eye and brown on my left eye at 11:30 AM.
I came back home at 4:30 PM, and this is how it looked. (FYI, I didn’t correct my make up and didn’t touch my eye area at all.)
Notice the area that the red arrows are pointing to? Even though I did not touch my eyes at all and I wasn’t even sweating that much, ONLY 5 hours later, the eyeliner faded a lot and my skin is showing. Also, it took longer for the eyeliners to dry compare to other brands. But once it dries, it really didn’t smudge much, which was very impressive.
Eye makeup remover easily removes it (I used Maybelline’s Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: Link for a Review) However, it leaves black residue around eyes.
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Ease of Use: 2 out of 5
Color Intensity: 1 out of 5
Lasting: 1 out of 5
Smudge Resistance: 3.5 out of 5
Removability: 3.5 out of 5
Overall: 2.3 out of 5
Will I repurchase it? No.
Overall, this was a very disappointing purchase. Even though the price was very cheap, I really regret purchasing this item. I don’t think anyone would want an eyeliner that disappears by the end of the day.
I think this could be a good, cheap option for many beginners who are practicing how to apply eyeliner.
What’s your favorite and least favorite liquid eyeliner?
A More BeYOUtiful You 
Next time you’re in a pinch, get the Loreal Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner. I think it’s the best drugstore brand eyeliner. As for the best overall, Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner or Stilas Liquid Eye liner are the two best eyeliners. They don’t budge at all, especially if you use a great primer over your eyes. 😀
I can’t do liquid liner! I have tried so many times, I just can’t get it too look good.
What a shame. I find liquid eyeliners can be hit or miss. The expensive ones like Bobbi Brown are better, but can be a bit drying. I’ve reported to using pencils because my eyelids are more wrinkly now I’m older 😉
this would not work for me – my eyelashes are too long and get in the way!!!! haha x
I actually find Rimmel’s 100% Exaggerate black eye liner is the best ‘cheap’ liquid liner. The colour is really strong with just one coat, and it doesn’t peel off like some that I’ve tried (Illamasqua and Max Factor spring to mind). It doesn’t fade until you’ve had it on a good ten hours or so, and even then it’s minimal.
i have this eyeliner too. it fades like crazy. i wont buy it again either. but the brush it comes with is amazing. i use it with my gel liner 🙂
I love when bloggers are brutally honest. Thank you! I won’t be purchasing this product ever. Sometimes it’s worth it to splurge just a little bit to get a better product. The drugstore does have any good liquid liners though!
I have tried the other elf liquid liner (the one with the bigger tube) and it was so runny and made my eyes sting. I love the loreal one though, I have repurchased that many times.
I can’t do liquid liner, either–comes off too easily. Buying e.l.f. products is hit or miss. I’ve had luck with their powders and foundations, but not much else.
Another great liquid liner is the nyc liquid liner it’s better than most of the high end brands I have tried !!!
I love liquid eyeliner! Elf not so much! I live by Almay its the only thing I use and I love it! Brown or Grey is what I use
Great “honest” review! 🙂
Reblogged this on Shay Says Play and commented:
Reposting!!! I love elf!!