Review: Liquid Eye Pens - MAC vs Revlon

To rephrase Benjamin Franklin, there is no shame in being poor.

MAC Penultimate Eye Liner

I'm not saying I'm poor but sometimes I try to live within my means. I love MAC products (as gushed about in a previous post) but sometimes I just can't afford it. Usually before I buy something, anything really, I do some research about it. I read reviews from customers and sometimes from professionals to see if what I'm buying is really worth the money I'm spending. It is part of living within your means. Sometimes you want the best and would practice patience until you can afford the best. Other times you just need something so much you compromise on quality.

That's exactly what I did today. I was impatient and compromised on quality. I am more a fan of kohl eyeliners but I like the effect of liquid eyeliners. MAC's Penultimate Eye Liner is a beautiful product, it applies easily, doesn't tug at the lashline, dries quickly, lasts long and does not smudge. Furthermore, applying more of it only intensifies the colour, a common trait of all things MAC related. The only downside to this product is that it finishes quickly.

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen

With other commitments for my allowance I decided to purchase a cheaper eyeliner rather than spending £14 on the MAC eyeliner. Once upon a time I asked a Subway worker what eyeliner she used because her eyeliner looked incredible and she said Revlon. Taking this in mind I bought a £6 Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen, and that had to be the biggest mistake I've made in a while. I came home, tore off the wrapping and applied. Major disappointment. I got a really lame black line. I wanted a thicker line and instead of getting a thicker and intensified look I started seeing my eyelid where I drew over the existing line. I'm one of those people who needs to tug on the eyelid to apply eyeliner. When I did that and released, the eyeliner smudged. It did not dry quickly enough. The only bit of my makeup I don't expect to dry quickly is my mascara.

Now I'm displeased, £6 poorer (see no shame) and I have an eyeliner I'm definitely not going to use. I think I'll just use it when I'm playing dress up with my niece. Damn shame it is. Next time I'll know to wait to get my quality product over the cheap stuff I pick up in the beauty aisle in the pharmacy.

MAC - 4.5/5
Revlon - 1/5