Product Review: Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

I was supposed to make this post last night, but seeing as I was writhing in pain the entire night as my body was trying to make me pay for that extra slice of pizza and glass of soda that I had for our late dinner, it was all I could do to keep myself sane while waiting for the crisis to pass. Anyway, this is my first product review, and I will be reviewing Maybelline's Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Black and Brown. Swatches are also posted after the QUALITY portion of the review. Please know that I did make a look using these eyeliners, but my camera just wasn't agreeing with me when I was taking these photos.

01 Black and 02 Brown

As taken from the page for Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner:

PRODUCT DETAILS

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

Now gel reinvents liner:

• Oil-free formula holds highly concentrated pigments in a clear gel base

• Smudge-proof and waterproof for 24 hours

• Most intense line for lasting drama

• Safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested

• Contact lens safe

FOR BEST RESULTS

DEFINED LOOK

Define – In small strokes, glide liner across lash line from inner to outer corner.

DRAMATIC LOOK

Define - In small strokes, glide liner across lash line from inner to outer corner.

Enhance – Extend and thicken line from outer corner up towards brow; wing out for extra drama.

Removes easily with Expert Eyes® Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover.

It comes with its own brush!

As listed on Maybelline's site, this particular line comes in four colors: Blackest Black (950), Brown (952), Charcoal (954), and Eggplant (956). In the Philippines, however, I have only seen two colors - 01 Black and 02 Brown - both of which I have. I have no idea why this discrepancy in product/product information exists, and I'm not certain how different the Philippines' version is from that being described by their site, but I have this inkling that the difference in quality is but minute.

I have had the Brown one for a little over a month, but I just got the Black four days ago. I decided to get the Brown one first, as I already have a black gel eyeliner in pencil form from IN2IT. With the great experience I have had with the Brown pot, I just had to get the Black pot to FINALLY stop myself from obsessing (more like stalking a nonliving and essentially immobile object) over the pot that didn't get bought each and every time I get to a place that had a Maybelline stall in it.

And now (drumroll please)... on to the review proper!

The pots with a ripped box

PRICE: 7/10

The pots cost PhP 449.00 a pop (~USD 11.00), which, I think, is a pretty good price for a pretty good product. Seeing as I am still a student with only my allowance and occasional writing jobs to rely on for cash, the price is a little off-putting. But for makeup junkies with stable jobs and their monthly budget for makeup, this would be, basically, a steal.

PACKAGING: 9/10

The gel eyeliner comes in a thick glass pot that is designed to ensure that the gel eyeliner doesn't dry out. The cover on this thing screws on pretty tightly as well. Honestly, though, I really dislike the pyramidal box this pot came in with, but as I am not one to keep useless boxes as a souvenir or whatever, I never really gave it much thought after my initial decision to immediately dislike it (hence, the score). The product also comes with a nifty brush, which I use on occasion. The brush can apply the gel really well, and what I like most about it is that it comes with this cover that keeps it relatively clean.

QUALITY: 10/10
Seeing as I have only one other gel eyeliner to compare this product to, I have to say that this has raised the bar pretty high for expectations on future gel eyeliner purchases. The box this product came in with describes it as "quick dry, intense color, lasts all day, smudge proof, and water proof." That's true, true, semi-true, semi-true, and semi-true. It dries really quickly, so if you're looking to have that smokey-smudgey look for the day, you have to work fast. The colors ARE intense. The black is a beautiful rich black that could easily make your look more dramatic, or more professional (if that's what you are looking for). The brown, although not as vivid as the black, is still a rich color with a few glitters that can only be seen up close (see swatches). As for smudging, it takes a particular amount of rubbing before this liner even begins to give way, and even so, it simply flakes off without smudging. Smudging, however, is particularly a problem for people with oily lids: rubbing will definitely lead to some awful panda eyes. But this is one problem no good eyelid primer couldn't fix. Lastly, this item is more like highly water resistant instead of waterproof. It does stay on with just a few drops of water and a little rubbing, but it starts flaking off under running water after a couple of minutes.

Swatches without flash and a fair amount of blurring.
I told you my camera wasn't agreeing with me.

Swatches with flash. If you look closely enough,
you can see the glitters on the brown eyeliner.

QUANTITY: 10/10

Each pot contains 2.8 grams of product, and although I have nothing else to compare that amount to, having used the brown eyeliner almost everyday for the past month with barely even making a dent at the top of the thing, I think 2.8 grams can last a really long time. I would like to give an estimate of at least a year, although that assumption is done under the hopes that this wouldn't dry out on me first.

INGREDIENTS:

Although most of the ingredients are foreign to me, and are hugely a mouthful to say, I can see that some items are silicone-based. Silicone allows for the wax in these gel eyeliners to retain the moisture that gives them the smoothness necessary for flawless application. This will be a problem for people with allergies to silicone-based products, but I guess most gel eyeliners will be a problem for them. But for the majority of us with less-sensitive skin, using this gel eyeliner shouldn't cause any hypersensitivity reactions.

OVERALL: 9/10

This product, although not particularly the cheapest out there (I know that the one from Etude House is only ~PhP 300.00 a pot), it is, by far, proving itself worth every penny. It comes in a good container that ensures longer service life. It does what a gel eyeliner is supposed to do: it dries fast, and is relatively resistant to smudging, rubbing, and water. And lastly, the amount a pot has is certain to last a really long time, if ample care is given not to dry the entire pot first.

Do you have a pot of this particular brand of eyeliner? If so, did you like it? If not, why? Are there other particular gel eyeliners of about the same price range that you think are worth buying as well? I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments below! :)

Please click HERE for my DISCLOSURE POLICY.