Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencils

I’m a sucker for winged liner. It makes my eyes the focus of my face, it draws out the shape into something more cat-like, and it’s a classic look.  I also have a few constant problems with achieving the perfect winged look:

• The colour fades over the day. I may start out with a jet black wing, but by the afternoon, it’s more like a grey, sad, smudge. Plus, if I’m using a liquid liner, I can’t count the number of times the felt tip has dried up on me, halfway through an application!
• The wings smudge! I cannot seem to keep a sharp flick from turning into a rounded lump in the corners of my eyes. So frustrating.
• Trying to get that solid line across my lid is so tricky. It’s fine if I’m using a liquid liner, but then I can’t tightline. If I’m using a gel, I always get too much on my brush and get clumps in my eye. Plus, who has the time to use an eye brush every morning? Or on the go? You’d be shocked at how often I’m doing my makeup in a rush on the subway (sorry!). And again, I can’t tightline. I can, however, tightline using a pencil, but seriously – good luck getting a smooth continuous line with a pencil. I can stretch that skin for days and I’ll still see gaps where the pencil skipped!

For years I’ve thought that maybe I’m just not cut out for this whole cat-eye winged look. I do it on a regular basis, but it looks pretty rough. That’s why I was hesitant when I was told that Maybelline came out with a line of pencils that could do the job. Turns out, they were right!

Maybelline New York has come out with a new line of Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencils to add to their collection of bold eyeliners. These pencils came out into the Canadian market in July. They use a gel based formula which allows for really smooth application, like a liquid liner. Unlike the previous incarnations of this line, there’s no paint pot, no need for a brush. The pigment is intense and the line lasts throughout the day without fading or flaking. Once it sets, it’s also waterproof and smudge-resistant. These pencils make it really easy to achieve that winged look (or any other eyeliner style) without needing to retouch throughout the day. There are 5 awesomely intense Maybelline Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil shades: Sleek Onyx, Glazed Toffee, Cashmere White, Smooth Charcoal, and Lustrous Sapphire.

 I’ve been using Sleek Onyx on a daily basis to get my eyes looking awesome. You can put a bit of Cashmere White along your lower lash line to make your eyes look wider and more awake (which is such a bonus first thing in the morning!). Try any of the others for a pop of colour or something different from the ordinary. How would YOU use these liners?

Maybelline New York’s  Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil are available at drugstores and mass market retailers at a suggested retail price of $11.99.