Friday, June 24, 2011

Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Cream Pencil - Review

I'm beginning to hate the word "dupe," as applied to a less expensive product when it may be similar to a higher end product. Hate. Such a strong word, but I've found that Youtube "Gurus" seem to love to over use the mere concept of a dupe.
But, I've found one. Sort of. Because I can't help myself, and my local Fred Meyer (which still has a full display of Golden Age trios!) seems to get new makeup collections before anyone else, I found a few new things from Maybelline I had to try, and this review is for one of them. 



 Maybelline's been very busy with their new Eye Studio line. Not only do they have a new selection of palettes (which I probably won't be getting one of), but they have a new creamy-mechanical-pencil type eyeliner, called Master Drama. Maybelline says:
Experience the new generation of liner: 
• Oil-free cream formula holds the highest concentration of pigments for more intense eye drama
• Smudge-proof and waterproof for 24 hours
• Most intense line for lasting drama
• Safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested
• Contact lens safe
I had to try one, after being so please with the Stila Smudgestick, and I can't bear to pay $22 for an eyeliner, no matter how good. I chose Bold Brown (# 415), since brown liner is something I use every day. At first swatch, I was impressed by how similar the color was to Lionfish. At the end of the first day, I wondered if I'd ever think of buying a Stila Smudgestick again (which, I may, but... we'll get to my eyeliner problem another day). 



Color-wise, Bold Brown is very, very, very similar to Lionfish. In person, they're almost identical. Of course, on the eye, they look dead on. There is a slightly difference, which leads me to my only real problem with this liner. Lionfish is creamy, pigmented, and lovely. Master Drama is drier, potentially less pigmented (due to the dryness), and lovely, even with the other two attributes being less than stellar. I can't tell if the Maybelline liner is less pigmented, or if the consistency makes it appear to be less pigmented. It certainly doesn't glide easily on the lid like the Stila liner, but I don't have to stab myself in the eye to get the color to show up. 

Wear time on this is excellent. Really, I could cut and paste my poetic waxings about the Smudgestick here, because I found this liner to wear just as well. Does it really last 24 hours? I don't know, but I can say it looked the same after 12 hours of wear as it did immediately after I applied it. It doesn't smudge quite as well as the Stila liner, which is probably because of the drier texture, which is a slight annoyance, but for $7 or whatever it was, I can deal with that.

Overall, I'm super impressed with this liner. I wish it was a bit creamier, but that's probably the only thing I would change. If you think Stila's Smudgesticks are amazing, or you really want to try them but can't swallow the price, I think you'll like these just as much!

19 comments:

  1. Bless you for your fast review! I've been wanting to try this, but not before getting some feedback first. You're the first real review I've read on these and this is precisely the color I was going for.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank for the review I was thinking of getting this

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad you found it useful! I wonder if anyone has tried any of the other colors... I keep itching to buy another one, but I don't need any more eyeliners!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the review! I'm about to buy it in the midnight master, I'll let you all know how it works.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My pleasure! I'm wondering if Midnight Master is super black, or if it's a little softer. Really dark black eyeliners are a bit too much on me. Although, it does look fab in the promo image on Maybelline's website....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can't wait to try this product all reviews are excellent, and price is right!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tried another one of the Eye Studio Master Drama Cream Pencils in Sapphire Strength and bought one in Vibrant Violet. I was pleased with the blue one. It worked really well and lasted a while. I don't know if the purple will show up very well, especially on the lower part of the eye. Purple can be difficult to apply because it tends to fade... so hopefully it will work out fine

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've been eyeballing the purple, but since I never reach for the purple liners I have... I'm really trying to be good! Sephora F&F may kill me though... There's so much I want!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, I'm with Nora, I just came across this product on maybelline's site, but wanted to find a real review before purchasing it. I'm not familiar with the Stila product, but the way you conveyed the qualities and pros/cons of this eyeliner is helpful. Sounds like exactly what I want, as I'm looking to replace my CG perfect point liner (not as creamy as I'd like, not as dark, and smudges). THANKS for your review!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I bought mine, and after one use I couldn't get more product up, I assumed I just twisted the top section, but that didn't work. I tried everything and the eyeliner is acting like I used it all up, but the pencil wouldn't come up again after only one use so I know that can't be it! Maybe it's a dud? Or am I not doing something right?
    Help would be appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just got the new eyeliner Saturday evening, and tried it for work on Monday. I noticed the same thing, I am not able to get the pencil to come up. I am liking the product really well, but If I can't get the liner to twist up, I will be returning to store.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you guys both got duds :( Mine works perfectly to advance, but after I took it with me to my in-laws, it won't retract (not as big a deal as not advancing, but still sort of annoying). I'm sorry this liner didn't work for you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Can u use that on your water line you know the bottom lid??????????????????????????????????????????

    ReplyDelete
  14. Because of it being your water line, it may cause the product to smudge quicker and not last as long as the product says. I use a soft kohl pencil for this part of my eye instead.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You can also set a liner on your water line with a similarly colored powder eyeshadow, or loose kohl liner, to make it last. The challenge may be, however, having an eyeshadow that's close enough in color to match the liner without changing the color. I tend to not wear things on my waterline, though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was wondering if this eyeliner is waterproof?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't know how to work it? how do you turn it up

    ReplyDelete