Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...
Aqua Liner is a high precision waterproof liquid eyeliner. Rich in pigments and polymers, its formula guarantees intense color and an outstanding waterproof result. Its ergonomic applicator lets you easily apply an ultra precise line to create an eyeliner makeup look. Aqua liner is available in a wide range of vibrant shades with matte, iridescent and diamond finishes. Easily remove with waterproof makeup remover.
For best results, remember to shake Aqua Liner up and down before each use. Hold the cap like a brush and trace the line, starting from the middle of the eyelid and moving towards the outer corner of the eye. Finish by starting at the middle of the eyelid and working towards the inner corner, making the line thinner as you go along.
Pro tip: Add a second line of eyeliner above the first. Either play up contrast by layering two bold colors or opt for a gentle touch by pairing two similar shades.
Ingredients:
Acrylic Polymer
Essential amino acids of apple juice
Glycerides
High concentration of Pigments. Fragrance free. Ophtalmologist tested.
Price: $23
Size: 0.058 oz
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1 Diamond Gold (sparkling yellow gold)
3 Iridescent Emerald Green (emerald green sheen)
4 Diamond Lagoon Green (sparkling blue green)
5 Diamond Turquoise Blue (sparkling turquoise blue)
6 Iridescent Navy Blue (dark navy blue sheen)
7 Diamond Black Purple (deep violet sheen)
8 Iridescent Electric Purple (bright purple sheen)
9 Iridescent Fuchsia (hot pink sheen)
10 Iridescent Red (brick red sheen)
11 Diamond Burgundy (sparkling plum burgundy)
12 Mat Mocha (matte dark brown)
13 Mat Black (matte black)
14 Diamond Multicolor Black (black with multicolor sparkles)
15 Iridescent Anthracite (gunmetal gray)
16 Diamond White (sparkling silvery white)
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My Five Ps
Price
The Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners are priced at $23 for the 0.058 oz. There are quite a few of these new age liquid liners popping up on the scene with the popular ones from M∙A∙C, Stila and now MUFE. The price didn't initially throw me until I realized how much product you actually get. And honestly I should have been prepared since I was already mad at the M∙A∙C version back when they were released with the Fabulous Felines Collection.
Let's do some comparisons shall we...these are $5.50 more than a M∙A∙C Super Slick Liquid Eye Liner which is $17.50 for 0.06 oz (almost same size). Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liners are $22 for 0.05 oz - similar price and size.
So there must be some saving grace in the formula right? I suppose so. There are fun colors to choose from and they are touted as long-lasting and waterproof. But I must be honest and say that the price is ridiculous for the amount of product (although not for the brand) you get. I wouldn't be miffed at the price if I got a decent amount of product to boot. So I am pushed to find cheaper alternatives because a couple of fun waterproof colors is not enough for me to justify the price.
Purchasing
The Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners are available at Sephora stores, Sephora.com and Make Up For Ever boutiques. There are 15 shades available in fun colors such as pink, red, greens, blue, purples, gold, silver and black (shimmer and matte).
Packaging
The Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners come in sleek hard plastic tubes which are the color of the product inside. The cap is black with a colored tab at the top to indicate the liner color as well. There is no mistaking what color you are grabbing when you reach for these.
The cap is long and thin to imitate the handle of an eyeliner brush. This is great since is helps with application. The applicator itself is a short sharply tapered felt tip which is pretty rigid but thankfully not too hard or scratchy. This type of applicator is best suited for those of us who have trouble with applying liquid eyeliner. It helps with control and precision. Personally I prefer brush applicators or even a longer more flexible felt tip. The applicator will be hit or miss depending on your preferences.
One great plus to this packaging is the included agitator ball. There is a tiny ball inside the liner tube that is meant to mix the product by shaking. This is perfect for avoiding separation of the pigment and liquid base inside the tube and even worse on your skin. So shake well before each use.
The liners are not labeled with names but rather with numbers as is usual with MUFE products. This makes it a bit harder to memorize the numbers and colors especially for beauty aficionados.
Product & Performance
Now this is where the product should win me over considering the price. I have heard numerous reviews raving about this product and I was itching to try it myself. And quite frankly I am not as impressed as I had hoped to be. Now I was already taken aback by the price but I am not opposed to paying more for an amazing product...I went in open-minded...
The color selection is awesome and there are very unique liquid liner colors here for sure - hot pink and red...hello! With 15 color choices, among them black and shimmery black, there is bound to be a color that catches your eye.
The formula is definitely waterproof and doesn't budge at all throughout 10+ hours of wear. They take about 30 seconds to a minute to dry fully so you will need to keep your eye closed for a bit to avoid transfer. The formula does not smudge, budge or flake during wear. Perfect!
They come off easily with regular facial cleanser or waterproof makeup remover. Interestingly they ball up when being removed somewhat like tube mascara :)
The colors themselves are beautiful and pigmented when swatched. Here is where I had trouble. Even after shaking well, the formula can be a bit runny and watery when applied to the lids. I had issues with the liner bleeding into my eyeshadow a few times. You will also need at least two layers to get full on color which is the usual case with colored liquid liners but, for the price and claims of intense color, I was expecting better color payoff. I had better results when I layered the colored liner over a thin line of gel eyeliner rather than on its own. Otherwise, I needed two or more layers for the color to show up.
The colors are packed with ultra-fine shimmer rather than noticeable glitter and give a beautiful shimmery sheen when applied. Be mindful of the blue and greens because they will stain the skin.
Overall
The colors are bright and fun and the formula is definitely waterproof, budge-proof and smudge-proof. However, I am not thrilled with the runny formula - SHAKE EXTREMELY WELL - that bleeds into eyeshadow. The colors also require layering to get full on pigment which is a pain considering the price. The applicator may win some fans but it is not my favorite. All in all I can't openly recommend these based on the price, amount of product and effort it takes to use these. I have simply tried better and cheaper!
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PICTURES & SWATCHES
10 Iridescent Red, 6 Iridescent Navy Blue, 14 Diamond Multicolor Black
Two layers versus one. The multi-color black is very nice and looks great layered over black gel eyeliner.
16 Diamond White, 4 Diamond Lagoon Green, 10 Iridescent Red, 6 Iridescent Navy Blue, 14 Diamond Multicolor Black
16 Diamond White, 4 Diamond Lagoon Green, 10 Iridescent Red
Two layers versus one. The red is the most pigmented here but on the lids still requires a couple of layers to show up.
Two layers versus one. The multi-color black is very nice and looks great layered over black gel eyeliner.
Tina I said the same thing, but I am going to give it a chance I haven't use all of them, but I use the blue by itself on my lid and the damn thing stained so people have to be aware I am not sure if the others stains.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I had been itching to try these as well, but like you I wouldn't be happy paying that price and having to layer to get full color.
ReplyDeletegreat review. $23.00 is a lot for one eyeliner. That eyeliner better make me look skinny or young for that price.
ReplyDeleteI bought two of these (#11 and #15) and love them because of the shimmer but I think Lancome and Stila's liquid liners are both more opaque. I'm now on my second Lancome Black Art Liner and I think that one will stay my HG :)
ReplyDeleteMUFE's do great colours though, I def agree
Beautiful colors for sure, but $23.00 for eyeliner?? Kinda steep...
ReplyDeleteiheartcolor2.com
Being a Make Up For Ever fan I was excited to try these then I saw the price. I don't mind paying for a good quality item but $23 for an eyeliner is just ridiculous. I decided to let MUFE keep these. Thanks for such an awesome review and swatches.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you reviewed these because I would have wasted my $$$ on them for sure. They look pretty but a good formula is a must!
ReplyDelete