Make Up For Ever #25L Aqua Eyes Eyeliner ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “dark chocolate brown.” It’s a medium-dark chocolate brown with warm, reddish undertones and a matte finish. If it looks familiar, you may be familiar with it when it was launched as a limited edition shade named Gypsy. Now, it’s part of the permanent range of Aqua Eyes. Chanel Brun-Teak is similar but less red-toned. MAC Brownborder is also similar. Urban Decay Corrupt is browner with less red. Tarina Tarantino Locket Book is warmer, more golden, less red. Tarina Tarantino Puppeteer is closer but shimmery and not as dark.

It felt, looked, and wore the same as Gypsy did, so if that was a favorite for you (or you missed out), you can have the same experience with #25L.  It’s fairly opaque in one stroke, and it’s very buildable without getting patchy or looking uneven.  The pencil has a slightly waxy and creamy consistency that allows it to glide on evenly and easily without pulling or tugging on the lash line.  I recently tested this, and it lasted for ten hours without smudging or migrating; there was some faint thinning of the lie, but it seemed fully intact at the eight-hour mark.

The Glossover

P	#25L A
	This is a gorgeous, rich red-toned brown that's an excellent alternative to black eyeliner for everyday eyeliner. It works well on its own with a neutral eye or anchor a more intense look.
	Product 9.5/10 Pigmentation 9.5/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4.5/5
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Make Up For Ever #25L Aqua Eyes Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever #25L Aqua Eyes Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever #25L Aqua Eyes Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever #25L Aqua Eyes Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “blue-green sheen.” It’s a green-tinged teal with a little undertone of blue and a subtle pearled sheen. If you have Urban Decay Covet, this may be too similar; Covet is ever-so-slightly greener and darker, while Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy (you can see me wearing it here) is very nearly a dupe for this (at a certain angle, #52L appears to have a slightly greener tone, but it’s hard to tell and would, personally, call them 100% dupes). MAC Minted is darker, greener. MAC Float on By is slightly lighter.

This is a new and limited edition shade for summer, which is a bummer, because it’s a truly gorgeous shade, and it’s no wonder–I’m obsessed with Tarina Tarantino’s Spark of Envy, so it was no surprise that the moment I applied this, I was all “Oooh, ahhh,” about the color, but for some, Make Up For Ever is more accessible and easier to purchase.  It’s also a good alternative to the recently discontinued Covet by Urban Decay.

It had really good pigmentation in a single pass, and it was very easy to build it to fully opaque color in one and a half to two passes of the pencil across the lash line. The pencil glided on without tugging or pulling at the lash line, and it was a mix of waxy and creamy so it was easy to apply but still stayed put. It lasted nine hours well on my lash line without smudging.

The Glossover

LE	#52L A
	If you love teal eyeliner, then you have to check this out (well, if you don't have the dupes, or if like me, you aspire to own all teal eyeliners). It had good color payoff, long-wear, and was easy to apply.
	Product 9.5/10 Pigmentation 9.5/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 5/5
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Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner

Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner

Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner

Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner

Make Up For Ever #52L Aqua Eyes Liner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner ($30.00 for 0.01 oz.) is described as a “turquoise blue.” It’s a light-medium blue with silver and blue sparkle and shimmer. It doesn’t look teal or have any real flash of green to make a turquoise kind of color. This blue eyeliner comparison post features swatches of a lot of shades that compare with this one, most notably YSL #9 (more turquoise), bareMinerals 4AM (more opaque, so it appears bluer), and then Make Up For Ever #7L/Tarina Tarantino Kanzashi/Urban Decay Electric (all brighter blues).

This pencil was a painful, frustrating experience in why high-end doesn’t always equate to better. The consistency of the pencil is very, very dry and stiff. It tugged, pulled, and was incredibly difficult to apply with even, opaque color (and I would have settled for sheer but even). It almost feels like it’s scraping along the lash line. When you swatch an eyeliner on your arm, the amount of pressure you find yourself using is often much more than you would to the lash line (whether lower or upper), and I couldn’t even get it to build up well in a swatch. I should know better than to buy this, given how disappointed I was with Or Rose in December–but I am a SUCKER! for blues and teals in eyeliner form. On the upside, it wears well; doesn’t seem to fade, smudge, or budge from where it gets applied–it just never, ever looks even, smooth. It always looks jagged and dry.

The Glossover

LE	True Blue (57) F
	This pencil was a painful, frustrating experience in why high-end doesn't always equate to better. I should know better than to buy this, given how disappointed I was with Or Rose in December--but I am a SUCKER! for blues and teals in eyeliner form.
	Product 3/10 Pigmentation 5/10 Texture 1/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 2/5
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Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Chanel True Blue (57) Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner

Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil ($6.99 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “bright purple with shimmer.” It’s a medium-dark, red-toned purple with violet and silver shimmer. It is very similar to MAC Designer Purple, but it has smaller sparkle. Urban Decay Psychedelic Sister is similar in color but has more of a satin finish.

From what I can tell, Liquid Eye is really Liquif’Eye just renamed and probably underwent some reformulation, but I really couldn’t tell the difference between the two in regards to texture (even the numbering of the shades is the same). What’s even better is that a good purple eyeliner can be a challenge to find, but Milani nailed this one. It’s intensely pigmented with fantastic color payoff even in a single stroke.  The consistency is creamy and glides on beautifully, and once it sets, it stays put.

Now, Milani says that it’s “smudge-proof” and “long-lasting,” and according to Milani, long-lasting means “up to 24 hours.” I didn’t and don’t plan on testing this for 24 hours any time soon (the thought of going to bed with makeup always makes me uncomfortable!), but I did wear this for 16 hours, and it did well overall–there was a slight thinning of the line but no smudging below the liner or migration into the outer or inner corners. So, it wasn’t perfect wear over a 16-hour time period, but for most people, I think the wear will be fantastic for the time they need.  It was impeccable after eight hours, just for reference. Based on the thinning I saw between eight and 16 hours, I would expect this to still look decent after 18-20 hours. (But I really wish products weren’t marketed with 24-hour wear!)

The Glossover

P	Perfect Purple A
	If it weren't for the 24-hour claim, this eyeliner would be scored an A+, so keep that in mind if you aren't wedded to the idea of 24-hour wear! It's very much worth checking out if you love a good purple eyeliner.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 5/5
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Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil

Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil

Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil

Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil

Milani Perfect Purple Liquid Eye Pencil

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($24.00 for 0.02 oz.) is described as a “seafoam green.” It’s a cool-toned, seafoam green with a matte finish. I don’t have too many mint/aqua eyeliners, but NARS Parrot Cay (which I always loved the look of but the wear left a lot to be desired) and Korres #12 are both similar–slightly lighter I would say.

The Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner is supposed to last for twelve hours without smudging or budging, and the formula is supposed to yield “rich, intense color.” It’s also a twist-up pencil with a built-in sharpener. In the past, I’ve found that many shades wear well for eight hours on the lash line, but twelve hours is pushing it–there is usually noticeable fading at that point (where the line of color looks thinner).

Barrow Street had good color payoff in a single stroke, and it was buildable to more opaque color on the lash line. It actually wore incredibly well and may be one of the better-wearing shades I’ve tried; after eight hours, there was still the majority of the color on my water line, and my lash line remained the same. I’ll be testing it again for a full twelve-hours (I only had eight yesterday, and I forgot these are marketed as twelve-hour pencils!), so the longevity rating is tentative (it’s based on prior experience and yesterday’s wear compared to other shades). It can be a bit chalky, though, because of its light but bright base, and it tends to be the nature of the beast (err, this kind of color). I think from afar, it’s rather brightening and eye-opening, and it doesn’t read chalky.  It is lightly creamy, enough that it didn’t feel like it tugged or pulled when I applied it, but it could stand to be slightly softer/creamier.

The Glossover

P	Barrow Street A-
	Aqua eyeliner is a great option for brightening the eye using a pop of color, rather than a champagne/nude shade. I liked this one a lot better than NARS' own Parrot Cay!
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4.5/5
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NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

NARS Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

Several shades of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) have been discontinued. Urban Decay made suggestions for what to use instead, and these are my thoughts on them along with comparison swatches.

1999 is a reddish plum with gold, plum, and bronze shimmer. It is much redder and browner compared to Vice; and then too red compared to Underground. Neither is comparable.

Binge is a cool-toned, navy blue with a pearly sheen. Sabbath is darker, cooler-toned, and matte, so it has a completely different effect when worn, as Sabbath is so much more intense.

Covet is a deepened green-based teal with a pearly sheen. It is much greener compared to Junkie, which has larger sparkle (gold, at that) and a stronger blue base.

Crash is a darkened, plummy eggplant with plum pearl. It is closest to Rockstar, as Rockstar is just slightly darker. Delinquent is purpler, less plum.

Deviant is a medium blue with silver sparkle. It is just slightly more subdued compared to Abyss, but the two are rather similar. Chaos is nothing like either, and I would not even consider it in the same family!

Eldorado is medium gold with strong orange undertones and a slightly metallic finish. Goldmine is yellower and less metallic. Honey (which has long been discontinued) is nothing like either gold.

Flipside is a medium blue with a hint of teal and a pearly sheen. Deep End is noticeably bluer.

Graffiti is a springy, grass green with silver sparkle. I find that it’s hard to dupe this shade, and Freak is lighter and significantyl warmer, more yellowy in comparison.

Gunmetal is a darkened gray with neutral undertones and a pearly sheen. Uzi is much, much darker (closer to black), while Mushroom is so much browner. Neither is at all similar!

Lucky is a darkened copper with a slightly metallic finish. Scorch is lighter, more golden–it’s not really that orange-copper kind of color.

Lust is a cool-toned, dark purple with slight pearl. Chaos is by no means a dupe; as it is lighter, brighter, and has a lot of blue in it.

Ransom is a medium-dark, pink-ish purple with a slight pearl to its finish. Psychedelic Sister is pinker, so it appears a bit warmer and brighter, while layering Asphyxia over it helps it appear closer, it is still brighter.

Generally speaking, I don’t think most of them are really dupes. They eliminated cool-toned purples in place of pink and plum-based ones, and I think now there’s a hole in the color range as a result. Graffiti is a more unusual shade, and Freak is no replacement; it’s a nice addition, but it’s not a replacement.  I also think Lust and Lucky have no real comparable shades in the range.   Products and shades get discontinued, so it’s not a surprise to see some of these make an exit to accommodate new shades.  I recommend checking our eyeliner comparison series to see if maybe another brand has something closer to a shade you’ll be missing (or stock up on it before it’s gone).

See more swatches!

Urban Decay 1999 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Vice, 1999, Underground

Urban Decay Binge 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Binge, Sabbath

Urban Decay Covet 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Junkie, Covet

Urban Decay Crash 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Delinquent, Crash, Rockstar

Urban Decay Deviant 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Abyss, Deviant, Chaos

Urban Decay Eldorado 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Goldmine, Eldorado, Honey

Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay Flipside 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Deep End, Flipside

Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Freak, Graffiti

Urban Decay Gunmetal 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Uzi, Gunmetal, Mushroom

Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Scorch, Lucky

Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Lust, Chaos

Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Psychedelic Sister, Ransom, Psychedelic Sister+Asphyxia (layered)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: Desperation, Mushroom, Stray Dog

Urban Decay Uzi (2013) / Uzi (2012) 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil