Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners Swatches, Photos, Reviews
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner ($23.00 for 0.058 oz.) is a new liquid liner that launched recently at Sephora. It claims to be “weather, tear, and sweat-proof color” and “100% waterproof.” There are fifteen shades in total (there is no #2 shade), all of which have been photographed and swatched in this post.
- #1 is a semi-sheer yellowed gold base with gold shimmer.
- #3 is a darkened forest green with olive and green shimmer.
- #4 is a medium-dark blue-teal with silver and teal shimmer.
- #5 is a bright blue with soft silvery-white shimmer.
- #6 is a blackened, cool-toned blue-purple with silver and blue shimmer.
- #7 is a blackened violet purple with blue-violet and purple shimmer.
- #8 is a medium-dark red-based purple with violet and fuchsia shimmer.
- #9 is a bright, neon pink with a soft sheen.
- #10 is a neutreal red with soft ruby red shimmer.
- #11 is a burgundy wine with fuchsia and pink shimmer.
- #12 is a lightened black with a touch of brown.
- #13 is a deep, dark black.
- #14 is a black-brown with multi-colored shimmer.
- #15 is a silvered black with multi-colored shimmer.
- #16 is a colorless base with white shimmer.
It’s clear that there’s a new liquid liner formula on the block, and a lot of brands have taken advantage of it: MAC Superslick ($17.50/0.06 oz.), Illamasqua Precision Ink ($27.50/0.06 oz., only available in Abyss and Glister), Laura Mercier Liquid Eyeliner ($26, only available in Gold Thread), Stila Sparkle Liquid Liner ($22.00/0.05 oz.), and Bobbi Brown Glitter Liquid Liner ($20.00/0.05 oz., only available in Silver and Gold during the holiday). I couldn’t tell the difference between the majority of these when it came to the formula (Laura Mercier’s I haven’t tried; Stila’s is chalked full of shimmer/glitter, so they feel a little different).
Make Up For Ever definitely changed up the formula and tweaked the packaging, which is something I didn’t see in the other brands. The brush is actually more tapered and shorter, though still made out of foam. The shorter length actually enables you to have a little more precision and makes it easy to never have too much product on the brush (this makes these edge out just oh-so-slightly ahead, but the longer applicator is still easy to work with). I also felt like the formula was thinner, almost watery, but it wasn’t watered down, because each liner was intensely pigmented. You also have to shake up these Aqua Liners (you’ll hear something rattling inside when you do) — and this isn’t something common to the other brands.
Aqua Liners are budgeproof, smudgeproof, and waterproof. These don’t budge until you’re ready to remove them, and they removed easily with an eye makeup remover like Lancome Bi-Facil or Make Up For Ever’s Sens’Eyes. MAC’s Makeup Removing Wipes also did a fine job of removing these from my arm. The product will flake off more than it will dissolve, but I didn’t experience any flaking while wearing–only when I went to remove it; the best way to describe it is to analogize it to tube mascara.
Though Aqua Liners have a different applicator and the formula is definitely tweaked (at least, in consistency/feel), but in wear, I’ve found that all of the variations on this new type of liquid eyeliner wear extremely well. Make Up For Ever has the largest range at 15. The two shades that overlap across nearly every brand is gold (for MUFE, it’s #1), though Make Up For Ever’s #1 seems a little darker, less metallic gold, more sun-gold, and plain ol’ black (for MUFE, it’s #15).
P.S. — I’m still waiting for a few Stila Sparkle Liquid Liners, and then I’ll post some comparisons for any shades that do compare.
Where to Buy: Sephora, $23 each
The Glossover
The color range is amazing--it's exactly what I'd expect from Make Up For Ever and totally useful for liquid liner fanatics. There are fun, brightly colored shades, but also some interesting takes on black. And then it's delivered in a formula that holds on all day, through showers and workouts!
See more photos & swatches!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners – 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Illamasqua vs. MAC vs. MUFE vs. Stila (All waterproof – this is post-running my hand under a faucet)
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
Sephora, $23 each.
Is it limited edition?
No.
I've been hearing a lot about these. They look so freaking gorgeous. Ugh, but that price. x3 I'm keeping this page bookmarked for future reference tho! Thanks for the review! ^^
Tried these and love the colours but it does not have as much staying power as Gosh Extreme Eyeliner (which absolutely needs a makeup remover to remove). But I love the navy blue for special occasions.
I love these. I was thinking if you could possibly do a tutorial using the liners or giving tips on how to apply it. XXOO Wilfrido <3
These colours are gorgeous!!!!!!!
Hoo, boy. This is a nice liquid liner. Picked up #12 (matte brown) today. Sadly it doesn't really look that brown on me, more like a slightly faded black. But the formula is very, very good. I actually went up to my boyfriend and announced dramatically "Watch this!!" while I rubbed my oily eyelid vigorously. And it didn't budge and nothing on my finger! Thanks for turning me on to this, Christine!
Great article. Would you do a look or tutorial with n° 5 or 6? They look great but i have no clue to pair them with other eyeshadows or wear them alone.
I was just at Sephora and couldn't find these anywhere :/ are they only sold online?
Hi Christine are these wearable on the water line? If so how effective is it on the water line?
I wouldn't think so! It's liquid, so it would probably burn.
Hmmm... I got a 10% off coupon from Sephora for renewing my V.I.B. I now know what I will use that coupon for and it will be #7! It is such a gorgeous purple!!!
Do they have a pack that you can buy all of them or must they really be purchased individually?
Wow,these are so gorg. <3. Xoxo
That red, while virtually unwearable in most situations, is absolutely stunning! I might get it just for the sake of having such a gorgeous and unique color of eye liner!
Is this on sale now? I love these! But at that price.. I think I can only buy one or two. I'm really liking #14... and some of the blues. Great swatches, thanks so much for doing this!
def going to purchase about 13 of them. very handy for aspiring makeup artists to aquire.
I want all of these!!!
Ah... so pretty... I NEED!
This may be a silly question, but can these be used on the waterline? Can ANY liquid liner be safely used there? I'd love to be able to get an Eva Longoria look, but even with Urban Decay I'm always having to reapply....
I don't even wear liquid eyeliner and I NEED these. They're gorgeous! Now I gotta figure out how to apply liquid liner properly... Thanks for the swatches, Christine!
Wow these are gorgeous! I have tested the Stila Sparkle liners myself in the store and I think that they are really going to go toe-to-toe with these MUFE ones. Obviously, MUFE has them beat on color selection, but some of these shades look exactly like the Stila ones (8 and 5 in particular look just like some of the Stila ones). AND I can rather excitedly share that the Stila ones do NOT budge. Only $1 cheaper than the MUFE ones though, but if they do a Stila site sale I think they are worth picking up over the MUFE ones for a few of these shades at least :) As for me, I'm seriously eyeballing that hot pink.
how long does it take for the liner to dry?
Pretty quick - definitely not long. I'd say about 5-10 seconds.
heyy christine! i was wondering how you would compare these eye liners to urban decay liquid liners?
More pigmented, easier to use. They both last the same on me if I'm remembering correctly :)
I NEED 8, 9, and 10!
Eeeeeeeek!! I'm so excited to snatch me some of these!!!
Is it me or does liquid eyeliner kinda burn until it drys on your lids ?
It shouldn't - if it does, I'd switch formulas.
These are gorgeous!! I would be interested to see how you would do your makeup with some of the more wild colors, like the pink and red! Not sure how I would be able to incorporate that into ay looks! Is it possible to use them as lipliners?
hahah, I didn't notice my cat had been lying on the keyboard and totally changed my name in my comment above!!
I think they'd be too drying as lip liners!
Any idea on how 14 & 15 compare to MAC's Oxidate glitter liner, Christine? Thanks in advance :)
I don't think I have that, sorry! It would be much, much more pigmented, since I remember MAC's Glitter Eyeliners weren't opaque.
Mmmmmmmm I'm melting....
These.. are.. GORGEOUS!
I want the pink SOO bad!!! I'm so glad they are permanent, I can spend the rest of my life saving up for them lol
These remind me very strongly of the Extreme Art Eyeliner by the brand Gosh here in Canada. I love them, but they're an absolute nightmare to remove. I've got to try these!
Dear MUFE, Please come to London. Love from every British girl who needs these eyeliners. :(
Not just London! I totally agree though - it's so annoying that this brand is so hard to get over here :(
There are Aussie girls who need these too!
Heyy christine :) how would you compare these to the urban decay liquid liners ?
They're not comparable, the formulas are completely different.
hey, are the brushes stiff or flexible? they look kinda stiff and hard to work with, or no? LOVE the swatches tho, i need the gold, purple, & aqua in my life!
Really easy to work with - not at all stiff but not floppy.
Uh oh. I want every single one of those.
Thanks so much for the review and swatches here. I will certainly go check them out. I am always looking for REAL waterproof liners. The past ones from this line I have tried would wear off me- and travel to smudging under the eyes even if I skipped eye cream and under eye concealers which I had heard if you use you will get traveling from your waterproof liners. I have a busy week but will be out of town and close to a Sephora where I will be staying. If I can only get to a Channel counter to pick up the new Morning Rose polish and look at these new liners, I will be a happy traveler who is not traveling for fun - it's medical - ugh.
I haven't quite mastered the application of these types of eyeliners yet, but these colors are amazing!!! Might have to break down and buy a few. :)
That settles it! I just purchased 7 and 9. They're gorgeous.
I love 10 & 11. So hard to find good reds for the eye area.
Forgive me for being a little clueless, but is this kind of liner okay to wear on your waterline as well? Is it better to do non-glittery liners there, or does it matter?
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