Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (Blackest Black, Plum) Review, Photos, Swatches
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Affordable Gel Eyeliner from Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99) is a gel eyeliner that comes in a glass pot with a screw-on lid. Lasting Drama is currently available in four shades: Black, Brown, Grey, and Plum. I’ve only tried out the Black and Plum myself. Each glass pot of gel eyeliner also comes with a small, flat bristled brush with a dome shape for lining. I personally didn’t find the brush the right kind to line with (I prefer angled or very, very thin and pointed), but it’s a nice little bonus.
I’m pleased to report that after testing the wear of this liner that it is indeed lasting! (I wore it in this look.) Blackest Black didn’t smudge, budge, or fade on me throughout eight hours of wear–though Maybelline does advertise “24-hour wear” (I’ll leave that test to someone else…). I found it was plenty black for me–and I love me some rich black pigment–so I was quite surprised at how well it translated onto the lid. I used MAC’s 208 angled brush to apply Blackest Black to my upper lash line, and it was smooth, easy to apply, and gave me good color intensity off the bat. I didn’t have to go back over to darken at all, which was yet another concern alleviated.
Blackest Black is very much a true black. It doesn’t have much of a sheen, though it’s not completely flat, and it doesn’t have shimmer. Plum, on the other hand, has a higher sheen and plummy-mauve shimmer in a dark plum base. The consistency of both is thick without being goopy and very smooth when applied. They’re not creamy like Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliners, but they can be blended or smudged so they’re not too thick. They seem to dry without much of a fuss, but they don’t dry instantly, so you may have to wait a few seconds before you squeeze your eyes shut to avoid any transfer.
At $9.99 each, they’re on the pricier end for the budget beauty maven, but Maybelline frequently goes on sale, so at buy one, get one free or buy one, get one 50% off, I think they’re definitely worth picking up if you’re in the market for an affordable gel eyeliner. The packaging has a surprisingly “high-end” feel for Maybelline (whose packaging I’m generally not impressed by) — they look and feel much like MAC Fluidlines.
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- Product: 28/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you’re looking for an affordable gel eyeliner, keep an eye out for Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner!
Availability: Ulta, your local drugstore
See more photos and swatches!
Plum
Blackest Black
Plum, Blackest Black
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This is best, longest lasting black eyeliner for waterline that I have ever tried. I bought Urban Decay 24/7 cuz it reviewed so well, and it was nowhere near as black and long lasting as Maybelline Eyestudio Gel. Great product at good price!
Thank you so much for this review! I've seen this in stores but have been reluctant to buy it as I've been very disappointed with gel eyeliners from cheaper brands before. Definitely going to give this a try
dope but mac fluid eyeliner is way better:)
This stuff is actually SUPER amazing! Most eyeliners I have worn in the past start to smudge or fade off within an hour even, but this stuff last me ALL day! No lie, like I wore it all day to school and didn't not have to touch it up once, it stayed the same all throughout the day, and then I went to practice, then home and it was still good!. I even fell asleep by accident and woke up the next morning and it was STILL almost perfect! The 24 hour deal is no lie! I highly highly highly recommend this!!!!
i'm using the brown one and i love it. it's definitely not creamy just like the post says. if you like creamy ones like Bobbi Brown, you'll find this hard to like. Also, i find this dries fairly quickly and very longlasting. Not smudgeable, pretty waterproof and durable in hot, humid weathers like my country's (Malaysia) It is however very hard to remove. With makeup remover even. Seriously. It will take some effort to remove. But i guess that's just what happens when its so durable.
Agreed. Its so hard to remove even with makeup remover and I end up rubbing and rubbing my eyes to get it off. But it is very good and easy to work with. Doesn't run.
Where did you purchase these? I can't seem to find them at my CVS...
These were samples!
i got mine at ride aid for about $5 and they are always on sale
I love you Christine! :) haha, thank you for the review. you are such a help :D
No prob, Natasha!
Hey Christine!! I love your blog and your wonderfully detailed reviews!! :) I just bought the Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner, but for some reason, mine does not apply very smoothly at all and even seems to be quite dry and clumpy...? Is there anything I can do to revive it, or is there a way you would recommend to apply this? How do you apply the gel liner yourself? If you could answer these questions, it would be very much appreciated!! Thanks!! :)
I didn't have any issues with it being dry or clumpy - I've microwaved a paint pot once before, not sure about gel eyeliner... I use the 208 brush.
Thanks for your help :)
I don't know why, but I just got my pot of eyeliner (in the plum/eggplant shade) and it already feels like it's drying up on me :( ...It has these little clumps when I try to apply it? Do you have any tips on how to apply gel eyeliners?
Oh no :( It shouldn't clump or dry - maybe return it?
Does this actually stay on the waterline?
I didn't really try 'em on the water line, since they're a bit creamy.
I HAVE USED THIS EYELINER! It is the best lasting eyeliner I have EVER tried,no eye sensitivity-just perfect no black eyes,does not run or melt.PRICED VERY WELL & LASTS AND LASTS!
Worst gel eyeliner ever!! I bought it thinking it would last and not smudge - after about 1 hour it smudged on the top of my eyelids looking horrible - really waist of money - terrible!!!!!
Omg I know right? Uggh :[[ It's pretty, but I have to go over it with liquid liner if I want a normal/thick line
does plum look anything like mac macroviolet?
Similar -- probably not quite as red, and I think Macroviolet has very, very subtle shimmer.
Hello, I am from Germany and I am soooo excitet about this product. So my question is how can I get on it? I have not found it in Germany ;( Please help me!
I am not sure :(
Someone can tell me a store that sale this product, on internet, please. Thank you!
Try Target!
I'm thinking about buying this eyeliner, but currently I have the Loreal HIP cream eyeliner in black, Any ideas if the Maybelline product is better than the Loreal?
I like this one better myself!
Are these available in the UK?
I think so!
Hi, do these work well in the waterline and tightline?
I didn't try them on my waterline for very long, sorry!
will they sell these gel liners in the UK? and on which date? can someone advise! thanks
Not sure :(
I found this eyeliner much longer lasting and easier to deal with than MAC fluidline. The brush isn't the best - MAC's 209 lining brush is, for my money, the best brush to liquid line with - but the wear and texture of this liner is one of the best I've come across from any brand, luxury or recessionista style :)
oh I love this gel liner and I love the brush that comes with it even more! lol...
Plum is so gorgeous. I might have to stalk the sales for this one hehe - though... I don't use gel liner... yet!
These are huge in Korea and Japan.. A lot of makeup artists use them!
Are these as good as L'oreal HIP's gel liners?
I think they're better :)
oh thats good to hear! since HIP is continuously discontinuing items
This product is exactly the same product as Smashbox Gel Liner and FACE Stockholm Gel Liner. It's made and distributed by Your Name cosmetics. Maybelline offers the cheapest price.
Hi there, I have only scanned the comments below but can you tell me if you think this is like Smashbox Jet set or Shadow liner? The black looks allot like jet set while the plum looks slightly transulant much as Shadow liner? Also have you so far had any problems with the eyeliner drying out? As Smashbox did and the same style pot was re designed to make a more air tight one. I am in the UK and these wont be here for some time but will look forward to comparing it. Also i would highly recommend Smashbox Brushes for this product the Smashbox arch angled brush #21 works so well with the Jet set while the Smashbox waterproof Shadow liner brush #30 are amazing for a smokey eye if this is a similar texture (it truly does the smoky eye for you you just stroke it under the eyes and voila smokey eyes ditto upper lids. Cant wait for your take Love your blog BTW
I like it better than Jet Set, but I find Jet Set a little thicker/drier to work with myself!
Impressed, Maybeline is really catching up with big brands, this looks very nice!!! the plum seems like a pretty color and the black as you said really black, this is exciting, maybe save a little on makeup
I'll have to get the plum one.
Hi Christine! Are these better than the LoReal HIP gel liners? Which I officially HATE now. They dry up SO terribly! and they are hard to blend. After about 1 month of owning a jar, I have to go back and buy ANOTHER @ nearly the price of MAC fluid line..... *tsk, tsk*
I find them a smidgen thicker, but otherwise they're similar. I haven't owned them for long, so I couldn't tell you if these dry out, though I haven't had my L'Oreal ones dry out yet!
Would these work well as bases?? Like would the black be a good substitute for MAC Blacktrack fluid line that you use in some of your smokey eyes?
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