Black Eyeliner Comparisons

Are there shades of black? Indeed there are! Not every black eyeliner is the same. There are soft blacks, medium blacks, and deep blacks (and of course, variations within those categories). To try and make some sense of it all, I’m going to assign numerical ratings based on how black each liner is, with 10 being deep, dark black, 1 meaning so light that it’s almost no longer black, and 5 meaning a medium black.

• Shiseido Black Noir (BK 901) Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil has an amazing creaminess to it, and it is almost a true, deep black. (Review) 9
• MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil some creaminess but has some hardness (but not in a bad way–it’s not rough on eyes at all), and it is a true dark black — leans on the warm side. (Review) 10
• MAC Feline Kohl Power is a rich, deep dark black that’s easy to smudge. It is a limited edition product, so it’s not currently available but is often repromoted. (Review) 10
• Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner is a rich, deep dark black–creamy without being runny. (Review) 10
• Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner is a softened, medium black. It is a slightly warmer black on me. (Review) 4
• MAC Engraved Powerpoint Eye Pencil is a darkened medium black. 6
• MAC Smolder Eye Kohl is a dark black with cool leanings. 8
• MAC Graphblack Technakohl is a medium black. 5
• Milani Black Liquif’Eye Liner is a dark black with a cool pull. (Review) 8
• Stila Stingray Smudge Stick is a dark black with neutral to cool undertones. (Review) 8
• YSL #1 Eye Pencil is a rich black, almost ultra black, with a very matte finish.  (Review) 9
• Bobbi Brown Black Kohl Eye Liner is a rich, glossy black. The glossiness makes it look less inky, though. (Review) 8
• Benefit BADgal Liner is a creamy, dark black with warm leanings. (Review) 8

I included review links when I had them to share, but I had some wear issues with YSL’s #1 Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown’s Black Kohl Eyeliner, and Benefit’s BADgal.

The darkest: MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil, MAC Feline Kohl Power, Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner

Dark: Shiseido Black Noir Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil, YSL #1 Eye Pencil

Medium-dark: MAC Smolder Eye Kohl, Milani Black Liquif’Eye Liner, Stila Stingray Smudge Stick, Bobbi Brown Black Kohl Eye Liner, Benefit BADgal Liner

Medium: MAC Engraved Powerpoint Eye Pencil, MAC Graphblack Technakohl

The lightest: Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner

See more photos!

Row 1: Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion, Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved
Row 2: MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black, Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion,
Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved, MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black,
Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion, Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved

MAC Engraved, MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black, Stila Stingray

Milani Black, Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

To compensate for the site being down intermittently, here’s a Rose Romance look I did yesterday. I think it’s the first time I’ve worn eyeshadow in two weeks ore more! I just always run out of time and end up going with a minimal to no makeup face these days. I’m working on it, though!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Et Tu, Bouquet? eyeshdaow (glittery peachy-pink), Of Summer eyeshadow (lilac), Creme de Violet eyeshadow (warm purple), Shadowy Lady eyeshadow (dark burgundy-purple), Shroom eyeshadow (highlighter), Benefit BADgal Liner (black), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Summer Rose beauty powder (cool pink-purple), Dior Rose Diamond skin shimmer (light pink)
• Lips: A Rose Romance lipstick (pinky-purple), Magnetique lipglass (fuchsia-purple)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Et Tu, Bouquet = Gleam; Of Summer = Beautiful Iris; Summer Rose = Well Dressed; Way to Love = Hue; Magnetique = no dupe

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base. On the inner lid, apply Et Tu, Bouquet? eyeshadow using the 239. Apply Of Summer eyeshadow to the middle of the lid. Darken the outer lid using Shadowy Lady eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Shadowy Lady eyeshadow using the 226, then overlay with Creme de Violet eyeshadow. Sweep Shroom eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Ransom Liner on lower lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Summer Rose beauty powder using the 129, then highlight with Dior Rose Diamond skin shimmer with the 188. Apply A Rose Romance lipstick to lips, and then top with Magnetique lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!