Old Standbys Get a New Outfit

MAC Marilyn Monroe Eye Kohls ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) sees the promotion of two permanent shades: Fascinating (intense matte white) and Smolder (intense black). If you purchase from the collection, the pencils you’ll receive come in a glossy black box and are packaged in a glossy black pencil, compared to the matte black packaging of the permanent shades. They cost exactly the same, and while online is listing these as 0.05 oz. (or 1.45g), my pencils say 0.048 oz. (or 1.36g), making them the same size as the permanent ones as well.

• Fascinating is a bright white with a matte finish. It had nice pigmentation in a single pass. Dolce & Gabbana white is similar but a bit brighter, not as cool-toned. MAC Pure White is also similar but more of a neutral white.
• Smolder is a dark black with a near-matte finish. It had good color payoff in one stroke. It’s a basic black eyeliner, so it has many dupes available.

The Eye Kohl formula is supposed to be a soft pencil eyeliner that delivers rich color along with a smooth finish.  Smolder was really creamy and glided on easily, while Fascinating was a bit drier, but it still applied evenly and didn’t pull or tug on the lash line.  Smolder remains smudge-able for awhile and eventually sets, but I did see some additional smudging after wearing it for eight hours on my lower lash line.

Keep in mind, online retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Bloomingdale’s will also launch the collection online. These retailers typically launch close in time to the in-store release date (October 4th).

The Glossover

	MAC Fascinating + Smolder Eye Kohls Reviews, Photos, Swatches B+
	I don't get the best wear with these, so for me, they're not my go-to pick for eyeliner. I'd rather use MAC's Chromagraphic Pencil formula (which is PRO) or their Technakohl range.
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 9.5/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl

MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl

MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl

MAC Smolder Eye Kohl

MAC Smolder Eye Kohl

MAC Smolder Eye Kohl

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

Here’s a quick look for fall that I put together to go out to dinner with my parents and boyfriend (for my birthday). It’s pretty simple, and surprisingly, I used all permanent products (without trying–that’s an accomplishment!). Hope your Wednesday is off to a fantastic start! Halfway through the week — yay!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Melon pigment (peachy-pink), Gleam eyeshadow (peachy-pink), Cranberry eyeshadow (berry-wine), Fig. 1 eyeshadow (eggplant), Graphology eyeshadow (deep purple-black), Ricepaper eyeshadow (highlighter), Smolder eye kohl (black), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), Zoom Fast Lash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Plum Foolery blush (berry)
• Lips: Guerlain Gracia Lipstick (muted berry), Chanel Spark glossimer (coppery berry)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

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 with the 249. With the 239, apply Melon pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Gleam eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Cranberry eyeshadow to the outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Fig. 1 eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Graphology eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay El Dorado Liner on lower lash line, and Smolder eye kohl on the lower waterline using the 209. Apply Zoom Fast Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Plum Foolery blush using the 129. Apply Guerlain Gracia lipstick to lips, and then top with Chanel Spark glossimer for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

Sorry about the lips! I don’t know what’s going on