Marc Jacobs Beauty Line Up Mini Highliner Duo Review & Swatches
Line Up
Marc Jacobs Beauty Line Up Mini Highliner Duo ($20.00 for 0.026 oz.) is a new, limited edition duo that features a matte brown (part of the permanent range) and a matte purple (exclusive to the set). The longevity of both shades was excellent, while Purple Reign could have been more pigmented and a bit creamier during application; (Earth)quake was fantastic. The set contains 0.0261 oz. worth of product, while a full-sized eyeliner is 0.0176 oz. and retails for $25.00, so the value in the set is $37.07.
Ingredients
Line Up
LELimited Edition. $20.00.
(Earth)quake
(Earth)quake is a deep brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in one layer, which applied evenly and smoothly on my lower lash line without dragging or tugging on it. The consistency was creamy without being overly emollient or wet, so it had great glide but stayed in place. It lasted nicely for 12 hours before fading slightly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Buxom Here's My Number (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Past Twilight (DC, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty In Big Truffle (P, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Brew Haha (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wayne Goss Rich Hazel (P, $14.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Christian Louboutin Beaute Zoulou (P, $40.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Crave (DC, $22.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Espresso (DC, $9.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Lush (P, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Demolition (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.01 oz. - $2500.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with “12-hour longwear” with a “bold matte finish” that is supposed to be waterproof and “well-suited” for the waterline. The majority of the shades are very pigmented with mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single pass, while the texture is creamy but dries down within ten to fifteen seconds.
They wear shorter on the waterline (six to nine hours) and longer on the lower lash line (nine to twelve hours). The formula is fantastic for lining, but the one thing that makes me hesitate is that the past iterations of the liners have dried out in as little as one year (with some lasting two years or longer), though I have noticed the more shimmery shades are first to dry out.
Browse all of our Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon swatches.
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Ceresin, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyisobutene, Methicone, Dimethicone, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks Using this Product
(Earth)quake
PPermanent. $25.00.
Purple Reign
Purple Reign is a brighter, medium purple with cool, bluish undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in a single stroke, which was somewhat buildable–it never reached full coverage but when worn against the lash line, it was hard to tell any lack of pigmentation from a normal viewing distance. The consistency had enough glide to apply comfortably to my lower lash line, but it seemed slightly drier than other shades in the range. It wore well for over 12 hours without migrating or thinning on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Blue Lotus (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Champs (LE, $7.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Utterly Alone (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty (Grape)vine (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.01 oz. - $2500.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with “12-hour longwear” with a “bold matte finish” that is supposed to be waterproof and “well-suited” for the waterline. The majority of the shades are very pigmented with mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single pass, while the texture is creamy but dries down within ten to fifteen seconds.
They wear shorter on the waterline (six to nine hours) and longer on the lower lash line (nine to twelve hours). The formula is fantastic for lining, but the one thing that makes me hesitate is that the past iterations of the liners have dried out in as little as one year (with some lasting two years or longer), though I have noticed the more shimmery shades are first to dry out.
Browse all of our Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon swatches.
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyethylene, Isododecane, Synthetic Wax, Ceresin, Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Purple Reign is pretty but wish it was just a tad deeper. I like the shade enough to pick it up and I have been using more brown’s than black’s lately so the other shade will likely work well for me also.
Pretty good value and very usable shades! I like it! ?
Formula Change Alert!!! Cyclopentasiloxane is the first ingredient for those who get reactions to volatile silicones. MJB Highliners did not used to have this so for anyone who previously invested in these bc other eyeliner formulas were sensitizing—be careful!!
I nearly pulled the trigger myself. Too bad for me.
Thank you SO much for this!
(it doesn’t affect me directly but it made me decide on something else as a gift for my granddaughter!)
I just checked the Sephora and MJB website: the ingredients list has stayed the same for the other available full size colors. I would check the ingredients list on the packaging for anything anyone is allergic to.
For anyone looking for an alternative, Sephora Eye Contour Pencil doesn’t have volatile silicones per the website.
I find the Marc Jacobs Highliners to be very high quality. I have several including Earthquake. Gorgeous.
I love UD liiners but MJ beats them overall.
I have Earth(quake) – the previous formula – and although I love the shade, it doesn’t stay put on my lids for more than four hours (don’t have oily lids). I don’t use it on my waterline, therefore I can’t say anything about its longevity there.
I prefer by far the Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner from Givenchy (Chestnut and African Bronze), which is my HG eyeliner.
Purple Reign seems to be a bit wishy washy and if a darker or more pigmented shade, it would have been lovely. Earthquake is the perfect matte brown.
Many years ago, Clinique had a liner pencil in the colour Wood Violet. I’ve never been able to find anything similar (I have a dried out, unusable “nubbin” of it that I keep to use for comparison). I’m wondering/hoping if Purple Reign might be the same as that pencil. If it is, I’ll absolutely buy this duo for that shade along but I fear it might not be close at all (that’s how frustrating my search has been all these years).
IIRC, wood violet is a bit more blue and lighter. HTH and why would I remember that? Think I loved it, too, though the formula was nothing to write home about. Maggie’s comment is interesting. MJs never worked for me at all. Even though I hate high ‘cone foundations, maybe more ‘cone is the answer in liners. As if I need more liners.
After throwing most of my MJ eyeliners as they were very dry, keeping a few that just might work, I decided against buying any more of the liners. I really loved some of the ones I tossed. I guess I didn’t use them often enough. I’m going to stick with pencils that you sharpen they will last me longer.
I do like the purple, but I wish it had been more opaque.
I’m very surprised Purple Reign didn’t perform so well; the one I have glides on like butter and I get compliments every time I wear it. Must be a fluke.