Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner ($45.00 for 3 x 0.002 oz.) is described as an “ultra black.” It’s a dark black with neutral undertones and a semi-matte finish. There are plenty of similar-hued black eyeliners on the market. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The formula is supposed to be waterproof, long-wearing, transfer-free, and pigmented. The consistency is creamy without being too wet, but it glides on smoothly and evenly without tugging on the lash line or skin. It is very thin, so you can get really precise lining out of it, which can be nice for tight-lining. It was semi-opaque in a single line, and it was buildable to fully opaque color in two layers. I had a lot of trouble with wear, though. I applied it to my lower lash line, and after wearing it on seven different occasions, every time it smeared and smudged after six hours. I honestly thought maybe it was my mascara, but I had the same issue over and over again. I think what it excels at most is really precision–it is so much thinner than other eyeliners I have, so you can really get between lashes for a lusher, thicker lash line if desired. It just doesn’t last very well on me at all, and rather than just fading/thinning into oblivion, it transfers (it goes from my lower lash line to my inner tear duct area) and smudges, which can ruin a makeup look. On my hand, it is resistant to pure water, but with enough fussing, it will budge.

I appreciated that Hourglass was upfront about how many uses each pencil contains, though I’m curious as to what constitutes a single use (lower lash line, upper lash line, or both? both eyes?). Each pencil contains 0.002 oz., and most twist-up pencil eyeliners are 0.01 oz., so this is a teeny, tiny amount. Most gel eyeliners (in pots) are 0.10 oz. or larger. They’re sold in a three-pack for $45 or individually for $16 (at Sephora/Hourglass’ website only for singles). Anyone track how many uses they normally get out of a twist-up pencil? I might just go draw twenty lines with mine to see if it empties the container. You know, in the name of science.

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

Hourglass Obsidian 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner