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Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner Review, Photos, Swatches

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner
Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner

Antique Gold May Be the Color of Wisdom

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner ($27.50 for 0.06 oz.) is described as an “antiqued gold.” It has a deep olive brown base with antique gold and copper micro-shimmer. When it’s applied and seen from a distance, it does resemble antique gold more than it seems when you first swatch it. Chanel Khaki Dore is much lighter. When applied, MAC Buried Treasure is comparable. Urban Decay Stash is greener. MAC Blackline looks greener. MAC Desires & Devices and Stila Flash are much greener. MAC Defiantly Feline is more coppery.

The Precision Ink formula is supposed to be an “intense, waterproof liquid eyeliner” that’s long-wearing and “dries within seconds.”  If you’re familiar with MAC Superslick Eyeliners, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners, or Stila Sparkle Liners–this formula is very much like those. There’s no real distinction between them, other than they vary in color range, some are just a wee bit thinner or more watery. But the reality is they perform and wear and feel very much the same across the board. In this instance, that’s a good thing, because they all wear like iron.

Precision Ink does dry down quickly (about 20 seconds) and sets into place; no smudging, budging, fading, or the like happens until I remove it (which was 10 hours with Wisdom). When I use a cleansing oil, it removes easily. I can take a shower or swim with this formula on and not experience any problems. It applies mostly opaque in a single go, though a second go-through might be necessary for a really crisp line.

Wisdom

PPermanent. $27.50.
A
A
9.5
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
10
Texture
10
Longevity
4
Application
93%
Total

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner
Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner
Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner
Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner

Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner
Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Liquid Eyeliner

27 Comments

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Catherine Avatar

This is such a rich eye-catching color yet still sophisticated and day-appropriate. The wear time sounds great, but I agree, it would be nice if it had more intensity with a single stroke.

Branka Avatar

Hey Christine!
Thank you for this review. I love Illamasqua and your opinion on this liner is very useful to me. I was wondering if you will be reviewing the whole collection or just a few pieces? I would love to read your thoughts on all of them.

Katrina King Avatar

I am not usually good with liquid liner, either, but I have no problems with the Stila Sparkle ones, and Christine said that these perform the same way.

t_zwiggy Avatar

You have to stop doing all these Illamasqua reviews, Christine, or my bank account will be suffering real bad, lol. So far today I’ve added two nail polishes, an eyeliner and a palette to my must-have list.

Veronica Avatar

*sigh* Illumasqua, why must you feed my addiction to liquid liner? Like I need more of this stuff, but it will find a way into my budget somehow.

I have to add that I am undeniably impressed that you get it to apply so precisely on the lower lash line. My attempts to do that liquid liner have been…unfortunate.

Kafka Avatar

I like liquid eyeliners and want a gold one but it won’t be this one. It’s too bronzey-brown for my personal tastes and not antique gold enough judging by the look on your eye. But the real issue is my cheapskate side that weirdly pops up at unexpected times. $27.50 is just too high for a liquid eyeliner for me. I know I’m a bit of weirdo when it comes to prices for certain types of things, but $27.50???!!!?!!?!? For liquid eyeliner???! No, thank you, I’d rather buy another NARS blush instead or put the money towards buying a Kevyn Aucoin or Burberry one.

Kafka Avatar

I’m enormously relieved that you too think $27.50 is a little high for liquid eyeliner. Thank you for making me feel better and not quite so much of a loon. (Or cheapskate.) The one I desperately want is Tarina Tarintino’s Glitter City Liquid eyeliner in Goldilocks or something (antique Gold). I lost the bid on eBay due to being away at the vet hospital back in June and I’ve mourned it ever since. Can’t find that shade/colour anywhere, including Sephora! It’s $16 or so — which strikes me as a completely reasonable price for a liquid eyeliner.

But $30 (with the tax)?? No! Particularly for a mid-range brand like Illamasqua. After all, $30 isn’t so far off from Chanel’s price for their liquid eyeliner!

xamyx Avatar

You are definitely *not* alone in this opinion. For me, liquid liners & mascaras are “disposable” products, and unless it’ a color I’ll use at least 3X a week, I don’t feel comfortable spending more than $10, and even then it has to be absolutely exceptional. Even my HG black is by L’Oreal, and is probably one of the most expensive liquid liners I’ve ever bought (besides, BOGO sales and/or coupons never hurt, LOL).

Kafka Avatar

“Disposable” is the perfect way to describe it, Amy. L’Oreal’s prices are usually my limit for standard colours (plain black, brown, navy) but I’m willing to go higher for unusual colours and/or glittery eye liners. But not $27/$30 higher!

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