Liquid Eyeliner Comparisons & Swatches
Illamasqua Abyss, MAC On the Hunt, MUFE #13, Stila Sequins, MAC Marked for Glamour
Liquid Eyeliner Comparisons & Swatches
There are several variations on the liquid liners lately, including Illamasqua Precision Ink, MAC Superslick Eyeliner, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners, and Stila Sparkle Liners. I swatched through them to compare, and these are the results:
- blacks: There are really no distinguishable differences between Illamasqua Abyss, MAC On the Hunt, or MUFE #13–they’re all a really deep, dark inky black. Stila Sequins is similar but has noticeable shimmer. MAC Marked for Glamour is a little grayer than Stila Sequins, and MUFE #15 is comparable to Marked for Glamour. MUFE #14 and Stila Starry are comparable, while MUFE is a little darker overall.
- golds: There are no distinguishable differences between Illamasqua Alchemy, MAC Pure Show, or MUFE #1.
- olives: MAC Desires & Devices has more gold shimmer and a blacker, less green base compared to Stila Flash.
- greens: MAC Treat Me Nice and MUFE #3 are indistinguishable from each other.
- teals: MUFE #4 and Stila Electric are indistinguishable from each other.
- blues: The darker blues are rather varied; none of them look alike. From the lighter blues, MUFE #5 has more shimmer and is a lighter, more neon blue than Stila Bora Bora.
- purples: Similar to the darker blues, there is quite a bit of variation of the four purple shades available. MUFE #8 and Stila Royal are the only ones that are comparable, but Stila is less red toned, more violet shimmered.
- browns: None of the brown shades look alike.
See more photos & swatches!
Illamasqua Abyss, MAC On the Hunt, MUFE #13, Stila Sequins, MAC Marked for Glamour
MAC Marked for Glamour, MUFE #14, Stila Starry, MUFE #15
Illamasqua Alchemy, MAC Pure Show, MUFE #1
MAC Desires & Devices, Stila Flash
MAC Treat Me Nice, MUFE #3, MUFE #4, Stila Electric
Stila Curacao, MAC Signature Blue, MUFE #6
MUFE #5, Stila Bora Bora
MAC Smoky Heir, MUFE #7, MUFE #8, Stila Royal
MAC Defiantly Feline, MUFE #11, Stila Rock Candy
I think the MAC ones are much more pigmented… or is it just the lighting?
I agree. Everytime I noticed one to be better it turned out to be the MAC one!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been wanting a few of these, but hesitated because I wasn’t sure which one was better/more vibrant/not a dupe for something I already had. You’ve helped immensely. 🙂
Hope you’re having a great long weekend!
My mind’s made up. I am totally getting Stila Curacao and Royal.
I feel like it’s makeup corporate collusion lol. They’re all sharing formulas and selling at different but basically the same prices xP
Most makeup companies, even ones that manufacture most of their own products, buy certain items from other manufacturers- especially if the product requires very specialized equipment to make (lip & eye pencils are a notorious example- I’ve heard from industry insiders that there are basically 3 major plants in Germany that make pencils for almost all makeup brands out there).
This certainly seems to be possible in this situation, with so many similarities across several different companies. It’s not necessarily a conspiracy, but each brand may buy the formulation independently from the manufacturer and are then free to market it the way they wish. Luckily, in the age of the Internet, we’re savvier consumers and thanks to people like Christine, are empowered to make smart shopping choices!
are they all limited edition? or some of them are permanent?
These are all permanent.
thank you doll! 🙂
Liquid eyeliner, my cosmetic Achilles heel! No amount can satiate me! Ravenous for ALL of these..Le Sigh
Very useful, thanks Christine! I need Mac Treat Me Nice in my life! And maybe even Stila Curacao. 🙂
Thanks for the swatches! I can’t believe how similar some of these are to each other. I think I wanna grab Stila Royal and Illamasqua Alchemy~
I want all the MUFE aqua liners, all of them!!!!!!
Thank you for this great, valuable post. This one must have taken a long time to research and photograph.
I agree with Reena, the MAC ones are more pigmented, followed closely by MUFE. I guess that’s why deep down I do love MAC LOL
hey Christine, is there any difference in formula between the brands? I know you’ve mentioned before that they feel the same. Specifically, I’m wondering whether they all do that weird flake off thing when you try to remove them. I love liquid eyeliner, but waking up to a face covered in flecks of eyeliner (that refuse to move) is something I could do without… (and I’ve tried several makeup removers, with no luck)
Yes, they all flake off when you remove them.
Thank you! What an unexpected treat. I’m
loving the MAC
Treat me Nice & Signature Blue as well as Defiantly Feline. Thanks for taking the time to due these – what a holiday treat.
They all look SO delicious!
Are the MAC as long wearing as the MUFE ones?
They all wear the same on me – you can read the reviews for details 🙂
Thanks for doing this Christine! =D
Now i really have to get MUFE #11. It’s just so unique…
I’ll take the brush on the mufe liners over the other brands any day. I gave away my mac liners because mufe is much more sturdy and I prefer the formula.
Thanks for posting these 🙂
Makeup Forever #11 = *DROOL*
Oh! Mac Signature Blue is so pretty.
Christine, do you prefer the Stila eyeliners or the MUFE ones overall?
I prefer the applicator for MUFE.
Ha, the photo with 2 greens and 2 turquoises look exactly the same. Defiantly Feline, Desires & Devices, and MUFEs 6, 8, and 11 are on my wishlist now…
Must… not…buy…Too…much…pretty…can’t…handle… OMG! MUFE FTW!
I just had read an article on line last night about the ‘best’ liquid eyeliners! No swatches however and it had a major bias. I ‘thought’ from reading it, I would check out Stila next time I was close to a Sephora. Thanks so very much for these swatches. Curious what liquid liner you wear Christine when you reach for one? I thought you had used a liquid one in some of the full eye shots done here. I want to start with a nice black. Been scared of these since trying a cheap grocery store one about 10 yrs ago.
On the black swatches, there are 4 listed, but 5 swatches. Is one duped or is a label missing?
Illamasqua Abyss, MAC On the Hunt, MUFE #13, Stila Sequins, MAC Marked for Glamour
loving the green liners!! <3 <3
The exact comparison I hoped ! Thanks a lot Christine !
Christine- I have a comment about the MAC Superslick liners. I purchased On The Hunt and as I used it I found that a lot of the product would dry on the rim of the container and inside the applicator/lid to the point where it would not close completely. I also feel like I lost a lot of product this way as well because after about 2 months of scarce use the formula was no longer opaque and very watery. Just thought you/other readers should know since I was very disappointed with my purchase!
Mine are all fine still – and I think mine are from August? But definitely no dry product or change in consistency!
lara, mine also got watery. And it was On The Hunt like yours. I also have Smokey Heir and Marked for Glamour and they have not changed in consistency. I bought them this past winter.
eww..MUFE #11 turned out to be too reddish D:
LOVEEEE IT! <3