Archived Post

MAC Grey Tide, Groundbreaker, Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liners Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Modern Twist Kajal Liner ($17.00 for 0.01 oz.) is supposed to be an “easy-glide formula” with a “soft texture that’s perfect for rimming the sensitive waterline” that has “colour intensity and extreme depth” in a “long-wearing waterproof formula.” It’s a slim, twist-up eyeliner thas has light slip–not enough to slide around too easily but enough not to tug–with semi-opaque to mostly opaque coverage in one stroke. They felt creamier rather than waxy to me. On me, the formula wore between six and nine hours on me before noticeably thinning. None of them lasted for more than a few hours on the waterline, and some shades applied better/worse on the waterline. Some shades flaked while they wore, between four and six hours in (noted by the shade). The new formula launches on February 25th online and in-stores March 3rd.

Grey Tide ($17.00 for 0.01 oz.) is described as a “platinum.” It’s a medium, taupe brown with warm undertones and a sparkly, silver sheen. This was the most sparkly of the range. It had semi-opaque coverage in a single stroke that was buildable to mostly opaque coverage but was always a little sheer in places. The consistency was lightly creamy without smudging easily nor dragging or tugging the skin. It lasted for four hours on the waterline (and it was a little irritating when I tried it that way), and it lasted for eight hours on the lower lash line.
Urban Decay Pistol (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Later, Crater (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Zoeva Nude Reflection (P, $7.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Mushroom (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Quarzo (2) (LE, $34.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Chanel Perle de Lune (916) (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Pewter Please (110) (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Chanel Revelation (897) (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Groundbreaker ($17.00 for 0.01 oz.) is described as a “warm, rich bronzy brown.” It’s a dark, red-toned brown with fine bronze and copper shimmer. It had semi-sheer coverage in one pass, which was buildable to semi-opaque coverage with two to three layers. The consistency was a little drier than other shades, though it didn’t tug (it felt and applied better than it looks swatched!) and set quickly. It didn’t last long on the waterline–four hours–but stayed on the lower lash line for eight hours. ColourPop Overboard (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Rum (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Broque (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Our Secret (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Lost Girl (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Brun Agape (943) (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Eternal Bronze (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Amber Moon (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Cocoa (DC, $10.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Haus Labs Statuesque (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). LA Girl Brown Sugar (P, $4.49) is cooler (90% similar). Zoeva Glance (P, $7.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Bourbon (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Overboard (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Mulholland Drive (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Hustle (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Puppy Eyez (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Groundbreaker (LE, $7.00) is cooler (85% similar). Sephora Cocoa (14) (P, $11.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop Lightsaber (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Long Espresso ($17.00 for 0.01 oz.) is described as an “espresso brown.” It’s a dark brown with slight, warmer tones (but not strongly warm-toned) and a matte finish. This was one of the more matte shades in the range. The texture looked drier than it felt, which isn’t usually how it goes, but ultimately it’s a good thing as it doesn’t tug on the lash line. It wore for five hours on the waterline and eight hours on the lower lash line. ColourPop Stomper (P, $7.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solaris (Shade) (LE, ) is darker, brighter (95% similar). Buxom Here's My Number (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Moira Dark Brown (P, $5.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Burberry Chestnut Brown No. 02 (P, $29.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Stubborn Brown (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Brew Haha (P, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Chocolate (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). Christian Louboutin Beaute Zoulou (P, $40.00) is darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Express-Oh! (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Diving in Malaysia (18) (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Brown Matte (P, $13.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Stew (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Lush (P, $20.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Coffee (PiP, $21.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). MAC Coco Bar (P, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Wayne Goss Rich Hazel (P, $14.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Mole Brown (LE, $16.00) is cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Stag (LE, $22.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty (Earth)quake (P, $25.00) is darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC  Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC  Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Grey Tide Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Groundbreaker Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner

MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner
MAC Long Espresso Modern Twist Kajal Liner

32 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Katherine T. Avatar

Well, I can skip this whole line. I’ve found far better eye liners for a lot less that last forever +17 hrs on my oily lids ( BM Round the Clock, Sephora Contour Matte Gel, Prestige Total Intensity, BH Cosmetics Party Girl Waterproof Gel, Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Roll ), although none have lasted very long on my wet waterline…..someday, someday

Nicole Avatar

I wish I could wear Charlottle Tilbury’s Rock n Kohl on my waterline. They are gorgeous. But, they are probably the only liner that make my eyes burn and tear like crazy ( beside MAC Pearlglide) . I envy you for that. What does BH stand for?

Katherine T. Avatar

I’m not sure what BH stands for, but the company is called BH Cosmetics, and I have their Waterproof Party Girl eyeliners in 5 colors, all except the green. They last like iron on my oily lids (7AM- 11 PM bedtime), need to take off with waterproof makeup remover, and they have subtle sparkle, very brightening for eyes. Only $8 each and they have 50% off sales or BOGO all the time. But since they have some glitter/sparkle, not sure if good for waterline. Their Carli Bybel shadow/highlighter palette also got rave reviews, always sold out, but I haven’t tried it yet. If you’re interested, you can order online thru website.

Christine Avatar

If you don’t expect to wear it on the waterline, they’re okay – but there are better formulas out there, including drugstore liners (though some of the shades are easier/harder to find at lower price points!). Grey Tide was surprisingly similar to Zoeva’s Nude Reflection!

Joy Avatar

Thank you! I do like the colors but own so many liners. If shades have any similarity I’m happy! Lionfish looks amazing on you! (KaePop pic) Quoting Nancy, Dayum. Grey Tide would be cheaper than ZOEVA! The reddish plum ZOEVA is so pretty too. They look unique to my eye. Would you say they’re unique enough to warrant an order?

Christine Avatar

I don’t think two are worth the $16 flat rate shipping, IMO. I am also not certain that the Zoeva reddish shade is eye safe here in the U.S. (that’s mostly a FYI, do with it what works for you, as obviously it is A-OK elsewhere!).

If Sephora’s eyeliners work for you, Sephora Flirting Game usually keeps my taupe needs at bay, even though Nude Reflection is lovely.

Christine Avatar

Yeah, I’m not sure – it is one of the more sparkly shades (most aren’t sparkly), but they were specific about using the formula on the waterline. I didn’t notice any inserts in my boxes, but mine were press samples so there might be an insert on some shades for final packaging if they aren’t all waterline-safe. I like them as a standard pencil eyeliner, but they aren’t spectacular on the waterline!

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

Not good. MAC seems like it gets more low and mediocre grades than most makeup companies. I’ve never actually used this brand though I know ppl who will use nothing else.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!