Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic ($21.00 for 0.049 oz.) is supposed to be an “eyeshadow pencil [that] glides on and stays put.” It’s supposed to be “unbelievably blendable” without transferring, while it is also “highly-pigmented, waterproof, smudge-free … [and has] intense color payoff.” These are very, very stiff to work with; they apply so-so with minor tugging on the lids but look uneven at a close range and have a drier consistency that makes them extremely difficult to blend and get even, smooth color coverage. I expected that they’d be long-wearing, since they seemed to stay put from the get-go, but some shades creased within six hours (noted below). I was really disappointed in the way these felt, applied, and wore. The only upside is they’re a twist-up pencil with an included sharpener, so at least there is less waste. I have three other shades to review, so expect part two soon.

Make Up For Ever I-20 Aqua Matic ($21.00 for 0.049 oz.) is described as an “iridescent turquoise.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark blue-teal with a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single stroke, and when I tried to layer it, the color was mostly opaque. The consistency was somewhat smooth but did noticeably tug on the eyelid during application. This shade lasted for seven hours on me before creasing. Urban Decay Fringe (P) is a powder. Too Faced Sequin (LE, $16.00) is darker, greener, powder. Fyrinnae Sleepy Hollow (P, $8.25) is a powder. Fyrinnae Sleepy Hollow (P, $6.80) is a powder. Disney by Sephora Caspian Sea (LE) is lighter, powder. theBalm Open to Offers Olwen (LE, $16.00) is bluer, powder. Urban Decay Deep End (P, $18.00) is bluer, powder. MAC Cool Heat (LE, $15.00) is less shimmery, powder. Make Up For Ever #83 (P, $20.00) is brighter, powder. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Make Up For Ever I-22 Aqua Matic ($21.00 for 0.049 oz.) is described as an “iridescent electric blue.” It’s a medium-dark, brightened blue with a soft sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in a single pass, and it was buildable to mostly opaque color coverage. This shade creased after six hours on me, and it faded within six hours when I tried to wear it as an eyeliner as well. It was difficult to blend and apply. Dior Rivage #5 (LE) is darker, cooler-toned. CoverGirl Sapphire Flare (315) (LE, $4.99) is lighter, powder. Urban Decay Radium (P, $18.00) is powder. NYX Kiss in Casablanca (P, $4.50) is powder, more muted. Buxom Bulldog (P, $18.00) is more muted. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Make Up For Ever I-30 Aqua Matic ($21.00 for 0.049 oz.) is described as an “iridescent lime green.” It’s a brightened, chartreuse with strong, yellow leanings and a pearly sheen. It had semi-sheer pigmentation in a single stroke, and it was buildable to semi-opaque color coverage but wasn’t fully opaque. This shade creased on me after six hours of wear. This one had a slightly more blendable texture compared to the previous two, but it wasn’t great. NARS Tropical Princess #1 (LE, $24.00) is greener, more muted, powder. MAC Chartreuse Bouquet (LE, $21.00) is powder. NARS Rated R #1 (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, powder. MAC Brilliantly Lit (LE, $18.50) is yellower. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Make Up For Ever I-90 Aqua Matic ($21.00 for 0.049 oz.) is described as an “iridescent pop purple.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toened plummy purple with soft shimmer. It was sheer when applied in a single pass, and it was buildable to almost semi-opaque coverage, but it was noticeably uneven and almost splotchy at times. The consistency was about as blendable as I-30 but still frustrating to work with. This shade lasted for almost seven hours on me before creasing. MAC Violet Impact (LE, $15.00) is a powder, lighter. NYX Violetta (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, powder. NARS Trash (LE, $24.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Make Up For Ever I-20 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-20 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-20 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-22 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-22 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-22 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-30 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-30 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-30 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-90 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-90 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-90 Aqua Matic

Make Up For Ever I-30 and I-22 Aqua Matics