Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is supposed to be a “long-wearing,” “waterproof” pencil eyeliner (requires sharpening) with “one swipe color” that will not tug or skip. There is a fair amount of variance between shades with respect to color payoff, texture, wear, and application. They do not, personally, wear well at all on the waterline for me–three to four hours at most and darker shades can get really messy whenever I attempted wearing them on the waterline (they are supposed to “work great in the waterline”). They wear better on the lower lash line, which is about eight hours on average with faint thinning/migration to the outer corner. A lot of the color is intact, and the colors didn’t fade. I found them harder to remove and had to use more makeup remover (on a cotton swab) than average to get them off. I found the texture to be waxier than the prior Aqua Eyes formula for most shades. They were waterproof with respect to actual water, like I could take a shower and not have a smeary mess at the end. I would use some shades again, but it wouldn’t be the first formula I reached for–for me, they’re just not nearly long-wearing or pigmented enough to merit the extra effort for removal.

I’m not sure if it was just my bad luck, but almost every shade’s tip broke off when swatching, which is unusual (usually if I break one, I can fix the pressure to avoid doing so 10 more times!), though I didn’t have any issues with the tips breaking off when applying to my lash line.

Make Up For Ever M22 Matte Majorelle Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark blue with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque coverage in one stroke, which was buildable to semi-opaque coverage, but it was never fully opaque due to the waxier consistency that seemed to prevent color from building up fully. It didn’t drag or tug on the lash line, and this shade lasted for eight hours on the lower lash line. L'Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) (P, $8.99) is brighter (95% similar). Ardency Inn Dark Blue (P, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). Sephora Sea If I Care (P, $14.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Flourish Me Bold (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sephora My Boyfriend's Jeans (29) (P, $11.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sephora My Boyfriend's Jeans (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). NARS Ocean Drive (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). KVD Beauty Poe (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Out of the Blue (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Floater (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Push (P, $22.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Sea About It (P, $22.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). NARS Most Wanted (LE, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar). About Face Sadgrl (P, $13.00) is lighter (85% similar). Sephora Cobalt Matte (P, $13.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Urban Decay Chaos (P, $22.00) is lighter (80% similar). Lancome Cote d'Azur (P, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). MAC Royal Wink (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever S20 Satiny Navy Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dark, navy blue with cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had medium coverage in one pass, which was buildable to full opacity with two to three layers. The texture was moderately waxy, glided along the lash line without tugging, and lasted for eight hours on me. MAC Deep Blue Sea (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #3L (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Surfer Babe (DC, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Siahi (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Hyacinth (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever I24 Iridescent Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark blue with cooler undertones and a pearly sheen and very slight sparkle. It had semi-opaque coverage, which was buildable to opaque coverage in one pass. The texture was a little creamier and softer compared to some of the other shades, so it was easier to use and seemed to deposit color better. This shade wore well for eight hours. MAC Take the Plunge (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). bareMinerals True Blue (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). Gucci Beauty Iconic Ottanio (DC, $32.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Sephora Aqua Glitter (P, $13.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Cosmic Eternal (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). NARS Naxos (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Steel (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Abyss (DC, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Surfer Babe (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Intense Teal (946) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay The Night King (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Blue Me Over (P, $25.00) is lighter (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Santos (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Abbey Road (P, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Radium (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M26 Matte Pastel Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, light-medium sky blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque coverage. The texture was a bit waxier, so it was comfortable to use, but it didn’t deposit color as evenly or as opaquely as marketed. This shade lasted for seven and a half hours. Urban Decay Electric (DC, $22.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Big Splash (LE, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Lady Lagoon (P, $22.00) is darker (80% similar). Fenty Beauty Hot Tub Club (LE, ) is darker (80% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Mint (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Crystal Crush (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever I32 Iridescent Lagoon Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, bluish-teal with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen with slight sparkle. It had semi-opaque coverage in one stroke, which I was able to get to mostly opaque coverage with two to three passes. The texture was moderately waxy, glided on well with decent color deposited onto the lower lash line. It lasted for eight hours on me. Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy (DC, $15.00) is lighter (95% similar). Sephora Waterfall (47) (P, $11.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). MAC New Marine (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Ocean (DC, $9.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #52L (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Gemstoned (P, $24.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Vacancy (LE, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Deep End (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Electric Empire (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Moira Green (P, $5.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Waterfall (DC, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Colibri (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Overdrive (P, $22.00) is warmer (85% similar). Haus Labs Empire (P, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Ody(sea) (62) (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Junkie (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). MAC Blue Noon (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M30 Matte Pastel Green Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pop of medium aqua with subtle, warmer undertones and a creamy, matte finish. The consistency was creamier than it was waxy, though it still only had semi-sheer to mostly opaque coverage. When I would go back to try to build-up the color, some of it seemed to push around, rather than set, so I would recommend applying one layer, waiting a bit, and then going back to do a second layer. This shade wore well for eight hours on me. LA Girl Fresh (P, $4.49) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Zulu (P, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Zulu (P, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Stila Turquoise (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Haus Labs Sage Matte (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Mint (DC, $9.00) is warmer (85% similar). MAC The Last Word (P, $23.00) is darker (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Hot Tub Club (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Ice Breaker (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Aux (P, $15.50) is darker, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop Big Splash (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Mint (P, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever I34 Iridescent Pop Green Aqua XL Eye Pencil ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, grassy green with warm undertones and a subtle sheen. It had semi-opaque coverage in one pass, which was buildable to opaque coverage after two to three passes. The texture was waxy but didn’t seem to lift color when I went over the same area twice. It wore well for eight hours on my lower lash line. NARS Puerta del Sol (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Indulge Yourself (22) (DC, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Sassy Moss (DC, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Canopy (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Mare-Chiaro (938) (LE, $34.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Haus Labs Grime (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Sephora Caipirinha Dreamin' (LE, $10.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M22 Matte Majorelle Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M22 Matte Majorelle Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M22 Matte Majorelle Blue Aqua XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever S20 Satiny Navy Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever S20 Satiny Navy Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever S20 Satiny Navy Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I24 Iridescent Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I24 Iridescent Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I24 Iridescent Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M26 Matte Pastel Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M26 Matte Pastel Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M26 Matte Pastel Blue XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I32 Iridescent Lagoon Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I32 Iridescent Lagoon Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I32 Iridescent Lagoon Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M30 Matte Pastel Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M30 Matte Pastel Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever M30 Matte Pastel Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I34 Iridescent Pop Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I34 Iridescent Pop Green XL Eye Pencil

Make Up For Ever I34 Iridescent Pop Green XL Eye Pencil