Marc Jacobs Beauty Spring 2021 Highliners Reviews & Swatches
Blacquer Coffee
Marc Jacobs Beauty Blacquer Coffee Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a deep, taupe-brown with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which built up somewhat with overlapping, shorter strokes during application, but it was waxier and wasn’t as pigmented nor as easy to apply evenly as I’ve experienced with the formula previously. It stayed on well for nine hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics Spliff (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Lancome Pluie (P, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Darkness of Calm (LE, $17.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Haight-Ashbury (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Lowlights (P, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Mole Brown (LE, $16.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Last Frontier (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Moody (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty (Iron)y (P, $25.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.01 oz. - $2500.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with “12-hour longwear” with a “bold matte finish” that is supposed to be waterproof and “well-suited” for the waterline. The majority of the shades are very pigmented with mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single pass, while the texture is creamy but dries down within ten to fifteen seconds.
They wear shorter on the waterline (six to nine hours) and longer on the lower lash line (nine to twelve hours). The formula is fantastic for lining, but the one thing that makes me hesitate is that the past iterations of the liners have dried out in as little as one year (with some lasting two years or longer), though I have noticed the more shimmery shades are first to dry out.
Browse all of our Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon swatches.
Ingredients
Blacquer Coffee
PPermanent. $25.00.
Blacquer Currant
Marc Jacobs Beauty Blacquer Currant Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a muted, darker plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had medium pigmentation, which was difficult to build up as the product pushed itself around rather than layered evenly. The texture felt waxier with a little more slip than past shades have for me in this formula. The color lasted for eight hours before fading noticeably, which was shorter than usual for this formula as well.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Haus Labs Amethyst Matte (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Sangria (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Cassis (83) (P, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Mesmerising Maroon (Matte) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Bordeauxline (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Charme (887) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Looking Good (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Purp-a-trader (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M80 Matte Plum (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Sephora Eggplant Matte (P, $13.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.01 oz. - $2500.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with “12-hour longwear” with a “bold matte finish” that is supposed to be waterproof and “well-suited” for the waterline. The majority of the shades are very pigmented with mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single pass, while the texture is creamy but dries down within ten to fifteen seconds.
They wear shorter on the waterline (six to nine hours) and longer on the lower lash line (nine to twelve hours). The formula is fantastic for lining, but the one thing that makes me hesitate is that the past iterations of the liners have dried out in as little as one year (with some lasting two years or longer), though I have noticed the more shimmery shades are first to dry out.
Browse all of our Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon swatches.
Ingredients
Blacquer Currant
PPermanent. $25.00.
Blacquer Emerald
Marc Jacobs Beauty Blacquer Emerald Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a blackened teal with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation, which I was able to build up to semi-opaque coverage with shorter, more overlapping strokes, but I had to use a lot more passes than I’d expect based on my experience with this formula! The consistency was comfortable to work with, as it glided across my lash line easily, though it felt waxier than usual. There were signs of fading present after nine hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Fast Lane (P, $7.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Street (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Christian Louboutin Beaute Deep Teal (P, $40.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Grafton Street (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fast Lane (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Shade (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Baller (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Street (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Fortuna (P, $19.00).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.01 oz. - $2500.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with “12-hour longwear” with a “bold matte finish” that is supposed to be waterproof and “well-suited” for the waterline. The majority of the shades are very pigmented with mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single pass, while the texture is creamy but dries down within ten to fifteen seconds.
They wear shorter on the waterline (six to nine hours) and longer on the lower lash line (nine to twelve hours). The formula is fantastic for lining, but the one thing that makes me hesitate is that the past iterations of the liners have dried out in as little as one year (with some lasting two years or longer), though I have noticed the more shimmery shades are first to dry out.
Browse all of our Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon swatches.
Ingredients
Wow – another brand that has slipped their standards. Once upon a time MJ’s eye pencils were the gold standard. I remember that beautiful peridot one that you use to wear Christine, it was so beautiful. These are pretty average and not worth the price.
This makes me very sad as Marc Jacobs Highliners are my go to liners. I don’t use many colors or very often and tend to use them for waterline and lower lashline only. The colors are so pretty too. Oh well.
Whoa. I was not expecting this. I’d expect more from Marc Jacobs. Yikes!
At the price of these liners, C ratings (even B ones) are unacceptable. I used to love the Highliners until all of them dried out so quickly (6 months, maybe) and so totally that they became virtually unusable. I learned 2 lessons – “don’t save them for special occasions” and also “don’t waste my money on them”.
Yes! Mine dried out so quickly too! What are your go-to’s now?
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one, Julie. For the price, I don’t think you can beat the Sephora ones (the ones that need sharpening, though the twist up ones are pretty nice too) and I do like the few I have from NARS and UD (though both can be tricky – some of them smudge quite badly).
I haven’t tried the Sephora ones! We are kinda limited in Australia and for some reason they don’t replenish the UD ones often and I really like them. Maybe there is issues with shipments since 2020…
I didn’t realize you were in Australia (I’ve got Men at Work going through my head now!). I think there are supply chain/restocking issues in many places (I was at the drugstore today and they were sold out of almost everything I wanted, from Lancome mascara to the Gummie vitamins I prefer). The other problem with the Sephora ones is they keep discontinuing some of their BEST shades with little to no warning. But Cappuccino is my every day liner. It does have some bronzey/gold shimmer but it’s a wonderful dark brown.
Not only are the colours entirely uninspiring for me, but the quality. Good grief.
WTH happened to their once fantastic formula? These are awful. I can get better with Nyx Epic pencils!