Sephora Chocolate Brown, Forest Green, Navy, Plum Shimmer Ultimate Gel Eyeliners Reviews & Swatches
Chocolate Brown Shimmer
Sephora Chocolate Brown Shimmer Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($13.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in one layer, which was buildable to opaque coverage that was fairly even. The consistency was smooth, lightly creamy without being too thick or too emollient. It lasted well for eight hours before thinning noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Roach (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Skip the Waitlist (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rum (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Double Life (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Brun Agape (943) (P, $34.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Bourbon (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Haus Labs Statuesque (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Moira Brown (P, $5.00) is less shimmery (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty (Brown)ie (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Snakebite (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$13.00/0.01 oz. - $1300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-lasting" and "waterproof" with color that "wont smudge, flake, or crack" with "one-stroke application without skipping" that delivers "vibrant color." Well, those are the kind of claims you'd expect for a top tier eyeliner formula, but these are definitely more like two strokes--or overlapping strokes--to get more semi-opaque to opaque color. Some shades layered better than others; the "glitter" finish was the worst-performing--sheerer and less readily built up.
The texture was barely creamy but on the stiffer side, particularly with some of the lighter mattes, which I noticed were more prone to snapping off at the tip. These don't contain much product, which is consistent and typical for twist-up eyeliners, so that's not ideal as there isn't a whole lot of product to waste! They tended not to tug noticeably on my lower lash line, but they didn't have as much as glide as more eyeliners have these days (which some may prefer!).
They wore decently; they were relatively waterproof and lasted between eight and nine hours on average. I didn't have issues with smudging or flaking.
Browse all of our Sephora Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trisiloxane, Mica, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, CI 77510 (Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 77266 (Black 2) [nano], Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Chocolate Brown Shimmer
PPermanent. $13.00.
Forest Green Shimmer
Sephora Forest Green Shimmer Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($13.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a soft, medium-dark olive green with muted, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had medium pigmentation, which was fairly buildable, but there was some underlying unevenness due to the slightly stiffer texture. It wore well for eight hours before thinning visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Mildew (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Haus Labs Olive Shimmer (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora T-Rex (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Mossy Green (LE, $16.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Khaki Intense (951) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Idyllic (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Haus Labs Onyx Gold Shimmer (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Sephora T-Rex (46) (P, $11.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Green Lights (Metallic) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Stash (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$13.00/0.01 oz. - $1300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-lasting" and "waterproof" with color that "wont smudge, flake, or crack" with "one-stroke application without skipping" that delivers "vibrant color." Well, those are the kind of claims you'd expect for a top tier eyeliner formula, but these are definitely more like two strokes--or overlapping strokes--to get more semi-opaque to opaque color. Some shades layered better than others; the "glitter" finish was the worst-performing--sheerer and less readily built up.
The texture was barely creamy but on the stiffer side, particularly with some of the lighter mattes, which I noticed were more prone to snapping off at the tip. These don't contain much product, which is consistent and typical for twist-up eyeliners, so that's not ideal as there isn't a whole lot of product to waste! They tended not to tug noticeably on my lower lash line, but they didn't have as much as glide as more eyeliners have these days (which some may prefer!).
They wore decently; they were relatively waterproof and lasted between eight and nine hours on average. I didn't have issues with smudging or flaking.
Browse all of our Sephora Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trisiloxane, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Dimethicone, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Polyethylene, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77510 (Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, CI 77000 (Aluminum Powder), Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Forest Green Shimmer
PPermanent. $13.00.
Navy Shimmer
Sephora Navy Shimmer Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($13.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a deep blue with strong, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was lightly emollient, so it did not tug, but it deposited only semi-sheer coverage in one layer, so I had to build it up. The product was slightly uneven in coverage when built up, though hardly noticeable in practice. This shade stayed on decently for eight hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Push (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Ocean Liner (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Darklight (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Spectre (LE, $15.50) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Bionic Bae (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Navy or Die (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Over(night) (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Park Avenue (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Maybelline Striking Navy (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Sabbath (DC, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$13.00/0.01 oz. - $1300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-lasting" and "waterproof" with color that "wont smudge, flake, or crack" with "one-stroke application without skipping" that delivers "vibrant color." Well, those are the kind of claims you'd expect for a top tier eyeliner formula, but these are definitely more like two strokes--or overlapping strokes--to get more semi-opaque to opaque color. Some shades layered better than others; the "glitter" finish was the worst-performing--sheerer and less readily built up.
The texture was barely creamy but on the stiffer side, particularly with some of the lighter mattes, which I noticed were more prone to snapping off at the tip. These don't contain much product, which is consistent and typical for twist-up eyeliners, so that's not ideal as there isn't a whole lot of product to waste! They tended not to tug noticeably on my lower lash line, but they didn't have as much as glide as more eyeliners have these days (which some may prefer!).
They wore decently; they were relatively waterproof and lasted between eight and nine hours on average. I didn't have issues with smudging or flaking.
Browse all of our Sephora Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trisiloxane, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Mica, CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Silica, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77510 (Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Talc, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C20-24 Olefin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide, CI 77000 (Aluminum Powder), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Navy Shimmer
PPermanent. $13.00.
Plum Shimmer
Sephora Plum Shimmer Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($13.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish-plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation, which was buildable to semi-opaque coverage, but the issue was the color layered unevenly, though that was never quite as apparent in practice as the swatch implied. The texture was lightly emollient, thin, and quick to set to a budge-proof finish. It lasted well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Broadway (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Love Drug (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Cherry Amour (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Purple Stuff (P, $22.00).
Formula Overview
$13.00/0.01 oz. - $1300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-lasting" and "waterproof" with color that "wont smudge, flake, or crack" with "one-stroke application without skipping" that delivers "vibrant color." Well, those are the kind of claims you'd expect for a top tier eyeliner formula, but these are definitely more like two strokes--or overlapping strokes--to get more semi-opaque to opaque color. Some shades layered better than others; the "glitter" finish was the worst-performing--sheerer and less readily built up.
The texture was barely creamy but on the stiffer side, particularly with some of the lighter mattes, which I noticed were more prone to snapping off at the tip. These don't contain much product, which is consistent and typical for twist-up eyeliners, so that's not ideal as there isn't a whole lot of product to waste! They tended not to tug noticeably on my lower lash line, but they didn't have as much as glide as more eyeliners have these days (which some may prefer!).
They wore decently; they were relatively waterproof and lasted between eight and nine hours on average. I didn't have issues with smudging or flaking.
Browse all of our Sephora Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trisiloxane, Mica, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 75470 (Carmine), Silica, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, CI 77510 (Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Talc, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C20-24 Olefin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
While I really like the tone of Chocolate Brown Shimmer, there are so many far higher quality dupes for it out there.
The other shades reviewed? Hard pass!
Not as good as the originals are they? I do like the brown shimmer – that seems to be the best of the bunch. The olive green shade was disappointing – even in the swatch it looked stiff and dry – not much of a shimmer either. The others were just plain disappointing.
So MAC, Sephora, and Colourpop all used the same factory and got the same quality products, huh?