Hellooooo, freckles and dark circles! The bare-faced/no makeup action in some of the pics below was necessary to demonstrate the waterproof-ness of the new 1.5 MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner in Obsidian by Hourglass ($45 for a pack of three).
Here’s from last weekend, before and after a 7-mile run. I’m wearing Obsidian on my lash and water lines.
Please ignore the haphazard lining, LOL! I wasn’t heavily invested in precision, although the skinny 1.5 MM twist-up tip definitely allows for it. I’ve really been loving it for getting between the roots of my lashes and for doing precision work in the inner corners (like in that pic at the top).
After seven miles, buckets of sweat, and one complete run through MJ’s Xscape album, Obsidian looked great. With the exception of some very minor transferring to my lower lash lines, I didn’t see any movement up into my crease, any creasing or smudging — basically, no malarky.
Then, I jumped into the shower while still wearing the liner and took this pic after.
There’s a smidgen more smudging on the right lower lash line…but considering that I was covered in sweat for 90 minutes, and then stood under a deluge of water, that’s pretty impressive.
Waterproof? Hells, yeah. No doubt about it.
A couple things I notice… For the best results and most potent waterproof power with this liner, first, before applying it, my skin has to be completely dry, not damp at all from primers or skin care products. Any moisture at all, and the liner smudges and/or smears.
Same goes for my water lines. I run a Q-tip gently along them to clean up any moisture beforehand.
Second, if you plan to apply multiple liner layers (which you may not feel you need because the gel formula is super dark and pigmented), wait a minute or so for each layer to completely dry and settle before going in for more.
The box comes with three inky black pencils for $45. Each one should give you 17-20 uses, and the soft gel formula doesn’t have any blue or green undertones.
“Two clicks will dispense enough gel formula to line the eye. Only dispense product as needed – mechanical pencil does not retract. Replace cap after each usage to prevent drying. Remove with a waterproof makeup remover.”
I highly recommend these for ultra-thin, precise tight lining along the lash and water lines or for small, precise flicks and wings in the inner and outer corners, but NOT for thick, fatty-bo-batty cat liner looks, because you’d blow through all three of them quickly.
PRICE: $45 for a pack of three pencils
AVAILABILITY: Permanent, and available now at Hourglass counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I like the idea of this pencil, I wish it came in other colors, like brown. Black is usually too harsh for me.
Consider me impressed! *scrolls back to check those before and after pics again*
Yep. Very very impressed!
Ohhhhhh I am going to sooooo try this out soon! 😀
Wow, this liner looks fierce on you, Karen! Definitely impressive staying power too. I still can’t get over the fact that it has so few uses per pencil though :(.
I managed to lay my hands on a packet with the help of a friend. I’m wearing it for the second time today, and COLOR ME IMPRESSED! I always thought nothing would really be as good as gel liner, but Hourglass has proven me wrong! I love everything about this liner except for the price tag! With 2 clicks, I have barely enough to do one eye (although I probably wear more eyeliner than an average person). I’ll have to reserve this for trips or special occasions. Other than that, nothing I can nitpick! <3 Hourglass forever!
Holy cow!
I’m both excited and terrified.
I have a feeling this is happening the next time I’m in SpaceUK (only folks that store hourglass in Ireland) and it’s getting picked up with a new cleanser.
My Philosophy one is struggling slightly with the Inglot gel liner (LOVE) already – will be no match for this!
However, as someone who gets UD’s 24/7 pencils leak down all over my face in three hours of doing nothing, I think you just enlightened me! Thank you!
Your skin is so beautiful!! I just love freckles lol. They’re so cute! These eyeliners seem to be pretty impressive though. I couldn’t even survive a 7 mile run LOL. You and the liners are awesome!
Wow, a workout and a shower? So super impressive! Love that dramatic liner on you and thanks for putting it through such a thorough test 🙂
Wow! That is some serious wear time right there! 😀
Oh glad to hear a great review! Mine is arriving in the mail today!
That wear time is awesome!
Love your before and after pics 🙂 AND the last one with your lower lining technique. I need to give it a try! I’m with you on removing moisture from waterlines before applying eyeliner. It makes all the difference! I’ve been meaning to find a way to get between my upper lashes better. HG Obsidian looks like a winner!
This. This is amazing. So are you, looking gorge after training for a half marathon. If only I could get myself to run more than a mile 🙁
Now that is some serious wear time! Looks so wonderfully pigmented and dark intense blacker than black!
Wow! That’s super impressive! Must get my hands on a box of these soon!
Fabulous “torture test” of that gel liner! Hourglass rocks. Wish my old knees and hamstrings could still do 7.25 miles, but I’ve gotta be satisfied with 2 after 30 years of running. You go girl!
I hope Hourglass pay you for this editorial because I’m convinced that I need one. Thank you, Karen!!!!!
Color me majorly impressed – and the liner held up well, too! Well done on the run; that’s double my daily dose. And good luck at the half marathon. You’re going to do great!!! 🙂
Looks great, but not in my budget… I just won’t pay that much for eyeliner…
You look very cute and charming with freckles and dark circles!
Wow, look at that hold! Ditto what Agata said, would love to see these in softer colors too.
So glad this liner is doing well! I wish they’d put a little more in the tube, as it were, but as a lover of mechanical pencils in general, I’m really happy to see that it’s holding its own! 😀
You look amazing with this liner look.
It looks super dark – love the pigmentation!
These gel liners surely are hot stuff and it is a wonder that they stayed on after such tasks! I think the price tag is pricey, but in the end you get three high quality gel liners that are precise and totally worth it.
You look WOW in the last pic!! The pigmentation of the liner is super good and great that it is waterproof!
Thanks for putting the liner through the test! Can’t wait to see how it holds up for the entire run… I’ll be out there too for the event, so if you happen to test it while doing 13.5 beforehand, let a sister know please 🙂