Chances are good that if you’ve rolled up to your favorite MAC counter lately (shout-out to the Corte Madera counter at Nordies, woo-hoo!), you probably passed the Studio Chromagraphic Pencils without bringing one home.
Honestly, I don’t blame you, because if I didn’t know about them, I’d probably skip ’em too. On paper, they appear quite boring.
Only they’re not. At all. They’re actually really handy. In a nutshell, they’re creamy, flesh-colored eyeliners…which does sound pretty lame, right?
But I keep one of these $16 wonders in my makeup bag at all times and always bring one with me on trips. I use them all the time, really, in so many different ways.
They’re awesome along the water line, especially if you look a little tired, or you’ve been crying because your hormones are raging out of control, or you get super weepy when the vet says that your plus-size tabby is “a very special cat.” *sniffs.*
My water lines get irritated and red whenever I’m exhausted or after I’ve been crying, and those are times when I like to apply a couple layers of Chromagraphic Pencil on them. Then I’ll load up my lashes with mascara and do a bright lip.
Boom! Suddenly I look less emo and less likely to have a spontaneous crying fit.
And they don’t just elevate water lines. They’re also great for lazy brow phases, which I go through from time to time. Like, if you haven’t plucked or waxed in a while, just draw a line with a Chromagraphic Pencil under your brows, and smudge it out with a 239 to instantly take your brows from tragic to triumphant.
No, really! The Chromagraphic Pencils help to hide any stray hairs so that your lower arch looks smoother and less choppy, also known as “less janky.” I used one pretty much daily a couple years back when I grew out my brows.
How about lip liner? Can you use ’em for that?
Why, yes. 🙂 Like, if you’re wearing an intense red or bright pink lipstick and you want to clean up the edges, just outline your lip around your natural lip line with a Chromographic after you apply your lipstick, and then blend out the edges with a brush (I like using a stiff concealer brush for this).
They even work as improv face highlighters! In these pics, I drew a line down the center of my nose and blended it in with a MAC 217. Then I worked my Chromagraphic Pencil into the same 217’s bristles by running it across the pencil tip, then buffed the product into the inner corners of my eyes.
Seriously, so bomb, and so versatile. They’re $16 each and come in just three shades — NC15/NW20, NW25/NC30 and NC42/NW35. The names are uninspiring, I know, and they make them sound like duos, but they’re individual liners.
Get on it, girl! These are awesome, and you can find them now at the MAC counter in the permanent collection and online.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Texture Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Saddle Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Riche Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Havana
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Chicory Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Smoked Almond Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Half ‘n Half Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Chili Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Coffee Eye Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Havana
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Foundation/Loose
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Giddy Lustre Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Amorous Alloy Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Texture Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Saddle Eyeshadow
- Unsung Heroes: MAC In Extra Dimension Waterproof Mascara
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Minted Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Take the Plunge Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 221 Mini Tapered Blending Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Oh My Mocha Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Lilacked
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: High Tea Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blooz Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Layin’ Low Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Constructivist Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Fix+
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Persistence Matte Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Riche Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Studio Chromagraphic Pencils
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Brun Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Reflects Antique Gold Glitter
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Style Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shaping Powder in Lightsweep
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Era Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bronze Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Honey Lust Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sun Rush Lustre Drops
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Nice Buzz Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 33 Lash
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shale Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Harmony Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Careblends Pressed Powder
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fulfilled Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboom Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sublime Nature Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Face and Body Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prunella Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The 239 Eye Shader Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Greensmoke Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ample Pink Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Indianwood Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bare Study Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Rubenesque Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tarnish Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Big Baby Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Kohl Power Pencil Liner in Feline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Format Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ambering Rose Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Silver Dusk
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze
- MAC Unsung Heroes: C-Thru Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fresh Flare Pro Longwear Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Loud & Lovely Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam VI Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Breezy Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Care Blends Essential Oils, Grapefruit + Chamomile
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Right Image Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Modesty Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Double Dare Cremesheen Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboo Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Speak Louder Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sandy B Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Club Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sweet Satisfaction Pro Longwear Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Red Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lady Danger Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tempting Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ruby Woo Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retrospeck Eyeshadow
I love flesh tone pencils, and I imagine that MAC’s are wonderful.
It is! Another good thing about it is it’s very creamy and non-drying. This time of year my waterlines go NUTS and this is one of a handful of pencils that I can wear.
Karen hello, excuse my English (I am Italian). I recently discovered your blog and wanted to say that I really like! For now I’m on the section enamels (my passion), and if I wanted to ask you what is your favorite top coat … if possible something that is in Europe, for example Seche Vite here in Italy is not seen. I am using Dior Abricot, great but a bit ‘expensive … Thank you and congratulations for your work 🙂
Hi Simona,
Grazie! It’s very nice to meet you. Let’s see, if you access to OPI they have a great one. Not sure if you are near a Sephora, but if you are, the Formula X one is EXCELLENT. You just have to be sure to keep the lid tight because it seems to dry out fast. On the higher end, I like Givenchy’s (very shiny and sturdy). If you need any other recs let me know! These are the ones that I’ve used consistently and liked.
Hello Karen! Thanks, you’re very kind. Yes fortunately in my town (Bologna), there are plenty of shops and I can find almost everything that is available in Europe, so next week I will go to Sephora and try what you have suggested. Thanks again, I’m really enjoying your site! You have a new followers from Europe 🙂
It’s nice that there’s more than one shade to choose from. I wish more companies would follow suit.
I love how flesh-toned lip pencils make my lip color pop! Currently I am using the NYX wonder pencil for that but would love to try these after I am done with it 🙂
Hi Komal,
Ah, that’s a good one!
I’ve wanted to try a flesh tone liner for a while to use along my lower lash line. I’m not sure if any of these three are NC50 brown girl friendly but I’m tempted to check them out. 🙂
Hi Kwmechelle,
I think you could do the mid-shade or the deep shade! As long as it is lighter beigey color the trick should work. 🙂
Well, that was easy enough! NW25 was right there for me.
I’ll bet this quiet little fleshie helps out during allergy season (as in early, as in now!) when the areas around the nostrils look over-rubbed and irritated (which they are).
And those blue (not unhappy but bloody blue) sides of the bridge of the nose by the inside corner of the eyes.
Tabs is a very special kitty. And he knows it!
Oh I’m getting early allergies too! Boo. What are you allergic to? I’m allergic to pretty much all nature in the spring.
Please give Bridget the Beagle and the barn kitties some lovin’ for me.
Ooh… I’m gonna have to get this as well. The things I learn from your blog!
Hi Windie,
I hope you like it. They’re very handy to have around… Heck, I bet you could even use it as an eyeshadow base in a pinch!
I have never tried these pencils but I love how versatile they seem to be.
Hi Agata,
Yes, gotta love a multi-purpose product!
You know, reading your post I just had this struck by lightening moment: of course there were more uses than just the waterline!!!
I was at the pro store last week and did not pick them up because the one I was looking for, the lightest, wasn’t there. Now I am kicking myself!
So thank you for the rec, next time I am grabbing them all!
You’re welcome, Tirurit! I hope it works out for you. Did you get anything at the Pro store?
I totally did! I had been told that the brush canisters were permanently sold out, so I was very lucky to get my hands on them, plus I got a couple blushes, Sculpt, some eyeshadows, a brush and face and body in white 😉
Would these work as detailed concealer pencils? I had one by sephora years ago that was great at covering zits, but I don’t think they make it anymore…
Hi Ann,
Yes, but the shade selection is limited to three colors. If you could find one to match you could definitely use it as a concealer.
I STILL don’t have a flesh-colored eye pencil for my waterline! I might pick up one of these, thanks Karen.
You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope you like them. The creaminess totally takes this pencil to another level!
I have more flesh tone/beigey tone/ corrector type eye pencils than I can actually use in a lifetime ( ok half my lifetime) but Im always drawn to them! What lipstick do you have on here Karen ? pretty!! I love the ben nye pencils that I bought for a similar purpose they are soooooo creamy and stay on like nobodys business but Im liking the really fine point on these. thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Dee,
It’s NARS Jardin des Plantes. 🙂
I’m wishing the lightest one was just a little bit lighter!
I’ve been meaning to grab one of these for the longest. My eyes could use a little brightening these days
These flesh toned beog eye pencils are so verstalile.. I have been looking for one for water line but using them as highlighter.. Sounds interesting.. Will be grabbing one of these soon !!
Awesome tip about the eyebrows. Letting them grow can be so (visually) painful and I never would have thought to even out/mask the strays with a flesh colored pencil. You are always so full of good ideas! 🙂
I so badly want a good flesh toned matte eyeliner!! I wanna try the whole eye brightening thing…
All the options I have at the moment are shimmery though…
Omg, you are SO right! I heard about these pencils and I was like meh, not another beige or fleshtoned eye pencil but now that you mention all of the things I could use this pencil for, now I’m obsessed to get one of these! Can’t wait until they are going to be available in Austria! Aaaahh! <3
Love,
Stefi
Another use for these was one suggested by one of the MAC artists at the Honolulu Pro Store – for those of us with naturally two-toned lips where it looks like we have permanent lipliner (but naturally). We can use these pencils as a lipliner (making sure to soften it and “blur” it towards the middle of our lips) so that sheerer or lighter lippies are more consistent in color all over our lips.
I love that store. The one at Ala Moana, right?
Yes! Ask for Genai, Jodie, or Nicole when you drop by next! They’re such lovely, knowledgeable ladies. Nicole was who taught me that tip.
Will do. There is a chance I will be within the vicinity in July! I hope to go; it’s been ages since I’ve visited Oahu, and I miss it. Have a great weekend!