Eyeliner is an indispensable makeup product for many, often a staple in any makeup bag. The Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil has been reviewed as an absolutely phenomenal product, offering a highly pigmented and forgiving application that is perfect for those times when you are strapped for time.
Key Features and Performance
This liqui-pencil is noted for its precision and its ability to stay put all day without budging. Even during swatching, the eyeliner proved difficult to remove, requiring both makeup remover and cleanser, assuring users that it will remain on the lid without migrating. It is also described as sweat-proof, making it ideal for activities like dancing or hitting the gym without worrying about running eyeliner. Furthermore, the liner is remarkably resilient, even if one accidentally rubs their eye.
The Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil combines the high-intensity color of a liquid liner with the ease of application of a pencil. It glides on smoothly, delivering maximum color intensity and all-day wear.
Color Selection and Application
The color selection for the Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencils is truly amazing. The eyeliners are creamy, which makes them very easy to use. However, for those who desire a smudged look, it is important to work quickly. Caution is also advised when sharpening these pencils due to their creamy nature.
One user shared an anecdote about wearing two different shades, a green (Ponts Des Arts) and a purple (Aubergine), during an intense rope-climbing session. The fact that no one noticed the mismatched liner during the strenuous activity speaks to its staying power and ability to withstand significant physical exertion without smudging or transferring.
Shade Availability
Three of the six new Lancôme Liqui-Drama Pencil shades are available exclusively at Sephora, retailing at $23 each. The Drama Liqui-Pencils are part of Lancôme’s permanent line. While they appear to be regular pencil liners that require sharpening, they possess the intensity of a liquid liner. They are described as super soft and glide like a gel liner, offering a nice, silky slip during application. The ease of application has led some to humorously suggest they be renamed "No Drama" Liqui-Pencils.
Wear Test and Formula Properties
While technically not classified as waterproof, the formula is extremely sturdy. In a 60-minute intense workout, both green and purple shades remained strong. Although a magnifying mirror revealed slight lifting in a few areas after a full day, the overall appearance was still good, with no smudging along the lower lash lines or outer corners.
The Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencils are available in a variety of colors, including matte and metallic finishes. However, a crucial point to note is that these liners are not recommended for use along the waterline, as they do not last there.
For those who appreciate Lancôme products, the Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara and Marker are also mentioned as potential complementary items.
Comparison with Other Liners
In a comparison with Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil (Matte Black), the Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil (Noir Intense) was tested. Both liners offer long-wearing and pigmented qualities. However, for individuals with difficult, oily, or watery hooded eyelids, these liners might not perform optimally. After a few hours, the Lancôme liner can start to flake off, while the Make Up Forever liner may sink into fine lines at the outer corner.
After a full workday (8-10 hours), both liners showed significant smudging on the bottom outer corner. While both are very black, the Lancôme liner is a khôl eyeliner, which is typically softer. The user found the Lancôme liner to be too mushy during application, with chunks of the liner coming off. The Make Up For Ever liner offered better glide, though not considered amazing by the reviewer.
Verdict on Comparison
The verdict from this comparison is that neither liner is recommended for a totally smudgeproof day. The Make Up Forever Pencil is slightly preferred due to easier application, and the Lancôme pencil was notably difficult to sharpen because of its softness, suggesting it might require refrigeration before sharpening.
Product Specifications and Benefits
The Drama Liqui-Pencil features a unique hybrid gel formula that provides the richly pigmented effect of a liquid eyeliner with the ease of application of a pencil liner. The smooth texture is smudgeable upon initial application, but once set, it does not smudge, flake, fade, or transfer for up to 24 hours of wear.
Available Finishes and Shades
The product is available in three impactful finishes: matte, metallic, and glitter, across multiple universal shades.
Key Benefits
- 24H Wear
- Waterproof
- No smudging, flaking, fading, or transferring
- Tested under ophthalmological control
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
- Free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
Application Tips
To apply the eyeliner, get as close to the lashes as possible for a tight line. Alternatively, gradually increase and build out a dramatic cat-eye or smokey eye makeup look. Use the tip of the pencil to fill in any gaps between lashes to create the illusion of a full lash line.
The liquid-like formula makes the tip of these pencils very soft. Regular pencil sharpeners may not work effectively, and can even damage the pencil. It's advised to work quickly, as these liners go on silky smooth but dry very fast, making them smudge-proof.