I think that this is a very nice pencil. I love the purple color and it wore very well. As I'm writing this, I've had it on for about 12 hours. There has been minor fading on the upper lash line (I have hooded eyes) and there is still a lot on my lower lash line. The only negative is that it really wouldn't smudge, even when freshly applied.


The sharpener that comes with it works fine, but it is not needed. I say ditch the sharpener and knock a few bucks off the price. It's quite expensive for a fairly basic pencil. continued >>

My review is actually on the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet, but since this product is not yet in the MakeupAlley database, and I haven't completed 20 reviews so I can't add new products to the Productville database, I'm forced to post it here.

The Bobbi BrownLong-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet was an epic fail for me. It is very black, very creamy, and glides on smoothly, but smears and smudges like crazy on me. There was smearing under my eye after 2 hours wear, the eyeliner had transferred and creased after 4 hours wear, and by 12 hours wear the eyeliner was just a complete mess. Using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion barely helped with the lasting power. I tried setting the eyeliner with black eyeshadow the next day, and the results were just as bad. It's so awful that hubby has actually told me to give it away and never use it again! Allure magazine named it the perfect black liner in June 2012, so it must work for a lot of people, including my cousin, so don't not try it on account of my bad experience with it. I'm starting to think that there's just something wrong with my eyes. =(

Now we're talkin', Bobbi!!! This pencil is great compared to many others with the Bobbi Brown name! I wrote a review on the Long-Wear pencil in Black Navy and really didn't have anything good to say about it, except that it was long wearing. The point breaks off when I use it, it wastes a lot of pencil to sharpen it, and it skips & drags on my lids and crumbles if I try and go over the line. But NOT the Black Plum! Don't ask me why... must be something about the formula or color pigments... I don't know the reason. All I know is, this Black Plum pencil applies like a dream and the line lasts all day long. Nice color, too! This one I would consider repurchasing, even tho I think the price is a bit steep at $24 a pop. Bobbi is a greedy, greedy girl. ;) continued >>

When Bobbi Brown discontinued Black Plum Gel Liner (my HG), I started the urgent search for a replacement. I've settled on Lancome Aubergine for the upper liner, but it can't be used on the lower waterline.

For the lower, I worked and spent my way through various pencils reputed to be "good" and durable on the lower waterline: UD, Sephora Flashy, and Chanel. Of these, I liked best by far, the Chanel in Cassis. But, while it does not drift on me, it fades during the day.


Then to the new Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Pencil in Black Plum. Hurrah and fingers crossed! So far, I really like it. Mind you, I don't think it's the exact shade of the old gel liner, but close enough. It certainly doesn't apply like a gel liner, but it is DURABLE. I honestly think it lasts longer on the lower water line than the gel did -- it doesn't budge. While I like the application of the Chanel Cassis much better, the Bobbi Brown definitely lasts longer. I also tested them side by side on the back of my hand and Bobbi's resisted eye makeup remover longer than the Chanel did.


I took off one lippie because there is virtually no smudge-ability factor. You apply it, it's there and it's not moving.

What I don't understand is why Bobbi would come out with Black Plum in the new long wear pencils if the shade was less popular in the gel liners (at least that's a SA told me...but who knows if that was correct). I wonder if she discontinued the Black Plum gel because there were bad batches along the way? If you're a Black Plum gel gal, then you may know what I'm talking about.

These pencils are definitely worth a try for the lower waterline. Super long lasting!

Update. Now that the hot weather has hit, I am lowering my rating to "3" and I'm not as enthusiastic. In hot weather, this stuff drifts off the lower water line terribly. Not only does it drift, but the "drift" won't budge, like long-wearing raccoon. Much more than Bobbi's gel liner. Please bring back my Black Plum Gel Liner, Bobbi!!!

The website says this is a pencil with the benefits of the Long Wear Gel Liner, and lasts 12 hours. I bought this in Black Plum, and could not be happier with this e/l purchase! It goes on SO easily, glides flawlessly, you'd think it would smudge like hell because it's so smooth and soft going on, but once it's on, it ON and it does not budge! If you want a smudged look, you better smudge FAST because this will set and STAY!! Also, I have yet to find an eyeliner that will actually LINE and STAY on my water line... I have bad allergies that affect my eyes- itchy, watery, etc, and I have tried UD 24/7, MUFE Aqua Liners, you name it! I thought the previously named two were pretty good until I tried this BB one, and it just blows those two out of the water, seriously. This is the perfect alternative to a harsh black liner- a deep Plum, looks like Chanel Cassis (too bad Cassis doesn't wear like this one!) VERY happy to have found this eyeliner... I will definitely be buying more!