Review of Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner by amtn
The best way to revive this product back to it's creamy state is close the lid extremely tight. REALLY FRIGGEN TIGHT. Put the pot into a small bowl (I use a ceramic rice bowl but any container will do). Boil some water. Pour the water gently into the bowl, UP UNTIL WHERE THE GLASS POT ENDS. DO NOT GO BEYOND THE LID. You do not want to submerge the whole product in boiling water. I left it for 30-60 seconds.
After, I removed it from the bowl (be careful, it's hot. The plastic lid should not be hot though) and opened the pot. The formula was extremely wet. So wet I couldn't dip my brush it. THAT IS OK. Once it cools, it firms up!!! Close the pot up and leave it for a few hours. After, use as normal.
EGGPLANT/AUBERGINE: (black lid)
First bought the eggplant in 2010. I found the pigmentation to be a little light. For opaque coverage, I had to go over the line twice. This gave off the the most intense application. GREAT for older people. I use this on my mum (53) and she loves it. Subtle and not harsh like black or brown.
Forward to 2013, I still have the exact same pot and it is still loved. Over time it became hard and I became reluctant to throw it out. So I did the hot water bath as described above.
Now with the eggplant, I only have to dip it once and I get opaque colour. In fact it is so creamy, I can use it as an eyeshadow base. No tugging, NOTHING!!!!
01 BLACK (silver lid): I purchased black at the end of 2011 in December.. Smudges on a eyelid a little if I don't set it with eyeshadow. I have Asian eyelids. However I can use this to tightline and waterline and it WILL NOT BUDGE ONE BIT. Fades a tiny bit because my eyes are really sensitive and watery but the line itself is still there! Experienced some tugging after using it for a year, so I gave it a hot water bath and now it's back to normal!
Would I buy again? Maybe. Essence Gel Eyeliner in Midnight in Paris is only $5 at Priceline in Australia... and Essence DOES NOT DRY OUT (has a souffle like texture, soooo smoothe and doesnt budge AT ALL.)
BROWN/BRUN (black lid): purchased this at the beginning of 2013. Formula is nice. Still in early days o f using this product. Great for aged eyes also. Pigmentation on mine is intense. Dries really matte though?
Great buys. Can be found cheap in Sydney. Chemistwarehouse had the brown and black one for $6 on sale. They have sales often.
Picture below shows (LEFT TO RIGHT)
Essence Midnight in Paris, Maybelline brown, black, eggplant
EDIT: The formulation between the Maybelline with the black plastic cap and silver caps/lids ARE NOT THE SAME.
My friend has the brown (02 BROWN) one with the silver cap. It is shimmer in it. Warm coppery brown. Very nice!
My brown (BROWN/BRUN - with the black lid): A tiny bit cooler than the other brown. Absolutely no shimmer. Really matte brown!
The ones with the black lid are made in USA for me. The silver lid one is made in China.
Try Googling pictures to see the difference!