Laura Mercier • Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony • Eyeliner

nicholee on 1/3/2013 10:52:00 PM more reviews by nicholee

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Unfortunately this product smudges after a few hours. If it hadn't I would surely purchase again. It does create a dark intense color between my eyelashes which liquid eyeliners and Too Faced 3 Way Liner couldn't achieve. I really loved the look after using it but just not happy that it smudges. Some other reviewers says it doesn't smudge for them, even though I used a primer too, it didn't help much. I even bought the activator thinking that it would help with the staying power instead of using just water.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Newyorking on 12/23/2012 8:27:00 PM more reviews by Newyorking

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am surprised to read such good reviews about this product. I purchased the cake liner to use for both tighlining and as eyeliner, along with LM tighliner brush. The salesperson at the counter did a good job of application. My lids are oily, and I use a primer. This liner smudges like hell for both tighlining and as eyeliner. The inner corners of my eyes smudge mid-day when I use it as an eyeliner, and the tighliner barely stays on. This is a terrible products and has zero staying power, ridiculously expensive for what it does. I tried using a little water and a lot of water, nothing helps. I went out and purchased YSL cream liner instead, it has an amazing staying power, doesn't come off even when I sleep! But my LM cake liner cost $$$ and is such a waste. I do not recommend this product.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ero2t on 11/20/2012 3:02:00 PM more reviews by ero2t

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This was used when I had my eye makeup done at the counter, the sales assistant was really helpful and suggested this with the baked eye shadows about 18 mos ago. Since then I've moved on from the eyeshadows (returned to a darker eye that I prefer) but stuck with this eyeliner. I've tried Clarins nifty pen with the three points and Bobbi Brown's gel as well as MAC's fluidline (all in black) to try and top this as I'm not keen on the faffing about with the water and getting the right consistency. That said it beats all the others hands down. There is so much pure black pigment in this that I really feel it makes the others appear grey when you are used to LMs version. This pure black pigment really makes the whites of your eyes pop and look clear. The texture and tightlining technique also give such a lovely natural look which the others can't replicate.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* swtlilqtk on 8/30/2012 7:12:00 PM more reviews by swtlilqtk

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I bought this in a set. It contained the black, brown and plum tightline shades, a eyeliner brush and a mascara. It was around $60 I believe so a great deal. I was pressured into buying the activator too but I used it once and returned it based off others telling me water works just as well. The one liner I DID use the activator on though, has a hard spot that needed to be scraped away on it, so I believe once you use the activator it makes it hard to use water afterwards. Anyways, I find it hard to get the "just right" consistency with this product. If you get it too wet its runny and not pigmented. Not wet enough, too hard to apply....so you have to figure out the just right amount of wetness on your brush to make this product apply correctly. Even then, to me, it's just "meh". The staying power is okay and the end result isn't anymore amazing than any other gel liner I've ever used. I actually use this mostly to set over my liquid liner or to smudge out pencil liner. I do like it for those purposes, but used wet I find it underwhelming. It's just too much work for okay results. I will continue to use to set or smudge though, as I find it useful and worthwhile for that purpose, hence my rating.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

suzi39 on 7/25/2012 7:52:00 PM more reviews by suzi39

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I just started tightlining and this product works very well. I previously tried both Maybelline's gel liner and Revlon's Colorstay pencil. They both transferred onto my lower waterline and smudged. So far, the LM cake liner hasn't transferred at all! :) .

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* kawanii on 7/2/2012 10:16:00 PM more reviews by kawanii

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I really really REALLY hoped that this product worked for me. I bought and used it WITH the tightline activator that it apparently works best with.

It did NOT work for me AT ALL.

I had such high expectations for this eyeliner but once I applied it using the tightlining method, it smudges IMMEDIATELY on the bottom of my eyes and lashes which irritated me so bad. The consistency was so thin that I absolutely hated it because even blinking would mess up the application for me. I used Mac's slanted eyeliner brush and it just did not work for me. I needed something thicker. This was such a disappointment for me. By the end of the day, half of it was already gone. Staying power is mediocre, I guess.

I'm still on the search for my perfect tightlining eyeliner...=[

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Charlin on 5/23/2012 2:31:00 PM more reviews by Charlin

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

A lovely rich black colour and fun to use. You apply with a damp brush- I got the Laura Mercier tightlining brush and it does a good job, looks great, BUT, it smudges in seconds. The slightest bit of moisture and it's panda eyes time. Would definitely not recommend this if you are prone to smudges. Really gutted as it looks great when you first put it on. I threw mine out.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kbabyd on 5/23/2012 10:36:00 AM more reviews by kbabyd

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This eyeliner is pretty fantastic. I use it with water only (not the tightline activator) and while I sometimes have to do slight cleanup under my eye right after application (and that's likely because of me, not the product), it truly does not move once set. The pigment is really fantastic - a true deep black. There was a tiny learning curve for me in terms of how much water to use, and there is a tipping point for sure. But other than that, this is great. I much prefer this for tight-lining over bobbi brown's gel eyeliners. The gel eyeliners were not as long lasting for tight-lining (great for regular lining).

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* maliciousdelicious on 5/20/2012 11:32:00 AM more reviews by maliciousdelicious

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great product and really turned me on to applying eyeliner with a pot and brush rather than an all-in-one product.

The consistency is quite thin so it's easy to apply compared to the Clinique gel eyeliner which is quite clumpy. However, the cake cracks easily and things go downhill from there.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

merrysunny77 on 2/17/2012 1:09:00 AM more reviews by merrysunny77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Love Love this. I bought this specifically for tightlining..so I can only speak to that. I bought in the LE shade Ground Espresso which is THE perfect matte dark chocolate/brown meets black non red brown. If I was ever going to run out of (never) would buy a backup guess I could buy in black too if I wanted to but I think the brown is fine. I can't believe this isn't the brown that's in the perm line...

I have only used it a few times but I actually dont think it takes anytime at all or is any fuss. This plus some black mascara ...2 minutes my eyes are transformed and I look put together but not made up. If I wanted extra drama I guess I could put on the lower lash line as well..

My makeup routine day 2 day is 5 minutes tops and I can easily fit this in. I used the Trish McVoy 11 since I happen to have it sitting around..glad it's getting used! For my purposes it works fine. (Update - I got my hands on the LM brush and now its even easier to apply)

I got this on clearance for under 10 bucks, it will last forever, and it comes in a high quality compact with a mirror! I basically am always putting on makeup on the go...

It's rare that after 20 years of wearing makeup you find a game changer. I am Indian and this cake liner/kajal is the stuff my women have worn for years. It looks so great on dark eyes ( and I am sure any eyes)..I am so glad this has come back into fashion and now with nicely packaged products...

Also - I dont use the activator or even visine. I just use plain water. This stays through my hot yoga classes. I only use it on my upper tightline - and I does not budge all day no matter what.

Update: Been using daily for a month - and still LOVE. Trying not to get lazy and go back to my mascara only eye routine..I love that you can line your eyes with this - but it doesn't make you e/l look shorter like upper dark liners do. LOVE

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* 3110hello on 1/30/2012 5:23:00 PM more reviews by 3110hello

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this thinking that it would be longer lasting on my lash line and water line than other pencils/products, however, I did not find that to be the case. The liner was somewhat difficult to work with and the length of time it stayed on my eyes was just average. Not sure this is up to usual LM standards. I usually think their products are better than most. Not so much this.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

purplepan on 1/30/2012 5:04:00 PM more reviews by purplepan

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I LOVE this product!

I have been a long time fan of the tight lining technique but this cake has, indeed, taken the cake. I get fantastic coverage after I tight line and I virtually have no gap between my eyeliner now. I love the way it looks. I have never used this alone as my sole eyeliner, but I bet it's awesome.

I haven't been able to find the activator at any sephora.. And I'm sad about that because I think it would solve all the problems I have with this. The only issue I have is that I have ver sensitive eyes and they are watery, and frequently after tight line the color will run a bit and stain my bottom lash line and that stinks a bit. I have been using eye drop solution to activate the cake and it works pretty fine and dandy. I didn't buy the special brush, I just use any old angled brush and it works just find. I've also used the Mac 110 fine eyeliner brush with it and it also works fine.

Again, I love this and will continue to buy it in the future.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lucretiabrgia on 1/30/2012 5:17:00 AM more reviews by lucretiabrgia

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Takes too much work - I was told that I need the special LM brush (got it), that when adding water I need to get the consistency right (tried it), that to aply I need to look down in the mirror and not blink (managed that).

And after all the effort it runs and flakes!

Waste of money.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sookiepyopyo on 11/5/2011 2:51:00 AM more reviews by sookiepyopyo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is my favorite eyeliner! I can't believe I didn't know about this and was wasting time with gel liners. It is so much better. It is not gooey and heavy like gel liners and really helps you to tightline for a natural eyeliner look. It can also be made more dramatic by building up the intensity. I also love the matte finish because I don't love the slick look of liquid liners. I used to love gel liners until I found this! No need to worry about it drying out either. I did not buy the activator, I just put my flat edged brush under some water and draw strokes in the pan until I have enough. It does take a little more time then a liquid and not as quick as using just a shadow but very much worth it for me and especially for Asians (specifically monolids....it's much prettier to do the invisible liner method then the thick eyeliner). Also, very easy to wing out too.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* xtinahb on 9/26/2011 10:28:00 AM more reviews by xtinahb

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Matte, black and great staying power. It is not as rich a black as I would hope, since it looks pitch black in the pan, however I am very happy with its wear: 4 hours on my waterline and even longer on top lash line. This surpasses Fluidline, Colorstay, all of them, since I have oily Asian lids with no crease. I wet a flat liner push-brush with plain old tap water and dab away in the pan to create a paste and brush on my waterline and upper lash line. Very impressed and pleasantly surprised at its longevity on both.Would recommend for other oily lid gals and guys that have no crease and are frustrated by disappearing liner!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

SimPLe_GuRL on 8/24/2011 9:20:00 AM more reviews by SimPLe_GuRL

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Good product, very natural & easy to use. A bit fussy coz u need water to activate it. But i dont mind, at least that means it doesnt dry up like bobby brown's. Not as dark as other black liner; thus makes it looked more natural. Too bad i droped it & mine breaks all over the place.. I gather the pieces & put water on it to put the pieces together.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

BeautyVicious on 6/12/2011 8:09:00 PM more reviews by BeautyVicious

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Here's a product that I love! The Laura Mercier cake liner. I have one in Ebony & I want to get the Brown one also. This stuff is awesome & lasts throughout the day. You can use this to make a soft natural yet defined eye or you can use it in addition to your regular liner to make a more dramatic look. I use my Mac Fix+ spray & a small thin angle brush that I picked up at Michael's with this.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

NLilly on 11/28/2010 1:56:00 PM more reviews by NLilly

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Green    

I had this applied on my upper eye line by the SA at the LM counter (surely she should know what she's doing - right?). She sprayed some water on the brush and applied it into the roots of my lashes for a classic look. It came on a gorgeous colour, a really pretty strong black with a slight sheen that brought out the colour in my eyes. I was really quite pleased.
But within minutes it started dripping *into* my eye, and just went everywhere I didn't want it to go. I ended up with panda eyes that looked anything but nice. The colour also fell on my face as I blinked. The SA said maybe she touched the membrane of the eye and the water activated it. But I was not impressed. This happened with both eyes..Maybe had she applied it above the eyes it would have been better, but as something that gets activated with the slightest moisture clearly cannot be trusted if I end up in slightly humid conditions.. worst of all, despite running easily down my eyes on application, it was extremely difficult to remove from the areas it wandered off to - I actually had a facial later that day and my beautician could not remove it all with her creams. It took several tries onto the next day to be finally rid of it from my bottom lash...shame as the colour itself was beautiful. Will not be purchashing.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sedst9 on 8/4/2010 10:22:00 AM more reviews by sedst9

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

For someone who always had the hardest time tightlining, or drawing any type of streamlined line around my eyes, the Laura Mercier cake liner has been my savior since I discovered its greatness. The only look I could pull off in my days before discovering this was my smudged liner look, because I always ended up screwing up the line so bad that I had to smudge it to look decent. I don't know why but everything seemed to tug constantly on me, my hands couldn't control liquid liner, liner pencils, especially cream liners ugh. Then I heard about this LM cake liner. I purchased it in black ebony AND followed the advice of other reviews and got the LM liner pencil. Yes, this set me back at first but I have been using it every single day for months and it doesn't even look like I put a dent in it. That considered, it's really not expensive at all. I can't wait to get the Bleu Marine next!! This stuff is seriously so easy to use, lasts all day and really enhances the eyes! Will continue to purchase over and over and over. Oh, and the other tip about mixing it with Visine, this is perfect! I drop one to two drops each time I use this and it gives me the perfect consistency.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Sophia1105 on 7/25/2010 8:54:00 PM more reviews by Sophia1105

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Edit: This is an entirely diff product than my Chanel la Ligne (a very densely pigmented cake liner that applies and wears much like a liquid). LM's is a softer, smokier version of a cake, it softens out with your own oils and blends nicely with a brush once dried. No fall out either, as when using a powder wet. This takes A LOT of fussing but the overall effect is greatly worth it. Takes too much time and fussing to get the water + product combo right to use in the morning, but the overall wear of this is certainly more evening, smudged, sexy, so it really doesn't matter that this is such a PITA to use. A new fav. but this isn't what I would consider to be a typical cake liner. Absolutely back-up worthy.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No