Bobbi Brown • Espresso Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner • Eyeliner

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DarkNStormy on 12/24/2012 11:59:00 PM more reviews by DarkNStormy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a great gel liner; dark enough to look "black" but without the hard look. It's great for a daytime liner. I use this as well as Black Ink, and use them interchangeably.

Using BB's ultra-fine eye liner brush, it's really easy to apply and you can do anything from a basic line to a dramatic line fairly easily.

I've sometimes had it transfer if I blink too much before it dries but no other problems. It's really long-wearing on my oily lids, and only comes off with eye makeup remover.

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bonnobbie on 12/20/2012 2:32:00 AM more reviews by bonnobbie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

After years of using this product, I will finally add to the reviewing world that has so benefited me.


I have this one, and Black Ink - both of which I've had for many years (no joke, at least 3 years each). This year, Black cracked and hardened on me, but the Espresso Ink one has stayed as moist and true as ever (I don't know if it has to do with the jars, I bought them at two different airports but Black Ink is in a frosted glass pot and the lid isn't so great, and the Espresso Ink is in a clear glass, lid is nice and even).


I use eyeliner almost every day. I panick without it, so these two have seriously kept me going forever, the Espresso is dented for sure but shows no sign of end. Espresso is my preference over Black Ink because I dislike the hard makeup look, this one is perfect for a nice wing, cats eye or tightlining with and still pulling natural. I've never tried it on my waterline so I can't review that, sorry.

I have oily lids, but people ask me how my makeup stays on all day.. Christine from Temptalia doesn't have the same issue, she reckons that the MAC fluidline is just as good, but WE OILY LIDS KNOW BETTER!! MAC fluidline is gone on me by midday.

It does slightly bother me that I need a good eyeliner brush for application, and therefore carrying it in my handbag for touchups would become annoying, but awesomely it stays on all day. If I'm going out until the break of dawn, I just carry out a kohl pencil in my clutch and run over my eyeliner to keep it going.

Lastly, I have really sensitive eyes and everything, everything makes them go red and itch. But not this liner. I love it and would buy a lifetime supply if they d/ced it (which by the looks of things will be maybe another pot, ha ha).

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*TOP REVIEWER* TakenByHim on 12/4/2012 12:55:00 AM more reviews by TakenByHim

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Love the color..it's a very dark brown and almost black. It's nice when you don't want the harshness of black but you still want some drama. Although I love the color, I am not crazy about the lasting power. I live in very hot weather and this tends to migrate to the outer corner of my eyes sometimes. It also doesn't apply as smoothly as the black one. I've been wearing cream/gel liners daily for 7-8 years so I do have high expectations and won't rebuy this.

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hoffmana on 11/30/2012 7:41:00 AM more reviews by hoffmana

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is the best eyeliner out there. I am 45 and this is the ONLY eyeliner I've ever had that doesn't end up in a smeared mess beneath my eyes after a few hours. I've been using BB for years and will never give it up. Yes, it's a little labor intensive to apply, and I've had mixed results over the years with the product drying out. But this is the only eyeliner that really stays put and looks fresh all day! BB has a loyal customer in me.

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yunbean on 8/27/2012 11:25:00 PM more reviews by yunbean

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

I got this in a swap from someone a year ago. I don't use eyeliner on a regular basis so i've still got lots of product left. I think the packaging is really good since the quality of the product has not been compromised (it did not dry out yet). I like that it's still creamy to apply and lasts long enough 8+ hours with minimal smear on my lower lash line. If i ever finish this one, I will definitely go out and repurchase the same one.

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meloli on 8/4/2012 3:22:00 AM more reviews by meloli

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

LOVE this eyeliner. The brown is a nice slightly softer alternative to black. Long wearing with minimal smudging - which is saying a lot for my hooded asian eyes! Looks just as good at night as it did when I first applied it in the morning.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Gingerbelle8 on 6/29/2012 1:43:00 AM more reviews by Gingerbelle8

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

I really like this color. It's a deep enough brown to almost look black but soft enough not to look so dramatic. It's easy to apply just like MAC Fluidline, although I don't find it lasts as long as MAC. I do find that I get a bit of smudging as the day goes on. I've always wanted to try this gel liner because I'm a huge fan of gel liners and this brand got such great reviews. I'm not disappointed because it is a great product. I do like BB products quite a bit!!

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simpletheory on 4/13/2012 9:11:00 PM more reviews by simpletheory

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i love this eyeliner! it's great for everyday (i usually do a little wing at the end, not so much a cateye). i don't use it for the waterline though. a little goes a long way, but the product eventually dries out (but i find that for all my gel/cream products). the trick with this eyeliner is getting a good brush. i use an angled eyeliner brush but my best friend uses the one that that's at the bobbi brown counter (the one they usually recommend). i think i want to try caviar ink next

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spyral on 3/18/2012 12:40:00 AM more reviews by spyral

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Dry out prevention suggestions! I love BB gel liners and will continue to buy them unless another company creates something better. Espresso Ink is my go to spring/summer shade. To prevent dry out, here are two suggestions: 1) use a cotton swab to wipe away the dry top layer at least once a month. It will reveal the moister layer trapped below it. 2) cut out a small size piece of plastic food wrap. After you finish using the eye liner, gently press it against the product with your finger and close the lid as usual. This will protect it from the air that gets trapped inside the jar. You should replace the plastic wrap from time to time for hygienic reasons. Hope this helps!

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*TOP REVIEWER* bubblegumpoo on 2/6/2012 3:50:00 AM more reviews by bubblegumpoo

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

Bobbi Brown gel liners are great. Creamy, long-wearing, and vibrant with a great color selection. What's not so great is that they dry out within 4-5 months. Maybe even less! The formula becomes flakey and you get nasty fall-out everywhere, even inside your eyeballs. Nobody wants that!
I've tried storing it upside down, adding in eye drops to moisten up the formula, really everything, but it doesn't work. I'm switching to liquid liners & more creamier gel liners(Tony Moly) because honestly, it ain't worth the price!

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*TOP REVIEWER* chiggy5 on 8/8/2011 6:15:00 PM more reviews by chiggy5

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

I did not like this product at first, the espresso color looked harsh almost black, it also was not easy to apply...it took some practice. But this summer with the excessive heat and humidity, I have mainly used this, it will not sweat off. I first started applying it with her fine eyeliner brush but it seemed a little long so I had a Kevyn Aucoin shorter eyeliner brush that came in a set and I use it to apply. You will not need very much, that little .1oz/3g jar will last a long time. I've read where some people mention that the jar dries out quickly, mine has not but I take out what I need then close it. It retails for $21.

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*TOP REVIEWER* georgia21 on 7/12/2011 2:44:00 PM more reviews by georgia21

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This eyeliner applies easily and stays on without smearing. (I use a powder base under it.) The color is good - not too dark and not too light. Also, it's easy to remove with eye makeup remover.

It's important to have a good eyeliner brush so that the gel can be applied in a fine line.

I've found it easier to use a felt-tip pen eyeliner, so I no longer use it.

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Ballinki on 7/12/2011 2:37:00 PM more reviews by Ballinki

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have mixed feelings about this eyeliner - on one hand I like the color, the texture and it glides on easily with my angled brush and gives a great line. Sounds perfect so far. My only real gripe with it is the staying power. It's supposed to be long wear and reading the reviews, most people seem to rave about its ability to stay on all day - it doesn't even come close on me. It doesn't matter if I use a primer or a powder or anything else under it, by lunchtime if it isn't smudged on my eyelids, it's patchy looking and by evening, there are only little traces left here and there. I used Maybelline's gel liner in an emergency one day and it fared almost as well as the BB in the staying power stakes - i.e., not that well. I only use my BB liner on my upper lashline, above the lashes, yet I cannot get this stuff to stay on longer than a few short hours. If it wasn't for that this would be a perfect product, even at its relatively high price.

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htrrr0 on 7/4/2011 1:16:00 AM more reviews by htrrr0

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I like how it is a very dark brown color. black eyeliner is to harsh as my preference. It is creamy and has good staying power. Pricey though!

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lwsege on 6/30/2011 4:39:00 AM more reviews by lwsege

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

It really good to use when during the first few months of usage. But it tends to dry up so fast and transfer to my oily eyelids easily. I'll say it is good but not to my expectation giving its price tag. Easy to apply when apply with a good eye makeup brush. Big downside is - it will smudge.

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Emma0007 on 6/8/2011 2:03:00 PM more reviews by Emma0007

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

I bought this a couple of days ago and so far I'm LOVING it....it's lasted all day and it's a beautiful colour for a natural eye liner. However, it is expensive for just 3g of product when the clinique brush on liner is only £13.50 for 5g!! (which is also amazing...but not a great colour range)

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squiggles37 on 6/4/2011 11:07:00 PM more reviews by squiggles37

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Huge fan of gel eyeliners in general, but I find Bobbi Brown is the only brand out there that offers the widest range of work-appropriate colors. I was looking for a dark brown gel eyeliner for the longest time to wear to work (I reserve black for nighttime events) and I finally found it! I will admit that this stuff did fade a bit by the end of the day but that was because I have super oily eyelids. I remedied the situation by using an eyeshadow primer before applying the gel eyeliner and that definitely helped to lock this product in place. I apply this product with the MAC 263 brush; I find that the brush that Bobbi Brown recommends to use with this product is too bulky/awkward. I can't comment on the shelf life of this product as I've only had it for two months, but it hasn't dried up yet, so that's good!

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d2tree on 4/25/2011 11:46:00 PM more reviews by d2tree

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I have repurchased this product again and again. I use a very thin Lorac liner brush to apply, and do so after Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion and eyeshadow is already on. If I don't allow it to set long enough before curling my lashes, it can lift off onto my eyelash curler and I have to retouch the line. I don't use it on waterlines, so no idea how well it holds there. ( I do know that some people just do not hold any liner on the water lines, and some do.) I keep the container tightly closed and in its original box to extend moisture. Gel liners can dry out easily - just the nature of the beast. I love this product, and it lasts all day on me. Perfect shade - not too light and not too dramatic. Definitely worth trying at the BB counter if you are interested! If you buy it and are new w/gel lining, be patient with learning to apply it! I definitely think gel is the way to go.

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Maubrey on 4/15/2011 3:41:00 PM more reviews by Maubrey

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

When I used this as a regular eyeliner I was close to swapping it. I just couldnt get the hang of it. Then I discovered tightlining and this product became hg material! I use this cheap ELF eyeliner brush and tightline my upper lids. Its quick, easy and looks great. Eyes are defined but not overly madeup. I love this color, a very dark brown that looks almost black but is not as harsh as black. I think the little pot will last a long time. Brown eyes, brown hair, nc15. I will definitely repurchase when I run out!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Vittoriak on 3/30/2011 1:41:00 PM more reviews by Vittoriak

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

I am in love with this eyeliner! I have to say I have been having quite oily eyes but it does not crease on me at all! I love this colour. It is a nice dark brown without any red undertone, which is why I prefer this to my Clinique cream liner in deep brown. I will try other colours!

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