Laura Mercier • Caviar Eye Liner - Black • Eyeliner
(36 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.5 |
| Would buy this product again. | 83% |
| Package Quality | 4.0 |
| Price | 3.9 |
| Ingredients | |
sv on 6/28/2012 9:51:00 AM more reviews by sv
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
I use this in both the black and the chestnut colors. These are HG for me, a perfect every day product. I dip my MAC 209 or 263 in a bit of water first and create a line that is smooth, matte, and natural looking. I'm not interested in a shiny, stark black or brown for every day use like paint pots can produce. I have used pot liners by MAC, Clinique, Mabelline, L'oreal, Tarte, etc. I prefer the cake liners because I get a smoother line, with pots I tend to get a bit of a jagged edge at the top of my line (usually when the pot starts to dry). Another note, these cake liners are the same from start to finish. I like that I can use all the product and don't have to throw it out when it starts to get lumpy.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
hesperia on 5/5/2012 9:53:00 PM more reviews by hesperia
Age: 56 & Over Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Brown
I can't believe I never reviewed this gem. I've had it for about 3 years and it's still good as new. Since I don't wear MU every day, it will last me for ever. The case is very high-quality, with a small mirror and all. This is a sort of powder-gel - which I'm sure makes NO sense, but I can't think of another way to describe it. I don't do precise lines because I prefer the smudged, smokey look. Goes better with my eye shape. With this I have perfect control on how much/how smudged I can make it look. It's also terrific for emphasizing your eyeliner going from day to night. The color is a deep black, but it does not look like you rubbed a piece of charcoal on your lids (a look best reserved for young women with no wrinkles). I use it with an angled liner brush and then, gently smudge it with a small smudge brush. I get perfect results every time. This is a staple in my MU case. Expensive, yes. Then again, not really, if you consider that it lasts forever. Love it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* dddoxie on 11/8/2011 12:52:00 PM more reviews by dddoxie
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I had a hard time figuring out how to apply this properly, because I wasn't getting enough pigmentation when I initially used it (watery & thin). I soon found out that you have to swirl your brush in the product and make a paste-like consistency in order for it to be pigmented and creamy. I use an angled ELF brush to apply and MAC fix+ as the mixing medium. I'm sure you could just use water, I just haven't tried that yet.
This stuff is absolutely amazing. It doesn't budge, bleed, fade or smudge at all. I cried my eyes out with this stuff on and even my DH noticed that my winged liner stayed put.
I feel that I waste as much product when using this as compared to my other cream/gel liners. The thicker consistency prevents me from having to dab excess product off my brush before applying.
Absolutely in love and will repurchase over and over!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* frootloop75 on 10/1/2011 3:40:00 AM more reviews by frootloop75
Age: 36-43 Skin: Dry, Olive Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I apply this product straight from the compact with my Sigma E15 brush.
Pros:
- easy to use, I get great control of the line I produce
- can be blended once applied if need be
- doesn't fade or flake over the day
- easy to remove at the end of the day, I use a Shu cleansing oil
- not a deep, harsh black so great for daytime use, for drama I'd use the LM cake eyeliner in black (needs to be moistened though)
- had mine for months and it hasn't dried out at all.
Cons:
- is expensive but lasts for ages and a little goes a long way
- not really for a dramatic look.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
megjane on 3/11/2011 11:52:00 AM more reviews by megjane
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Other Eyes: Green
I apply this product dry using the Sephora angled brush #15. I use it when I want a really natural look by pressing it in close to the top of my lashes. It takes a while to build the layers to make a medium-dark slightly smudgy line. I haven't used this wet yet so I can't comment on how it is with a darker line. The staying power is pretty good, I rarely end up with dark spots under my eye and it never flakes. The packaging is really nice and minimalist. I like that there is a mirror, but I rarely use it because I always apply this at home and never take it out with me for re-touches.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* misscurlylocks on 2/6/2011 5:02:00 PM more reviews by misscurlylocks
Age: 30-35 Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Black, Curly, Fine Eyes: Hazel
Use this product wet if you want staying power. I find it doesnt stay put for longer than 2 hours even with minimum extertion. I apply all my foundation and no powder. Then I line my eyes with my liner/shadow brush and dra along the bottem and across the top of my lash line framing my eyes. I make certain that this is wet to get more precision and more depth with the colour. I dust a little translucent powder sometimes over it and reapply again and this way I actually do get a little more staying power.I purchasd this in black and mahogony brown which is better fo rthe day as it is not so harsh. I must admit I cannot believe how different this is to other eyeliners. This really is outstanding as it gives a pretty striking look and even if I copy this look with other brands cheap and expensive I cannot seem to replicate this cat eye look like I can with this brand. It is amazing I feel like I hve finally discovered a really profesional brand. Although I have tried a couple of products in this line before I have never been too happy but this well this really has opened up my eyes. It really works well with a brush and I get a professioanl catwalk worth feline eyes. Black is sooo striking and the Mahongony brown is perfect for the day and I can really deepne it. This liner is softer than coal and really works for me both colours. I have hazel/green eyes and it works well. But I think both black and mahongony brown will suit all eyes. I would reccomend trying this eyeliner to anyone its a real find. I may look at more eye products in this range now. I also feel alothugh it is fairly expnesive compared to many high end brands I feel like it has got longevity of a year used daily because a little goes a long way. Thats really going to be an investment for anyone who wants a sexy feline eye.
Try before you buy or pop along to a counter if you really dont want to splurge perhaps they will provide a makeover or try it yourself at the counter. I really think this is worth it. I am so glad I have discovered this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
mcenriqu on 5/26/2010 11:47:00 PM more reviews by mcenriqu
Age: 25-29 Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
I agree with the other reviewers here, this is pretty much a wet use product or a no-go. That said, if you have the extra few minutes needed to get this right, it is hard to beat (except for my other eyeliner love, Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, which gives great, but different, results and which I prefer to use with a great, but different brush)! The Caviar liner is ideal for a micro thin line with or without a cat eye wisp at the end. The SA at Laura Mercier described this process to me as "tight-lining" and here's how it goes. I wet my Trish McEvoy #11 brush with a drop of water and lightly swish it in the eyeliner pan to make a thin paste. I gently hold my upper lid up to expose the bottom of the upper lash line and then reaching up from below (boy that's a mouthful!) press the color right where my lashes come out of my skin- not above and not below the lash line but right smack dab on it. It seems to be easiest to deposit color in this location when accessed from below the lashes, but note that you are not depositing color on the "wet" rim of the eyelid. For me, putting any color on the rim of my eyelids spells raccoon eyes in no time flat. Instead, by staying just on that boundary of where the lashes meet the skin, I get a thin but distinct line that closely resembles the look you get when you wear a full strip of faux lashes- in a word, fabulous! This is such a boon if you don't like the way faux lashes feel on or if you use them for volume instead of length. Sometimes I just wear it like that with a few coats of that good old standby L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara, or go back and build more color just above the lash line for a thicker look. It lasts all day and provides a great alternative to other liner options. If eyes are your thing, I would definitely recommend giving this liner and technique a try for a graceful yet dramatic look. Even if no-makeup makeup is your thing, I would still give it a try... the result can be very subtle with the micro line you can create. Fun!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* shyviolet on 5/2/2010 1:47:00 PM more reviews by shyviolet
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Olive Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
When I first tested this on my hand, I thought I'd hate it. It looked very muted, not nearly enough color. Perfect for someone looking to subtly enhance their lashline or a soft look, but I like to actually line my eyes.
I tested this on my eye with an angle brush and though I kept going over and over the line, I just was not getting the intensity I was after.
With a WET flat brush, I was able to get a perfect cat's eye on the top! I was never able to do one with gels or anything, but this texture is really unique - it looks so natural yet smoldering at the same time. If you mess up at all you can just touch it with your finger to smudge the line a bit. Any intensity I might build up does not last, it fades quite a bit my the end of the day, but I don't mind that so much on top.
So yay for the top. The bottom was another story. It disappeared on me despite layering it on.
I use this on days where I have a little extra time, but then I need another black product for my waterline/ lashline. This is a great 'base' and whatever I layer over it looks good.
So without water, this is a no-go. But with the water - great! But you'll need something else with it if you want a strong black that will stay all day. If you like subtle, I think you'd love it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
mamagina on 2/21/2010 11:35:00 AM more reviews by mamagina
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
Great eyeliner. Goes on very smooth and lasts all day. Lucky to get it from my boss whose boyfriend's company had some sort of event where it was a give-away, but I would buy as it would last a long time and gives a nice look without being harsh. Love at first use!
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*TOP REVIEWER* Sophia1105 on 2/10/2009 6:52:00 PM more reviews by Sophia1105
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine Eyes: Green
I've been lusting after this product for some time...after dropping enough cash on similar items to buy maybe 5 of these...no clue why I didn't just get this... I finally got it, yay!! I love the results I get from this product...That said it's not a morning product for me. This is definitely a product to use when I'm awake and have a steady hand, not at 5 am when I'm barely able to keep my eyes open, let alone focus and draw a tight, straight line. Wish it were easier. Maybe one day I'll be better at it :) But that said, this delivers such sexy, smoldering results that it's really okay this is not a morning product for me. This goes on in such a dark and richly pigmented amount that only the smallest amount is needed. I line the outer third of my top eye lid as well as the waterline with a kohl pencil. Smudge and blend like crazy till it's just a soft, graduated line of gray. Then wet a slanted e/l brush and rub over the Caviar and line the top lash line, tipping it as I work my way out. I'll let it dry and then smudge a little bit of the line with a brush. If I'm really going for full smokey, (maybe do this for Valentines?) I'll also line with Guerlain's loose kohl (Noir) but that's definitely a night eye. I'm getting the hang of this stuff and loving it more and more, but it's still a tricky product for me to use. I can't use it dry, barely shows up :( so no tightlining with this sucker. Would definitely repurchase, though I can see this lasting a looong time!
Edit: Returning back to this after using a flat e/l brush. I love the smokey look you can achieve with this product. I have yet to find anything that even slightly compares in terms of pigmentation, intensity of pigmentation when wet, then smudged out for a smokey look. This lacks the harsh precision of a liquid but still has the same impact. I'm not sure you could truly get the same results from a pencil. Such a smokey, smoldery look!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* fatbottmdgrl on 11/12/2008 10:32:00 AM more reviews by fatbottmdgrl
Age: 44-55 Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm Hair: Red, Straight, Medium Eyes: Blue
OMG!! I bought this on the Sephora F & F after reading and hearing all the raves about it. I picked Chestnut because I wanted a good rich dark liner but not black because it's too harsh IMO. I ♥ ♥ ♥ this stuff. The consistency is wonderful. It's not creamy but more firm, but you can still get your eyeliner brush (which everone your are using) into it and get a nice amount of product loaded onto the brush. I have been using this "dry" , and have tried it with both my Clinique liner brush and my SK bent liner brush. I vastly prefer the SK brush for this. Like most L. Mercier products it is not inexpensive, but the quality of the product is well worth the price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
dizzied on 10/20/2008 1:12:00 AM more reviews by dizzied
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel
I. Love. This. Eyeliner! I got it applied on me at a Nordstrom beauty event, and immediately fell in love. I live on black eyeliner, and this product has given me the versatility and quality I have been looking for in a cake eyeliner. Personally, I think this is a much better product than Stila's smudgepot and the H.I.P. eyeliner pots. It has a harder texture, so its easier to use it how you need. This is an eyeliner addicts product.
This can be used wet or dry. I use a wet eyeliner brush to apply it thickly for night and smudge with a qtip, or LM's flat eyeliner brush. I also use the LM flat eyeliner brush dry on this product to line just my lashline for day. It gives a rich, sooty black color and is one of the most versatile products I own. I will for sure purchase this product forever.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Ravey on 6/15/2008 11:12:00 AM more reviews by Ravey
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral Hair: Red, Straight, Fine Eyes: Hazel
i love this stuff for tightlining, but it tends to smudge into my crease if i use it on my lid even when i set it with translucent powder if i'm not wearing eyeshadow, which i usually don't unless i'm going out. so for long work shifts i have to occasionally rub it out of my creases which is annoying :\ i'm looking for a decent substitute in the meantime...
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* proximitythe53rd on 3/13/2008 1:51:00 PM more reviews by proximitythe53rd
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Green
This is a really great liner for people who appreciate versatility and good results, and who don't mind a bit of extra work to use a somewhat fussy product.
The results you get from this liner greatly depend on the manner of application, and the brush that you use.
From reading reviews, I can see that some people have read on Sephora's website that this is not supposed to be used with a wet brush ... well that's just wrong - check LM's website if you don't believe me, but the Caviar eye liner can be used with a wet OR dry brush - that is one of its great traits. LM's other cake liners are wet-brush only.
If you use this with LM's Flat Eye Liner brush (or another similar brush), it's best to wet the brush, and line the underside of the top lashes ("tight lining"). It's important to note that if you're using this technique, you're not trying to deposit product on the upper water line (where it will smear, and wear off quickly) but rather right along the base of the lashes (making them look naturally fuller). This can be done so subtly that it doesn't look like you're wearing liner at all, but it helps to define the eyes really nicely. It's also possible to apply the liner more heavily this way, and/or to come in again along the top side of the top lashes to darken and intensify the line. You can also tight-line the lower lashes if you want, using roughly the same method.
If you use this with LM's Smoky Eyeliner brush (or another similar brush), you can either use the liner wet or dry, but if you're going for the smoky effect, dry is best. (And if you're not going for the smoky effect, you're probably better off using the Flat Eye Liner brush anyhow.) To create the smoky effect, you're sort of drawing a line along the top lashes, and then using the brush to draw the color out, blurring and fading the line as you go. If it's hard to get that initial line with the brush dry, it also works to wet the brush just at the beginning. The smoky look is best if you layer eyeshadow on top of the liner for depth and (if you want) color.
You can also use LM's Smudge Brush (or another similar brush) to make a sort of lighter smoky look, or just to help you blur the liner in the smoky-eye method I described above with the Smoky Eye Liner Brush.
Because this liner is one that can really be blurred or made to look smoky, it really lends itself to being "built" as you go - as in, apply a little, and then apply some more later, if you need to - you don't have to get it perfect the first time (like other liquid eyeliners) - this is the feature that makes it "mistake proof" ... aka - you can make a mistake, but you can always fix it. This same quality ALSO means that if you don't set it with powder of some kind, whether eyeshadow, or just a quick dusting of setting powder, the liner remains blur-able. This effects the lasting power. If you don't set it, it will rub and smear right off in not too much time. Even if you do set it, depending on if you have oily lids, and if you touch your eyes, and the humidity, and a thousand other factors, it still might blur.
I prefer the Caviar liner to LM's other cake liners because they just aren't as versatile - basically they're really good to use for tight-lining or as you would use a traditional liquid eyeliner (a bold, sharp-edged, clearly defined line), but you can't really use them to create a smoky effect, or a blurred line. The Caviar liner can do both (though I'll admit that it might be slightly less good for tight-lining than the others, and it's slightly more expensive, so if you only want to tight-line, you should get the regular cake eyeliner).
Lastly, the price is actually pretty good because one little pan of the Caviar liner really is just going to last forever. I don't use mine every day, and I have other liners that I like too .. so I honestly can't imagine mine running out in this lifetime.
If you want good results, you need to use this with either LM's brushes or others of comparably high quality.
37 out of 39 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* tressab on 2/28/2008 7:52:00 PM more reviews by tressab
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
My HG for tightlining. I also have LM cake eyeliner, but prefer this for tightlining. It does everything I want my eyeliner to do. It is dense, true to color, and stays put all day and all night. It is also good to smudge for a smoky eye look.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
mdmbutterfly369 on 2/1/2008 6:16:00 PM more reviews by mdmbutterfly369
Age: 36-43 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
I love this product! It is so easy to use and get that perfect clean line we all want. Caviar is the darkest shade in the line and on Sephora it says not to use wet. Well... I do just that. I apply it with LM's own eyeliner brush dampened and it creates a very dark rich line, super smooth too. Usually I am not a sucker for coordinating makeup brushes but I do feel that this brush was made just for the cake liners, I have tried other brushes but have gotten the best results using the LM brush. (I think the brush needs to be dense at the base and wispy on the ends for a good application.)
Also this thing will last forever. I have had it over a year and there is just one tiny circle in the product and tons left. I can only see running out if it breaks or mold grows over it or something... lol :P
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lacornflakegirl on 12/26/2007 3:14:00 PM more reviews by lacornflakegirl
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Green
I LOVE this stuff, it is the most amazing tool for easily creating a smoky-eye look with just a smudge-tool and some coordination; it's also great for clean lines.
My favorite thing about this product, however, is the layering possibilities. I can put this on as a smoky-base, and then layer on any color (shimmery shade work best... like St. Germain, White Diamond, or Titanium Metallic Crème Eye Colour from LM), which creates a really unique look that always gets lots of attention.
So again, this product is super versatile and fun to play with, but I would say not it's not great for someone unwilling/unable to have fun with it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
bubblelips on 6/18/2007 11:25:00 AM more reviews by bubblelips
Age: 44-55 Skin: Combination Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
O.K. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CAVIAR. PERFECT FOR W/E LINE U WANT TO CREATE THIN, THICK, ALMOST THERE BUT NOT REALLY, USED ALL OVER UR BOTTOM LID WITH EYE SHADOW OVER IT TO INTENSIFY THE COLOR OR THE STAYING ACTION. LADIES U WILL NOT FIND SUCH A VERSATILE EYE LINER IN ANY OTHER LINE. FOR THOSE LIKE ME THAT HAVE OILY EYE LIDS, JUST TAKE UR BLENDING BRUSH AND SWEEP LM TRANSLUCENT POWDER OVER IT; THIS WILL SET IT WITHOUT CHANGING THE COLOR. FABULOUS PRICE..YES YOU HAVE TO BUY THE BRUSH BUT IF U USE PENCIL YOU WOULD PROBABLY GO BACK TO THE STORE TO REPLENISH UR PENCIL LOTS AND LOTS OF TIMES BEFORE U DO UR CAVIAR. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT AS MUCH AS I LOVE BB GEL LINER.
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*TOP REVIEWER* crystallineteddy on 5/13/2007 6:31:00 PM more reviews by crystallineteddy
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
This is the best eyeliner I've ever used. Even though it requires a brush for application (and I'm super lazy), it's well worth the effort. Goes on smooth (wet or dry) and super dark. The best thing is that it doesn't smudge at all and I've got really oily lids (many pencil eyeliners just don't hold up, even with UDPP). This is my HG for tightlining, it makes my sparse Asian lashes look fuller. Also, i'm a contact lens wearer, it doesn't irritate my eyes.
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mfourth on 5/7/2007 7:34:00 PM more reviews by mfourth
Age: 36-43 Skin: Normal Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
I tried tightlining with the Caviar eye liner in black. Although very easy to use, even from the first try on my upper inner rim, the line was gone in an hour. I tried several times--which improved my technique, but it still wore off way too fast.
I'm not impressed for $22. I won't repurchase. I've since tried tightlining with gel liners from Bobbi Brown and Clinique---they stay on all day. The gels are just a little bit harder for me to get the tightline done right.