Bobbi Brown • Violet Ink Long-Wear Gel Liner • Eyeliner

*TOP REVIEWER* Parisa909 on 1/26/2013 4:14:00 AM more reviews by Parisa909

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I've been hunting for a nice violet gel liner for a while to compliment my everyday eyeshadow look of MAC Trax and Urban Decay Sin. Lots of online research led me to buy Violet Ink from Bobbi Brown. I'm not impressed with the formula, compared to YSL's and MAC's gel liners it's not as smooth to work with, and not as pigmented either. The Violet shade is actually bordering on purple-black, which isn't what I wanted. I also found it hard to apply to my waterline, which I never have trouble doing with YSL or MAC fluidlines. It's not matte, nor shimmer, I'd say it has a Satin finish. Wouldn't repurchase.

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TheSilverSnowflake on 1/19/2013 8:55:00 AM more reviews by TheSilverSnowflake

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Violet    

Violet Ink was the first Bobbi Brown product I ever bought, and it was my first experience with gel liner. One of my etiquette books recommended gel eyeliner for bridal make-up, and after doing a ton of research, the Bobbi Brown was the best option I found. It's a little pricy, but I've had mine for over two years now, and about half of the package is still left, so it's one of those things I don't mind splurging on. My bridal look was lavender/purple eyeshadow, to accent my violet contacts, and the Violet Ink did a nice job complimenting it. I saw several people who said it had a nice shimmer to it, and for me, at least, it does - on the back of my hand and in the pot. On my eyes, it looks a bit matte, possibly in the satin range. The purple tone is a little subtle, but I don't mind that. It's still softer than your basic matte black, and not as "average" as brown. In regards to the eyeliner itself, not just the color, there is a clear learning curve. It took me a handful of brushes (literally) to find one that gave me a neat line, and that was the flat eyeliner brush from Avon. (It's a squared off, thin tip. I press one long side of the tip into the pot, then run that edge along my waterline, and press the very tip into my lashline for everyday, daytime wear.) But even still, I kept finding that, without a ton of smudge work, it looked like crayon (kind of splotchy) until someone told me to wet the brush before applying! I've read/watched dozens of tutorials, and no one ever recommended that! Now it works like magic. It's more precise than my pencils, and stays put for a MINIMUM of 12 hours on my lashline. (Usually 24-36, if I don't wash it off.) About 8-12 is the norm for my waterline. I've tried a few other gel liners now, and the only one that came close to this is the Maybelline Eyestudio, which I have in Forest. If you don't have the money for BB, or are just starting out with gels, try the Eyestudio first. (They only have three or four colors, however.) I'm picking up a few more BBs soon. I wish they had more than just the one purple tone, though!

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meloli on 8/4/2012 3:27:00 AM more reviews by meloli

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

I have this gel liner in black ink, espresso ink, and violet ink. I LOVE love love the black and espresso colours but this colour was a bit disappointing. Unlike the black and espresso which only need one swipe to get pigmented day-long-wear colour and definition, the violet doesn't come out as pigmented. When applied on top of eyeshadow (neutral, nothing dramatic), the line barely shows up.

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*TOP REVIEWER* slc on 3/20/2012 10:47:00 AM more reviews by slc

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've been a big fan of cake liner and cream liner, so I thought I'd try this. It shows up as sort of a smokey purple -- if I put more on the color is more intense, but I wish it were a more vivid shade of violet. Still, it makes my green eyes pop pretty good.

Although the liner on my top lid lasts all day, the liner on the lower lid smears, and no one needs that so I downgraded it to 3 lippies.

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*TOP REVIEWER* artemistzitzikilakis on 3/14/2012 3:42:00 AM more reviews by artemistzitzikilakis

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

The color in the pot and in pictures is misleading big time. It in no way looks this purple on your lids and is too light for me, though I will keep it.

I have tried all gel liners I think: Stila, Lancome, Tarte, Buxom, etc. and Bobbi Brown really has it, the performance, perfected. You would think a cream would go on like any other cream, but not so. I use the Sephora IT brush and this somehow just doesn't clump on the brush like others. I don't know how they do it, but just the right amount goes on the brush using the same technique as other lid gels.

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bellaw13 on 3/5/2012 11:50:00 AM more reviews by bellaw13

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Grey    

This is a really nice eyeliner. It stays ALL DAY and is such a perfect colour. It's great for me because it isn't too bright for everyday and is a more fun softer version of black to wear everyday especially for fair people with reasonably pale colouring. It is really easy to apply and is nice and creamy to apply. This makes your eyes look amazing and i would definitely recomend it to absolutely anyone

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Collyermum on 9/10/2011 10:51:00 AM more reviews by Collyermum

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I like the soft, almost mousse like quality of this eyeliner and find it softer to apply than the MAC gel liners. However, it dries quicker and is harder to smudge for a softer look as you have to be so quick!

The colour was also disappointing as there is no discernable violet on me even when teamed with mauve eyeshadows. Maybe I will have to try a second coat as some reviewers suggested - but I never have to do this with MAC liners!

I will use up this pot as it is easy to use, and stays all day with no problem at all, I'm just disappointed in the colour and the sheerness of the product. I'll probably try another in the range sometime though as the consistency and staying power is very good, but I won't be rebuying in this colour.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SherryL on 4/27/2011 10:29:00 AM more reviews by SherryL

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I have been a big fan of BB for many years and have even finished and replaced a few shades of her long-wear gel eyeliner (love espresso); however, this particular shade was a disappointment. I had to layer and layer AND layer to get the color to really show up. I "eventually" liked the purple tint, but c'mon, I shouldn't have to go over and over the same line 5x to be able to see it. I could have achieved this look more quickly by using the espresso gel liner topped with a quick swipe of MAC Violet pigment. I ended up returning this product.

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crapimalmost40 on 2/13/2011 3:38:00 PM more reviews by crapimalmost40

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Bobbi Brown's inks are a steal. They last you over a year and that is with everyday use. I have been using Violet Ink for several years. Application glides on smoothly never tugging which makes them extremely gentle on the eyes. They have long sustaining power and will last the day long. The BB eye liner brush is a bit pricey a GREAT alternative is from CVS--Essence of Beauty liner brush. It comes in a duo but 1/3 the price.

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

jen031202 on 9/7/2010 7:57:00 PM more reviews by jen031202

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

Bought this from ebay, its fantastic!! Much much better than MAC liquidlast and Stila smudge pot. MAC liquidlast tend to thicken or turn gooey after use, not sure why and Stila smudge pot is messy when applied, brush tends to pick up too much, think it has to do with the consistency of the smudge pot.

BB gel liner is easy to apply, I use the bare escentuals eyeliner brush for all my eyeliners except for Mac liquidlast. The BB gel liner lasts the whole day without smudging and the color is not too purple-ish,more of a dark dark purple with a very slight shimmer, perfect if you are tired of the black or brown eyeliner.

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

afe on 9/2/2010 2:24:00 AM more reviews by afe

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Tan   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Violet    

good products

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redeyes on 8/31/2010 1:29:00 PM more reviews by redeyes

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

I'm giving this product a 3 only because of the color. I was hoping for a more purple color but with this you can barely tell it's purple. It looks more like a grey or black. But it has good staying power and is easy to apply. Can make it look soft for daytime then add a layer for a darker night look. Very easy to apply.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* gioja on 8/17/2010 2:42:00 AM more reviews by gioja

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

An other attempt to find an eye liner with a colour that brings out the green of my hazel eyes. Well, the colour is ok, even if it looks a sort of gray-black-purple. The only problem is the consistency. It is not like a gel at all, it clumps a lot and it is very hard to mark a fine line with the brush. I tried with a wet brush and it goes a bit better. But still not handy enough for the morning make up.

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

Amy1999 on 8/9/2010 1:18:00 PM more reviews by Amy1999

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

great! Love it!

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sweetdase on 7/27/2010 3:10:00 AM more reviews by sweetdase

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

Bought this about a month ago and I really like this color. The purple is dark enough, but not as dramatic as black. It's a pretty good gel liner and stays well without smudging. I have yet to try this on my waterline since the worker who helped me suggested not to use it on the waterline. But for now, I really like it. Very comparable to MAC's gel liners.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* pinkolive2010 on 7/8/2010 3:27:00 AM more reviews by pinkolive2010

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

the packaging is pretty avarage, MAC, Smashbox, it all look just like Bobbie Brown, but the color turn out was actually very good, and it doesn't smudge or run, it stays on my eyelid and i even use this on the bottom waterline, i don't know if this is alright but its been fine so far, i have been using this everyday for the past 5 weeks, and you only need a line or two for each eyes, so these thing last forever, still look pretty new, i probably don't need another one until next year, or even longer after, the price is great too

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*TOP REVIEWER* riyeu on 3/20/2010 11:36:00 PM more reviews by riyeu

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

I've been looking for a shimmering deep purple and this fits the bill. It's a blackened purple with fine shimmer. Not pigmented enough for evening but works for a day look. I wish it was more pigmented but you can apply 2 coats for a darker look. Overall, I am satisfied and if I don't find a more pigmented one, I'll keep repurchasing.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* KittySkyfish on 2/1/2010 5:25:00 PM more reviews by KittySkyfish

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I've bought this countless times since it released years ago. It's that good! Violet Ink is a deep black-based purple with minor shimmer. My favorite way to wear Violet is to use it with a kohl pencil. Basically I line and smudge the kohl pencil on my lower and upper lashline and then work a small amount of Violet Ink into the roots of my upper lashes. This gives me the soft, daytime look of kohl pencil and added eye-popping intensity without being obvious.
I love this liner when paired with her taupe-grey shadows, such as Ash, Flint or Cement and with a touch of deep purple Eggplant.
Green-eyed gals take note: Violet Ink is a must-coordinate with YSL's violet-hued Faux Cils, Everlong or Singulier mascaras! Combining a deep violet liner and mascara will make green eyes sparkly and super green!

13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

dappledlight on 12/29/2009 7:32:00 PM more reviews by dappledlight

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

Resounding echo of most of the positive reviews on here. This is a seriously good gel eyeliner! I love it to bits. Can give a subtle edgy "inky" eye, or a bright pop of colour, when I use Benefit's Lemon Aid as a base (helps it stay on longer too!). It lasts for a good while on its own and comes off cleanly and easily when I use my beloved Simple Eye Makeup Remover. Cannot recommend it enough--it flatters all eye colours and skin tones, easier to apply than liquid liner (in my opinion) and best of all, great consistency that doesn't dry!

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

gcpecor on 12/29/2009 12:58:00 AM more reviews by gcpecor

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Voilet Ink is a beautiful daily color. Don't be fooled by the "voilet". Just like most of BB's colors, this is so flattering and easy to use with results that stand up to the most grueling day! My goal: to own one in every color! Foolproof, goofproof, and just beautiful.

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