Comparison Review: Maybelline and Mac Gel Liner

Hi lovelies! Chocolabear Fumiko II requested me to do a review (on fan page)  on Maybelline Gel Liner but instead of reviewing Maybelline alone, I decided to do a comparison review on Maybelline Lasting drama Gel Liner in Black and Mac fluidline in Blacktrack (para sulit sa post!)

If you haven’t read my first review on Mac, click here.

I'm a huge fan of gel liners! Honestly, I like it more than I like liquid liners and pencil liners since gel liners are much easier to work with (for my eyes). 

I started using gel liners two years ago. The first gel liner I’ve tried was the Elf Crème liner. 

Market Price:

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel liner- Php 449

Mac Fluidline in blacktrack – Php 1,100

Net wt.: both 3g

Packaging:

I like that both gel liners’ pot are made of glass so that the products won’t dry out really fast. Avoid buying gel liners with plastic pot packaging because it won’t lasts you long enough. My elf crème liner dries completely after 2 mos! I had my Mac gel liner for a year now and guess what, I can still use it! AMAZING! Really worth my money.

Consistency:

Both gel liners are really creamy. I can still recall how much I raved about the creaminess of Mac when I first got it (considering the fact that Elf wasn’t as creamy as both). However, Maybelline is denser.

Since both are creamy, I never had any problems in applying these on my eyes. I normally use angled brush than the free brush on Maybelline just because angled brushes are much easier to use.  Btw, I don’t have any issues with the free brush, I honestly think that the brush that comes in the packaging of maybelline has a good quality  (bristles are stiff and soft).

In spite of being creamy, both dries quickly on my eyes (though Mac dries little faster than Maybelline).

Left to right: Fanny Serrano Waterproof felt Liquid liner, mac gel liner, maybelline gel liner

When I first swatched these on the back of my hands, I was like, “Oh these two have different finishes. Mac has a  matte finish while Maybelline has a semi-matte finish.” But after few minutes,  Maybelline dries completely into a matte finish. (Parehas na sila!)

Color payoff

If you’re looking for eyeliners with vibrant-black finish, I suggest that you should get liquid liners instead (or elf crème liner and wet n wild gel liner). 

However, the color payoff of these gel liners were good enough *like a carbon* (refer to swatch above). 

Lasting power:

These don’t last the entire day on me. (Take note: I live in Philippines plus I do have oily lids). Yet, you could use  a primer to make it lasts the whole day. Or if you’re someone like me who don’t have eye primers *ako na walang primer! lol* , you could do my technique. *aba, may technique pa pala ako, haha!*  To make these gel liners last longer, use pencil eyeliner (you can use the pencil liners you don’t normally use) as a base. After applying pencil liner, apply gel liner on top.

Left to right: Fanny Serrano Waterproof felt tip Liquid liner, mac gel liner, maybelline gel liner

I tried rubbing these gel liners for few times (more than 5x) . I noticed that Maybelline smudges a bit while Mac crumbles a little.

I did another test (water test) to see if these gel liners will last even we perspire, cry or get under the rain.

Left to right: Fanny Serrano Waterproof felt tip Liquid liner, mac gel liner, maybelline gel liner

I put my hands on the running water then rubbed these off. Again, Maybelline smudges rather than crumbles when rubbed off. That’s why beware of rubbing your eyes when you’re using Maybelline gel liners as it might give you a panda-looking (pero hindi naman katulad kay Kungfu Panda) eyes afterwards. Though, I really had hard time rubbing the Maybelline off my hands compared to Mac. (refer to pic)

To all drugstore-brand users, do not raised your eyebrows yet! Mac fluidline isn't as expensive as you think. (It's cheaper than Elf creme liner,really!)  

Proof: 

I got mine for Php 750.00 (from U.S.) 

Mathematical computation:

Php 750 / 12 mos = Php 62.50 (Imagine, I'm only paying Php 62.50/mo for a Mac!)

Or

Php 1,100 (<--Price in Philippines) / 12 mos = Php 97/mo (or even cheaper since I can still use mine until now! So, that's more than a year now!)

While,

Elf Creme Liner costs Php 250 and it dries completely after 2 mos.

Mathematical computation

Php 250 / 2 mos = Php 125.00!!!

So, If you want to try high-end brand and you want to make the most out of it, this is a product to try! 

So far, I think Maybelline is a good dupe for Mac. I couldn’t say that Maybelline is cheaper than Mac yet since I’m still waiting for another test. If one pot of Maybelline would last me until the 5^thmonth (and wouldn’t dry out) from the day I purchased it, I will definitely say that “MAYBELLINE IS A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE FOR MAC FLUIDLINE”. (Php 449 / 5 mos = Php 90/mo.)

Things I failed to blog (beauty-related)

Remember before I told you that I still have alot of things I need to blog and promised that I will do a  blog post about them really soon. Guess what, I failed! I tried, but I couldn’t find time to blog everything (one at a time). So I decided to do a group review. However, I can’t give you a comprehensive on all the products. Nevertheless, If you want me to do a thorough review on some products in this post, just leave a comment so I would know what are the products you are most interested with. (you can also tweet and messaged me on facebook)

PRIMERS:

Dr.Oil Solution Anti-Shine Dual Primer – Price: 498 – I don’t like it. It doesn’t do anything on my face.

The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It – Price: ?? – Great primer especially if you have dry skin. But it works for people with oily skin too (or combi). Oil control is great but not superb. Amazing primer if you have flaky/dry skin, makes makeup glides easily with it. Yet, it’s quite pricey for the amount of product that I was able to get. Nevertheless, I still love it. It’s my saviour. I have a combination skin, (oily on tzone and really flaky on cheeks) and I use this on my cheeks to smoothens that surface for better makeup application.

Faceshop Pore Minimizer Cover-up – Price: ?? – Pricey for something that does nothing special. Hard to apply on face due to thick consistency.  Though it works for filling up the fine lines and pores.

Nyx HD Studio Photogenic Primer- Price: Php 650 – AMAZING! SUPERB IN OIL CONTROL!!!!! A must buy for people with oily skin (and combination). Brightens up complexion due to its color (white). The consistency is rather liquidy. However, make sure that your face is totally dry when you apply this or else, you’ll find it hard to blend it on your face.

FOUNDATIONS

Fanny Serrano Two way cake foundation in Organza - Php 399 - I haven't tried it enough yet to do a review. But the staying power is decent and coverage is good. 

Faceshop Phytogenic Infinite Foundation - Good foundation. Quite expensive, though. One pot wouldn't last a month if used for everyday.

LIPSTICKS

Covergirl Lip Perfection in Heavenly - Php 395 - The formulation is good. It doesn't make my lips dry but lasts really long. The shade is definitely not nude as described in other reviews. It is slightly brighter (pinkier) than Nyx Tea Rose. However, it does oxidize on me. 

Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Coral Pink - Php 299 - The formulation is average for lipstick, not drying and good pigmentation. The shade is pretty, great for everyday.

Etude House Look at my lips in 10 - Price: I forgot again. It's around Php 300- is a nude lipstick with peach undertone. The pigmentation is quite sheer, it doesn't makes my lips dry but do not lasts long.

LIPBALMS

Venus and Mars Lip Butter Tints in Wine Pearl - Php 180 - very moisturizing, nice shade. Great lip tint. People who hates lipstick (drying) will love this.

Mary Kay Lip Balm in Mango - Php 600 (something) - EXPENSIVE! And not moisturizing. The shade is pretty but I don't like the formulation. It accentuates the cracks and lines on my lips. The smell and color are nice, though.

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm - less than Php 100 - another disappointment! i don't like it, not moisturizing.

LIPLINER AND GLOSSES

Etude House Soft Touch Automatic Lip Liner - no need to sharpen. Affordable. The shade I got is very close to my lipcolor, thus, appears nothing on my lips. Staying power is so so.

Wet n Wild Lip Liner - I love the formula. Very Affordable, one pencil will lasts me forever. Glides smoothly on lips.

Avon Lip liner and color - Great formulation, great staying power. 

Careline Lipgloss - the best among all the most affordable lipglosses. I love it. great pigmentation, staying power, all! Who says you can't have the best of both worlds?

BLUSHES

Avon True Color Blush in Rose Lustre –Great blush!! Color is pretty. It’s pigmented. Good staying power. Not chalky. 

In2it Blush in CW 03 Sensation- The color is beautiful! It’s a peachy shade on me. Good pigmentation. Average staying power. Not chalky.

Sansan Mousse Blush in Rosy Blush – I apply this before my Ever Bilena blush and it’s gorgeous! gREat staying power when use alone (set with powder) or use as base for blush.

Elf Blush in Peachykeen- Php 250- the shade is to die for. But it doesn’t appear pretty on my cheeks!!! Seriously, it’s like a shimmers with gold (not gold with shimmer lol) on my cheeks. Very chalky and staying power is average.

Prestige Blush – the shade is beautiful (pinky coral). Staying power is great and not chalky. It is pigmented enough.

Ever Bilena Blush in Honest - Php 150- the packaging looks good. The blush is really pretty (coral). The staying power is great. Overall, I highly recommend it

EverBilena in Pink Petal - I don't like the twist-up packaging. The blush is pretty but not as pigmented as EB Blush in Honest. 

Elf Blush in Glow - Php 120- the color is gorgeous, a coral blush with gold shimmers. However, the packaging is very cheap, the powder is not as pigmented as I want it to be, it is very chalky too. I wouldn't repurchase again.

Eyebrow Pencil and kits

Elf Eyebrow Kit in Light, medium, dark - Php250 each - good buy. Comes in 3 shades, quite affordable. The packaging is cute and handy. Stays until the end of the day. The wax in the kit is good enough, the powder is pretty chalky. 

Modelco Designer Eyebrow Kit - Php 1400 - expensive. Comes with 4 stencils (very fine, fine, natural and full), 2 angled brushes, spoolie and tweezer. The wax is really good. The powder is pretty chalky. The angled brushes are perfect for filling the hairs, spoolie is small but useful and the tweezer is good. Overall, a great eyebrow kit but overpriced (for me!)

Etude House Easy Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown- I love eyebrow pencils from Etude House. It works really well on me. This one is a pointed eyebrow pencil, you need to sharpen it. Dual ended. Comes with a brush. The shade is not really dark brown. It's lighter brown, perfect for people with black hairs but wanted a lighter eyebrow. 

MASCARA

The Faceshop Extreme Volume Mascara - my HG non-waterproof mascara. The only mascara I used for everyday. It doesn't smudge on me but can be removed with soap and water. It doesn't give me a panda eyes when I accidentally rubbed it off my eyes. I like it so much

Revlon Beyond Natural Mascara - good waterproof mascara. It does lengthens my eyelashes. Hard to remove, though. Perfect for special occasions.The applicator is easy to use for upper and lower lashes.

Gel Liner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Gel Liner - Php400 something - I got mine on sale (Php 314). The gel liner is as creamy as Mac Blacktrack. The brush that comes in the liner is pretty good, but I use angled brush since it's alot easier to use. It doesn't last forever on my eyes but lasts longer when sets with black eyeshadow.

Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack -Here is my first review on Mac Fluidlne. Yes, it smudges like it's crumbling. It doesn't lasts long when use alone (lasts longer when sets with black eyeshadow). However, I had this for a year now and I can still use it! Amazing, right? It's expensive but really worth it! 

Liquid Liners

Tony Moly Easy Touch Brush Liner - Php 458 - One of my biggest disappointments this year. I was looking for a waterproof eyeliner. The SA recommended this to me so I purchased it. And yes, the hell, it's non-waterproof. It's quite pricey for my taste.  I used it once and never ever used it again. What a waste of money. When it dries, the color turns to be gray rather than black. 

Fanny Serrano Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Php 198 - the cheapest felt tip liquid liner I had. It does stays long on my eyes, but not forever. Can be easily removed with soap and water. Great liquid liner for the price (really). 

Eyeshadow Palettes

Clinique - The purple is gorgeous, (perfect for everyday, work/school and even occasions). The definer (dark brown) is perfect as crease color. The dual ended brush is decent for touch ups.

Avon  Quad  - Another gorgeous color combi in a palette. The colors are quite pigmented and not chalky. The packaging is identical to the blush.

Avon Quad - great for everyday and work. I love all the colors, honestly. 

Nyx Glitter Cream Palette - I got it for free when I won a giveaway from this store. The first three colors are really beautiful, but the two colors, does not appear really well on me. 

Almay Quad-  favorite quad among the rest. The 1st color is gorgeous as highlighter or if you want to brightens up areas of your eyes (or even face). 

Elf Quad - very pigmented. Great for smokey eye look. I don't like it though since it is very chalky.

Sk

FACIAL WASHES

D & G light Blue and Benetton Paradiso and Inferno

Benetton Paradiso and Inferno is a cheaper alternative for D & G Light Blue (has more citrus scent). However, D&G stays longer on me.

Venus and Mars La Chica

Smells really good and amazing staying power!! Seriously, you should try it.  

Goody Stayput (200php plus)

Quite expensive but it is definitely a slide-proof clips. 

MAC FLUIDLINE IN BLACKTRACK

My first ever Mac Fluidline in BlackTrack. I know you know I don’t like buying Mac products for myself as they’re expensive here. But, I finally got the chance to own one when I asked my sister’s boyfriend to buy me one in the U.S (fyi, with my own money haha!) as they’re cheaper there. I got this for around $15 plus 9.75% tax. Not bad. The price of Mac Fluidline here is approximately $25.

Packaging: It comes in a glass pot unlike my Elf Crème Liner which comes in Plastic pots and dries completely after 2 months.

Mac Fluidline is creamiest liner I've tried. I apply this with Marionnaud eyeliner brush to create thin layer on my upper lash line. Fluidline dries quickly on my eyes within 10 seconds or more. 

 The color payoff was just "oh okay" for me. Wasn’t that intense black when applied with 1 or 2 coats. But hey I wouldn't mind adding more coats to achieve the black color I want. 

 For the lasting power, I was not really satisfied. Elf Crème liner lasts me the whole day without smudging. I tried Mac Fluidline yesterday and after 6 hours I think, it smudges. It’s  not like those in eyeliner pencils that will give you panda eyes. It smudges like it’s crumbling. Have you seen your face masks as it dries up? It’s similar to that. It smudges like dried eyeliners. 

I tried wearing it on school the other day... then I cried. Believe me, it washes away the fluidline easily but atleast it did not gave me super black undereyes like those liners that smudge.

But since the staying power wasn’t that superb, I like this for everyday as it can be easily removed with water and soap plus few swipes of makeup remover. 

Price: U.S. – $15 plus 9.75% tax

           Philippines – Php 1,100 or approximately $25

Would I recommend this? I can’t believe I would say this for Mac Fluidline, but I would not really recommend this. I would still like to try other cheap alternatives. I heard Wet n Wild liners works better than this one? Maybelline has a dupe for Fluidline too. If you have reviews on WnW and Maybelline please let me know. 


*CHECK MY COMPARISON REVIEW ON MAC AND MAYBELLINE GEL LINER HERE