These days, I find myself reaching for brown eyeliner a lot more than I did in the past, because I think black can sometimes look a little bit too harsh. I’ve almost used up my Wycon Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Strong Coffee, so I bought Essence Gel Eye Pencil Waterproof in 06 Cocoa Bean, a matte dark brown, as a backup. Me being me, I started using it right away and here’s what I think.
Essence is a super affordable German brand (this liner was € 2.89) that makes some great mascaras and one of my favorite bronzers, among lots of other things. I knew this twist-up pencil was going to be very hit or miss, but I was OK taking the risk for such a low price.
To test it out, I applied it to my waterlines and lash lines, then smudged it with a pencil brush. It glided on smoothly without tugging at my eyelids, was very easy to blend out and the color was even and opaque. To verify the waterproof claim, I drew a line on my hand, put it under running water and tried to smudge it with my finger. It did not budge!
Then I tried to sharpen it with a little sharpener from another twist-up pencil (Essence doesn’t include one, but again, it’s € 2.89!) and here is where it failed: making it pointy is really hard because the tip keeps breaking! I ended up giving it a pointed shape (sort of) with my fingers.
Considering its price point, I still think Essence Gel Eye Pencil is a good liner, but bear in mind that you’ll have to struggle to make it pointy, so it’s probably best suited for waterline application or smoky looks.
Have you ever tried this eyeliner? Did you have the same issue I have? Did you eventually find a way to sharpen it? Let me know in the comments!
18 Comments
Keen On Beauty
September 17, 2015 at 2:05 pmI thought that this pen is retractable and does not require a sharpener… or am I wrong? Probably it is soft on purpose, so not to scratch the waterline and to have smoother application. Have you ever tried to put it in the fridge though? May be it will help to keep the point sharp when you need it.
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Carol in a
September 17, 2015 at 8:32 pmIt is retractable, but you know like in most twist-up pencils one end pops off to reveal a tiny sharpener? The lead comes out by twisting the end, but you still need the sharpener if you want it to be pointy. If you don’t sharpen it you’ll end up with a flat tip, which is ok if you want to use it in the waterline, but won’t really work to line the lash line.
I did put it in the fridge, but it still broke. I’m using it in the waterline or for ‘smudgy’ looks, so I’m ok not sharpening it.
LindaLibraLoca
September 17, 2015 at 2:52 pmI cant be bothered to deal with a pencil that needs sharpening, I always misplace my sharpeners and end up not using the product, so even though the price point is great, I will still pass.
You look very hot with this smudged line, if I dare say so!
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Carol in a
September 17, 2015 at 8:32 pmHaha, thank you!
Summer
September 17, 2015 at 2:58 pmThanks for the review. You used the pencil well♥
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Carol in a
September 17, 2015 at 8:33 pmThank you! 🙂
Ela
September 17, 2015 at 8:47 pmI haven’t tried any eye pencil from essence however this one sounds really good! You wouldn’t really tell that it is brown, it looks really good! I always have problem making my eye pencils pointy so it wouldn’t be a problem for me haha! I will definitely check it out as I need some new eye pencils. xx
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Carol in a
September 18, 2015 at 8:57 pmApart from the not-so-pointy tip, it is a great pencil, so you should definitely check it out!
Kiss & Make-up
September 18, 2015 at 12:59 pmFrom what you’re saying I think this might actually be a good pencil for me, I’ll check it out!
jade
September 18, 2015 at 1:12 pmwow amazing blog post!!!! I been following you for a while now and I can always tell you work hard on your blog !!
keep up the good work !!!
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Jade
Carol in a
September 18, 2015 at 8:59 pmThank you!
I will definitely check them out!
Nati
September 18, 2015 at 5:57 pmLove that it’s so affordable. Looks great on you! (:
Nati xx
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Carol in a
September 18, 2015 at 9:01 pmThanks! 🙂
Danielle
September 19, 2015 at 2:01 amI like the results very much. Your eyes look perfect! I think your eyes are beautiful without makeup, too. I have not used and eye pencil in a long time. Have a nice weekend!
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Carol in a
September 19, 2015 at 2:31 pmThank you, Danielle, you too have a nice weekend!
Dorota
October 3, 2015 at 2:17 pmTotally agree. I have their pencils and where they’re amazing to apply as soft, they’re not great to sharpen after the initial application. I use them only for my waterline or under eyeshadow