In the spotlight this week: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner
As well-versed, close-to-all-knowing beauty fiends, we've observed two distinct types of celebrated products within the sphere. There's of-the-moment, trendy formulations that fall off the radar with the changing of the seasons; and then there are those that endure the time test, amassing a cult-like following wherein frenzy is usually followed by legacy. Such is the case for the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon, which catapulted to fame thanks to a unique technology responsible for its much touted smudge-, crack-, and flake-resistant wear. How can you improve upon perfection? You don't, apparently. Instead, you put a spin on a fan-favourite and present a new variant to complement its predecessor. Such is the idea behind Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner. Reborn in an innovative, lustrous, and shiny finish, it grants stellar pigment payoff, 12 hours of wear, as well as easy, precise application. Will it live up to our high expectations and outshine an icon? The Buro. Beauty Club investigates.
As well-versed, close-to-all-knowing beauty fiends, we've observed two distinct types of celebrated products within the sphere. There's of-the-moment, trendy formulations that fall off the radar with the changing of the seasons; and then there are those that endure the time test, amassing a cult-like following wherein frenzy is usually followed by legacy. Such is the case for the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon, which catapulted to fame thanks to a unique technology responsible for its much touted smudge-, crack-, and flake-resistant wear. How can you improve upon perfection? You don't, apparently. Instead, you put a spin on a fan-favourite and present a new variant to complement its predecessor. Such is the idea behind Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner. Reborn in an innovative, lustrous, and shiny finish, it grants stellar pigment payoff, 12 hours of wear, as well as easy, precise application. Will it live up to our high expectations and outshine an icon? The Buro. Beauty Club investigates.
Suddenly, I'm an Artist
Brag alert! I mastered the cat eye at a very young age. I credit (or blame, depending on whether you think I was too young) years and years of practice since I was 13. Basically, I was Kat Von D before she realised she was going to be that Kat Von D. By early adulthood, I can produce symmetrical flicks in no more than five confident strokes. It was a sight to behold.
Here's the problem: I got so used to how bright and large my eyes appeared, I was starting to hate my face without cat eyes. My solution was drastic — I didn't let myself use liquid eyeliner for almost half a decade, unless it was a special occasion, such as evening weddings which required heavier eye makeup, photoshoots, etc. They didn't come frequent, so my skills deteriorated with time.
Lately, Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner has made me feel like I'm back on track. The tip of the brush applicator is so sharp, so easy to control, I no longer make any blunders, as though my eyeliner skill is back to what it was. This is especially useful with the metallic shades, which I use to draw floating, wandering graphic lines and little dots above my thicker grounding black strokes. Speaking of the black… while Blacquer's pigment is rich, the shade is not nearly as deep as the abyss as I'd like. It's not that big an issue, however, since I always layer my liquids on top of the OG Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner for a bold finish.
Oh yeah, it's definitely waterproof and smudge-proof too. I sobbed away rewatching watching Toy Story 4 on a plane (I'm not ashamed) but my eyeliner stayed as perfect as the movie's end.
Jolene Khor
Here's the problem: I got so used to how bright and large my eyes appeared, I was starting to hate my face without cat eyes. My solution was drastic — I didn't let myself use liquid eyeliner for almost half a decade, unless it was a special occasion, such as evening weddings which required heavier eye makeup, photoshoots, etc. They didn't come frequent, so my skills deteriorated with time.
Lately, Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner has made me feel like I'm back on track. The tip of the brush applicator is so sharp, so easy to control, I no longer make any blunders, as though my eyeliner skill is back to what it was. This is especially useful with the metallic shades, which I use to draw floating, wandering graphic lines and little dots above my thicker grounding black strokes. Speaking of the black… while Blacquer's pigment is rich, the shade is not nearly as deep as the abyss as I'd like. It's not that big an issue, however, since I always layer my liquids on top of the OG Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner for a bold finish.
Oh yeah, it's definitely waterproof and smudge-proof too. I sobbed away rewatching watching Toy Story 4 on a plane (I'm not ashamed) but my eyeliner stayed as perfect as the movie's end.
Jolene Khor
Move, Gosh Darn It!
Marc Jacobs Beauty have been pushing out some winners since launching back in 2013. They include the Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer, Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter (you must have this if you haven't tried it already), Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, and of course, the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon. It's one of my favourite eyeliners, ever. It's incredibly pigmented, smooth, and creamy. It slides across the lash line efficiently.
The Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner comes in six metallic shades and one in the blackest of blacks you will ever come across. I must say it's a shame there are no browns or matte shades in the range, but I'm hopeful Marc Jacobs Beauty launches those at a later date.
This product twists open to two separate pieces — it's not a pen. Personally, I probably prefer a pen as I find the pot and brush format dries out quicker. It's an exception I might be willing to make for the Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner. It's easy to apply, very easy to control, and like the crayon, glides on like a dream. The tip is so fine, you can draw a nice precise tip on your cat wing. I'm told it's smudge-proof, flake-proof, and water-resistant. Happy to report that it stayed true to its claim by lasting all day and night. You'll never have to worry about your eyeliner going anywhere else than where you left it! I had mine on in the morning and it was still blacker than black by the time I removed it in the late evening. These amazing pros aside, it was a pain to remove — totally worth it for this amazing eyeliner that lasts.
Fiona Bennett
The Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner comes in six metallic shades and one in the blackest of blacks you will ever come across. I must say it's a shame there are no browns or matte shades in the range, but I'm hopeful Marc Jacobs Beauty launches those at a later date.
This product twists open to two separate pieces — it's not a pen. Personally, I probably prefer a pen as I find the pot and brush format dries out quicker. It's an exception I might be willing to make for the Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner. It's easy to apply, very easy to control, and like the crayon, glides on like a dream. The tip is so fine, you can draw a nice precise tip on your cat wing. I'm told it's smudge-proof, flake-proof, and water-resistant. Happy to report that it stayed true to its claim by lasting all day and night. You'll never have to worry about your eyeliner going anywhere else than where you left it! I had mine on in the morning and it was still blacker than black by the time I removed it in the late evening. These amazing pros aside, it was a pain to remove — totally worth it for this amazing eyeliner that lasts.
Fiona Bennett
Easy Like Sunday Morning
I went into this review expecting Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner to be a winner. I wasn't disappointed. The previous Highliner pencils were great, but sometimes required a bit of warming up in order for the pigment to apply smoothly. With its liquid sister, I expected the pigment to run smoothly, and was amazed by how well it applied.
Every colour showed up bold and vivid during swatching. I noticed that it would dry down quickly, so you need to know exactly what you want to do if you're playing around with a graphic eye. Short playtime aside, the lines I drew did not go anywhere; their claims of being waterproof and smudge-proof held true. I found myself trying really hard to rub my swatches to see if they would run. They did not.
I appreciate the ink tip and pot that the Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner came in. Instead of having to shake the product to ensure it ran smoothly, I just had to dip again to know that every line would be smooth and precise with the fine applicator. Ultimately, the qualities that this product emphasises on is simplicity and versatility. With only a couple of shades, I have the ability to really let my creativity flow with all kinds of graphic eye looks, whether they be complex, layered, or simple. With such an intense glossy finish to the pigment, a flick of the wrist is all it takes to make an impact with not a lot of effort nor skill.
Christian Maranion
Every colour showed up bold and vivid during swatching. I noticed that it would dry down quickly, so you need to know exactly what you want to do if you're playing around with a graphic eye. Short playtime aside, the lines I drew did not go anywhere; their claims of being waterproof and smudge-proof held true. I found myself trying really hard to rub my swatches to see if they would run. They did not.
I appreciate the ink tip and pot that the Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner came in. Instead of having to shake the product to ensure it ran smoothly, I just had to dip again to know that every line would be smooth and precise with the fine applicator. Ultimately, the qualities that this product emphasises on is simplicity and versatility. With only a couple of shades, I have the ability to really let my creativity flow with all kinds of graphic eye looks, whether they be complex, layered, or simple. With such an intense glossy finish to the pigment, a flick of the wrist is all it takes to make an impact with not a lot of effort nor skill.
Christian Maranion
Bring on the Tears
I'm not going to dance around this. The Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner is precise to death. It's got a great wand that allows you to layer the pigment for a nice thick line across the eyelid, yet it's fine enough for you to taper said line for super sharp ends of a perfect cat eye.
Blacquer, the black liner, which is marketed to be the "blackest, shiniest black" isn't the blackest, shiniest black I've tried. I have a cheap, drugstore Silkygirl eyeliner that's blacker. At the same time, Marc Jacobs Beauty's metallic shades are truly unbeatable. Star Magic, a rose gold, and Gold Getter, a yellow gold, are some of the best metallic eyeliners I've come across; their colour payoff is fantastic and they check off pretty much every quality required in a good liquid eyeliner.
Frankly, I'm not the biggest fan of waterproof eyeliners — they're much harder to remove than pencil ones, so remnants of their formula tend to stick to my skin even after rounds of makeup removal, which is a catalyst to ageing. Personally, I avoid them. Why is why the Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel range being intensely waterproof doesn't affect me at all, only my bridal clients who cry a river on their big day who are excited for sure! The product costs twice as much as what I pay for a drugstore eyeliner, but the hyper-pigmentation of the metallic products are worth every penny. I'm coming back for more, Marc!
Monica Selva De Roy
Blacquer, the black liner, which is marketed to be the "blackest, shiniest black" isn't the blackest, shiniest black I've tried. I have a cheap, drugstore Silkygirl eyeliner that's blacker. At the same time, Marc Jacobs Beauty's metallic shades are truly unbeatable. Star Magic, a rose gold, and Gold Getter, a yellow gold, are some of the best metallic eyeliners I've come across; their colour payoff is fantastic and they check off pretty much every quality required in a good liquid eyeliner.
Frankly, I'm not the biggest fan of waterproof eyeliners — they're much harder to remove than pencil ones, so remnants of their formula tend to stick to my skin even after rounds of makeup removal, which is a catalyst to ageing. Personally, I avoid them. Why is why the Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel range being intensely waterproof doesn't affect me at all, only my bridal clients who cry a river on their big day who are excited for sure! The product costs twice as much as what I pay for a drugstore eyeliner, but the hyper-pigmentation of the metallic products are worth every penny. I'm coming back for more, Marc!
Monica Selva De Roy
Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox, Hair Cleanse, and Hair Conditioner are available online and in Sephora stores.
The Clubbers
a.k.a. the people who will never lie to you, the beauty enablers you never thought you'd have, the voices of reason when logic goes out the window on payday, and when Sephora goes on sale.
Jolene Khor
Beauty Editor of Buro. Singapore
The fashion and beauty editor at Buro. Singapore swiped on her first glitter lip gloss at age 12 and have never looked back since — except the rare (only not so rare) occasions when she wants to feel better about her makeup skills as an adult. That kohl eyeliner look wasn't working out despite the fact that she was listening to The Cure and quoting Oscar Wilde. Her mother is thankful that K-beauty happened though that means her glow isn't just genetic. These days, her worst crimes are knocking out with full makeup on and forgetting to apply sunscreen on her neck. Old habits die hard.
Christian Maranion
Hair Specialist & Makeup Artist
Nine years. That's how long Christian Maranion has been in the hair game. Having honed his craft, he then began dabbling in makeup, finding equal joy in killing it at both. He has worked with the likes of Vanessa Fernandez aka Vandetta, Tabitha Nauser, and Charlie Lim. He also frequently collaborates with names such as Sephora, Elizabeth Arden, and Kat Von D to up their beauty game. Don't be fooled by appearances — though he may love dark humour and even darker outfits, he is a pocketful of sunshine.
Fiona Bennett
Makeup Artist & Hairstylist
Fiona Bennett is a makeup artist and hairstylist by profession, and a wife, mother, and part-time Kardashian expert when she's not hustling. Hailing from Australia, she reluctantly came to Singapore with her husband almost six years ago but she's grown to love it so much she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. She began her journey (sometimes by force) pinning her friends down to make them up before going out — only now she gets paid for it! You might find the self-proclaimed beauty-obsessed Fiona snapping up the latest products in the department stores on weekends. You name it, she has probably tried it.
Monica Selva De Roy
Henna & Makeup Artist
Monica doesn't have enough heads for the hats she wants to wear. When the sun's out, she's selling ultra cool tech that makes logistics look sexier than ever. Then, she slaps on some face cake to moonlight as an actress on Vasantham; from nasty stepmother to varsity mean girl, she's seen them all in the realm of antagonism. Oh, her makeup and henna businesses keep her busy during the weekends too. Amidst all this, she's finding time to test and review makeup — if that's not true love, what is?
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