Following a brief love affair with liquid liner, I realized that my heart belongs to pencil liners. They’re a bit easier to apply and re-apply and less messy. They also don’t dry out like liquid liners do.
I tried the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, and while I liked the color a lot and the coverage and staying power were top-notch, I couldn’t get the pencil to stay sharp, which made precise application impossible. But given that I hadn’t found anything better, I kept using it.
Until this week.
Sumita Color Contrast Liners (set of 4 mini-liners, $21)
Given my fruitless search for a new pencil eyeliner, I was glad when Birchbox asked me to try their new Sumita liners. But when I actually tried to use the pencils, my attitude went from glad, to thrilled.
First off, the color and coverage of these liners is really good. The pigments are bold, and the coverage is buildable. Unsurprisingly, my favorite color is the dark purple, but I also tried out the blue hue and was surprised at how much I liked it. (The kit comes with black, purple, blue and grey.)
Secondly, the ease with which these liners are applied cannot be overstated. They glide onto the skin with no pulling and little pressure, so your delicate lids don’t feel abused. And the tip gives you a medium-fine line that you can thicken or pull into a thinner line for perfect “winged” liner.
Additionally, one of my biggest problems with the Bobbi liner was that it was difficult to smudge or blend. The Sumita liners are easily smudged but also long-wearing, I have no idea how they pulled this off.
As for removal, it did take a little more work to cleanly remove these liners. Typically, I can take off the Bobbi liner with a sweep of my Say Yes to Blueberries wipes, but for the Sumita liners, I needed a true eye-makeup removing solvent.
I couldn’t be happier with the Sumita liners. The colors are great, and I can’t get over how the product glides on like velvet. Plus, the price point on these liners is a lot more palatable than other brands I’ve used. I think I’m officially converted.
Birchbox sent me a set of Sumita liners to try. This review reflects my true opinion of the product, and no limitations were placed upon my review.
I completely agree. I used to wear Bobbi Brown and the Sumita is awesome! Easy way to take it off is coconut oil. Warm a dab in your hands and it comes off in one swipe…no harsh chemicals needed.
Has anyone with oily lids tried these? My liner never stays put. 🙁
I received a sample (the black liner, which is great b/c that’s what I use) in my Birchbox. The liner stayed put very well on my top lid, but it did not on my bottom. It migrated to the outer corners of my eyes.
I need my liner to last well from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This one did not. But, if you only line your top lid, I’d definitely give it a go.
If you like liquid liner, my favorite is Eyeko’s. It stays on until I take it off. But I use a pencil liner on my lower lash line. The best I’ve found is either Physicians Formula’s Shimmer Strips waterproof eyeliner or Sephora’s house brand waterproof retractable liner. Both in black.
Also, in case this helps, here are a few popular eyeliners that did NOT work for me:
Revlon Colorstay, Urban Decay 24/7, Make Up for Ever Aqua Liner, L’Oreal Lineur Intense liquid liner, Maybelline Unstoppable, Stila Smudge Stick.
I plan on trying the Armani waterproof liners next!
Thanks for the tips! Have you tried NYX slide on pencil? I’d love to know how the Sumita compares. Btw, totally agree on urban decay, extreme dislike…
No, I haven’t. Do you like it?
Have you tried an eye primer? I like the NARS one.
I got the dark purple liner in my Birchbox and love it! Most eye liner pencils don’t stay on my eyelids, so I was just using liquid. That has changed since I got the Sumita sample. I love it and plan on buying multiple colors.
urban decay 24/7 in precision black + makeup forever sens-eyes for eye make up remover
https://www.sephora.com/sens-eyes-waterproof-sensitive-eye-cleanser-P171101. I have very sensitive skin and these two items are amazing
Does ANYONE know how to roll up the plastic version? I can’t figure it out for the life of me.