I’m picky about liquid eyeliner. For me, its one of the hardest things to get right. Some brands try to get all rocket science on us and put their liquid liner in clicky pens. Perfect – it won’t dry out so quickly. But it falls out in gobs as you click it out. Bad idea. So for liquid liner, I prefer to go for those that come in marker style pens. I had a favourite one from Smashbox – I don’t think I ever told you about it. But I do like it very much. I still do.
But its pricey. So when Maybelline released a liquid eyeliner pen called Hypersharp and priced it at RM23.90, I was ready to see what it could do.
I’ve had this one a while – almost 5 months actually. And I use it almost everyday.
Does that sum up the review for you? 🙂
Yes, this one’s a keeper. I remember when I first posted about this for information purposes, someone left a comment saying that the pen nib was too short.
I fully agree. The pen nib IS too short. If you like to apply your liquid eyeliner by laying the pen on its side it is hard to be comfortable with the Maybelline Hypersharp liner pen. You’ll find that the plastic bit will bump against your lid and it won’t give you a good line.
I was ready to dislike it for this point, when I first used it. However, I did like the texture, longevity, and how quickly it dried. So I had to find a way to use this and happily for me, it wasn’t too hard.
I now angle the pen about 45° so about half the nib is lying against my skin and I use that to draw a line. Its quick to draw and it gives me a nice clean line. The fine tip makes it easy to get a nice precise line, and a nice flick at the end.
It took a bit of practice the first few times, but I’m used to it now, so I work quite quickly. I can also use this straight on, because the nib is fine and flexible enough to give a nice sharp line. If you ignore the zombie cast to my skin, here is an approximation of what the Hypersharp eyeliner looks line when drawn on my upper lid.
I like the texture of the liquid. It dries in very impressive time, so I like that. I’m a right klutz and I’ve ruined many a good eye look by having liquid liner mark my lids when I blink. With the Maybelline Hypersharp liner, I only have to wait a few seconds and its all good. I like that – it allows me to get things done more quickly (especially when I’m running late in the mornings).
I also like that the texture of the liquid is thick enough so the black is really BLACK yet its not so thick as to be goopy. One line is more than enough to get it nice and black. None of that strange weird grey you sometimes get with liquid liners.
This was to show you that you can get a thick or thin line, depending on whether you press down on the pen nib or don’t. The nib is flexible enough to depress for a thicker line, but it isn’t so flexible as to be floppy. Its firm, but pliable. If that makes sense.
Now that I’ve gotten used to the short nib, I couldn’t see myself using another liquid liner. I use this for lining my top lid, and to tightline. The nib is fine enough to get right between the lashes and its black enough so you don’t have to double back. Perfect.
In a nutshell
Hypersharp Liner is an affordable liquid eyeliner pen from Maybelline. The ink is a dark black and the nib is firm yet pliable so you can get a thick or thin line depending on how much pressure you apply. I find the nib a little short so it can take a bit of getting used to. However, for the price and how long it lasts on me (all day and more!) and how easy it is to use, I would say this is a keeper!
Pros: Affordable, Good dark black ink, Pen nib is flexible yet firm so you can get a thick or thin line very easily, Longlasting formula, Dries quickly
Cons: Nib is a bit short so if you aren’t careful you can bump the plastic bit against your lid
The formula in this one is quite amazing. It dries in super quick time, yet lasts all day on me. I even wear it to tightline sometimes, and it doesn’t smudge or rub off. I can’t say much bad things about it. There really isn’t any. For the price, I’d say get it! I know I will once this runs out (not happening that soon and its already in use for over 3 months!)
Have you tried the Maybelline Hypersharp Eyeliner? Do you like it like I do or perhaps you don’t? Do share your views on this 🙂 But remember, an eyeliner is an eyeliner. It will wash off easily with makeup remover (this one does). A marker pen or Sharpie is NOT a substitute for liquid eyeliner, no matter what anyone tells you. Please do not tell me you have ever tried that 😛
Paris B
* Hyperbole = exaggeration
Maybelline Hypersharp Liner comes in black and retails at RM23.90 at all Maybelline counters.
“A marker pen or Sharpie is NOT a substitute for liquid eyeliner, no matter what anyone tells you”
Did I ever tell you of the time I whipped out the Cover Girl sharpie-like liner and used that to mark down on an envelope I needed to post out? 😛 It was time to bin the liner anyway – not going to put that anywhere near my eye once it’s touched the envelope! 😛
Curious to give this a go, still have not plucked up the courage for liner. Read somewhere that you shouldn’t use liquid liners to tightline. Never really understood why. Your take on this?
You don’t use liner?? Use it! It makes eyes look more defined & bigger almost immediately! 😀 as for liquid liners and tightlining I think the reason probably lies in the chemicals in liquid? I’m not sure. I don’t do it much with a pen, only when I want the effect. I usually tightline with pencil 🙂
And liner to mark an envelope. Genius :p
hey thanks for this review! i am super bombed at finding ways to replace my very expensive Dior liquid liner. it is super good, and have lasted waaay past 10 months but am not willing to pay RM120 for a new one ;P
Try this one. Fraction of the price and its pretty good. I’ve never tried the Dior liner. I don’t know why 😛
I’ve always wanted to learn how to do the wingtip and this looks like a nice and cheap liner to buy and try with. Now to find time to practice! 🙂
It comes with practise and this is a good pen liner to wing your liner with! The fine tip helps give that lovely thin flick at the end 🙂
great review! and it’s cheaper than Empro too, although I’m currently using that and it’s my favorite for now. maybe it’s time to purchase this new baby.
Haven’t tried Empro so can’t compare but if you do try this one someday I hope it works for you!
i have it too! however, i can’t seem to like it as much as i thought i would. i still very much prefer the first liquid eye liner that i got from red earth. it has been discontinued, and i could never ever find another replacement for it after trying out quite many =/
but i do like this for tight lining, especially after putting on falsies. can really reach the inner lid.
Yar! The fine tips really gets in there among the lashes and I like the flick it gives. I sometimes draw a really thick line too. Very Egyptian and very cool lol!
I’ve yet to find a liner that lasts on me. Right now, I use Dolly Wink liquid liner that wears like iron on everyone, but fades by noon on me and I have to touch up. Since the Maybelline one costs exactly the same as Dolly Wink here, I’ll have to pick one up and see how they compare! 🙂 Thanks for your review.
I read that this is a bestseller in Japan! 😀 I’ve heard that Kiss Me Heroine Make liner is good. Perhaps you could try that?
I’ve tried a Kiss Me liner (their film-type one that washes off with warm water) and it also didn’t last. Like the Dolly Wink one (also film type), it doesn’t smudge…but flakes off and basically disappears into thin air so I have to reapply. My lids are cursed…time for a Sharpie? 😛
Kiss Me just came out with a revamped line of liners, though. Wonder how they differ besides packaging.
Ok you have lids that eat liners 😛 maybe this one will? 😉
Damn. Okay, lemming created! Hoping it comes to Canada sometime in the near future 😛
Oh yeah! You do a good job with liners! 😀 let me know if you want it. You know where to find me 😉
What perfect timing! I’m on the hunt for reasonably-priced liner…and this might be it! I tightline a lot and I need something that DOES not smudge. Period.
I hope you like this! As for tightlining I like the Canmake pencil and I think it works very well but I’m not so sure about smudging
Thanks for the tip! Good to know can experiment with liquid liners without blowing too way too much cash$$$ 😉
Yep! This one’s a budget star buy
Love it too!! Allows me to wing the liner nicely at the end and I love how the nib is thin enough to get to the very roots of my eyelashes for days when I want a more natural look rather than obvious line. Already planning to buy a couple to stash away for a rainy day…..but the few stores that I hit up were sold out of the stuff and now with this review, somemore laaaa! (Wink!!)
Haha not THAT influential 😉 Although I have noticed the shelves looking bare of late. So glad to know someone else likes this one too!
Wow. I’ve been hunting down THE liquid eyeliner. May give this a try. heehee. I want a tip like the Revlon Colorstay liquid liner with the staying power of my Etude House one.
Hmm I wasn’t as impressed with the Revlon one but I haven’t tried the Etude House one either 🙂 Maybe this will be the perfect combo 😉
Its great that this works for you! 😀 I find that it flakes and smudges a little on me, but at that price it’s pretty decent 🙂
Oh boo to flakes and smudges 🙁 This is pretty resistant on me. Stays on and on and the price can’t be beat 😉
Very impressive! Good value too.
Very good value! I hope you get this in the UK so you can try it out 🙂
Yup tried this and loving it!!! It’s my go to liner lately. I got this at RM19 I think when Watsons was having their sale. Plan to stash on them too!! A superb liquid liner thats worth the money, easy to use and a definite must have for beginners. Wish they had them in other colours as well.
Good on ya for picking it up at such a steal of a price! And glad to know you like it too 😀 isn’t it great to find something cheap that works so well? 🙂
I’ll have to pick this up at some point. Perhaps when I head back to msia/sg. I’m not fond of the marker style liners as I often find that their pen nibs pull against my skin but this doesn’t seem to. Curious!
oho! Do make a beeline for them 🙂 At KLIA they might even be available at the Guardian pharmacy 😉 The nib on this one is a bit like a stiff brush so its less marker pen and more brush like like some pens they use for Chinese calligraphy. I don’t know if it makes sense 😛
Don’t laugh… I have totally tried the Crayola black marker as eyeliner before! Hey, I was young, and my parents wouldn’t let me have makeup yet, and I never actually wore it outside – it was just for camwhoring! 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of liquid eyeliners, but this one is pretty affordable, so I might get it.
OMG you actually took a marker pen to your eyes? Not laughing just a wee bit horrified coz I was more concerned about the chemicals – I’ve seen online tips that say you can use a marker pen or Sharpie for eyeliner and it freaks me out 😛
Do give this a go. You might change your mind about liquid liners 🙂
I’m a HUGE fan of liquid eyeliner, and I also like liquid eyeliners that come in a marker style pens 😀 I’ve tried the Smashbox one (Limitless if I’m not mistaken) but I disliked it because the tip is too hard for me and hurts my eyelids and eye 🙁
My favourite ones are the Kiss Me Heavy Rotation liquid eyeliner pen, Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Eye Liner (The one I used during MWS Awards and is my standard eye liner) and this one- Maybelline Hypersharp too! 😀 I like them all because they’re easy to use, gentle on my eye, lasts but easy to remove and is black black black 😛
this maybeline smudge on me despite the rave…..all i need is 10minutes and tada…nothing is left on the lid…….
i am not kidding……
So far the only pen like eyeliner that stays on my is Kiss Me Heavy Rotation liquid eyeliner pen…
Aww sorry it didn’t work as well for you as it did for me Gin 🙁 That’s so weird though. Maybe you have special liner removing properties on your lids 😉 another person who likes Heavy Rotation mascara! Now I understand how it entered the shortlist at the Awards 😀 I gotta give it a try
Sorry to hear that Gin 🙁 I have a friend who’s eyeliner, no matter what brand or type she uses, smudges on her, or disappears entirely too. No idea why!
And Paris, get the one with the black packaging, the one with Heavy Rotation on it 😛 Not the one with the Victorian-esque lady. They’re both by Kiss Me but are different actually! I find the Heavy Rotation one works better than the Heroine Make one.
I’ve heard SO MUCH about Heroine Male liners I think I have to go out and get some to try 😛 As for Smashbox yes its the Limitless liquid liner and I didn’t notice that about the nib being hard. Will try it out tomorrow and see!
i dont like liquid eyeliner cause everytimei use it, it will clump up my last i dont know why
Clumps your lashes? That’s really odd. They shouldn’t. What brands have you tried?
yeah clump up my lashes i dont know why almost every brand majorlica, laneige, kate all the same, maybe it’s the way i use it cause i like my eyeliner to be at the roots of my lash
For an inexpensive liquid liner, I like Eyeko. It’s just like a really sharp felt tip pen and draws a perfect thin line even with shaky hands. Even on my oily lids, the liner stays. Absolutely love it for a cheaper option.
Good to know that works well for you 🙂 I’d only tried the Eyeko Graffiti liner pen in purple and didn’t like it at all 🙁 Maybe it was the colour. But I think now that Eyeko has rebranded themselves into some higher end department store brand and prices to match, I’m not sure if they have the liner anymore.
I’ve tried a couple of liquid liners but never got the hang of them. I still prefer pencils and gels although this Maybelline liquid looks pretty decent.
I think this is a good inexpensive one to try if you want to give liquid liners a go 😉