So, if I’m to be perfectly honest, the new Marc Jacobs Beauty line hasn’t been knocking my socks off. If I wore socks that is. They aren’t flying off my feet, at any rate. In fact, I’ve been rather underwhelmed by almost everything I’ve tried, so I haven’t even felt like talking about them (I know, I should and I’ll get round to it – just don’t hold your breathe lest you turn blue) So, the day I picked up the Magic Marc’er Precision Pen Waterproof Eyeliner, I had no expectations. Ok, I lie. I did. I expected it to be another disappointment.
But you know, someone needs to find my socks, because I’ve finally found something pretty impressive from the MJB line! 😀
For now, this liquid eyeliner comes in just 1 shade – Blacquer – which is touted to be the blackest black and to have extreme wear. I must say, they are accurate on all counts. I haven’t been wearing liquid eyeliner a lot, because I’m just not very good at controlling the pen. You know how it is.
You hold the liner pen with your shaky hands, draw a shaky line, try to rectify it and end up with eyeliner all over your lid, or a line thicker than Cleopatra’s. I’m just not good at it. But I have to say that this Marc Jacobs one, whilst hardly “magic” is relatively easy to use, draws a lovely dark black line and stays put all day. All. Damned. Day! No smudges, no running, no fading. Colour me impressed! 😀
The Magic Marc’er is quite an apt description because the pen does remind me of the magic markers I used back in school. (Aside: Oh please, don’t anyone tell me they’ve believed the urban myth that you can use a Sharpie or marker pen as an eyeliner, please!)
You get a felt tip nib, pretty much like that of a marker pen, which is fairly long and pointed like a calligraphy pen. It says on the box that this is Made in Japan so I have a sneaky suspicion it’s related to some of the Japanese brands available out there except I have no idea which 😛
What this means is that you can, if you use light pressure and a light hand, get a fairly thin line, using just the tip of the pen to draw. Or, if you prefer something more visible, then press on a little more and you get a thicker line. It isn’t too soft or floppy and I found it fairly controllable.
If I can handle this pen, trust me, anyone can. I’m such a klutz and goof when it comes to things like this, and I’m no makeup artist nor do I aspire to be one, so trust me on this 😀
Here is how the Magic Marc’er pen looks when scribbled on the back of my hand.
On left, is a fairly thick line, drawn by putting down a little pressure. there isn’t a lot of give, and you may see how the line is fairly controlled even with the pressure.
In the middle is a thin scribble using just the tip of the pen and a light pressure, just to show you that you can get a thin line if you want to.
On right is the pressure I usually use, getting a fairly medium thick line and you can vary it up by starting out thinner and going thicker as you go.
But you know what? It’s easy to scribble on your hand. But we don’t wear eyeliner on our hands right? So here’s how I do it on my eye. I couldn’t get pictures so you just have to use your imagination a little, and practice 🙂
- I look in the mirror, head tilted back a little, and looking down about 45°
- I hold the pen in my right hand, so I use my left hand to hold down the outer corner of my lid so the skin is taut, and then I hold the pen at a 45° angle to my lid and draw a line along the top lid, as close to the lash line as possible. I don’t use the tip at a 90° angle to the skin, but use a 45° angle so you allow the side of the pen nib to help you draw your line. It’s quicker this way.
- Don’t double back too much. I try to get the basic line with 1 slow, smooth swipe of the pen, then go back for a thicker line if I feel like it, but you always risk uneven lines when doubling back so minimize it.
- Keep looking down for a minute or two while the ink dries and you’re done.
When I get it right, it looks something like this.
In the picture on left, I gave it a little flick at the end. I usuallydraw a slightly thicker line at the outer edge, and a flick because of the shape of my eye. So work with your eye shape, not just follow the trends for the sake of following trends. Sometimes, it doesn’t work for us.
In the picture on right is a simple line without a flick at the end. It was drawn with just 1 smooth line from the pen, so you can see that it is quite smooth and I find that using the side of the nib to draw and control the line is far more effective than just focusing on the tip, as I had been taught previously.
So, what’s great about this Marc Jacobs Magic Marc’er is that the ink flows very smoothly all the way through the pen nib, so I can get the same intense black whether I use the side of the pen nib or the tip, it is flexible yet not too flexible so it’s fairly easy to control, the black is intense, it dries fairly quickly and once it dries, it is budge proof. I even have trouble removing it at the end of the day, so that tells you something. If you use an oil cleanser, that’s the quickest way to remove this eyeliner. Otherwise, be prepared with patience and a good waterproof eye makeup remover.
In a nutshell
The Marc Jacobs Magic Marc’er Precision Pen Waterproof Eyeliner in Blacquer lives up to its promises and then some! I like the simple, easy to control pen nib that allows me to draw a fairly smooth line on my upper lid and the thin nib allows me to get close to my lash line for a more seamless look. It does take a minute or two to dry so you have to be a little patient while it dries, but once it does, it is all but budge proof and lasts through sweat and tears. The colour is an intense black with a bit of a shine that is quite interesting. I might have preferred it to be just matte black, but because it’s so budge and smudge proof, I will give it that. It’s a really good eyeliner and definitely one of the better ones I’ve tried.
Pros: Nib is not too soft and is saturated with product to make it easy to draw a line, Intense dark black ink, Waterproof and lasts all day without flaking or fading, Relatively easy to use
Cons: Pricey, Hard to remove but easily removes with oil cleanser, Has a glossy shine that may not appeal to everyone
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a dark, black liquid liner that stays on all day long
While I don’t know how long this will last (as with all liquid eyeliners, you must make sure you cap it back quickly and properly and I must have expedited the drying process trying to take pictures here LOL!) I plan to use it up, and I have been. I have been tightlining a lot (because I’m lazy) but since I started using this pen, I’ve been using it almost daily so it doesn’t go to waste, and because I just like how the crisp line looks.
Unlike other Marc Jacobs Beauty products I’ve tried, this one has a little more function over form, although the form is impressive as well. A relatively weighty sleek pen with a shiny tip on the cap feels comfortable in your hands, looks amazing on your vanity and stays all day on my lids. Couldn’t ask for better!
Have you tried this Marc Jacobs liquid eyeliner pen? Do you use liquid liners and if you do, what’s your fave?
I don’t use liquid liners a lot because I don’t like how quickly they dry out, and because I’m just not very good at it. The last one I used and liked a lot was the Maybelline Hypersharp liner (good and affordable!) but it dries so quickly and the colour wasn’t as pigmented after a while. This one’s nice, but the price is rather hefty so think of it as a splurge item if you’re feeling flush, or wait for Sephora sales or discounts. But I will warn you that because it’s so impressive in both form and function, it’ll be hard to move on once it’s dried out 😀 Now, has anyone actually used a Sharpie or marker as eyeliner? 😛
Paris B
Marc Jacobs Magic Marc’er Precision Pen Waterproof Eyeliner in Blacquer Price: RM89 Availability: Sephora stores
Woah fancy calligraphy pen-ish style eyeliner. I am sad to say that I am one of those people who believe that you can use a sharpie to draw an eyeliner – thanks to the show orange is the new black-. But then, I would imagine you could use sharpies to draw eyeliner.. if youwant it permanantly etched there and unwashable that is hahaha, good for a one-time-perfect-winged-limer-forever eh?
Hahaha I hope you haven’t actually tried using a sharpie, Robert! 😛 Well drawing it on won’t be much of a problem. Taking it off… now that’s a whole different ball game! I doubt cleansing oil will even work LOL! 😉
I love liquid liners! I find them to be easier to apply than gel liner, for some reason. I typically like Asian liquid liners, though. The other ones I’ve tried (elf, LMdB) weren’t nearly as good!
The trick with gel liner is the brush and sometimes, that’s such a hassle! So you’re right about liquid liner being easier, if the tip is nice to draw with. I have tried some Asian brand liners and they do make them to be of better quality. Perhaps that’s why MJB went with something Made in Japan? 😉 This one’s quite nice, if you want to try it.
I used the gel liner from Face shop in the past, and currently using Tony moly’s.
They’re pretty good and stays on all day for me.
I prefer those in the pot and brush 🙂
That makes for easier control doesn’t it? The only ones I used back then for gel liners was Bobbi Brown and Maybelline, both of which were very good! Glad you found liners that work for you
Ohhh I shall give this a try. I personally loved the Stilla’s pen eyeliner. Its really easy to use as well.
I haven’t tried Stila’s but a few of you have mentioned it so that means I’ll have to try it some day right? 😀 Maybe when this one dries out. I really like this one if only because it lasts and lasts!
Wow…I’m impressed! Do let us know how long this lasts with daily use. I have the Maybelline Hypersharp, but I don’t use it very often and recently, when I used it I noticed that it seemed like it was going to dry out! Like, when I tried going over dried parts, it won’t go over the area smoothly and the nib even took some of the dried liner off! :O The cap was kept closed during storage, so I’m a little puzzled.
I’ll hope to remember to update once it dries out Yee 🙂 So far, it’s doing well and I love travelling with it because it means I can do very simple and quick eye looks without fearing that I’ll have smudges or look like a panda as the day wears on 😀 The Maybelline Hypersharp is very good, but it dries out incredibly quickly! For a budget liquid liner, I think it’s great but the speed at which it dries out bugs me too. Like you, mine dried out while capped!
This looks really good on you. I used to use Hypersharp but i’m recently a convert after using the Eyeko X Alexa Chung’s one. (Check out Net-a-porter’s summer kit if you haven’t.) It’s so easy to use…and I can use it even on the waterline and it’s budge proof even in very much humid weather condition. A winner in my book. I should take a look at the Marc Jacobs one after i’m done with the one i have as it looks like it might be a limited edition collaboration perhaps?
Thanks Lisa – I have heard a lot of good things about the Eyeko x Alexa Chung liner too. I was quite tempted by the NAP Summer kit but I decided to pass. Trying to be good and clearing space before I indulge again in beauty goodies 😀 On the bright side, once the Eyeko one is used up, you know you’ll have an alternative in this MJB one 🙂
I’m using a Maybelline liquid liner that looks quite similar to this and I really like it!
Hey S, is it the Hypersharp one? I think that one’s really good too and light on the wallet 😀
I’ve recently got my hands on the Eyeko Eye Do eyeliner by Alexa Chung. Will probably give the Marc Jacobs one a run for the money. It’s easy to use, stays on whole day till you take it off. That’s saying a lot cause I have oily lids and every eyeliner – gel, pencil, liquid, waterproof, smudge proof etc, all disappear on my eyes. Could say I’ve found my holy grail eyeliner 🙂
And talk about oily lids, my eyebrows also disappear after an hour. Lol! I’ve also found another holy grail for this – the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade. What a life saver! Oooh, I’ve been pretty lucky this month and I’m a happy bunny!
That’s great to know that you found an eyeliner to work for you and stay on, Honey 🙂 I guess I should count myself lucky that I have little problems when it comes to eye products staying on, so whenever one doesn’t, I jump down on it hard 😀
Marky is the queen of cat eyeliner around here and I gave this one to her and she absolutely LOVED it. But it’s so $$$. But she is quite happy with the Stila one, so yeah. But I think if she had a choice, she’d keep wanting this one haha!
Yay, Marky has good taste! hehe… It’s very expensive, I’d agree and you’re the second person to mention Stila to me! So I”ll have to check that one out next time 😉
Paris…you’re such an enabler! I read this post earlier this morning, sneaked out to the nearest Sephora and I have no remorse about splurging on this. I’d say, MJ works better than Benefit They’re Real Push Up Liner. But don’t take my word seriously..I’ve only had MJ for half a day and Benefit and I don’t have the best relationship.
Hahhaa Thanks Laura… I think 😉 I haven’t tried the Benefit They’re Real liner but I don’t really have any desire to. It looks like a disaster waiting to happen for me haha! The MJ one really works well and I hope it stays on well for you too! I’ve been using it so often, it surprises me 🙂
This sounds amazing! If I were any good at applying liquid eyeliner, I’d give it a go. But I use it so little, I don’t think I could justify such a high price!
I surprised myself by wearing it almost daily, Gio! It must be because it’s so easy to use and it isn’t hard to draw a nice line at all. If you have the chance, do give it a go 😀
Packaging is so different from all other eyeliners! I wonder if you could use the shiny tip for under-eye massage? haha! You know, like those eye roller thing?
When I saw the swatches, I went “WHOA!! OH MY GOD that is intense!!” out loud. Luckily only my children around me then, so no questions asked regarding that statement. :p
I’d definitely give this a try next time I’m back! Wait for me Sephora KL! 🙂
LOL! No you can’t actually. It’s just a shiny tip, but it looks sleek right? 🙂 And definitely, if you love liners, give this one a go. The intensity really surprised me and I love how longlasting it is! I mean, in our weather and all 😀
This looks a lot like the Japanese drugstore offerings from Kate, Kiss Me, Dejavu and Heavy Rotation. I’d say if you liked this, then any of these brands would give you comparable results for cheap!
Heavy Rotation has a brush tip (something like a firm calligraphy brush) which is better than a felt tip which dries out. And these dry very quick.
Yep, when I saw it was Made in Japan, I immediately thought of the plethora of Japanese brands out there. I’ve tried the Kate one but wasn’t impressed. ZA was ok, but not as impressive because they weren’t as intense as this one is. I’m still to try the famed Kiss Me and Heavy Rotation but something about the pinkness and the Japanese dolly faces on the packaging really put me off LOL! I should put it aside in the name of experimentation right? 😛
Aw…. I want to try this. My search for my HG eyeliner has not ceased and I will try everyone out there so long as I hear the words smudge proof, water proof, budge proof… I was going to pick this up but I think it is quite popular because it was OOS at the time when I wanted to pick it up.
This is pretty good but I’ve been trying the Make Up For Ever Aqua eyeliner and it’s pretty impressive too! While not as budgeproof, smudging is minimal and I can use to tightline.
The Japanese make liners of transcendent quality because of their tradition of superior brush and ink technology and I’m so glad MJB went Japanese for this.
I’m excited to try this – I have it but it’s so weighty and luxe that I just sit and stroke its glossy exterior . I can’t afford a Mont Blanc nor will I ever but this is the beauty addict’s dupe.
I have been a fan of Koji and K-Palette but I will crack this open as one does a bottle of Moet for a special occasion 😉
I absolutely feel the same! I’m glad MJB picked the brains of the Japanese for these. Have you tried it yet? It does work best when used you know 😉 Oh and it’d be interesting to see how it compares to Koji and K-Palette too! (neither of which I’ve used yet)
Hiii do you think if i swim at the beach it wont smudge? because it’s sea water so im not sure if it will have different effect 🙁