When it comes to liquid eyeliners, the general rule I have figured out for myself is anything but a felt-tip pen wouldn’t work. I don’t know if it’s my eye shape or the fact that I use way too much force, but I have the most frustrating time with sponge-y applicators (think Illamasqua) and tiny little brushes (think Dolly Wink). I had gone without a liquid eyeliner for quite a while when the new Diorshow Art Pen (RRP in Belgium: 35,82 euros) came along. I was pretty much sold when I realized it’s a felt-tip pen, so I snatched it up speedy quick!
The applicator of Diorshow Art Pen is rather long and pointy. It is quite supple. Not only can I easily create a line that is thick and opaque enough for my upper lash line, I am also able to dot it gently for my lower lash line (where I never want an obvious line). No building up is necessary with this liner, because the line is very opaque (with a lacquer finish) from the get-go. The formula is slightly less “cooling” than some of the liquid eyeliners I have tried. In the beginning I found it took a bit longer for it to dry down, but after two weeks it isn’t so obvious anymore.
I wrote all the letters down with one single pass, but the opacity and finish are closer to that of the little heart on the lid:
Here you can see eye close-ups of how Diorshow Art Pen looks on my upper lash and waterline, as well as my lower lash line (gently dotted over and then blended out with an eyeshadow):
Now, how about the lasting power? Well, it’s complicated.
Diorshow Art Pen stays intact on me all day if I use an eyeshadow primer and then a cream shadow on top. If I’m just wearing a primer and pressed eyeshadows however, it would be fine for 8 hours. Afterwards, I can gradually see the oil making the part close to my inner corners fade. From that point on, I can get another hour and a half before it starts looking obviously frayed.
I think it fades on me for two reasons. First of all, my lids are normal to oily, and at some point the oil starts breaking through the eyeshadow primer. This is why with the double insurance of a primer and a cream shadow the liner wears all day on me. Second, I have this weird little “crease” on my lids. My eyeliner either stops at that line, or it sometimes goes a little bit above it. With all the blinking and whatnot, eyeliner gets worn off faster. On my lash line the formula really clings on!
Removing can be done with Bioderma (or any micellar water/bi-phase makeup remover of your choice), so it is rather simple.
You have seen Diorshow Art Pen in some of these looks:
(Diorshow Gris Montaigne Mono)
Bottom line: I enjoy the ease of use with the tip of Diorshow Art Pen and the opaque lacquer finish of the formula. It’s a pity that it won’t stay on my lids with all the primer/shadow combination, so it might not be repurchase material for me. However, I’ll definitely take it out if I know my makeup won’t need to last for more than 8 hours or when I am wearing a cream shadow! If you prefer felt-tip liquid liners and have normal-to-dry lids, or if you don’t have a wacky little “crease” like I do, you might have better luck making it stay put!
What is your favorite type of liquid eyeliner applicator? Am I the only one who can only rock a felt-tip pen? If you have tried a good felt-tip eyeliner, please give me a heads-up in the comment section down below!
Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx