e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner {Review}

Pros: Economical, great for creating bold, dramatic lines, minimal tugging during application
Cons: Not waterproof, unsharpened pencil leaves a wide line, foam applicator

I found the e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner at my local Kmart in the e.l.f. Studio section several months ago. I had wanted to try out the eyeliner, but somehow never ended up in my cart during any of my bi-yearly e.l.f. hauls.

I’m always on the lookout for good eyeliners, so when I spotted it at Kmart, I decided to give it a go.

e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner

Rating: B-
Shades: 1 shade
Price: $3.00 USD
Where to Buy: Select stores, eyeslipsface.com

This dual-ended eyeliner is designed for smoky eye looks.

Packaging

The Kohl Eyeliner is a dual-ended liner: one end is the liner and the other is a foam, smudge applicator. Both ends are lidded, with the eyeliner cap having a built-in sharpener. This comes in handy if you keep the liner in your purse or take it with you on a trip and don’t want to carry a bunch of extra tools.

e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner

The foam smudger works okay in a pinch, though I would recommend a brush tool for most usage.

The biggest problem I have with the eyeliner is the circumference of the pencil. Unless you sharpen the liner everyday, you’re more likely to use the it when it’s dull and that leaves a really wide, thick line. Not a lot of control with this jumbo pencil.

Formulation

The Kohl Eyeliner comes only in black–hardly unexpected–and is not waterproof. You need to be aware of this if you intend to use it on the waterline. Think happy thoughts and don’t cry.

The liner will also smudge if you’re not careful. I had no issues rubbing the eyeliner off my hand while I was swatching. While the good news is that it’s easy to remove, the bad is that it will probably fade during the day.

Swatches of the e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner, e.l.f. Essential Brightening Eye Liner,
and the e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner

The formula is smooth and there isn’t too much tugging during application. While a step up from the e.l.f. Essential Brightening Eyeliner, it’s not quite as creamy and smooth as the e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner–neither of which are waterproof either.

The pigmentation is definitely there, although for a smoky eye look, you may need to go over the lines to sufficiently darken them.

Images

Conclusion

The e.l.f. Studio Kohl Eyeliner is certainly not the first liner I reach for, but I wouldn’t call it a bad product. It does seem misleading in this day and age to carry a kohl eyeliner product and it not be waterproof.

If you’re on a super tight budget, I suggest going with the e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner, available in eight shades. They have a better texture and are easier to apply.

However, at $3, there’s no harm in trying out the Kohl Eyliner to see if it works for you. If you wait for a massive e.l.f. sale, even better.