Playing Favorites: My Top 6 Urban Decay Eyeliners
It is a truth universally acknowledged that I am head over heels in love with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. In fact, a review of these amazing eyeliners was posted in this blog's infancy, way back in ye olden times (AKA 2012). I really don't think there's a better line of eyeliners out there. I've tried so many, and while some are actually quite good, I've found none to be as consistent in quality as Urban Decay's. Since I've already reviewed these pencils, and told you how great the formula is and how long lasting they are, I'm not going to bore you with more of the same. Instead, I thought I'd highlight my MVPs of the Urban Decay eyeliner lineup. I own SO MANY of these babies, and I love them all, but there are some that I love more than others. I started with a fistful of my favorites, and judiciously narrowed down my selection until I had my Top 6 Favorites.
One thing you'll notice right off the bat about my favorites: They're almost entirely dark mattes. This is not to say that I don't own and love some bright, glittery liners - they're just not my go-tos. I've never had to repurchase them, because one liner is going to last me about a million years. All of my top picks have reached the Point of Repurchase, which I think is the true test of a beloved beauty product. Anyway, enough jibber jabber. Let me tell you about my true loves.
Smoke is a deep gray, that's a softer alternative to black. It's just a few shades darker than Desperation, and I had a hard time picking between the two. I went with Smoke because it seemed a little more universally appealing. If you're pale like me and find that solid black eyeliner is a bit harsh on you, a dark matte gray like Smoke is a great option.
Scorch is the one glittery shade in my favorites, and it's a great everyday color, especially if you're not the most adept at applying eyeliner. You can really go nuts with this eyeliner - no need to worry about hugging your lashline perfectly, because it kind of just blends in. I like to wear this when I want my eyes to have a little pop, but I don't want to look too made-up. Even if I am wearing one of the other colors on my top lashline, I prefer to use Scorch on my lower waterline, because it adds definition and a hint of shade, without making me feel like I have Taylor Momsen Eyes. (In my original review I mentioned this tip, but the color was then a slighty more orange-y shade, Lucky, which is now discontinued.)
Demolition is probably my favorite of the brown 24/7 shades. It's just a perfect, rich, matte brown. I think this is a great starting place for eyeliner newbies. It'll kick your eyes up a notch, but isn't too overpowering or intimidating. As you can see from the photo, my Demolition is well loved and liberally used.
Rockstar, I think, has been around since the first 24/7 liners were released. Don't cite me on that! But I know I've repurchased this color more times than I can count, and even using it as much as I do, the only way I can have gone through so many is if it's been around since the beginning. At least I hope so, because I've bought Rockstar A LOT. The Rockstar eyeliner that I used in the photos is actually a brand new one that I have for when my current one finally dies. Repurchasing is great proof of a well-loved product, but having a spare on hand is proof of a TRUE love product. For a fair amount of time this was the only 24/7 liner I owned, and the only eyeliner I wore. I'd say if you're a Demolition lover and you want to take things to the next level, try Rockstar. If you have blue eyes, stop whatever you're doing and get Rockstar RIGHT THIS SECOND. I can just about guarantee that it will make your eyes look like a million billion dollars.
Sabbath, like Smoke, was one that I had to swatch next to another extremely similar shade in order to determine what made the cut. In this case it was between Sabbath and Mainline. And just like with Smoke, I went with the deeper, darker shade. Every time I wear Sabbath I think, "Hot damn, that's beautiful. You should wear this every day." So if that's not enough of an endorsement (and a reminder to myself to wear this more often) I don't know what is.
Zero was the first black liner in the 24/7 collection. It's still probably one of the top sellers, although there is now a "blackest-black" shade called Perversion for those of you that can't get enough black eyeliner (I SEE YOU, MOMSEN). I waited awhile before buying Zero, beacause as I mentioned before, I am very fair featured, and black eyeliner can come off as a little harsh on me. BUT, I love a good tightline, and Zero is my go-to for my upper waterline. It's reached the point where if I don't swipe some Zero (or occasionally Sabbath) on my waterline I feel like my eyes just look so... bleh. There's something about a good tightlining that just makes everything better.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils: $20 each
