Review: MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Gel Eyeliner

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I like gel liners that come in a little pot because I just find them to be easier to work with than pencil / liquid eyeliners. As I trudged through ULTA to try to find one that suits my needs, I came across MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline that seemed pretty promising.

MAC
Pro Longwear Fluidline Gel Eyeliner Review

MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Gel Eyeliner Blacktrack Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: MAC
Product: Pro Longwear Fluidline

Shade: Blacktrack
Color Payoff:  Moderate
Price:  $19.00
Where to Buy: Amazon, MAC, Nordstrom, Ulta

I was looking for a soft gel formula that can be spread along my lash line pretty quickly. Kind of like different drawing mediums... I prefer to work with chalk and charcoal that can be spread around and is generally more forgiving, while others like to work with pens and markers.

MAC claims that the Fluidline gel eyeliner has a longwearing, smudgeproof yet silky finish - exactly what I was looking for. I paired this liner with my trusty Anastasia Beverly Hills # 3 Tapered Liner Brush, but I think a angled liner brush will work just as well.

MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Blacktrack packaging

SWATCH

It is truly smudge and waterproof!

The MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline gel eyeliner has a pretty good color payoff. As expected, it's not quite as bold as a true liquid eyeliner (I like Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner), but it does have a nice finish. Some black eyeliners tend to also look very stark, but the Blacktrack shade was a lovely soft black.

The swatch dried pretty quickly, and after that it became practically smudge proof! I even washed my hands several times throughout the day and it did not budge. Safe to say that it passed the Water Test with flying colors. Since soap and water did not remove the swatch, I had to use my Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil with a little help from my finger nails. I hope it performs this well on my combination / oily face!

BEFORE AND AFTER

MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Blacktrack - With Primer

MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Blacktrack - Without Primer

First and foremost, I found that this gel eyeliner has to be used with primer (I used Sulwhasoo Makeup Balancer). Otherwise, it just seems to break down after a few hours. In addition to this, despite having used gel pot eyeliners in the past; the MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline had an unexpected learning curve. I usually applied them with one long swoop, but if you attempt to do this with Fluidline then the stroke starts to look pretty weak / transparent. The formula is so soft that the brush simultaneously applies it while also wiping it off. I used three different brushes across several days to make sure I wasn't taking crazy pills. It's not me, MAC, it's you.

The best way to apply it is to use very short strokes. Unfortunately you have to do this pretty quickly because if it dries during application, then the brush will start rubbing the product off completely and it will look flakey!

The weather has been quite cool lately, so my combination / oily skin has been leaning more towards normal (it's oily in the summer); so I'm not sure if that's the reason why the gel liner seems to break down without primer. Again, I did test it over several days to make sure.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The PROS: MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Blacktrack is water resistant, and does not transfer to the upper lid.

The CONS: It has quite a steep learning curve, and must be worn with primer. I think if you were looking for a liner that could make a bold look (like a crisp cat's eye) then you might be disappointed.

STORE	PRICE	OFFERS
Amazon	$24.77	Free Shipping
MAC	$19.00	Free Shipping Every Order + Free Samples
Nordstrom	$19.00	Free Shipping + Gift with Purchase
ULTA	$19.00	Free Shipping Orders $35+

At the end of the day, this product is just "okay". I kind of feel like it's more trouble than it's worth but I'll continue playing with it to see if I could get it to work for me... I might just end up going back to my trusty Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner which is far, far better.

Rating

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About the Author

Misakino

This blog was started to help other fellow NC37s on their quest to finding the perfect BB cushion. Being a big fan of K-Beauty, it is very difficult to find cushions darker than shade 23. It can be quite the gamble ordering makeup from overseas without an inkling of what that may look like, or even if it is beneficial for certain skin types. I am willing to buy these products, swatch, and test them in order to help others make an informed decision.