Review: Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12-Hour Wear Waterproof in No 14 and No 19

I wanted a very deep forest green pencil that didn't scream green or teal. No idea how that adventurous thought got in my mind and I couldn't shake it off. Something deep and dark enough to blend in with my natural hair color (a brown black). It must be soft and waterproof too. So I went to Urban Decay, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Tom Ford, Dior, Chanel, blah blah blah you named it. And a sale associate at Sephora highly recommend the Sephora Collection. I do love other brands color but none offered a deep enough forest green AND a creamy waterproof formula.

After much swatching, I settled down with Sephora Collection 12 hr wear eye pencil ($9 for 0.04 oz) in #19 Go for a Ride. In fact, I love it so much I went back for #14 Cocoa. Guys, I'm blown away! 

 #14 Cocoa is a deep chocolate brown with very fine shimmer that adds some glam and softness to the color. When I use it to create a crisp line, Cocoa doesn't look too harsh. And it's almost an exact dupe for Tom Ford eyeliner in Metallic Mink! When I wore this baby to the counter, the girls there thought it was Metallic Mink. I swatched them side by side and was in awe!

#19 Go for a ride is THE green that I've been hunting for. It's deep forest green with shimmer, although the shimmer isn't as visible as that of Cocoa. Stunning!! I couldn't be happier with the colors!

Direct sunlight

Another look at the shimmer

I have worn both in various weather conditions, mostly hot and muggy. They stay put no matter what for 12 hr. They look exactly the same all day, no fall-outs, no smudging of any sort. So durable under the heat and humidity in Houston. On the other hand, if you want to create a creamy base, these pencils are up to the task. Once they set, they won't move yet you can remove them with a standard oil-based makeup remover. 

How Cocoa looks on my eye lids

Bottom line. If you haven't tried these pencils, you're missing out guys. The color is gorgeous. The formula is superb. The price is friendly. What else can we ask for? 

My go-to brown eyeliners - Chanel Espresso, Lancome Black Coffee, Urban Decay 24/7 Whiskey

Brown eyeliners can be tricky for those who have darker features. I have black hair, black brows and black eyelashes. So I had the toughest time finding a good brown eyeliners to save my self from a bruised eye tragedy. If you also have dark features like me you may find these eyeliners as lovely as I do. 

Chanel Stylo Yeux Espresso ($29) is a deep cool brown. It is truly waterproof and stays put more than 5 hours. It's not as soft as Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners but noticeably softer than Lancome Le Crayon Khol. I would recommend you warm Espresso up in the back of your hand before applying on your lashline. The result is flawless and very natural. 

Lancome Le Crayon Khol Black Coffee ($24.5) is also a deep cool brown but slightly cooler than Chanel Espresso. It's not as soft as the other two eyeliners so warming up beforehand would also help for a more even application. Black Coffee doesn't survive after the first two hours on my lids. I usually use Black Coffee as a base rather than an eyeliner. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Whishkey ($18) is the warmest and softest of the bunch. It glides on the most smoothly and easily but it doesn't last as long as Chanel Espresso. Because its warm undertone, I prefer Whiskey for either  lower lashlines or as eyeshadow base. It looks very natural on my warm skintone. No warm up needed.