I don’t enjoy writing negative reviews here, but I’ve seen so many positive blog posts about this eyeliner, I thought it would be helpful to offer a different perspective. Borghese Linea Precisa Liquid Eyeliner is advertised as a fool-proof liquid liner, that won’t budge throughout the day. Here’s the description from Borghese.com:
“Simple crisp outlines, to sweeping dramatic strokes of definition, this precision-tip liqui-liner provides color when you want it, where you want it. Easy application and total control, it’s color-true and won’t fade, flake, budge or smudge.”
Unfortunately, I can’t agree with those statements, but I’ll start with the positives first. The felt tip is indeed very thin and easy to work with, it really helps creating an even line a breeze. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, Borghese Linea Precisa Liquid Eyeliner makes creating thin lines and dramatic cat eyes a breeze. But that’s where the positives end…
Ingredients – CosDNA: Water, Propylene Glycol, PVP, Laureth 4, PEG 8 Dimethicone, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510) (CI 77510)
My main gripe is the color, because it’s marked as “Black”, but if you are seeing what I’m seeing, it’s definitely gray, no matter how you look at it. Layering it does help deepen the shade somewhat, but even then it’ll be dark charcoal at best. It also looks very watered down, almost like you’re playing with watercolor dyes.
Swatch reference: My skin tone is between MAC NC15 and NW15 with neutral undertones. Sometimes I can wear NW20 in the Summer. I thought this would be useful to know, since all screens show colors differently, and I also don’t have a studio setup with consistent lighting. Hope that helps!
Another issue I had was those claims about budging, because it did, in fact, budge pretty seriously, and very soon after the initial application. No, it doesn’t smudge easily [mostly, because the pigmentation is so poor, so there’s nothing to smudge], it simply disappears. Yep, you heard me, it vanishes from the lids, and leaves a faint trace of color behind that looks nothing like what you applied in the morning.
Do you need this? In my opinion, no: this eyeliner has no redeeming qualities, and even its best feature – the packaging with a truly wonderful felt tip, – is completely overshadowed by the negatives. I believe this is just an odd occurrence, because I’m generally very happy with Borghese makeup [spoiler!], and I hope they remake the product utilizing the same amazing packaging, filled with reformulated “juice”.
Like I said, this was just my perspective on this eyeliner: maybe I have weird lids, or maybe I just didn’t “get” it. If you want to read reviews from those who had a positive experience with this liner check out Color Me So Crazy and Beauty lit From Within.
WHERE TO BUY: $19 USD for 0.02 oz. Available at Borghese, Beauty.com, BeautyBar, Amazon.
Have you tried any of Borghese makeup before? What’s your favorite liquid liner with felt tip? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
Weird, maybe you got a bad one with a watery formula if there are so many other great reviews? I’m interested to try it just because I love felt tip liners. My fave is the Graphic Liner by MUFE 🙂
I love felt lip liners too, and the pen itself, including the felt tip, were absolutely fabulous on this one. It’s the “juice” that I was disappointed with, which makes me think I might have gotten one from a bad batch or something.
My new favorite liquid eyeliner is Physician’s Formula one with growth serum. It’s the easiest I’ve ever had to work with. For black though I’m still all about Eddie Funkhouser’s liquid liner.
This Borghese one would not cut it in my world. That color is wimpy. I wonder if you did get a bad one if others like it. Thanks for your honest review.
An eyeliner with growth serum? Sign me up! I totally need to try that one, so thanks for the rec. I’m definitely wondering if I got a dud, because no matter how I look at it, that color is NOT black.
I’ve never tried any makeup from Borghese! I have a random assortment of polishes, tho.
Their lipsticks are really nice! Probably my favorite type of makeup from them 🙂
Oh this looks gray as gray can look to me. Thanks for the review!
Right? I suspect I might have gotten a defective one, since most reviews I read were very positive.
It’s too bad it smudges, but it’s so good to know that before purchasing!!! Thank you!
Well, sounds like it just might be my personal experience with the product, since there are so many positive reviews.
meh. not black, no way… this just doesn’t look like a good one especially if it smudges.
Right? It looks gray, not black in any way. Do you think I might have gotten a dud?
That’s disappointing. I love felt tip liners, but there are a lot of duds when it comes to that
I was sad about it, too, especially since I loved the packaging, and the perfectly shaped felt tip.