I’ve spent a decade hovering over makeup counters, testing everything from $40 Japanese liners to the stuff you find at the bottom of a drugstore bin. Honestly, most "long-wear" pencils are a lie. They promise 24 hours of pigment but give you about three hours before they start migrating toward your cheekbones. Then there’s the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil Eyeliner. It’s a mouthful of a name, but it’s one of those rare products that actually does what the marketing says it will. It just sticks.
You’ve probably seen it in the aisles. It looks unassuming. It’s a pencil, it's plastic-wrapped, and it costs less than a fancy salad. But for people who struggle with oily eyelids or watery eyes, this specific formula has become a sort of cult legend. It’s not just "good for the price." It’s better than the luxury stuff.
The Reality of the Waterproof Claim
When brands say "waterproof," they usually mean "don't cry too hard." Maybelline claims this pencil lasts for up to 36 hours. Now, let’s be real: nobody should be wearing eyeliner for 36 hours. Your skin needs to breathe. However, that high number is basically code for "this won't budge during a sweaty gym session or a humid commute."
The science here isn't magic; it’s about the sebum-resistant polymers. The Maybelline Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil Eyeliner uses a gel-based formula that’s been compressed into a pencil format. When you first swipe it on, you have maybe thirty seconds—forty if you’re lucky—to smudge it out. After that? It sets. Once it sets, the friction required to move it is significantly higher than your average kohl or wax pencil.
I’ve talked to makeup artists who use this on brides because it handles the "emotional leakage" better than liquid liners. Liquid can flake. Gel pencils like this one tend to hold the lash line with a grip that feels almost magnetic.
Why People Get Mad at the Sharpening
Here is the thing that trips everyone up. People buy this, use the tip down to the nub, and then try to twist the bottom. Nothing happens. They think it’s broken. They throw it away.
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It’s not a twist-up.
It’s a "sharpenable" pencil, but the casing feels like plastic. This is a weird design choice by Maybelline, honestly. You actually take a regular makeup sharpener and shave away that plastic-looking housing. It feels wrong the first time you do it. You expect the plastic to crack or the sharpener to jam, but it peels away in a smooth spiral, revealing more of that creamy gel core. If you use a dull sharpener, though, you’re going to have a bad time. Use a sharp one, like the dual-hole ones from Tweezerman or even Maybelline’s own Expert Tools sharpener.
Color Payoff That Actually Shows Up
Most drugstore liners are hit or miss with pigment. You draw a line and it looks gray instead of black. Or you have to press so hard you’re basically giving your eyelid a bruise.
The Maybelline Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil Eyeliner has a ridiculous amount of pigment. "Deep Onyx" is genuinely dark. "Intense Charcoal" actually looks like slate, not just faded black. They’ve also expanded the range to include shades like "Rich Berry" and "Deep Teal," which are surprisingly sophisticated. They don't look like "play makeup." They have a depth that works for older skin too, where you might want something softer than a harsh liquid wing.
- Deep Onyx: The standard. Matte, dark, unrelenting.
- Striking Navy: Great for making the whites of your eyes look brighter if you’re tired.
- Smooth Walnut: The "no-makeup" makeup choice for blondes or anyone wanting a softer look.
The texture is "creamy." That’s the word everyone uses. It glides. You don't get that "skip" across the lid that happens with drier pencils. If you have crepey skin or fine lines around your eyes, a skipping pencil is your worst enemy because it highlights every single texture. This gel fills in the gaps.
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Does it actually work in the waterline?
The "waterline" test is the gold standard. This is the wet part of your eye where most liners vanish in twenty minutes. Because this is a gel-to-powder-finish formula, it stays better than most. However—and I want to be honest here—if you have extremely sensitive, "leaky" eyes, nothing is going to stay forever. But this lasts longer than the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils for about a third of the cost.
The Competitive Landscape
If you look at the high-end market, you have the Marc Jacobs Highliners (which were discontinued, leaving a huge void) and the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liners. The Victoria Beckham ones are beautiful, but they are designed to be smudgy and "lived-in."
The Maybelline Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil Eyeliner is for the person who wants their makeup to look exactly the same at 6:00 PM as it did at 8:00 AM. It lacks the "prestige" packaging, sure. It’s a plastic stick. But in terms of the chemical performance of the pigment staying put on human skin, it’s a powerhouse.
Some users complain that it’s hard to remove. Well, yeah. That’s the point. You cannot get this off with just water. You’ll end up scrubbing your eyes red and losing three eyelashes. You need an oil-based remover or a dedicated micellar water (the blue Garnier one works well). You have to dissolve the polymers, not just wipe them.
Addressing the "Dry Out" Factor
One legitimate critique is that because it's a gel, it can dry out if you don't keep the cap on tight. If you leave it sitting on your vanity uncapped while you do the rest of your face, the tip will harden. Then, the next time you go to use it, it’ll feel scratchy. Always click that cap shut. You should hear a distinct click. If you don't, air is getting in, and you're killing the product.
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How to Apply It for Maximum Impact
Basically, if you want a winged look but struggle with the precision of liquid, use this.
- Draw a messy line along your lashes. Don't worry about being perfect.
- Take a small, angled brush or even a Q-tip.
- Drag the edge of the line outward and upward toward the tail of your brow.
- Do this quickly. Remember the "30-second rule."
- Let it dry for a full minute before blinking too hard or applying mascara.
This creates a "soft wing" that looks professional but doesn't require the steady hand of a surgeon. It’s also much more forgiving if your lids aren't perfectly smooth.
The Verdict on Value
Is it the best eyeliner in the world? Maybe not. Some people prefer the smoky, smudgy ease of a traditional kohl. But for a sharpenable gel pencil, it is the benchmark for the drugstore. You're getting a product that rivals luxury brands in pigment density and longevity.
It’s accessible. You can find it at CVS, Target, or Amazon. You don't have to wait for a restock or spend $30 on shipping. It’s a workhorse. It’s the Toyota Camry of eyeliners: it might not be the flashiest thing in your kit, but it’s the one that’s going to get you where you need to go without breaking down halfway there.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your sharpener: If you haven't replaced your makeup sharpener in a year, get a new one before buying this pencil. A dull blade will chew up the gel core and waste your money.
- Pick your "vibe": Start with Smooth Walnut if you want a daily look that defines the eyes without looking "heavy." Go for Deep Onyx only if you’re ready for serious commitment.
- The Removal Strategy: Make sure you have a bi-phase (oil and water) makeup remover on hand. Trying to take this off with a standard face wash will result in "raccoon eyes" the next morning.
- Application Tip: If the pencil feels too firm (sometimes they get cold in the winter), scribble it on the back of your hand for two seconds to let the friction warm up the gel. It’ll glide much smoother on your delicate eye area after that.