Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven Review

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven Review

Product Purchased by IMBB

Hello Friends,

How are you all doing! I am feeling happy and blessed again – thanks to IMBB and its positive energy which always fades away the negative and evils vibes from our lives.  Not to forget, people like you who never fail to cheer up my spirits irrespective of my good and bad days! Moreover my daughter is back to her notorious life and I suddenly feel so energetic and cheerful! So, let me now also share with you all my unique find though I would not say it’s my best find.  You all know my love for kohl and kajal (or almost everything – courtesy IMBB).  I have plenty of them, but I am no different than any other woman who is never satisfied with her stash 😛 Recently, I splurged on this Smashbox kohl liner, out of my curiosity to know the secret behind its tag line “always sharp!”

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

It definitely lives up to its claim as I have always noticed sharp pointed tip after twisting off its cap. Moreover, it’s also the winner of Allure’s best breakthrough beauty award 2013. But what about other expectations, does it fulfill our basic expectation? Please read on further to know more about Smashbox’s Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner in the shade Raven.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

Price:

$20 for 0.01 Oz (0.28 gm).

Packaging:

This black kohl liner comes in a sleek and thin pen packaging, but it is not retractable. The whole excitement of packaging revolves around its cap which always brings out nice pointed tip the moment we twist the cap back. The idea is unique and pretty user friendly except for the fact that we never get an idea of the product inside. Overall, it’s user friendly, travel friendly and pretty unique concept though it is not feasible practically.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

My Experience with Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven:

The Smashbox kohl liner is available in 7 gorgeous shades out of which I picked my favorite black “Raven.” Raven seems an intense black liner though it is not the blackest black shade of any eyeliner I have in my stash. It precisely lines my eyes and highlights the only worthy feature of my face which is a bliss 😛 However, I wonder how these kohl liners are Allure award winners because I could not find anything unique about this kohl liner other than its twist over cap which sharpens the tip with every twist 😛 I have tried many kohl liners including high end and drugstore brands (courtesy IMBB) and as per my experience, I feel these are my least preferred liners practically.  Firstly because I love using blunt, wide kohl liner tip on waterline which can easily glide whereas this kohl liner always seems sharp and pointed and I need to swipe it multiple times to come up on waterline unlike outer eye rim, you know, what I mean? Moreover, I love my kohl to stay longer on waterline while it fades away within a couple of hours though it stays put after touch ups.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

Secondly, even if I consider these liners to line my upper eyelids, it won’t work because it is certainly waterproof but not smudge proof on oily eyelids. Thankfully, I did learn a few tricks of applying primers or powders prior to using liners which helps to set this liner on my oily eyelids up to a good extent, otherwise it has a tendency to smudge on oily eyelids within an hour of wear without any primer and eyeshadow base. Now, it is a bummer for me as I am not into eye primers and makeup totally, and I don’t have an idea about preparing eyelids for single liner.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

However, I am still using it for practice because I seriously need to learn the art of pulling out a wing and cat eyeliner looks with the always sharp and pointed tip which is unique in itself though I agree I wipe it off within 2-3 hours as it tends to smudge on my eyelids. I am glad that it does not hurt my sensitive eyes. It is really soft and safe enough to be used on waterline though its sharp and pointed tip tests my patience while using it on the inner rim of my eyes.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

It does not stay too long on waterline, say 3-4 hours, thereafter fades evenly, starting from corner of the eyes. It manages to stay 4+ hours on my primed and matte eyelids, though it’s rare, especially in the hot and humid climate out here. I feel Smashbox was only concerned about the pen tip and totally forgot about other significant points.  While wearing it on waterline, I need quick touch ups within an hour and it stays put for decent hours thereafter. I believe it is meant for dry, normal/combination skin gals; however, it would work same on waterline irrespective of our skin types.  I was happy that it is always sharp and I can use it anytime to line my upper lids but considering its average results, I don’t think it is of use for people like me.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

I prefer my L’Oreal infallible liner over this kohl liner, honestly! It is slightly better than Bobbi Brown Kohl Liner though. Overall, I would not recommend this always sharp liner to oily skin beauties, it might be a bliss for normal and dry/combination gals, but oily skin beauties be prepared with primer, eyeshadow base and face powder 😛 I am happy to get this liner though I will not get it again as I am more into retractable, smudge proof liners.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner Raven

Let’s sum up pros and cons:

Pros of Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven:

  • A unique kohl liner with twist over cap packaging which brings out a nice, sharp, pointed tip with every twist.
  • It saves us from the mess of sharpening and blunt tips.
  • Its cap definitely ensures sharp and pointed tip with every close and shut mechanism.
  • The kohl liner has won Allure’s Breakthrough Beauty Award 2013.
  • This particular shade “Raven” shows up well on my skin and its sharp tip gives precise line and definition to my eyes.
  • This shade may not be the blackest black, but it is certainly my favorite rich black.
  • It is really soft and smoothly glides on my waterline as well as eyelids without any tugging or pulling.
  • It does not sting my eyes and does not irritate my sensitive eyes.
  • Gets easily removed with oil or baby soap.
  • It shows up for decent hours on my oily eye lids if I use primer and powder on my skin.
  • Quite unique, user friendly and travel-friendly concept.

Cons of Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven:

  • There is nothing unique about this kohl liner other than its twist over in-built sharpener.
  • It has a tendency to smudge on oily eyelids hence primer/powder is must prior to wearing it every time.
  • It hardly stays on my waterline.
  • Its pointed tip does increase my problem while lining waterline and now I feel blunt wide tips work well on waterline.
  • It is a non-retractable kohl liner, hence it is difficult to get an idea about the actual product.
  • Considering its below average results on waterline and eyelids, I feel it’s quite pricey.

Well, I am glad that I tried it out of my curiosity.  If you are also wondering about its always sharp tip, then try it as I have no other reason to recommend this liner to anyone 😛

IMBB Rating:

For me it is certainly 2.5/5!

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15 thoughts on “Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner – Raven Review

  1. very detailed review neetu but I disagree to the fact that eyes are the only prominent feature on your face glad for aadiya and love the eotd swatches. the eyeliner is super ponied.

    1. *hihi* sumera u r gud in picking words from chit chats.. *hihi*
      *thankyou* gal u always boost up our spirits.. *happydance*

  2. I actually love how sharp it looks 🙂 and I completely understand when you say you like your kohl liner to be a lil blunt whle applying on the waterline 😀 Pretty EOTD Neetu *clap* Glad Aadya is back to her naughty self *shy*

  3. Lovely eotd nitu *clap* *clap* .very well reviewed…..even I like kajal n always keep trying new… *happydance* *happydance*

    1. *hifive* hain naa me too love kajals anytime.. *preen* *thankyou* gal u always boost up my spirits.. *happydance*

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