Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Review

Charli XCX is the spokeswoman for this revamped line

*Free product alert! I received this sample for free from Make Up For Ever Canada. But don't worry, that fact won't impact my judgement.*

When it comes to eye pencils, I'm generally reluctant to go outside my comfort zone. I have my Buxom liner and really, that's all I need. I find that most other eye pencils are a pain to use (sometimes literally), smear and just don't bring anything new to the table.

But then I discovered MUFE's Aqua XL Eye Pencil, the company's revamped version of its Aqua eye pencils, and now I have two options when it comes to lining — and even colouring — my lids.

I like these products for three reason. The first has to do with how user-friendly they are. MUFE claims that these pencils have an "easy application, with an amazingly smooth glide." I completely agree with this. While they aren't quite as smooth as Buxom's Insider Eyeliner, they do go on easier than 99.98% of the other eye pencils out there. These pencils definitely have a "creamy texture" that allows them to work as a liner but also as a shadow, as you can easily use them to fill in your lids with colour.

I do however disagree with MUFE's claim that they "blend easily." Instead I found that if I wanted to blend this product, I had to do it very quickly and accurately, as this makeup set very quickly and very thoroughly. And that's the second reason why I like this line. While blendability is nice, I'd rather have a product that doesn't budge. MUFE says that these pencils create lines that are "extra long-last" and "super-precise and ultra-resistant." Again, all of this is true.

I successfully wore this product to a music festival and, despite spending hours in the sun and wind, the colours stayed impressively vibrant. It doesn't smear, it doesn't shed, it goes where you want it and then it doesn't move. I was also able to use it to draw a sharp, attractive cat-eye, something I usually can't do with any liner other than the previously mentioned Buxom one.

M-92, S-50, ME-42, I-24, D-12

This long-wearing quality does of course have one downside: This liner is a pain to remove. I struggled to take it off even with eye-makeup specific makeup remover.

Finally, here's the third reason why I love this product — it's so pretty! These pencils are available in five finishes: matte, satiny, iridescent, metallic or diamond and in 20 colours. MUFE is known for its "ultra-pigmented colours" and that trait continues to be true in these pencils. The colour of the pencil is the the colour that you end up with on your skin and no, you don't have to layer it on to get that result. I'm particularly a fan of Iridescent Blue (I-24). It's a simply gorgeous shade of peacock blue and I wish I had more reasons to wear it.

While I love the colour options, I do wish that some of them were available in different finishes (yes, I'm greedy like that). For example, Satiny Taupe (S-50) has quickly become a regular part of my routine. It would be great if I could get the exact shade in say, an iridescent and metallic finish as well.

These pencils aren't cheap, retailing at $25 each but they are definitely worth the money!

Would I buy this product: Yes!

Should you buy this product: Yes!