Hey beauties! Today I want to dish all about one of MAC’s iconic products that has been getting a lot of buzz lately – the Chromagraphic Pencil. As a long-time MAC devotee, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these colorful liners and put them to the test. After trying out a range of shades and looks, I’m ready to give you my honest opinion. Let’s dive in!
First impressions
The MAC Chromagraphic Pencils come in a stunning array of vibrant hues, from classic black and white to daring purples, blues, and greens. The sleek black packaging is signature MAC – simple yet chic. I love that the caps snap on securely, so I don’t have to worry about them coming off in my makeup bag.
Upon swatching, I was immediately impressed by how creamy and pigmented these pencils are. They glide on effortlessly without tugging or skipping. The colors are incredibly rich and opaque with just one swipe. As someone who loves a bold eye look, I couldn’t wait to start playing around with these!
Application and wear
For my first look, I decided to keep things classic with the Chromagraphic Pencil in Rich Purple. I lined my upper lash line and smudged it out with a brush for a smoky effect. The color payoff was incredible – a deep, regal purple that made my green eyes pop. I was amazed at how easily it blended out without losing intensity.
Throughout the day, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the liner held up. After about 8 hours of wear, it hadn’t budged, smudged or faded at all. Even on my oily lids, the Chromagraphic Pencil stayed put without transferring or settling into fine lines. Major points for longevity!
Next, I wanted to experiment with a more unconventional shade. I chose the Chromagraphic Pencil in Genuine Orange, a vivid tangerine hue. To make my blue eyes stand out, I rimmed my lower waterline and winged out the inner and outer corners. The result was a fun, editorial look that was perfect for summer.
Again, I was blown away by the staying power. The Genuine Orange shade held its own, even on my waterline, without irritating my sensitive eyes. No smudging, running or fading after a full day of wear. I was seriously impressed!
For a pop of brightness, I reached for the Chromagraphic Pencil in Primary Yellow. I used it to create a graphic, negative space eyeliner look by lining my crease and winging it out past my brow bone. The opaque, matte yellow looked incredible against my skin and really made the unique liner shape pop.
I will say, the yellow shade took a bit more building up compared to the other colors I tried. It wasn’t quite as pigmented on the first swipe. But after going over it a couple times, I achieved the same bold opacity. Just something to note if you’re in a rush!
My final look was all about colorblocking. I used the Chromagraphic Pencil in Hi-Def Cyan on my upper lash line, and Basic Red on my lower lash line. Together, the contrasting teal and cherry shades created a striking, artistic effect that was unlike any liner look I had tried before.
Both the Hi-Def Cyan and Basic Red had the same great pigmentation and creaminess as the other shades. They layered and built up beautifully for maximum impact. After 10+ hours, the colorblocked liner was still going strong with zero smudging or running. So impressive!
The good
After thoroughly testing the MAC Chromagraphic Pencils, I have to say I’m obsessed. The formula is incredible – creamy, pigmented, blendable, and SO long-wearing. I didn’t experience any smudging, transferring, fading or irritation with any of the shades I tried.
The color selection is another major plus. With so many unique, vibrant hues to choose from, the creative possibilities are endless. I love that I can easily take my liner looks from classic to editorial to avant-garde with these pencils.
At $18.50 each, they are definitely a splurge compared to drugstore liners. But for the quality and performance, I personally think the Chromagraphic Pencils are worth every penny. A little goes a long way, so I can see them lasting quite a while in my collection.
The not-so-good
Of course, no product is perfect. In testing the Chromagraphic Pencils, I did notice a couple of issues that are worth mentioning.
Firstly, some reviewers noted that certain shades, particularly the lighter tones like white, were prone to smudging and transferring. While I didn’t personally experience this with the colors I tried, it seems like the wear time may not be as consistent across all shades.
Additionally, some people found that the Chromagraphic Pencils irritated their eyes and caused sensitivity. Again, I didn’t notice any issues, but I don’t have particularly sensitive eyes. If you do, it might be wise to test these in-store before purchasing.
Lastly, the price point of $18.50 per pencil is definitely steep. I think it’s justified for the quality and performance, but they are certainly a luxury purchase. The cost may be prohibitive for some, especially if you want to collect multiple shades.
Final thoughts
Overall, I’m genuinely blown away by the MAC Chromagraphic Pencils. The incredible pigmentation, creaminess, blendability and longevity have totally won me over. I love the range of bold, unique shades and all the creative liner looks I can create with them.
While the price point is high and some reviewers noted issues with smudging and sensitivity, I personally didn’t encounter any major problems in my testing. For me, the pros far outweigh the potential cons.
If you’re a liner junkie like me who loves to experiment with color and graphic shapes, I think the MAC Chromagraphic Pencils are a must-have. The quality is top-notch and truly unlike any other pencil liners I’ve tried. They’re well worth the splurge in my opinion!
That said, I would recommend swatching them in-store if you can, to get a feel for the formula and see which shades speak to you. And if you have very sensitive eyes, definitely test them out before committing to a purchase, just to be safe.
But all in all, I’m thoroughly impressed by the MAC Chromagraphic Pencils and will definitely be reaching for them constantly. I can’t wait to keep playing with color combinations and liner looks! I’d absolutely recommend giving them a try if you’re in the market for bold, budge-proof, colorful liners.
I hope you found this review helpful and informative, beautifriends! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried the MAC Chromagraphic Pencils and what your favorite shades are. And if you have any questions, drop them below and I’ll do my best to help you out!
Until next time, let’s keep experimenting with color and creating amazing makeup looks together. Remember, beauty is about having fun and expressing yourself! So play, create, and rock those bold liners with confidence.
Stay beautiful!
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