Hey there, beauty lovers! Today I’m diving deep into one of my absolute favorite eyeliner formulas – MAC Chromaline. As a self-proclaimed eyeliner addict, I’ve tried countless gel, liquid, and pencil liners over the years in search of the perfect product. And let me tell you, Chromaline is a serious contender for the top spot.
First off, let’s talk about the formula. MAC describes Chromaline as a “multi-use product for eyes and body that is long-wearing, highly pigmented, and smudge and water-resistant.” And after extensively testing it, I can confirm – this stuff lives up to the hype!
The texture is wonderfully creamy and smooth, making it a dream to apply. It glides on effortlessly without tugging at the delicate eye area. But don’t let the creaminess fool you – once this sets, it SETS. I’ve worn Chromaline through sweaty workouts, rainy commutes, and the occasional cry sesh (hey, we’ve all been there) and this liner does not budge.
Now, let’s get into the shades. Chromaline comes in an impressive range of vibrant, eye-catching colors. Of course, there’s the classic Black Black which is a rich, inky noir that’s perfect for a sharp cat eye or smudgy, smokey look. But the real stars in my opinion are the colorful options like Hi-Def Cyan, a stunning cerulean blue, and Landscape Green, a vivid emerald.
I’ve found the colored Chromaline shades are brilliant for adding a fun pop to an otherwise neutral eye look, or going full-on bold with a graphic, colorful liner. The white shade also makes an excellent eye-brightening base for shadows.
The pigmentation on these is no joke. With Chromaline, a little goes a long way, which is awesome because that means your pot will last forever. I barely have to dip my brush in to get an intense, opaque line of color. And speaking of brushes, I’ve experimented with several different types and they all work well with this formula, from thin precise liners to small angled brushes.
In terms of wear time, I’m consistently impressed. I can apply Chromaline in the morning and trust that it will look exactly the same when I get home in the evening. No smudging, flaking or fading to be found. Keep in mind, this is with my normal primer and powder eyeshadow routine. On bare lids, I do notice a bit of transfer after several hours, but nothing major.
The packaging is pretty standard for a gel liner – a small glass pot with a black screw-top lid. It’s compact and travels well. I do have to be diligent about ensuring the lid is fully closed after each use, as the product can dry out if left exposed to air for too long. But as long as you’re careful about that, your Chromaline should stay creamy for months.
Now, as much as I adore this product, there are a couple small drawbacks to mention. Firstly, the price point. At $22 for 0.17 oz of product, Chromaline is definitely on the more expensive side as far as gel liners go. However, considering how little you need per application and how long a pot lasts, I personally believe it’s worth the splurge.
The other potential con is that some may find Chromaline a bit tricky to work with at first, simply due to how quickly it sets. You do have to work fast to get your liner just right before it dries down. But trust me, once you get the hang of it, the staying power is so worth that small learning curve.
Overall, I can’t recommend MAC Chromaline highly enough. Whether you’re a budding makeup artist or just a gal who loves a good liner look, this product is a must-try. The creamy formula, intense pigmentation, and incredible longevity make it a true standout in my collection.
If you’re new to Chromaline, I suggest starting with Black Black, as it’s the most classic and versatile shade. But definitely don’t shy away from experimenting with the bolder colors as well – they can totally transform a look and are surprisingly wearable, especially if you keep the rest of your makeup minimal.
To apply, I like to use a small angled brush (my favorite is the MAC 266) dipped very lightly into the pot. A little really does go a long way with this product. Starting at the outer corner of my eye, I carefully trace along my lash line, building up the thickness as I go. For a sharper cat eye, I’ll extend the line slightly past the outer corner and then angle it upwards. If I’m going for a more smudgy, smokey vibe, I’ll use a pencil brush to blend out the line after I’ve applied it.
One of my favorite ways to wear Chromaline is to layer a shimmery eyeshadow on top to add some dimension and interest. The liner makes an excellent base for powders and helps them adhere better and appear more vibrant. Hi-Def Cyan with MAC’s Tilt eyeshadow on top is a particularly stunning combo that makes my blue eyes pop.
I also love using the white Chromaline shade, Pure White, as an eyeshadow base when I really want a bright, opaque look. I’ll apply it all over my lid up to the brow bone and then layer shadow on top. The white really helps colorful shades achieve maximum intensity.
If you have oily lids like I do, you’ll definitely want to use an eyeshadow primer underneath Chromaline for optimal staying power. My go-to is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. With this combo, I can trust my liner will be looking sharp morning to night.
For removal, I’ve found an oil-based makeup remover works best to dissolve Chromaline, as it is quite budge-proof. My favorite is the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I’ll massage it into my lids and then gently wipe away with a soft cloth. It breaks down even the most stubborn makeup while still being gentle on my sensitive eye area.
One last tip – if your Chromaline starts to dry out a bit in the pot over time, don’t toss it! You can often revive it with a couple drops of MAC’s Mixing Medium or even contact lens solution. This will restore some moisture and make it creamy and usable again.
In conclusion, I truly can’t say enough good things about MAC Chromaline. It’s a product I consistently come back to time and time again because it just performs so well. The rich colors, flawless application, and incredible wear time make it a real winner in my book.
So whether you’re a cat-eye queen, a smokey eye aficionado, or just appreciate a good pop of color, do yourself a favor and give Chromaline a try. I have a feeling it will quickly become a staple in your makeup bag, just like it has in mine.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried MAC Chromaline? What’s your favorite shade? Let me know in the comments below. And as always, thanks for reading and happy makeup experimenting!
Stay beautiful,
Jessica
Buy on Amazon: Here
