Hi beauties! Today I’m excited to share my thoughts on one of MAC’s newer eyeliner launches – the Colour Excess Gel Pencil. As a long-time MAC fan and eyeliner devotee, I couldn’t wait to put this pencil to the test. I’ve been wearing it daily for the past month, so I’ve formed some definite opinions! Let’s dive into the details.
First Impressions
Right off the bat, the sleek black packaging caught my eye. It’s classic MAC – minimalist and chic. The pencil has a twist-up design, so no sharpener needed (yay for convenience!). One thing to note is that you don’t get a ton of product – only 0.02 oz/0.5g. For comparison, the MAC Eye Kohl contains 0.048 oz/1.36g. So while the Colour Excess has an enticing price point at $22, keep in mind it may not last as long as some other pencils.
Upon swatching the shade “Brack” (a deep, rich black) on my hand, I was immediately impressed by how creamy and pigmented it was. It felt incredibly smooth during application – no tugging or skipping. And that color payoff is no joke! With very little pressure, I achieved an intense, opaque line.
However, I did notice that the pencil tip is quite thick, more like a crayon than a precise liner. If you prefer an ultra-thin, sharp line, this may not be the pencil for you. But if you like more smoked out, diffused liner looks, keep reading!
Formula & Performance
Let’s talk about wear time, because that’s a make-or-break factor when it comes to eyeliner. I’m happy to report that this gem lasts ALL day on my lash line with very minimal fading or smudging. After 8+ hours, it was still going strong. Even on my waterline, I got a solid 5-6 hours of wear before needing a touch-up.
The formula sets quickly (within about 30 seconds in my experience), so you do need to work fast if you want to blend or smoke it out. Once it dries down though, this liner does not budge. I even wore it to a sweaty dance cardio class and was impressed that it didn’t end up halfway down my face.
In terms of the ingredient list, it’s pretty standard for a gel eyeliner. The first few ingredients are cyclopentasiloxane, trimethylsiloxysilicate, and isododecane – these silicone derivatives are what give the pencil its emollient, silky texture. There’s also a synthetic wax in there to help with structure and staying power.
One callout is that this liner contains a small amount of fragrance. It’s not overpowering or irritating (to my nose or eyes), but if you’re someone who is sensitive to fragrance, especially around the eyes, proceed with caution. As with any new eye product, I recommend patch testing it on your arm first.
Shade Range
At the time of writing this, there are 20 shades available in this liner – an impressive color story! In addition to your standard black and brown, the line-up includes vibrant jewel tones like teal, purple, and green, as well as more unique shades like a burgundy and a warm brick red.
I picked up 4 shades to try:
- Brack: Intense black
- Groundbreaker: Muted olive green
- Iced: Pearlescent white with pink reflect
- Stay the Night: Deep navy blue
Each shade was richly pigmented and applied smoothly. I do find that some of the more glittery/metallic shades like Iced can emphasize texture on the lids, so keep that in mind if you have crepey or hooded lids. The matte shades are a bit more forgiving.
The shade range is definitely a strong point of this liner. Whether you want natural definition or a bold pop of color, there’s something for everyone. I appreciate that MAC created a versatile mix of wearable and editorial shades. It inspires me to get creative with my looks!
Comparisons to Other Liners
I couldn’t review this pencil without comparing it to some of my other go-to liners. If you’re a fan of the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon, I think you’ll enjoy the MAC Colour Excess. They have a very similar smooth, creamy texture and opaque pigmentation. The main difference is that the MAC pencil sets a bit faster, while the MJ liner stays more malleable.
Another popular liner I often get asked about is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. Personally, I find the UD formula a bit drier and stiffer than the MAC Colour Excess. The UD pencils tug more at my lids and the color payoff isn’t quite as rich. However, they do last a really long time and have a thinner, more precise tip.
Compared to the classic MAC Eye Kohl and Technakohl liners, the Colour Excess has a softer, more elastic texture. The Eye Kohls are firmer and more of a true pencil formula, while the Technakohls have more slip but aren’t quite as budge-proof in my experience. I think the Colour Excess is a nice middle ground – you get the creaminess and playtime of the Technakohl with the staying power of the Eye Kohl.
Tips & Tricks
If you’re new to using gel pencil liners like this one, I’ve learned a few tricks that make application easier:
- Warm up the pencil on the back of your hand before applying to your eyes. The heat will soften the formula and help it glide on more smoothly.
- If you’re lining your waterline, gently pull down your lower lash line and slowly wiggle the pencil back and forth against the roots of your lashes. This ensures you’re really getting in between each lash for a seamless look.
- To diffuse and smoke out the liner, use a small pointed eye brush to blend out the edges before the formula fully sets.
- If you make any mistakes or want a cleaner line, dip a precision cotton swab in micellar water or makeup remover to sharpen the wing or clear up any smudges.
- To boost staying power, set your liner with a matching eyeshadow. This creates a budge-proof base and intensifies the color even more.
These techniques work well with this particular liner and can help you achieve any look, from natural definition to a bold graphic wing!
Looks to Try
As I mentioned, the shade range of this liner is amazing and really lends itself to all kinds of looks. Here are a few eye looks I’ve been loving lately:
- A classic black smokey eye with Brack smudged all around the lash line and blended out with a fluffy brush.
- A pop of color on the lower lash line using Groundbreaker – it makes green and hazel eyes sparkle!
- An ethereal highlighting effect by dotting Iced onto the inner corners, cupid’s bow, and brow bone. It catch the light beautifully!
- A sultry navy cat eye using Stay the Night along the top lashes, winging it out at the outer corner. So chic for evening.
- A grungy ’90s look with Brack roughly scribbled across the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines and buffed out for a lived-in effect.
The possibilities are endless! I love that this liner can create so many different vibes. You can keep it clean and simple for every day or amp it up for a night out. It’s a true multitasker.
What Other Beauty Lovers Think
But of course, these are just my personal experiences with this liner. I was curious what other beauty enthusiasts thought, so I read through dozens of reviews online. The feedback was quite polarized – this pencil had its fair share of loves and hates! Here’s a summary of what I gleaned: Pros:
- Rich pigmentation
- Smooth, creamy texture
- Long-lasting wear
- Waterproof and transfer-resistant
- Great shade variety
- Blends easily
- Doesn’t tug or irritate eyes Cons:
- Thick, imprecise tip
- Can be dry/stiff upon initial application
- Not a lot of product for the price
- Some shades have chunky glitter that falls out
- Can smudge/fade on oily lids and watery eyes
- Difficult to fully remove
Overall, it seems like people with drier lids who prefer a more diffused liner look enjoy this formula, while those with oily lids or who like razor-sharp lines tend to struggle with it. A lot of the negative reviews mentioned the liner being dry and skipping, which makes me wonder if maybe they got a bad batch or if the formula is inconsistent. Personally, I didn’t have that issue, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Something else to note is that many reviewers compared this liner to the discontinued MAC Technakohl, which had a very loyal following. If you were a fan of Technakohl, you may or may not enjoy the Colour Excess, as the formulas are quite different.
My Final Thoughts
So, is the MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner Worth the hype? I’m going to give it a solid “yes,” with a few caveats. Here’s how I break it down: You’ll probably love this liner if:
- You want intense pigmentation
- You like a creamier, more blendable formula
- You prefer a thicker liner line or smoked out looks
- You have dry lids or struggle with liners tugging
- You prioritize long-lasting, waterproof wear
- You want a variety of colorful shades to choose from
This liner may not be for you if:
- You need an ultra-precise, sharp tip
- You have very oily lids that eat up makeup
- You want a very large amount of product
- You’re sensitive to fragrance
- You can’t get past the chunky glitter in some shades
- You loved the discontinued Technakohl formula
Personally, I really enjoy this liner and have been reaching for it almost daily. The intense pigmentation, long wear time, and blendable formula are major wins in my book. I love that I can create so many different looks with it, from natural and professional to bold and artistic. It’s a great all-arounder to have in my collection.
That being said, I do wish the tip was a bit thinner for more precise looks. And I think some of the glittery shades like Iced can be prone to fallout. But overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons for me.
In terms of who I’d recommend this to, I think it would work well for makeup lovers of any skill level, but especially beginners. The creamy texture is very forgiving and easy to work with, so you don’t have to be a pro to get a nice effect. Plus, the color selection allows you to experiment and play without investing in a whole bunch of different liners.
The Bottom Line
All in all, I’ve really been enjoying the MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner. It gives me intense, budgeproof color that lasts all day, and I love the versatility of looks I can create. While there are a few drawbacks like the thicker tip and occasional glitter fallout, I still think it’s a solid pick for anyone who wants a rich, creamy, long-wearing liner.
If this sounds like the liner of your dreams, I say go for it! The $22 price tag is reasonable for a high-end liner, and you can always buy it from a retailer that accepts returns if it ends up not working for you. I purchased mine from the MAC website, and the ordering process was easy-peasy.
I hope you found this review helpful and informative! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried the MAC Colour Excess liner and what your thoughts are. I’d love to hear about your experience and any tips or tricks you’ve discovered.
Thanks for reading, beauties! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some more colourful eyeliner looks to play with. Until next time!
Xoxo, Your Trusted Beauty Blogger
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