MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eyeshadow in ME-50 (Metallic Golden Taupe)

Having never explored MAKE UP FOR EVER products to any great degree in the past, it is nevertheless the first brand I think of when I’m looking for long-lasting & top-quality beauty items. The recently launched Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eyeshadow pencils (CAN $25.00) are available in 10 shades: neutral, vibrant, satin, metallic, diamond and/or iridescent finishes, and are meant to stay smudge and crease-proof all day, affording high pigmentation with a lightweight finish. I was sent ME-50 Metallic Golden Taupe to test out, a rich taupe shade and one that is exactly the type of colour I naturally gravitate to.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eyeshadow ME-50

Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eyeshadow ME-50 (CAN $25.00) | A warm-leaning burnished taupe hue with a complex pink/bronze shimmer in the base. These eyeshadow pencils come in a retractible twist-up format and can be applied by either using the broader portion of the pencil (i.e.: along its side) to reach a larger area of the eye, or with the tip for more intense colour laydown and precision work, such as lining. The pencil does indeed glide effortlessly across the lid, exactly as claimed.

Application couldn’t be easier; if you’ve ever used a crayon or coloured pencil, then you already know the concept – twist up the pencil and literally ‘write’. Since the colour doesn’t set right away, I am able to gain a few minutes of play, useful for layering another shade on top or when wanting to buff out any harsh edges. Once the shadow has set, there still seems to be an almost mobile feel to the product, possibly due to the combination of Silica, oils, and polymers in the formula that create a type of flexible film – and yet, a finger swiped across the surface of the shadow, comes away clean.

After applying directly to the lid, I then either use my finger to help spread the colour out to the consistency I want, or lightly swipe at it with a flat synthetic-haired brush to help with any unevenness in the colour. To buff out edges or to blend with other shadows, I follow up with a natural-haired fluffy and slightly dense eyeshadow brush (such as the one by Tom Ford). As to lasting power, I am able to get minimum 6 hours without primer before it shows creasing, but with primer, the colour lasts – without fading or creasing – until removal (I suggest a dual-phase eye makeup remover to do the job easily).

The closest product I have in my collection, is CHANEL’s Stylo Eyeshadow 07 Moon River (discontinued) that was a limited edition release from the Spring 2013 Collection, but the CHANEL is several degrees lighter and more silvery-leaning in comparison. Still, if you missed out on 07 Moon River, MAKE UP FOR EVER’s ME-50 Metallic Golden Taupe is a good alternative, and one that’s part of the brand’s permanent range.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eyeshadow ME-50

I can’t speak for the other shades and finishes that are available, but my experience with the Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On pencil in ME-50 Metallic Golden Taupe has been excellent. Apart from the colour, which is a universally flattering shade and a welcome addition to any taupe-lover’s collection, I love how portable this product is; perfect for travelling or on-the-go touch ups, requiring nothing more than your finger (if needed) for application.

Available now at all MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques & through Sephora. Find more information here.