Smashbox Always Sharp liners in Raven & 3D Orchid
Today, I have a short review of Smashbox Always Sharp eyeliners ($20 at Sephora). Really, I can say it all in one sentence: the always-sharp packaging works as advertised, and the liners themselves are fine – decent quality, but nothing exceptional. If you’d like more detail, read on!
The Smashbox Always Sharp liners are automatic pencil eyeliners. They have screw-top cap that has a sharpener in it, and works beautifully to keep the tip sharp. No matter how dull or smashed the pencil was when I put the cap on, when I removed it, the tip was sharpened. Note that you cannot twist the liner up or down – it’s all done automatically.
Despite the sharp tip, I find that it’s very difficult to get a thin line from any pencil liner, and these are no exception – I can make a thinnish line, but not a super thin line. To make a very fine line, I need a liquid eyeliner (Dollywink is my favorite) or I need to use a brush.
I was given two shades of the Always Sharp liner. Raven is a matte black and part of the Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl line. It’s a medium intensity black – reasonably black, but not nearly as deep as, e.g., Urban Decay Perversion or Prestige Total Intensity Deepest Black (both swatched here).
3D Orchid is a glittering purple and is part of the Always Sharp 3D Liner lineup (shades with sparkle/shimmer). It’s very pretty – and unique in my stash – but I haven’t found myself reaching for it very often.
Overall, I’d say that the only thing these liners really have going for them is the packaging – it really does work as advertised. The liners themselves are fine, but nothing special – so overall, these aren’t worth the price for me.
*I received both liners courtesy of Smashbox and The Makeup Show. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
// //