Mattese Elite Semipermanent Eyeliner – a party in a tube!
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When I was younger it wasn’t unheard of for me to go for days on end with no more sleep than the occasional disco nap. While those days are over, I still get a little flutter in my heart when I hear of a product that can withstand everything I can dish out! Mattese Elite has done just that.
When it comes to liquid eyeliner, I think we can all agree that staying power is key. Mattese Elite Semipermanent Eyeliner provides the water resistance you’re looking for, in a flake free, long wearing formula.
The Good: A wide variety of fun colors! Even better, they are incredibly saturated. The consistency of the product is such that the color should remain true on nearly all skin tones. The formula provides a “elastic film that lines eyes without smudging or smearing.”
Stef models Teal
The Better: The brush is on the short side, so it’s very easy to control. The bristles are a medium length, compact, and high quality. This combined with the thick yet smooth formula makes for beautiful application. One swipe and you can have the perfect thin cat’s eye! The color is buildable, and one color can be easily layered over another for a beautiful two-toned look.
The 24-hour, no budge formula makes this a perfect eyeliner to use on your waterline; just pull down bottom lid to apply and allow to dry before releasing. (Warning: application tickles like crazy.) No migration to your inner eyelid here! Best of all, the soothing white tea and apple extract ensure that while the eyeliner has some serious staying power, it won’t be drying or damaging to the sensitive skin of the eyes.
swatches from left: Hot Pink, Pink, Dark Green, Blue, Teal, Black and Gold
The Wary: When they say semi permanent, they mean it! Applied to the back of my hand, it took almost 2 days of normal use and washing to get all traces of the color removed. When applied normally, it took me two eye makeup removers and finally- wait for it- lip balm to remove the eyeliner. I kid you not! Mattese Elite recommends using an oil based eye makeup remover, but I still had trouble getting the entire product off. I still had some residue of the liner on the skin under my eyes the next day, but it was easily covered. If you’re planning on going out one night and to a ladies brunch; the next this eyeliner may not be a great idea.
Overall, Mattese Elite Semipermanent Liquid Eyeliner is a hit! With the staying power to rock club after club, or to just keep a cool cat’s eye at a pool party, you can’t really go wrong. Just be prepared for the removal process!
Mattesse can be found at the east coast mega party, er…drugstore – Ricky’s!
How about it testers, did Mattese Elite Semipermanent Eyeliner make you feel so good you could skip the disco nap?
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
I got to try the dark green liner. At first, I was a bit apprehensive because I have not used liquid eyeliner in awhile. I’ve had my fair share of liquid eyeliner disasters and I was not sure how easy it would be to apply this product. This was the easiest liquid eyeliner to application I have ever experienced!! The application was effortless and I got it right the first time without any mess. I got many compliments on this eyeliner because of the unique color.
I had no problem getting the eyeliner off my eyes. I use Cetaphil or a gentle cleanser every night to get off makeup. Then, I use another cleanser to actually wash my face.
This is reasonably priced eyeliner and performs better than many of the department store liquid liners that are triple the price. I look forward to trying other items from this brand.
5 stars.
Wow, these colors are gorgeous, and it’s good to know this liner includes a quality brush. The only thing keeping me from ordering right now is the “semipermanent” part. @mandaleem – in your opinion is all the removal effort worth it?
Wow – these liners come in some awesome colors. I’m loving the blue and teal especially!
I didn’t test these liners out, but I want to check out the one @stef tested – I love short brushes – they really make it easier for me when applying eyeliner of the liquid variety.
I would love to try this, I very rarely tend to stray or experiment with my eyeliner so the semi-permenance would be perfect for me!
My only issue is the palette of colors. I wish they had a nice plum or amethyst, or even a brown, something that could translate to a long-term day look.
Ok. So I received the pink. Why would I ever wear pink eyeliner? Well, let me tell you that a little pink eyeliner on your upper lash line makes these dark eyes stand out. I thought it would make me look sickly or bloodshot, but neither is the case. It’s so unexpected! Try this slightly above a black liner on your top lash line for an even bigger pop. This is not a for teeny-boppers only (though I’m sure they could do a thing or two to with it). I know you won’t believe me until you try it, but go ahead. These are really inexpensive, too, so you can try one or two or three without buyers remorse. It does wear really long and is easy to apply. Unfortunately, it doesn’t dry quickly and remains tacky for quite a while. Be careful with transfer. 3 stars.
Wow, Mattese Elite Semipermanent eyeliners really look awesome. Will ya look at @stef ‘s eyes! And could the liquid eyeliner in Teal be any closer to her eye color? So pretty! @stef, how did the color last on the inner bottom lid? I rarely go there with liners because it gets in my ducts within minutes. When it comes to liquid eyeliner I stick to black or browns. You many sway me to try these because of the heavy saturation they have. And it was good to hear that Holly had no problem washing it off. One last question, how much are they?
They are on sale for 9.70 at Ricky’s! I just looked!
The Black, gray and Gold are $12.00. and correction on the sale amount – the sale amount is $9.60! Such a dealo!~
As shown in the big ol’ eyeball above, I tested the teal eyeliner.
I loved the range of colors, very fun. The blue is calling my name too, very rich and I think metallic (who got it? Is that true?)
I have to agree with @sherrishera that it doesn’t dry very quickly, as I sat with my bottom lid pulled down for what felt like forever. I didn’t notice any tackiness though.
But I have to disagree with @mandaleem on the brush length, I found the bristles to be on the long side and a teeny bit unruly to use (could they possible be different lengths, or am I just used to shorter brushes?)
But I WILL agree with @mandaleem that removal is some work. Which is par for the course with something called “semipermanent”! Those swatches above stayed on my arm for 2 days at least. Someone even asked if I got a tattoo, they were so vibrant (what a great tattoo that would be for a beauty blogger!) The flip side to the work needed to remove it is that it’s not budging on your eyes, rub away-you eye rubbers. Mattese will still be there.
This is the 2nd product I’ve checked out from Mattese Elite, and once again, I’m impressed. 4 stars.
@Turboterp – I think the removal process is TOTALLY worth it for eyeliner that lasts like this one! There are no worries about accidentally smudging it, and it sounds like @hao9703 had a much easier time removing it.
@lyssachelle – I think the grey could be worn as a nice daytime/office appropriate eyeliner, and the black can be worn so thinly it’s not too severe.
@sherrishera – I tested out the pink and the black and they make a phenomenal pairing! It gives a beautiful and unexpected pop to the eyes.
@Stef – I may have been a little unclear. I meant that the brush handle was nice and short, not so much the bristles. I think the bristles are about average length, but the shortened handle makes them easier (for me at least) to manage.
Overall I was (and still am!) really impressed with Mattese Elite. This eyeliner just keeps going and going and… If it weren’t for the difficulty I’ve had with removal it would be the perfect product. Overall: 4 Stars!
Woo hoo – I tested the Blue! Yes, @stef it is metallic – and thick, totally saturated with color, and I’d even say a midnight blue. It’s almost black, but you can tell it’s blue, especially outside. It’s exquisite and I’m thrilled to have it for the color and lastability. I do think the formula and the brush are much too thick – so much that I would never use this brand on a regular basis for my normal black (I use a black liquid eyeliner every day), but for special occasions when I want something to really last or to use this gorgeous pop of color, I would (and do) go right for this one. I am able to get a neat and clean line (but not as thin as Stef’s in the pic above), but it’s not always easy because it’s so goopy. I also like the short handle as @mandaleem said – it makes it much easier to control the line – but yes, the brush is a bit long and thick and the formula being thick doesn’t help. It’s all worth it for the color, but I would probably use this more regularly if the formula and brush were thinner. 4 stars.
I forgot to say that I don’t have issues removing it at night because I do use an oil based eye makeup remover, as suggested (Lancome’s BiFacil). It does take a little elbow grease, but it does all come off.
Also, the Teal looks totally gorgeous to me, too!
Hm, I’ll definitely have to think about purchasing these if I plan on going to a tearjerker movie or if I’m going to be stranded on a deserted island. Other than that, I don’t really think semi-permanent liquid eyeliner is going to be that practical for me.
However, I have a question for @stef. Do these come off when you scratch/rub them?
@lyssachelle – There’s a purple on the site!
Oh! These look so neat. The color selection is amazing. I’m thinking these would be great for prom (for the younger set) and for going out dancing or for a night out with the gals.
@KateZena – These eyeliners are totally rub-proof! I imagine that you could *maybe* scratch it off, but not the kind of scratching you want to be doing around your eyes, you could do some real damage before getting the eyeliner off! Seriously, it takes a lot of effort to remove the product without a really good oil based makeup remover.
@mandaleem – I was curious because I think I would buy one to use on Halloween to use on my face to do a design. I have hypersensitive skin and the minute I seem to finish putting a Halloween makeup look on using a product not used for that area (i.e. eyeliner on my nose for a mouse look), I want to scratch it! By the end of the hour, it seems I’ve smeared/scratched it all off; hence, the question. I have to use actual make-up as I’m actually allergic to theatrical make-up (especially the cheap kind!).
@irene – thanks for the compliment! Yeah, I wouldn’t have expected teal to match my eyes, but it does! It’s def. more on the blue side than the green side.
@katezena – this eyeliner really stays put. I think it would be ideal for face painting.
@sam – totally cute for prom! The colors are very prom dress looking.
@stef – You need to wear that teal liner pretty much always because it seriously brightened your eyes to ridiculous degrees–so pretty!!!
I now am coveting the dark green shade b/c if it does 1/2 of what it did for Stef’s blue eyes to my hazel peepers, I will be a happy girl :)
I got to test the Gold and as someone who has never strayed from boring old black eyeliner, this was a nice and fun change! @mandaleem pretty much hit the nail on the head with her description on this one.
The application was unbelievably easy! The brush and viscosity are perfect for an easy swipe along the eye! The Gold worked well with my skin tone and looked great applied sparingly or built up for a bolder shimmery color. I actually found a really thin light application gave my eyes a nice POP to my normal makeup routine without being too noticeable.
And what everyone is saying about its lasting power is true. I accidentally rubbed my eyes the first time wearing this and was shocked to find that it hadn’t budged. At all! No smearing, nothing on my fingers. While it did take a little extra makeup remover, it wasn’t too bad and this is coming from someone who steers clear of waterproof/permanent stuff.
I’m giving this 5 stars. And thanks to the pretty pic of @stef, I now want to try teal.
Oh wow! I must try these budgeproof liners. And since there are a billion Ricky’s in NYC, I will be sure to stop into one very very soon :) The blue looks great on you by the way, @stef.
OMG budgeproof and comes in a rainbow of colors?! I’m a sucker for a good eyeliner, and these sound right up my alley. I’m not a fan of waiting for eyeliner to dry, but all the virtues of these liners might just sway me.
Wow, the colors are gorgeous.