Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner - Blackest Black

The newest addition to my steadily growing collection of gel liners is the most basic of the colours - black or Blackest Black as Maybelline has named this colour.

As is the typical Maybelline packaging for their gel liners, this comes in a glass pot and has a brush provided for using it.  The brush I really like because I don't have any other brush for applying liners, and this saves me any added expense, and while I cannot compare it to any other "proper" eyeliner brush, I find it perfect.  It is soft and gives a thin or thick line depending on how I want it.  Make sure you clean it after every use, even if you don't do it right away, because the liner staying on the brush makes it hard (and dirty) and can spoil it over time.

This is a non-shimmery creamy black gel liner and is very easy to apply.  The colour is a true black and once dried it stays that way without fading or smudging.  Maybelline claims it is waterproof and the swatch stays intact through a water test, so that claim seems true, though I haven't tested it out any other way (like wearing it and going swimming).

Swatches:  I have swatched this along with the Elle 18 kajal (when I have it on for a long time, I find it tends to smudge and travel around my lower lashline) and the Avon Glimmersticks liner in Black (which is my favorite - no problems with it ever).

Swatches L to R:  Elle 18 kajal, Avon Glimmersticks (Black) eyeliner, and Maybelline Gel liner in Blackest Black
Pic 1 - Swatches applied - not smudged.
Pic 2 - Swatches smudged.
Pic 3 - Swatches after hand held under water for a bit.

On my eyes, I use this more often on my waterline rather than as a liner along my lashline.  This stays on a really long while, and though by the end of the day it tends to fade away, it never completely disappears, and more importantly for me, it definitely does not smudge or give me a horrible black eye.  It stays put as best as it can for as long as it can and quietly fades without leaving traces all around my eyes :D

I have not had any irritation with this, but occasionally I have had a bit of an itchy sensation in my eyes - it happens rarely and since I am prone to this with a dust allergy, I am not sure if it's the liner or it's just some random allergen irritating my eye.

Overall, I think this is a great basic black liner.  It stays put when used along the lashline with absolutely no problem till I take it off with an eye makeup remover.  On the waterline, it does fade away after some time (about 3-4 hours) but never completely disappears and definitely doesn't smudge.  The brush provided is definitely my favorite part of this product.

Cost:  About $7.00 at Target.

Note:  I have not tried the Maybelline Gel Liner in black that is sold in India, so I do not know if the this review would be applicable to that.

Another Note:  Heyyyy Beeeeniiiiiiiiiiiiii...I smiled :P

Also Read: 
Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner - Charcoal/Charbon
Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick - My Mahogany
Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner - Eggplant/Aubergine
Maybelline Eyestudio Lating Drama Gel Liner - Sapphire 
Maybelline Gel Eyeliner - Forest