Save or Spend? Maybelline Gel Liner Versus Collection Liquid Liner

Hello Lovelies!

Today I thought I'd do my first review and where better place to start than with the make up item I simply couldn't live without- eye liner! I'm fortunate to have rather big eyes which means I have eye lids that suit wearing it. I can't actually remember the last time I left the house without it on so it's really important to me that I have an eye liner that-

• lasts all day
• doesn't crack or flake
• is quick and easy to apply
• goes on in an even line
• has a bottle that lasts for a long time
• and is affordable 

I never use pencil liner on the lids as I find it's never bold enough and is difficult to apply as it doesn't glide, so I've tried lots of different liquid and pen liners and until recently have sworn by Collection 2000 fast stroke liquid eye liner from superdrug. However when I bought two new number 17 eyeshadow trios from boots last week I thought I would take advantage of the three for two offer they have on selected make up and get the more expensive Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner too. So I thought I'd review both and decide at the end if it's better to splurge or save... 


Collection 2000 fast stroke liquid eye liner

PROS-

• Very cheap at only £2.99 from superdrug
• The bottle lasts for ages, I use mine everyday and I only need to replace it every 2-3 months
• It lasts almost all day
• It has a soft and thin applicator, making application precise and gentle
• Very easy and quick to apply 
• The liquid dries quickly on your eyelids
• The liquid and applicator glide over your lids allowing you to apply it in minimal strokes 
• The liquid is really black and bold, which means it stands out on top of even dark eye shadow 
• The applicator is fixed to the bottle so you can't lose it  

CONS-

• The liquid can sometimes sting a little
• You can get a bit of cracking and flaking towards the end of the day
• It can sometimes be hard to apply it in an even line
• Sometimes with new bottles the applicator can be too hard and pointy, so I often swap it over for the the soft applicator I've already been using from my old bottle

Below are a few photos of me wearing collection 2000 fast stroke liquid eye liner, number 17 eye shadow and maybelline falsies mascara (I'll be doing reviews of the eye shadow and mascara soon!)-

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner

PROS-

• It lives up to its claims that it lasts all day
• It also lives up to its claim that you can apply it to the top lid in one stroke
• It never cracks or flakes
• It has a very soft applicator brush, making application nice and gentle
• Easier and quicker to apply than I thought it would be- I managed to apply it perfectly in a moving car! 
• It dries instantly on your eyelids
• It never causes my eyes or skin to feel irritated or stingy
• It's very easy to use under your lower lashes if you turn the brush so it's flat

CONS-

• More expensive at £7.99 from boots
• The applicator is quite chunky making it hard to do precise flicks at the corner of your eyes
• the gel doesn't glide onto your lid as easily as liquid does
• the gel isn't as dark and bold as I would like, so it doesn't stand out as much over dark eye shadow
• I haven't used up a tub yet so I don't know how long it will last but you only seem to get a very small amount of gel
• Because the applicator brush is separate to the pot it's quite easy to lose and the tip also gets easily clogged with old gel

Below are a few photos of me wearing Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner and maybelline falsies mascara (that's all I'm wearing make up wise which is why I look so pale!)-

So after weighing up all those pros and cons I have decided that at the moment it's better to save and get the collection 2000 eye liner, as although the maybelline one feels lovely and lasts longer, I think it would better suit girls who just do one straight line on their eye lid opposed to more intricate outlining and flicks like I do. I'll enjoy using the maybelline one while it lasts and maybe after getting more used to it I'll change my mind, but I just don't think it's worth paying twice the money for!

Have you tried either of these products? Do you agree or disagree with my decision? Or do you have another great eye liner you love to use and think I should try?

Love Meg

x

p.s Since writing this review and using the Maybelline gel liner for much longer I have changed my mind and now much prefer it to the collection 2000, in fact I'm in love with it! So please do check out my up to date opinion of this product here- http://megsbudgetboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/reviews-revisited.html