Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl In Nude

I was so unimpressed with the performance of the other Smashbox Always Sharp pencil I tested that I put this one aside for weeks, not realizing that Nude is of a different formula, Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl, hence a completely different product.

I like nude/flesh tone eye pencils for the waterline because of the brightening yet non-weird effect they create (the opposite of a stark white liner). They reduce the potential for bunny eyes, and often photograph very well. While not a necessary step when one is in a hurry on a cold Monday morning that has already started with stepping into a wet hairball (or the equivalent for people with kids and/or dogs), this can be worth the few extra seconds lining the waterline takes.

A "waterproof kohl" sounds like somewhat of an oxymoron, considering (real) kohl's inherent smudginess, but it's true in this case: the pencil is soft and smooth to work with (important when we talk about sensitive areas of the eye), while it wears like iron for about six hours. I haven't tried the other colors in the range, but now I'm quite curious to see what they can do.

Bottom Line: that's more like it.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl In Nude ($20) is available from smashbox.com. The product for this review was sent by PR.