I like trying on new makeup and beauty products, but I actually do not use many items on a regular basis. (And since becoming a mother, I don’t even wash my face regularly anymore.)
I am also very particular and picky when it comes to the stuff I put on my face.
As such, there are only a couple of items I consider “HG” (that’s “holy grail” in makeup talk) — specific items I never stray from, and would absolutely devastate me if they were ever to become discontinued.
And last night, I was crushed to learn that my favorite eyeliner of all time, the MAC Liquidlast in Coco Bar (a dark brown), has been discontinued. 😥
I’m not sure if I have especially oily skin around my eyes or what, but believe me when I say that I have tried practically every long-lasting eyeliner out there and have found NOTHING to have the staying power of MAC Liquidlast. (Yes, even primer and setting with powder doesn’t help with other eyeliners.) I apply it with the MAC 266 Brush and have gotten so good at the application that I can even create smudgy, blended effects with the goopy liquid liner.
I have been using the MAC Liquidlast for over five years now.
And last night, when I realized that my current tube is running low, I went online to place a replacement order…
Only to discover that the only color that is available on the MAC website is the jet black color. I checked other online retailers to find the same. And upon doing a web search, I found out that MAC had announced the discontinuation of my HG eyeliner back in December 2010. 😯
(Seriously. Is there a website or service where you can enter your favorite products, and they will alert you when it is about to get discontinued so that you can stock up? Anyone?)
The only place where I could find another tube to Liquidlast in Coco Bar was on eBay…and they were demanding $43.69 for it 👿 (regular price is $17.50).
Look, I understand the basic concepts behind supply and demand. I know that whoever has these tubes — NIB, no less! — still in stock can command a hefty price for them. But that was just ridiculous.
So I spent another two hours trawling the web for any other store/seller that might have it in stock.
No dice.
I told J I wanted to cry. (And in my frustrated, hormonal state, I really was ready to start crying.)
He rolled his eyes and told me to just buy the damn eyeliner off eBay for $43.
I refused. “It’s the principle!” I told him.
But, by midnight, I gave up. I sheepishly asked him if he would mind if I could spend $43 of his hard-earned money on a tiny tube of eyeliner, and he agreed.
Although a new tube of Liquidlast only contains 2.5 ml (or 0.084 oz) of product, it usually lasts me anywhere between 4-6 months.
That means that I have another few months to find a replacement eyeliner. I have read that the Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner is comparable to the MAC Liquidlast, but that the formula is also a bit thinner. Additionally, the swatches I have seen online makes it seem like the dark brown dries in a shiny finish (and not matte like the Liquidlast).
Does anyone have any good suggestions for an eyeliner — pencil, gel, liquid, whatever — that lasts and lasts?
Has an HG product ever been discontinued for you? How did you deal with it?
ETA:
I have tried the Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner, and I am happy to report that it works JUST like the MAC Liquidlast did! Click here for more details.
I like books, gadgets, spicy food, and art. I dislike shopping, hot weather, and the laws of entropy. Although I am a self-proclaimed computer nerd, I still have a love for handbags and makeup... and I am always teetering on high heels. To learn more about me, visit the 
I have very oily eyes as well–mascara and eyeliner really tend to run. I recently started using the Stila eyeliner pen and it’s worked great for me, but I know that everyone’s different so I don’t want to tout it too highly. Speaking of smudge-prone eyes, do you have a mascara that you like? I haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t smudge.
No I haven’t! I usually just go sans mascara as a result. If you find a good one please let me know too!
Try Bobbie Brown smudge proof its fantastic!!
have you tried the Bobbi Brown long wear gel already? I’ve had pretty good luck with that and it seems matte (though I only have the black).
Unfortunately I have, and it smudges on me after just a few hours. 🙁 Passed it along to my sister who loved it (she doesn’t have the same oily eyes as me.) Thanks for the rec though!
agh! I’ve been having the same problem. NOTHING stays on my eyes. I tried the Stila one, the Bobbi Brown pot, the Tarte one…everything and nothing compares to the liquid last. Make up forever at some point made the same type of liner, but they discontinued it too.
Please help me find an equivalent!
Sad smudgy eyes… =(
I have heard that the Milani INFINITE Liquid Eye Liner is similar to the MAC Liquidlast. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I plan to once I run out of my collected stash of Liquidlasts!
I feel your pain – my tiny liquidlast has lasted through long nights, long days, dips in the pool/beach/etc. It was amazing, but I was never able to apply it correctly (the applicator is impossible for liquidlast) and when my roommate ruined my 266 brush (AND my fluidline… never trusting my roommate again with expensive makeup -__-). I went to Bloomingdale’s a few weeks back to pick up some more MAC eyeliner and the guy told me that since discontinuing, the only liquidlast they have left is whatever they have left in stock! So there is hope if you have a MAC/Bloomingdale’s near you! I’ve moved on to the MAC superslick which has held up pretty well for me (though I haven’t tried taking it to the beach yet, it works damn well in the pool). It stays intact and the applicator is a lot easier to deal with. Anyhoo, good luck finding a new eyeliner – I’m sticking with my superslick until it runs out.
I had read that the Superslick is supposed to be a replacement for the Liquidlast. Unfortunately, they don’t have a dark brown color (the black looks too severe on me). If they do come out with a dark brown I’ll def be trying it out!
Oh, and I’ve been calling all the MAC counters nearby all morning but no one has the color in stock anymore. Boo!
I feel your pain!
If you can find Gosh (goshamericas.com), they’re a Danish brand, their liners are a lot like the liquidlasts ones!
Thank you so much for the rec — checking out the website now!
I’m nit sure if this is long-lasting enough since I don’t wear it that often, but I used to work at The Body Shop and I really like the brown liquid eyeliner that we had. It stayed on long enough for me but was easy to take off with regular makeup remover. Good luck finding something!
I hadn’t even considered The Body Shop…I’m going to go read reviews on their liners now! Thanks for the rec!
I recommend using Too Faced Shadow Insurance as a primer/base for your lids (if you don’t already) and MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack. Lasts me all day. I keep Revlon Colorstay Liner in Black in my purse too just in case I need to touch up. 🙂
I’ve been using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion — have you tried that, and if so, do you think the Too Faced Shadow Insurance is better?
As for the Fluidline, I’ve tried that and it usually starts smudging on me after about the 3rd hour. 🙁
But I do agree with the Revlon Colorstay Liner! I keep one in my bag for “just in case” touchups too!
I used to have the UDPP but I learned how much of the product you weren’t getting because of the shape of the container. So I switched to TFSI. I don’t think I really see a difference in how well the products work, but I think UDPP is finally sold in tubes now?
I heard good things about Lancome Artliner, you could try that. 🙂
I’ve also heard good things about the Artliner, but was reluctant to try it since the tip is marker-like for a precise application (and I prefer a slightly messier application that I can smudge a little). But if I don’t find anything else, it is definitely on my top 3 list to try.
I’m actually a co-founder of a cosmetics site (makeupgeek.com), but it surprised me to see MAC Cosmetics in my Google Reader 🙂
Long-time reader of yours (my fiance and I love your posts and links) and just thought I’d say “hi”
As for discontinued products/colors, we often check AllCosmeticWholesale for some goodies. I think they collect stuff from the outlets and resell. They have a good selection of MAC.
Maybe we need to come up with a new feature for our site for discontinuation alerts 🙂 If you ever think of any other makeup-related ideas, feel free to shoot me a note!
Keep up the great work!
Ohhh I would LOVE discontinuation alerts! I know there are various sites out there that list the products that are about to get discontinued, but so far I don’t know of any where you can input a specific product and you will only get an alert if that product is getting discontinued. (And perhaps include in the alert a list of products you may like as a replacement?) If you guys do implement that at makeupgeek.com, I would definitely write a post about it and let all my readers know!
Thanks for the feedback. We actually have a product database with some social elements in development (shhh… it’s a secret) and that could be a great feature to add in eventually.
We’re planning on having a good way to find “dupes” as well.
I don’t have any suggestions for replacement eyeliner because I just use a Sephora kohl pencil but as far as mascara, I love Blinc. I used to use DiorShow, but that would get flaky, Blinc apparently makes tubes over your lashes…either way I get no flaking or smudging and it comes off easily with some face wash and water. They make eyeliner too so maybe that would work well?
I’ve tried Blinc, and it made my lashes point straight down. 🙁 Perhaps the “tubes” were too heavy for my thin lashes?
Aww man I totally feel your pain! 🙁 It’s SO hard to find the things that work for our weird little faces and when we FINALLY find it… they discontinue it! I’m still mourning loss of my past favorite things, but at least it keeps the hunt interesting!?
I also love the MAC gel eyeliner and it DOES smear a little so what I do is dry it out on purpose so that it’s chalkier. Then after applying She-laq on it, it actually stays on pretty well. However, our eyes are all so different! =( Hope you find the “cure”!
I’ve tried lots of liners, and found Lancome’s Artliner last year and LOVE it. I use Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath and it lasts all day, with no smudging. You’re right though about the marker tip, so if you aren’t looking for the precise application, maybe it’s not going to be your favorite? If you smudge it immediately after you apply when it’s still slightly wet, it will smudge but it dries quickly so I think that will be hard to do evenly. good luck!! =)
Did you try allcosmeticswholesale.com? They just might have it…
Yep, it’s one of the first sites I looked after discovering they discontinued it. They have other shades for the Liquidlast, but not Coco Bar.
Hey there, i normally use the MAC fluidline, but last time I went to sweden there was a store quite similar to MAC called ‘The Makeupstore’. They sell in the States too and their ‘cake eyeliner’ seems quite alright. They’ve got quite a range of colours and since u hv to mix it with some sort of waterproof liquid it might stick much better than the usual eyeliners.:) I was planning to try it out, just hvnt got round to that yet 😛 http://www.makeupstore.se/usen/products/eyes/eyeliner/brown
I know what it feels like when your favourite product is discontinued so well. I still miss ‘my’ fragrance, Armani White, and facewash, Garnier Pure, (do you even know these products in America?) every day. Also, I found my perfect shade of concealer when a friend brought it from New York. Too bad it’s not for sale here in the Netherlands…
Goodluck finding a new eyeliner!
I’m Asian and have oily lids and my HG eyeliner is Bare Escentuals liner shadow mixed with the Bare Escentuals Weather Anything liner sealer.
Have you tried the Mac Fluidline? I have the same problem and fluidline seems to work! it’s not a pencil liner, and takes a bit more time to apply.. but i havent found an alternative yet..
Yes, I have, and it seems to have the same effect on me as the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner — wonderful for the first few hours, then a smudgy mess by the end of the day. 🙁
Have you tried Buxom Lashliner? I have very oily skin and so does my mom and she was complaining it lasted too long!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P243801
lancome artliner! i’ve used it for maybe 5 years?! loooove it!! its so easy to apply 🙂
I totally feel your pain! I’ve been using coco bar liquidlast for a long time now, just when i’m about to finish the one i have right now, i find out it was discontinued today :'[
i have the same eyelids as you! more on the oily side, i guess. i’ve wasted so much money on all the gel-type liners, etc. i started using liquidlast about 5 yrs. ago as well. started w/ coco bar, but switched to pointe black a few years ago. it took awhile to get used to the dramatic look of the black, but i love it now. you might want to consider switching to black just because you know you can trust the liner. i hate being paranoid when trying a new brand and constantly checking the mirror to see if it smudges. i also heard about the milani liner and bought it a few months ago. it definitely does NOT smudge, but it flakes a lot more than the liquidlast. but as far as being smudge-proof, it works just as well, if not better! and so much cheaper too! i wish i would’ve known you use liquidlast. the last time i went to MAC, they actually warned me that most colors were being discontinued. 🙁
Jenny!!
Re: Stay-put mascara.
I first found Imju Fiberwig in HK, then stocked up on more when I went to Tokyo. A couple years later they started selling it on Sephora.com. It flakes after half a day, but definitely does not smudge.
Another Japanese one is Dejavu – Lash Knockout. It makes your lashes look longer than the one above, flakes less, but don’t think it’s as readily available in the US yet.
To this day I still have not found an eye-liner that works for me 🙁
I just found your website because I have the same problem…love liquidlast and especially Coco Bar. They still have it at Dillards. I am thinking of trying MUFE Aqua liner. I find the liquidliner brush so fussy. 🙁
I love Rimmel exaggerate waterproof eye definer. It comes in lots of colors (including brown, wearing it now actually) and is available at the HG of stores: Target!
MAC Liquidlast Liner in Coco Bar was my absolute favorite liner as well, so I truly feel your pain. I’ve heard that Gosh! Extreme Art Liquid liners and Make Up Forever Aqua Liner (liquid) are both as long wearing as the Liquidlast though I still haven’t tried either one.
Hi all,
I took the suggestion of previous blogger and tried the Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner. It practically is a duplicate of the MAC liquidlast Coco Bar…I’m so happy!!! I just bought the Milani and have tried it for 2 days. It has almost the same consistency as the MAC, a thicker dark matt brown. I have experienced it to be very long wearing, smudge proof, waterproof, and tear proof. The topper is that it is only around $6.00. I found the dark brown color at Target. Walgreens also sells it but did not carry this color.
I feel your pain. That was my favorite eyeliner and Coco Bar was my favorite color. MAC, and most all manufacturers, believe the 70+ year-old myth that “everyone can wear black.” Well I can’t, I look absolutely terrible in black, and if you look at MAC’s website, all they have is black for almost everything, including the LiquidLast. I’m done with MAC, and I won’t pay $40 for something that cost $17.
Have you found a replacement for MAC liquidlast eyeliner? I am looking for a replacement and wanted to know your results. Please update!
No I haven’t, because a friend, after seeing this post, called her local MAC counter and snatched up their 4 remaining tubes for me…and that should last me a while. However, as soon as I run out I plan on trying the Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner as I have read that they are very similar.
I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I found this blog whilst desperately seeking a replacement. Ive always used the black one. I have worn it every day for years. Im totally gutted. Did you find anythign as good?
ah, just saw the post above. I might google that then and see what i find.
While I have not read though all of these comments, I too am devastated! I use MAC’s gel liner on top which works perfectly but I can’t say the same about the bottom. (And, yes, I too have done the whole primer thing.) As for a mascara I use MAC’s blacksplash. I have used it for several years and it doesn’t smudge. Home this helps!
Oh, the sadness!!!! I seem to have randomly lost my tube. I just got online to order a new one, going to Nordstrom first, being my usual store, then doing a Google search after finding that Nordstrom only had black. Yours was the sixth result. I’m devastated!
It’s funny, I’ve been wearing the Liquidlast Coco Bar, with Urban Decay’s Primer Potion for a couple years. I’ve never known anyone else who used them. 🙂
When I was introduced to the product, they told me that it was actually created for the Cirque du Soleil underwater performers. That’s why it stays on so amazingly well for even us oily eyed girls! 🙂 And I’ve always loved that with Urban Decay’s Primer Potion and Liquidlast, I could stay out late, crash at a friend’s house, and go to breakfast in the morning, still looking great! 😀
I just found this tonight and discovered it’s discontinued! The only other eyeliner that has budged and is waterproof is Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner. If you find another liner to equal the MAC one, please let me know!
Though I was lucky enough to find my last tube of LiquidLast, I had already decided to try “Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner,” since that seemed to be the one most recommended.
I first tested it on my hand, along side the LiquidLast Coco Bar and Black. 24hrs later, all three were still present, though the Milani had started to fade SLIGHTLY.
Nervous to do a public trial run, I finally went for it yesterday. I’m happy to say that I think Milani measures up to about 90% of Liquidlast. It was only after sleeping in it and lightly rubbing my eyes that the edges started to fade. Its color is slightly lighter (which I prefer), and seems to lighten up a little bit when worn over night (yes, sometimes I’m too lazy to take off my eye makeup).
As for your concern about shiny versus matte, I don’t think you need to worry much. I didn’t notice a difference (though I wasn’t looking for one). The product is thinner, which might actually help with your smokey eyes.
A note: I used Urban Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer (which I know you said you do too), and I believe that it has a significant effect. I like to get makeovers done at the various Nordstrom makeup counters, and, for me, no primer has ever stood up to Urban Decay’s.