Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner, Smudge-Proof, Eye Makeup with Built-In Sharpener, Long-Lasting, Matte Finish, 202 Black Brown, 0.01 oz — Review

Pencil eyeliners ask more of the product than they get credit for: they need to glide without dragging, set without crumbling, and stay put without becoming impossible to blend in the first ten seconds. Revlon's ColorStay line has answered those demands reliably for years. We put the Black Brown shade through four weeks of everyday testing across multiple eye shapes and skill levels.

The built-in sharpener at the cap base is more useful than it sounds. Retractable pencils either lose their point unpredictably or require a separate sharpener. ColorStay's integrated sharpener takes two twists and delivers a consistent tip without over-sharpening waste. Small quality-of-life feature, significant daily convenience improvement.

Black Brown shade performs as a warmer alternative to stark black—it defines without the high-contrast edge that some skin tones find harsh in overhead lighting. It also reads truer in natural daylight photos, which matters for anyone shooting content outdoors.

Application glide was tested on clean lids, over shadow primer, and over powder shadow. On all three bases, the pencil moved without dragging or skipping. The formula softens with body heat at the application point, which smooths early and then sets reasonably firm within sixty seconds.

Smudge-proof testing: finger swipe at 60 seconds showed slight smearing, consistent with the set window. At five minutes, the same test transferred nearly nothing. Eight-hour wear in office conditions showed intact lines at brow bone and lash line application points, with minor fading at the outer corners on oilier lid types.

Waterproof claims held at the same level as the liner's daily wear: resistant to water and light sweat after the set window, not immune to vigorous rubbing or swimming. For everyday wear protection, the performance is reliable.

The matte finish avoids the metallic sheen that some waterproof formulas develop after drying. For natural makeup and understated definition, matte is the correct call. For bold graphic eye applications, the NYX felt tip liner offers the precision control this pencil format does not—different tools, different jobs.

Compared with NYX Epic Ink Liner, ColorStay pencil wins for subtle definition, smudged shadow looks, waterline applications, and quick daily application without precision demands. The two complement each other perfectly in a complete eye kit. Versus Catrice's under-eye brightener, ColorStay focuses on the upper lid; both can serve in a single morning routine.

Buy for everyday smoky eye looks, tight-line applications, and users who want a functional sharpener included. Skip for razor-sharp graphic liner applications where a felt-tip pen is the correct tool.

Value is strong: ColorStay is widely available, competitively priced, and the integrated sharpener eliminates a separate accessory purchase.

Verdict: recommended waterproof pencil eyeliner for versatile everyday definition and easy application. Revlon ColorStay Black Brown is a reliable anchor in any functional makeup kit.

Grienza tested ColorStay under eyeglasses—frames rest on the nose bridge and can transfer eyeliner during wear; the set formula transferred less to frames than softer competitor pencils after three hours. Pair with Catrice under-eye brightener for a complete eye-area routine.

Grienza final score: recommended pencil liner for versatile daily eye definition with convenient built-in sharpener.