Happy Friday everyone, I don’t know about you but this has been a long week, today we’re rounding off the week with a review of theBalm Schwing Eyeliner. Over 2016 I discovered theBalm products, and slowly since then, I’ve been trying out more and more from the brand. Previously it’s been a brand which hasn’t been that easy to access in the UK, but now it’s available on feel unique, Superdrug – and as I discovered recently it’s even been introduced into my local larger Superdrug store, so I can see it being a brand which continues to grow as a collection.
In December when I discovered it in my local Superdrug, it was like I was stopped dead in my tracks – knowing I needed to buy something as it’s the first time I’d physically seen the range in person. I decided to opt for theBalm Schwing Eyeliner – their liquid eyeliner. I’m not entirely sure what made me choose this as makeup products go, I’ve always been pretty loyal to my Maybelline Gel Liner, however I can remember hearing positive reviews of it from Miss Budget Beauty – and as one of the cheaper options on the stand I think that’s what made me pick it up!
Trademarked with theBalm’s usual retro-style packaging, theBalm Schwing Eyeliner has a thin tapered felt tip nib which is very flexible, the product itself is quite wet, still after a month of using it on and off regularly it’s not showing any signs of a formula change, which I have experienced with some other similar products in the past. The nib is easy to control and with it being tapered you can easily create a thicker or thinner line (or a gradual change between the two) with the product, leaving a matte black finish that’s highly pigmented – and I’ve never found the need to touch up.
That being said, this is the first product from theBalm which I’ve felt a bit ‘Meh’ (technical word) about. The first few weeks I was using this in December, I had early starts at work and no time for blending eyeshadow so I started relying on my Kiko Shadow Sticks for a quick slick of colour across the lids, with a line of this across the top lash line. I was finding that this was transferring without me really realising until I went for my loo breaks at work at about 10.30/11 ish, and I couldn’t really work out a) why it was doing it and b) why none of my work friends were questioning my shit eye makeup.
After about a month of testing with different eyeshadows, this just doesn’t sit well on cream based products, especially if you’re applying straight away before they’ve had a chance to fully set. Over the top of a normal powder eyeshadow (with or without primer), it’s perfectly fine and it doesn’t budge or move for the duration that my makeup is on. But considering this is about the £12/13 mark, it’s a bit disappointing that it doesn’t work well with cream products. This reminds me very much of the L’Oreal Superliners (especially the older style ones which had the shiny blue writing), which are about half the price at £6.99. But as I’ve used it more and more that feeling of ‘meh’ has faded a little, but I can’t quite decide whether it would be something that I would repurchase or not.
I’m not a big fan of winged eyeliner on myself, I think I’ve never really done it that way – and now when I do I end up thinking it looks weird and rubbing it off. But I think this would be a good eyeliner to create a flick if you’re more of a pro than I am in that arena – but it might require a skilled hand because the nib is so flexible.
I will use theBalm Schwing Eyeliner up happily, but considering some days I need to be able to get out the door and go straight away and rely on a kiko shadow stick or Mac paint pot to do so. I also want my eyeliner to be one I can rely on for every occasion, so it will be back to the Maybelline Gel Pot after I’ve finished this one up!
What type of eyeliners are your favourite? and Do you have any recommendations you think I should try?
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I have been eyeing this liner and to be more honest more for its name. It sounds so fancy lol but no one was really talking about it much so I was not sure whether I should invest in it. The review was very helpful btw. 😊
If you don’t use cream eyeshadows on a daily basis id really recommend it!
I saw these today in Superdrug! Glad I read your post first! 🙂 xxx
I’m always on the hunt for a good liner. Thanks for the post!
Ooh which super drug has it? Peterborough? Xx
Peterborough Queensgate 🙂