Charlotte Tilbury makeup launched in the US a couple of weeks ago (see my makeup picks from the brand here) and I couldn't be happier! I did manage to purchase a couple of items myself and I also have a few other things sent to me as my early birthday presents from my friends. I'll start off with the most basic but necessary piece that everyone who wears eye makeup will enjoy — the Rock ‘n' Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil!

First of all, I'd like to thank my girlfriend/sista Hoku (I ❤ U) for sending me this lovely pencil (she also sent another item, too, but that will be for another day). The shade I have is called Marlene Midnight which is a gorgeous, mysterious, deep and rich navy blue with multicolored iridescence.


The brand claims that the pencil “has the silky smooth glide of a liquid liner and the soft, sooty, pigment-rich result of a kohl“. The rich pigment of a kohl — this, I agree (a good kohl that is) but I think it feels more like a gel liner than a liquid liner on the skin. It has that soft, smooth, and lush feel just like when you apply your favorite gel eye liner.
Since the formula is so soft, I suggest you keep a sharpener close by because the tip can get dull very easily!

Marlene Midnight is one of the four new shades recently released and it's the color that stood out to me the most. I love blue eyeliners, but not just any blue. I prefer something deep, dark, but not too harsh and preferably has a hint of smokiness in them and Marlene Midnight delivers just that. I am completely happy with the color.
The application is smooth and drag-free, just like you'd expect from a good eyeliner formula. It sets rather quickly (within 10 seconds) so a speedy hand is required if you wish to smudge it out. One layer yields a semi-opaque coverage with a slight sheen; two layers and you will have an opaque finish. It looks great on its own but you can also use it as a base to intensify the intensity of the powder shadow you smudge on top (I will demonstrate this effect in the close-up eye photos below).
The staying power is excellent when worn along the upper lash line. It is waterproof and is supposed to last up to 14 hours, which could be true but I haven't worn it that long yet. It stays on all day and into the evening for me without any sign of smudging or transferring. It doesn't last very long on my waterline, though. The color fades and eventually disappears by the afternoon. It also flakes just a tiny bit when used to tightline.
The eye look
In the eye look below, I lined the upper lash line and tightlined with Marlene Midnight. On the lower lash line I lined with Marlene Midnight and then topped with Chaos from the Urban Decay Electric Palette. As you can see, the eyeliner amplified the intensity of the shadow a great deal by transforming the ordinary blue to a bright, stunning cobalt blue.


One last thing, the formula is supposedly infused with “crushed pearl powder, known to stimulate collagen production” — I'll leave it to my good blog friend Syl to make a comment on this. ;D
Do you like the eye look? Do you wear blue eyeliner often/to work? Can you think of anything similar to Marlene Midnight?
Purchase
US$26 at Nordstrom ○ Charlotte Tilbury
N/A
Oh my goodness, perfect timing for this review, Jaa! I’ve been researching reviews of her kohl pencils for awhile now, not sure whether or not to purchase as I was afraid they’d smudge on me. But now I’m totally convinced! I think I’ll pick this one up and Barbarella Brown! I LOVE this shade of navy as well, what a gorgeous look you did! And LOL about Syl :D. Thanks for such a helpful review as always!!
Considering that Marc Jacobs Blacquer smudges on you, I wouldn’t be too sure that these won’t smudge on you, Carolyn! :-/
At least you can always return if they do! :D
Thanks!!! ❤
Oh no! Ah, well, thank goodness for Nordstrom’s return policy!! (I already ordered this but just saw your comment!) Fingers crossed, this liner looks so pretty!
Fingers crossed!!! xx
So bold, intense and beautiful! I love your eye application here!
Thanks so much, Laarni! :) It was fun creating this look! :)
Holy. F*cking. Cow. Pardon my French, but look you did is simply STUNNING! I am sitting here with my mouth open, staring, seriously :-O I would so buy and wear this if I could.
LOL Thanks, Melissa! At least you’re not eating walnuts and choking like last time! ;D
Love the look you did here :-) I’ve been reading lots about CT since its launch in the States… but not curious enough to get it though!
I was like you when I heard people talk about her makeup all the time in the past (when they weren’t available in the States yet). I wasn’t interested in anything from the brand. But after the launch here, I became obsessed and wanted to own everything all of a sudden for no reason! It’s so weird!
Oh wow, that is a very stunning, bold look! I am actually a bit surprised that you can create such a precise graphic liner look with such a soft formula. They usually aren’t the best for that purpose but you nailed it!
The only blue liner I actually wear is Bobbi Brown Sapphire. It’s pretty, noticeable, but still very very wearable :)
Thank you, Sunny! I did the wing right after I sharpened the tip that’s why I was able to get a crisp line. ^_^ I remember Sapphire — subtle but gorgeous! :)
I really want to try her makeup, mostly the Sophisticate palette.
That’s a very nice palette! The colors look sophisticated indeed. :)
boom! love this! I am a sucker for colorful eyepencils, this looks super rich and velvety!
It is! Will you be indulging? :D
I love the look! I’m very keen to get my hands on some of the collection!
Thanks, Erin! There are so many items I want to try from the brand but one at a time, right? :D
*Puts on labcoat and safety glasses*
*Turns on laser* (you know, just to make it official)
…My expert opinion is that this is a ridiculously gorgeous eyeliner that I must own as soon as humanly possible…
…regardless of the eyeroll-worthy marketing faff about pearl powders ;-) I have a feeling that there’s a big fat ‘in vitro, on Tuesdays, if you squint and you’re wearing green and had waffles for breakfast’ caveat to that claim, but as they haven’t provided any peer-reviewed literature with the eyeliner, it’s difficult to say..
*adjusts laser for optimum photofabulosity*
LOL! I knew you’d come up with something laughable!!! ;D
WOW! Love that lower eyeliner/shadow combo colour. So pretty Jaa:s Are you wearing false lahses here? If so – which ones?
Thanks so much, Dee! Yes I was! I wish I could tell you but I don’t remember which ones! I don’t keep the original boxes that the lashes come in. Sorry! :( But if I have to guess, they are either the original Eylure or Katy Perry collection! Hope this helps!
Goodness …your eye-look
and seems like this is incredible product
The formula is really good! :) You should try!! :)
omFg, this look is beyond mesmerizing. Charlotte Tilbury should just hire you to lead their marketing department because I am sold on this eyeliner!
Haha thanks so much, Audrey!!! ❤ ❤ You are too kind! :)
Wow! I love this look you created, so pretty! I love that lime green and the blue together.
Thanks, Sara! ^_^ They turned out pretty nice yeah? Honestly I was expecting them to crash. LOL.
Such a fierce look! I was totally admiring your skills the other day on Instagram/Twitter. :) Glad you’re reviewing up the CT stuff as I don’t think it’ll ever make it up to Canada so I’ll be very reliant on reviews for future purchases. CT is the eyeliner queen of the pro MUAs, so I’m not surprised she did a good job with her pencils!
Thanks so much for the compliment, Liz! :) I have a few of her other products to review. So far I’ve liked the eyeliner, lip liner, and lipstick, but I’m not 100% happy with the eyeshadow quad. Next I’d like to try her brushes! :) You never know, the brand might make it to Canada before you know it! ;D