Review: Essence The Cushion Eyeliner - 01 Black

I've seen cushion blushes, foundations and lipsticks, but never before have I seen cushion eyeliner. Essence jumped on the cushion trend and decided to make their version of eyeliner in a cushion system. Catrice also has similar cushion eyeliner. I went for the Essence once, because it was cheaper and I thought that both were pretty much the same, since they're made by the same company.


It comes in a small glass pot with black plastic top. I make sure to screw the top on well to prevent it from drying. Inside is a textured cushion that holds the product which is basically black liquid.

In it is 3 ml of product and it costs 3.29€.



The cushion is like a soft sponge that has drank up the liquid. This way you have a liquid trapped inside a cushion so it doesn't spill and it stays fresh


Color 01 Black is a black color. It's not ultra black, but black enough for my liking. As soon as you dip the brush into cushion eyeliner, you get pigmented swatch with one swipe. 

At first it's liquid, but it dries down very fast. Which means you have to be quite quick with application, because you don't have a lot of play time. That wouldn't be a problem, if it didn't mean that it dries on the brush as well which makes the brush stiff and not bendable anymore. That's why I usually use multiple brushes with one application. I'm a perfectionist and can't pull of winged liner in one swipe.

You can choose among thin pen like liner brushes or use the ones that are wider and have diagonally cut bristles. I personally prefer thin pen like ones, because I get more precision with them. If you're brush is frayed, the application will be difficult. Gel liners usually coat the brush and prevent the bristles from looking frayed, but this cushion liner acts like a pen formula, so it just soaks into the bristles, but doesn't really stick them together. It also means you'll have to clean the brush after every use.

It's definitely not for beginners. You have to be skilled with application in order to get the perfect winged liner. 


I compared it to my other liners. Catrice Liquid Liner in 010 Dating Joe Black is the only one that's a proper matte shade. It's the blackest and more blue toned black. Clio Kill Black Brush Liner in Black is the most similar in the shade. It's black, but not ultra black. Clio Kill Black Pen Liner in Black is slightly darker. 

Essence Cushion Eyeliner looks like a mix of Clio Pen and Brush Liner. It has good pigmentation and just slightly gets into the cracks of the skin, but not as much as usually pen liners do.  


As much as I love liquid formula that is pigmented and glides on like a dream, I hate that it makes the brush stiff and dries so fast. Fast drying time is good for those with hooded eyes as it won't transfer. It's also very long lasting. I even sweated my ass off in the gym and it didn't move at all. The finish is slightly sheeny, not matte, but also not as shiny as some other eyeliners. 

The scent is artificial and kind of chemical.

Here you can also see how it looks like on my eyes.




I love the liquid formula that gives you an amazing precision with the right brush. It's well pigmented and has nice black color. It's also very long lasting and smudge proof. I hate that it dries ultra fast and makes the brush stiff. It's also quite hard to find the thinnest brush possible in order to get the precision that you usually get with brush liners or pen liners. The product itself is great, but I just find it too much of a hassle to put it on. Regular pen and brush liners do the same in a much more convenient form. 

3 comments

  1. Zveni smotan na nanašat. Se ga ravno zato izogibam kupit, ker noče vsakič čistit čopiče. Tonymoly Ink ima že vgrajen čopič, ki je stalno namočen v cushion, zato se mi zdi malo boljši sistem.

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    1. Res je. Komu se pa da vsakič čopič prat. Tonymoly sem tudi že gledala. Mi je luškan dizajn. Potem se ta verjetno ne posuši nikoli, kar je res boljše :).

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