Info Space

— August 01, 2014 —

Comparison | URBAN DECAY 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liners vs. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liners


Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner (0.058 oz) individually retail for $19 USD ($23 CAD) and is available in 11 different shades. They are said to be "a precision liquid eyeliner."

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner (0.058 oz) retails for $23 USD ($27 CAD) and is available in 18 shades. They are said to be "a waterproof liquid eyeliner for intense non-stop color. "

O V E R V I E W : 
Packaging:          Urban Decay | Fully color-coded, shake before use warning more noticeable.
Applicator:          Urban Decay | Thin, narrow and flexible. More control, more versatile.
Quantity:              Both are 0.058 oz.
Price:                   Urban Decay | $4 cheaper for same amount of product.
Shade Range:     Make Up For Ever | 18, more shades available.
Texture:              Make Up For Ever | Dries down, adheres to skin.
Consistency:     Urban Decay | Thicker, more control.
Waterproof:       Make Up For Ever | Withstood long-term humidity, pressure, rubbing, soap, etc.
Wear Time:        Make Up For Ever | Lasted +24 hours with very minimal wear.
Removal:           Urban Decay | Flakes/peels off easily. Minimal effort required using makeup remover/wipes.

The packaging is very similar; both liquid liners are simple and contain two sections, the shorter half being the product and the longer half being the applicator/brush. One major difference is the applicator/brushUrban Decay features a real brush that is thin, narrow and flexible which allows you to achieve a very thin, precise line or apply pressure to get a thicker, bolder line. Make Up For Ever is a standard, short, tapered foam brush that is seen more often in liquid eyeliners. With this type of applicator it becomes more difficult to achieve both thinner and bolder lines. 

Urban Decay Brush vs. Make Up For Ever Applicator


Both liners are 0.058 oz but there is a slight price difference. Urban Decay retails for $19 USD ($23 CAD) while Make Up For Ever retails for $23 USD ($27 CAD). You are paying a tad more but are those extra $4 worth it? Urban Decay currently has 11 shades available, from bright shimmery shades to cooler subtle shades  more every day colors. Make Up For Ever has 18 shades available in every color of the rainbow – more stand-out, unique colors.

Although they are both a liquid liner, the texture and consistency have their differences. Urban Decay is thin, smooth and glides-on very easily. Make Up For Ever is on the thinner side (almost like water), smooth and for the most part, applies evenly. Urban Decay's formula is thicker than Make Up For Ever's which made application seem easier and more precise.

Urban Decay is pigmented and opaque in one swipe. Make Up For Ever again, is on the thinner side making the liner sheer-ish and mostly pigmented in a single swipe. Some of the lighter Aqua Liner shades (e.g. 16 Diamond White) apply semi-sheer straight off the bat and need to be built/layered for an opaque coverage. When I swatched the two side-by-side, I noticed Make Up For Ever would bleed ever-so-slightly into the fine lines of my hand because the formula is almost runny compared to it's competitor.

The finish really isn't comparable since the texture and consistency are different. Urban Decay are more glossy and matte, while Make Up For Ever are more iridescent and luminous. I would say in terms of finish, it all depends on personal preference.

The wear time difference is big! Urban Decay is a longer-lasting liquid liner. I can normally get +10 hours of wear before slight cracking or flaking happens. They are waterproof in the sense that initial humidity doesn't cause them to bleed, fade or run but if you were to rub under water or high humidity they would eventually budge. Make Up For Ever, on the other hand, is the longest-lasting liner I've found. I can get +18 hours of wear before any slight signs start to show. With these liners you can rub as much as you'd like under water, they stay put! I found the Aqua Liners adhere to the skin more, if that makes sense.

Removal is easy. Urban Decay tends to flake, peel and roll off the skin easily with any makeup remover or makeup wipe. Make Up For Ever takes a little more elbow grease but it's still easy. I did find with some of the brighter, more pigmented Aqua Liner shades a faint stain was left on my skin. Keep in mind, the fact Urban Decay is easier to remove could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.

None of this really surprises me, as I've always thought of Make Up For Ever aiming towards long-wearing, long-lasting, waterproof products, hence their name. Whereas Urban Decay aims for everyday, easy-to-use products. Personally, I reach for Urban Decay more often because of how effortless and easy it is to create winged liner, whether it be the formula, brush or a combination. Like I said, Urban Decay feels more like an every day liner. When I want something bold, bright and won't budge until I want it to, I'll reach for Make Up For Ever hands down.

Overall, with all that said, they're both phenomenal products and I really think it's about meeting your needs and style. Both these liners have their places; for example, if you wear winged liner as an every day staple, I'd recommend Urban Decay. But if you're going out on the town or wanting a pop of bold color, I'd recommend Make Up For Ever.


I could ramble for ages about both of these products so be sure to let me know in the comments if you've tried either and why they're your favorite in the comments!


Disclaimer: All products featured were purchased by me for personal use.