October 30, 2018

Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
2 stars out of 5

Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics ($8.49) launch late last month just in time for smooth in six shades that promise 12 hours of wear with a gel formula. I’m not really a metallic kinda eyeshadow girl because a lot of the time metallics come across frosty on my eyes (sometimes I run across a formula I love) but metallic gel liners? Gimme! Love them so much! They are always delightfully twinkly and gorgeous on my big brown eyes.

So, of course, I decided I wanted to give Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics a whirl. Plus it’s sort of a daring and different released for Almay who tends to play things safe. Lately, their releases seem more and more geared towards a younger demographic like their new Vibes Lipstick, Goddess Gloss, and the entire Cosmic Collection. It’s all just very youthful, fresh, and different for Almay! Also, it’s very welcome because Almay had some catching up to do in this department!

But I digress! Let’s talk about these new Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics! I was excited about these as they had some interesting shades, such as the one I got, Rouge Awakening which is a cranberry red. Several years ago L’Oreal introduced brand new shades of Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner to their collection and to this day the formula of Silkissime Eyeliner is a favorite drugstore eyeliner of mine not to mention those new shades were delightfully fun and metallic in someways too!

I’ve noticed more and more that Silkissime Eyeliner isn’t readily available at all drugstores! I also noticed the formula isn’t quite as great as it once was. It seems a little stiffer and drier compared to melty, creamy, glossy pencil I first tried back in 2014.

I was hopeful Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics might be a great replacement. Unfortunately, it really isn’t. I was a bit meh on the formula overall but I think I expect a little too much from eyeliner lately. For example, I am CONVINCED that Urban Decay Eyeliners are not the same as they once were. They seem drier, stiffer, and not as creamy. And I absolutely will blame this on L’Oreal. I think I’ve compared most eyeliner formulas to Urban Decay or Silkissime (when the formulas were good) and always found all of them lacking!

Almay’s formula isn’t terrible but it isn’t my ideal formula either. It might work best for oily eyes as I found it a little dry and not as creamy as I like plus the glide wasn’t as smooth. The pigment was fairly good but didn’t pop out with a metallic twinkle and the wear time did prove quite nice without smudging or flaking on my drier eyes throughout the all day wear plus it removed easily. I just wanted something with a better glide and a creamier texture and this sadly lacked that. For something called a gel liner and felt like the texture and consistency didn’t quite live up to a gel formula. I think for drugstore eyeliner nearly ten dollars can be a lot to shell out for a mediocre formula so, yeah, I’m not really all that impressed overall!

Has anyone tried Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics?

Do share your thoughts!

Where to buy

Ulta

Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics are a new, permanent line of gel eyeliners available in six metallic shades. Sadly, I felt the formula was lacking and might be better suited to oily eyes as their is some tugging involved and the glide might be smoother on an oily skin type. I thought the texture wasn’t creamy and felt stiffer however, the wear was quite long without smudging issues.

Pros

  • Those with oily lids might found this stiffer texture longer wearing.
  • Wears quite long without smudging (on drier eyes).

Cons

  • Not creamy enough and felt drier resulting in a less than smooth glide on the lash line.
  • A little expensive at nearly ten dollars since the formula wasn’t that great (I wouldn’t mind the price if the formula was better)

Who

I know a lot of people with oily lids that would appreciate a formula like the Almay Gel Smooth Liner Metallics but as someone with drier eyes I do like something creamier!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Chris

    I was in Ulta to use my 20% off Platinum coupon & I saw these eyeliners. I picked up the Electric Jungle pencil ( an actual green). I bought it because many companies put out a forest or spruce green or a chartreuse green. Lancôme has a green called Pacifique, but it tends to be drier in application over say Urban Decay. I used it today & I did have to build it over the Lancôme Pose eyeshadow. It is a limited edition from Almay.