Maybelline Master Kajal Stick Liner in "Charcoal Skies": Review and Swatches

Disclaimer: Product featured was provided for review.

Also from the new Maybelline Fall 2014 lineup is the Maybelline Master Kajal Stick Liner ($11.99 CAD). Inspired by the kohl eyeliners used in the Middle East and South Asia, the Master Kajal Stick Liner is designed to easily create smoldering, intense eye looks. To read more about the liner, click......

What it is:
-Ultra creamy liner stick designed to created smoky liner looks
-Saturated with pigments for amazing color payoff
-Suitable for use on the waterline

Packaging:
The Master Kajal pencil has a huge cone shaped lead. The pencil is not retractable so the entire tip is exposed at all times, what you see in the photo is actually how much product there is altogether. The liner is intended to be used sideways, so there is no need to sharpen.

Formulation & Pigmentation:
The color I received is called "Charcoal Skies" and it's a dark smoky gray. The pigmentation is great and the formula glides very smoothly on the back of my hand. However, when I tried the product on the lids, I did experience some minor tugging. It's definitely not dry and and hard but it's not the smoothest and creamiest liner I've tried.
One of the issues I have with the liner is the fact that it's not at all-smudge proof (or waterproof). The Kajal look is supposed to be smoky and blended so I guess the smudgeness/blendability works well to achieve that. However, the liner creased and faded right away when I tried it on my waterline and the whole thing ended up looking like a hot mess (although I know some people can totally pull off that look).

Swatched on bare arm.

Here is a non smokey look I attempted.

Overall:

Although I really appreciate the blendability and the attempt at creating a easy-to-use everyday Kajal liner, I am not impressed with the wear. The product smudges right away on my waterline and it smudges very easily when applied on the upper lid as well. So all in all if you want a super smoky look, this may be worth looking into but if you are someone that is very wary of eyeliner smudging, I wouldn't recommend this one.

Availability:
The Maybelline Fall 2014 releases will be available starting July 2014.