As far as I know, this is the cheapest black lip liner that works. I've heard the Nyx Retractable one has longer staying power and is smudgeand waterproof. I may try one of their lip liners to verify this.Like all Nyx Slim Lip Pencils, this is very creamy and pigmented. Unlike some of the other shades, I find this to have a bit more of a translucent base so it requires some layering and building to get a deep black color. Like MAC pencils, it can be a little too creamy and tend to apply a lot of product when lining or filling in. It can be layered to a deep black eyeliner looking color. The finish is pure matte but it did not worsen my lip condition with wear. I think it's because of the creamy base formula that looks matte but feels lightly hydrating to me. I have relatively smooth and healthy looking lips now but when they were dryer, they did enhance my uneven lip texture and I can imagine on badly tended lips they'll look unflattering without some lip balm and smoothing. It also does not travel out of lip lines, but its not the BEST at preventing it, but it is really good at it. I think the clear lip pencil from Milani is the best for that.Also like the aforementioned pencils, this is better as a lip base for lip color or gloss than used by itself. It doesn't transfer on its own or with the normal amount of pressure from talking or light kisses, but using more pressure like from a finger does allow it to rub off. It does extend the wear of itself and the product on top though. I personally like this since wearing black lipstick is the hardest color to shape my uneven lips, so I can easily correct mistakes.Another con is that you have to sharpen it and that wastes product. I'm pretty sure its impossible to get such a creamy product in a retractable pencil, but this product is already a little too creamy. A little less slip wouldn't have hurt. However, my sharpener allows me to catch the extra product. A small, firm synthetic brush picks it up better than a fluffier brush.If you have time, I suggest you depot it if you really like the formula.It's added fragrance free and the formula has a light lipstick smell, kind of like the waxes it has in it but not crayony. No added flavor and it tastes like nothing, maybe a little like wet paper or jojoba oil.Most of all, this product is very unique. It's a lipliner that has ingredients that are lip safe and pigmented. As someone who likes to franken their own products, I know this is not an easy task as pigments for the eye can be toxic around the lips or can ve very sparkly.This is good for any goth or vampy look. It can also be used under medium pigmented products to make a vampier color. It makes even the cheapest black lipstick last longer. Patting on Nyx Mega Shine African Queen, brings out the blue-violet pearl more and turns it into a gorgeous vampy deep violet color. It's hard to pick up on camera, but very eye-catching. I will say products that are too pigmented won't show up and too sheer will only affect the color a tiny bit. Patting rather than blending creates a more vibrant look.I also think this is good for anime or cartoon lip makeup since you don't want to get eyeliners up in your lip. Anime lip makeup requires little animation-like lines with neutral colors and this is good for that. Basically, it's good for contouring your lips the same way a black pencil eyeliner is good for contouring yours eyes.

A lot of people would classify this as a Goth pencil. It is black but if you run it next to a black pencil like Perversion you can see a slight purple tone to it. I have actually used this lightly with my very dark vampy Red and purple toned lippys to give them more depth and definition. I blur the line with a lip pencil into my lippy and it will give the color a beautiful dark smokey look without looking silly on mature skin. I love the NYX pencils haven't found a dud yet and this will last a while for me as it won't be an everyday pencil but definitely one to have in my collection.

Terrible product! It was sheer and not at all buildable. I tried using a brush but it didn't help at all, lined my lips, I did everything to make it work but in the end, I just toss it aside. It just didn't work at all for me. Smeared, feathered and bled everywhere. I had no problem with other shades, just this one.

I bought from Ulta. While the color is dramatic and its that lovely smooth NYX formula i just don't wear this often.It is a good product but there are so many better ones for me on the market

I adore this lipstick. It's beautiful, velvet-smooth, and a totally seductive, sexy color that you could tone down or amp up for day or night!It's a really rich, earthy red/berry color that mimics the delectable shade of ripe fruit, and makes a very bold statement when applied to the full extent. It's extremely easy to build up, too, which I love! It could be anything from a light, berry shade to a dark, rich eggplant/violet shade that's so intense on the lips! NYX has great lipsticks, and I totally recommend this one. The only thing is, it takes a while to set. You have to be patient if you don't want it to smear everywhere!