Splurge or Save: Liquid Liner Pens

I have been testing and comparing two liquid liner pens recently: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in black vs. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner in black. With the Stila option costing nearly 3x as much as Maybelline, is it worth splurging or saving?

Stila vs. Maybelline after around 8 hours of wear

Breakdown

Stila

- Leather-like finish that doesn't budge
- Secure closure with a spring tight cap
- Very thin tip, yet still flexible

Maybelline 

- Smudgeable finish, easier to correct
- Slightly less precise tip


I'd say that both pens last for the same amount of time before drying out (~3 months with daily use)

Since I don't have very strong features, I usually stay away from dark black gel or liquid liner unless I'm doing full fancy makeup. I've really been enjoying the Maybelline Eye Studio pen since I can apply a thinner line, then smudge it out a bit to reduce the impact. The Stila Stay All Day liner does not smudge - it flakes off if you try to move it after application. But the finish is very sleek and long lasting, compared to Maybelline which can dull out throughout the day (I always wear eye shadow primer to avoid smudging).

TIP: Store liner pens horizontal in a drawer or bag as opposed to upright in a cup, to keep the tip saturated with eyeliner.        

Considering how liquid liner is not part of my daily makeup routine, I would save with the Maybelline pen. Since they dry out so quick, it would only be worth splurging if you wear liquid liner daily and need to achieve a very precise outer flick. Both are fantastic products, in my opinion.

xx