Valentino’s New Colograph Eyeliners Are the Shortcut to Bright Summer Makeup

Eyeliner is one of those polarizing makeup products that some swear by, while others avoid at all costs (consider me as one of the latter). While it’s often associated with smudgy, emo and “indie sleaze” makeup, it’s also a classic makeup bag staple that can insanely elevate a look. Those who love the flick of a cat eye or a simple wing know what we’re talking about, and Valentino’s new offering is a colorful twist on the classic. The brand’s new Colograph Eyeliner Pencils are everything you need to craft a vibrant summer makeup look, from their included artistry brush to their 24-hour wear. Read on for all the details.

The Inspiration

Dual-use products have been around forever, but they’re never been more popular. Think: foundations with skincare benefits, or tints that can be used on the cheeks, eyes, or lips. The Colograph liners extend this perspective to the eyeliner market. Typically a one-and-done product, the Colograph gel eyeliner pencils can be used all over the eye to create an eyeshadow look, artsy graphic liner, or be the finishing touch on a powder shadow. The 2-in-1 design features a pencil on one end and a professional brush on the other, making it easy to apply, smudge, or blend out the liner as you see fit with the brush.

The Product

the Colograph pencils transform the use-case of traditional eyeliner. They can be applied all over the eye (sans mascara), making them a must-have for travel or on-the-go. What’s more, the formula can be used as a traditional eyeliner in the lash line, the waterline, or on the eyelids as an eyeshadow. For the best results, the brand recommends blending the formula right away if used as an eyeshadow because the finish will set quickly.

Spanning from matte to shimmer shades, the Colograph pencils are available in seven bold hues. Rockstud Noir is a traditional black matte shade, and the Pink PP (the brand’s signature hot pink) and Solar Coral colors also have matte formulas. Then there are the shimmer shades: Brown Foundant, a rich brown; Green Stravaganza, an emerald green; Purple Dose, a rich purple; and Blue Niagara, a classic cobalt. Colograph’s creamy gel formula glides gently over the lash line or lid, is smudge-resistant, waterproof, and has an impressive 24-hour wear time.

The Review

“I have not worn a colorful eyeliner in I don’t know how long, but as soon as these arrived at my door I felt inspired to play with them. The colors are so pretty, and I was especially drawn to the bright Pink PP shade. I used it to create a cat eye, and I was instantly impressed by the smooth and creamy formula. It glided on to my eyes with zero effort, and was so easy to shape into a crisp flick with the attached brush. I also tried the glittery Purple Dose, and I love the tiny flecks on glitter in the formula, which is just as smooth as the matte shades. The colors are actually way more wearable and subtle than they look in the tube, which I like—they still pack a punch but in a sophisticated way—and they stayed in place all day long.” —Bella Cacciatore, news editor