Review & Swatches: Illamasqua Precision Ink in Havoc

Illamasqua's Precision Ink is a liquid liner of extreme durability.  Much like UD's 24/7 waterproof liquid liner, and indeed any of the polymer based, waterproof liquid liners we've seen released into the market over the past year or so, it glides onto the eye, dries quickly, and won't budge for anything less than oil based makeup remover.

Packaged in sleek black (naturally), Precision Ink comes in a variety of shades from the deep black of Abyss to the pure white of Scribe.  The liner is the classic inkwell and pointed nib format, which I've found gives me a lot of control in the thickness of the line I can create with it.  Granted, you do have to dip the liner back in the well if you're applying particularly heavy, unlike a felt pen liner, but that's no big deal.

I'd been eyeing up Havoc, described as either aubergine or oxblood depending on who you talk to, for a long while.  It's a deep, dark shade which doesn't scream colour on the eye, but offers something a little different to basic black.  Plus, with the purplish red tones, it's incredibly flattering on my hazel eyes.

Havoc goes absolutely brilliantly with a neutral eye look as an alternative to black, and I've been wearing it with subtle pink and taupe eyeshadow and a knockout red lip a lot in the past few weeks.  The finish is slightly shiny, and almost leather like - more interesting than a high gloss or completely matte finish.  

I've generally been applying it thinly atop my lashline, sometimes with a cat eye flick, and sometimes without, and I've found that the tapered tip of the applicator allows you to get a really precise finish with plenty of colour payoff.  My only slight negative is that if you apply with just the tip of the nib, rather than with the side of the nib tapering from the tip, you can end up with a semi-sheer finish, although it is possible to go over the line again without ruining the already applied liner.

Overall I'm immensely impressed with Precision Ink - it applies beautifully, comes in some very interesting shades, and lasts flawlessly from application at 7AM til I take it off at 10PM.  I'll definitely be investigating more shades.  Find it at Illamasqua counters and online via the Illamasqua website, where it costs £17.