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MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners

March 8th, 2010 by Karen 69 Comments

Question por tu: Do girls with thicker, fuller lashes have more fun?

A flirty fringe comes in handy when you’re batting eyelashes with a stranger across the room, or in my case with the old dude working behind the counter at the See’s (hook me up with another chocolate sample, holmes!). 🙂

My wimp-tacular eyelashes and I rely on MAC’s Technakohl Liners ($14.50, available in 11 colors), magical, twist-up mechanical makeup pencils that tightline like WHOA!


Graphblack, Brownborder

Yo, what’s tightlining?


Also referred to as “backing the lashes,” it’s a technique where you line the top lashes going between the base of each lash’s root for really thick, rich lashes.

I’ve done it using a regular old kohl pencil and MAC Fluidline, but my two favorite Techs in Graphblack and Brownborder are sooo much faster and easier to use, I guess because of their fine pencil tip. The thin, small point fits easily between the roots to really “get up in there.” 🙂


Tightlined eyes with Graphblack

More reasons to love MAC Technakohl

  • Staying power: The Technakhols work kinda like Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in that they apply creamy but dry within a minute or so. They’re smudge-proof and last all day, even along the waterline.
  • Soft finish: Although I’ll also tightline with MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, I prefer the Technakhols, especially when I want a more natural look. I think the finish looks softer and less stark.
  • Skip the sharpener: The thin pencil tip never needs sharpening, either. Can I get an AMEN from the other lazies in the house? LOL!

Have you spent any time with the MAC Technakohls?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners / Originally published March 8th, 2010

There are 69 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Unsung Heroes Keywords: mac, unsungheroes

Previous Post: Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Mar. 8
Next Post: MAC Liberty of London: Petals and Peacocks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    March 8th, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Ooo! This is exactly how I like to line my eyes, you really do get what you want when you bat your eyes a little;) I’ll have to pick one of these up and try for myself.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:00 pm

      Let me know what you think of it when you give it a try. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Alex says

    March 8th, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    I’ve heard good things about the Technakohl liners but I’m cheap and have stayed with my olllld (albeit similar) eyeliner twisty-top thing. If they’re that good, and long lasting, maybe I’ll fork over the money for the quality. 🙂

    Reply
    • heyhey says

      March 8th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

      @Alex
      Try Cover Girl’s Outlast Eyeliner. Same form factor, about half the price when on sale, and with decent lasting power. That’s what I’m using ITMT while I’m not rocking MAC-level funds. Their black might be a shade lighter than Technakohl’s, but that’s IMO a good trade-off for the price.

      Reply
      • Kore says

        March 8th, 2010 at 8:44 pm

        I love the MAC technakohl liner for all the reasons mentioned. I have also used Covergirl’s Outlast Liner previously. Its good if you can’t afford the MAC, but MACs is much smoother in texture. Starts out creamier so it glides on easier than the Covergirl one. As long as I can afford the MAC one I won’t go back.

        Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks for the drugstore rec, Heyhey! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jen says

    March 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I love the technakohl liner! It’s my favorite eyeliner at the moment.

    Reply
  4. Marce says

    March 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    I haven’t tried technakhols, but for me any eyepencil does a great job (miraculously!). Feline Khol Power, Urban Decay 24/7, Clinique Creamshapers, they all work nicely. I have to try using fluidline, that’s one I haven’t tried either!
    .-= Marce’s last blog post… Look – Through the Looking Glass =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

      You gotta try it. One hit of Blacktrack and you’ll be hooked, I tell ya!

      Reply
  5. lexi says

    March 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    Yes girl agreed! I am out of Brownborder and used the (empty) container it for my B2M haul over the weekend.

    Reply
    • lexi says

      March 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm

      btw…I LOVE these “unsung heros” posts – it reminds me what I have in my stash. It makes me really dig through and get the most bang for my buck – keeps my checkbook in line. Thanks – keep it up!! I rediscovered how much I love UD’s Sin e/s in my ammo palette =)

      Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 8:56 pm

      Brownborder is the BEST! I think I might like it even more than Teddy…

      Reply
      • lexi says

        March 9th, 2010 at 8:36 am

        Ha – I use Teddy whenever I do a subtle office look and I only wear it smudge on my bottom lashes.

        Reply
  6. HC says

    March 8th, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    Do you know if these are waterproof?? A MAC MUA told me they were but after using them solely as just eyeliner, I had racoon eyes in about 2 hours 🙁
    .-= HC’s last blog post… Sharpie, the new eyeliner??! =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 8:28 pm

      It’s long-wearing, but the MAC website doesn’t indicate if it is indeed waterproof.

      Reply
  7. Nancy says

    March 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    i.love.sees. they just opened up one in a mall in michigan that my mother lives by (it opened up over the holidays). the closest thing i get to it is when my sister brings me some when she visits family there, or when my friend visits her family. Y.U.M! my favorite technakohl is uniform green. so pretty….LOVE the autosharpen as well!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 7:12 pm

      I’m addicted to Sees. The closest one to me is a five minute drive, oh noes!

      Do you have a favorite candy? Mine is the Milk Chocolate Buttercream.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        March 8th, 2010 at 7:34 pm

        i love me sees chews! but really, the chocolate sucker bites help me get through a particularly rough day with 25 kindergarteners. 😉 a keep a stash right on my desk!

        Reply
      • Karen says

        March 8th, 2010 at 8:06 pm

        That’s a good idea! Maybe I should squirrel away a few bits in my desk drawer for stressful days…

        Or maybe not. I’m pretty sure I’d eat ’em even if I wasn’t feeling bad, LOL!

        Reply
  8. Gummy says

    March 8th, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Hey Karen! I’ve been lurking on your site for a while, and love reading your posts, whether they’re about make-up, or just life in general – you make me laugh all the time! ^_^ Anyway, just had to post here…I loooooooooooove my MAC technakohl! I’m stuck on “uniform”, this dark olive-y green color…a softer effect than black, but still powerful and fun! And photogravure (soft black)…but perhaps I should venture and try their other colors too…tempting…=)

    Mmm…See’s…I always go for dark chocolate with almonds, ha ha ha…!

    Reply
  9. Rebecca says

    March 8th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Haha, I’m wearing my Teachnakohl liner in Uniform right now! I love it ^_^ I hadn’t thought of using them for tightlining, although now that I think about it they do seem like they’d be good for that – they have staying power and they have relatively dull tips so it probably would be less uncomfortable.
    .-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Makeup-free February: the conclusion =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

      I can’t believe I don’t have that one! It sounds really pretty.

      What do you like to pair it with?

      Reply
      • Karen4 says

        March 9th, 2010 at 5:07 am

        I ♡Uniform too! Pair it with shadows from MAC’s “Devil May Dare” warm collection.

        Reply
  10. shivotra says

    March 8th, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    hey karen, how does it fare on the waterline?
    .-= shivotra’s last blog post… This is so frustrating. =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 7:04 pm

      Really well! It stays on all day. 🙂

      Reply
  11. amy says

    March 8th, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    I should look into getting this but I still don’t really have the hang of tight lining yet.
    .-= amy’s last blog post… MAC Too Fabulous and Give Me Liberty of London Collection Mini Haul and Product Pictures =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

      The Technakohls make it really easy.

      How are you feeling? Better, I hope!

      Reply
      • amy says

        March 9th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

        Thanks Karen! I am feeling a a bit better but still coughing away at night. Damn the flu…
        .-= amy’s last blog post… MAC Too Fabulous and Give Me Liberty of London Collection Mini Haul and Product Pictures =-.

        Reply
  12. blu3 says

    March 8th, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    I have to say the Technakohls are my fave pencil because most other pencils (MAC Kohl Power, UD and MUFE) smudge on me…

    Have you tried Greyprint? My favourite for a wearable smoky look! 🙂
    .-= blu3’s last blog post… Painted Love =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

      I haven’t tried it yet. I’m thinking that I need to get all the colors soon, though!

      Reply
  13. Catherine says

    March 8th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    Hmmm… I think I need the black one. I actually don’t have a black eyeliner! But I never tightline by upper lashline because I’m too lazy and grey doesn’t seem to have enough oomph.
    .-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW: Girly Pink w/ Bows & Gems =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:05 pm

      Get Graphblack. It’ll be a good starter black liner for you. 🙂

      Reply
  14. K says

    March 8th, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    Sounds wonderful, and very much like a product that I should get!
    .-= K’s last blog post… Giving Up on Love =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

      I hope you try it!

      Reply
  15. Enrica says

    March 8th, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    I think it’s just the one that I’m using, I don’t really like these liners. I’m using Plank btw. It smudges and doesn’t give a good color payoff on my waterlines =(. I think I’m just gonna stick with UD 24/7 or Stila Kajal for now. Btw I love blacktrack fluidline on my tightlines too… It’s heaven!
    .-= Enrica’s last blog post… OOTD – Springish outfit =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

      Hmm, I haven’t tried Plank yet. Have you tried doing multiple layers of it on the waterline? Maybe apply the liner first, let it dry, and then put another layer… and then repeat if ya need to?

      Reply
      • Enrica says

        March 8th, 2010 at 10:42 pm

        Thanks Karen… I’ll try that next time =D
        .-= Enrica’s last blog post… OOTD – Springish outfit =-.

        Reply
  16. Christy says

    March 8th, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    I use Graphblack when I feel lazy too 😉 I take it with me on vacation so I don’t have to bring a brush like I do with Blacktrack. I really like tight-lining, it makes my lashes look really thick 🙂
    .-= Christy’s last blog post… MAC Spring Colour Forecast Haul Pictures =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 8th, 2010 at 9:02 pm

      So true! It’s totally great for taking on vacay.

      Reply
  17. jeannie says

    March 8th, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Oh how I wish pencil liners would work on me = why does NOTHING stay on my eyes!? =(
    .-= jeannie’s last blog post… vestin’ it =-.

    Reply
  18. Jenny says

    March 8th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    I always wanted one of the technakohl liners, until i heard that revlon colorstay does the same thing and make *gasp* Last longer?!!! So im sticking with my colorstay. for now.

    Reply
  19. marisol says

    March 8th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    I used to be afraid of tightlining because 1) i thought I would poke my eye & 2) I thought I would get the pencil on my contact lenses. It’s actually fairly easy and I do it on most days. Definitely makes a difference.

    I don’t own any technokol’s but I do use either my MUFE or UD pencil liners to tightline.
    .-= marisol’s last blog post… Beauty makes people come together =-.

    Reply
  20. Pinch says

    March 8th, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Your makeup is gorgeous in that photo! 🙂
    .-= Pinch’s last blog post… The too-frosty lipstick =-.

    Reply
  21. Vonvon says

    March 9th, 2010 at 12:01 am

    I have Technokohl in Artistic License which is a aqua-blue shade….love the liner, and the shade. Doesn’t smudge…and my MAC MA always uses Graphblack when they do makeover for me!
    .-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Swatches & Review: Dior Poudrier Dentelle 002 Peach Lace =-.

    Reply
  22. Karen B says

    March 9th, 2010 at 2:48 am

    At first I was awful at lining with Technakohls because I was so used to my 210 in combination with Fluidline which always gave me the thinnest line ever. But once I got used to them I love the ease and the softer look 🙂
    .-= Karen B’s last blog post… Friday Fame =-.

    Reply
  23. SoVeryFabulous says

    March 9th, 2010 at 3:46 am

    I’ve got Uniform and love it for my lower lashline! I’ve been meaning to try more colours.
    .-= SoVeryFabulous’s last blog post… More Details On My MAC Warehouse Sale Haul =-.

    Reply
  24. NINA says

    March 9th, 2010 at 5:08 am

    I agree – totally unsung! I have Graphblack and I so rarely reach for it. Should use it more … thanks, Karen!!!

    Reply
  25. Brenda says

    March 9th, 2010 at 5:48 am

    Hi Karen,

    Thanks for the tip, I had never heard of tighlining until today. I just looked up some vidoes to see how it’s done, do you think you can line your waterline as well as tightline or you’d end up looking like Morticia Adams? I don’t have Mac Fluidlines or Technakohl liners, debating which one to buy…..

    Reply
  26. Shelby says

    March 9th, 2010 at 7:49 am

    OMG didn’t know they had Kajals. I usually use them on my underline as well and they look Great!!!! I usually go get them at Indian expos when they come around.

    Reply
  27. Frances says

    March 9th, 2010 at 7:54 am

    Yep, I do that too! and my technakohl liner in Plank is great for that.

    Reply
  28. Carrie says

    March 9th, 2010 at 10:57 am

    Earthline Technakohl is my absolute favorite, desert-island liner! And yeah, these are so unsung.

    Reply
  29. Sarah says

    March 9th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

    I use the same type of eyeliner made by Estee Lauder and I love it..I’ll have to try Mac’s next…it’s cheaper too!

    Reply
  30. Arleen says

    March 10th, 2010 at 1:42 am

    GraphBlack is the best! It should be a staple in everyone’s make-up bag. 🙂

    Reply
  31. mill says

    March 10th, 2010 at 3:56 am

    should get a good black eyeliner. i dont line my waterline that much (only my outer 3rd) but i could line my tightline. and this seems like a good investment! this or urban decay’s eye pencils.

    Reply
  32. Jennifer D. says

    March 14th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    I agree. I adore these liners and always go back to them after trying the newest liners on the market. They are always my fall back liners and I adore them. I am still loving the orange, fuschia and bright “bitter” colored ones (the names have slipped my minds) that came out several months ago. I need to pull these out for my tutorials and give the gel a rest for a bit.

    Reply
  33. The Crochet Queenn says

    March 18th, 2010 at 3:06 am

    I love Godiva ,Where did you buy your flirty fringe? What company makes the best black eyeliner?
    .-= The Crochet Queenn’s last blog post… Pinkalicious-Hand Crocheted Scarf, If Pink is your color this is the scarf for you made with many shades and textures of pink throughout,Winter Sale Ready to Ship =-.

    Reply
  34. Mila says

    January 5th, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    This is the eyeliner that goddess, Rachel Welsh, uses!

    Reply

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