Everyone always talks about how you can use a mascara as a liner in a pinch, or vice versa — but how many of you have actually ever tested your lovely black liquids to see what would happen?

If none of you are raising your hands, it’s okay. I’ve dealt with this problem for you.

Meet four of my favourites: GOSH Extreme Art Liner, Lancome Artliner, Imju Fiberwig, and Rimmel Lycra Lash. The first two are liners, and the last two are mascaras. I tested them for resistance against  oil, and water, so check out some photos behind the cut if you’re interested!

First, I slicked some oil on the left side of the swatches — because, well, lids get oily.

And then I “pulled” each swatch with the q-tip.

The verdict: Ironically, a mascara held up best for this test! Because Fiberwig is made as a tubing ‘scara, it doesn’t budge under the presense of oil — you keep that in mind while removing makeup. Get oil on your lashes and it will NOT come off! (No, this is not a good thing. This is an “avoid at all costs” thing.)


But I couldn’t stop at that. I also needed to know what would happen if you cried or sweated, so I spritzed my swatches with some water.

Grabbed a tissue and swiped…

The verdict: Ta-da! It seems like the “best” liner is still really a liner — the GOSH one. However, as far as liners go, this one’s pretty spectacular. (Notice how it beat the crap out of the Artliner in terms of longwearing-ness?) 


After finishing these tests, I think I’d feel okay putting on mascara as liner. I mean, I wouldn’t do it on a daily basis, but it would be an okay solution in a pinch. Just one last thing to note, though: conversely, if I was using liners as mascara, I wouldn’t use the GOSH. This isn’t due to the tests, though… this is due to the fact that it is super hard to get off, and I would probably tear out all my lashes in the process of doing so.


Ouch.


That would really hurt.


Plus, it would ruin all the work I’ve been putting into them with that Lash Boosting serum! :(