Beauty Eye Pencil Makeup Compared: NYX Gel, Kohl and Inky Stix
The NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Liner in Emerald Empire and the NYX Epic Inky Stix in 06 Cobalt Click show two sides of pencil liner. One is a twist-up gel pencil in jewel green, the other a marker-style stick in vivid blue. We compared format, color, and wear.
| Factor | NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Rich Mecha | NYX Professional Makeup Epic Inky Stix, |
|---|---|---|
| Product | NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical, Emerald Empire | NYX Epic Inky Stix, 06 Cobalt Click |
| Format | Twist-up mechanical pencil | Marker-style stick |
| Shade | Emerald Empire green | Cobalt Click blue |
| Line style | Creamy gel line | Sharp marker line |
| Sharpener needed | No | No |
| Best for | Jewel-tone everyday color | Bold graphic lines |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| Our pick | Winner for creamy color | Winner for sharp precision |
Our Verdict
Pick the Vivid Rich Mechanical in Emerald Empire for creamy gel color with zero sharpening. Pick the Epic Inky Stix in Cobalt Click for marker-sharp lines and vivid blue payoff. Both prove that eye pencil makeup goes far beyond basic black.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: sharp black wings
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Inky Stix, 01 Black Screen
- Marker-style precision stick
- 01 Black Screen classic black
- Longwear formula
Pros
- Sharp wings made easy
- Classic black intensity
Cons
- Less blendable
- Dries fast, work quickly
Colored Liner: Which Shades Flatter Which Eyes
The green versus blue NYX comparison on this page is the entry point to the full colored-liner map. For brown eyes: navy, emerald, and deep teal create striking contrast, while bronze warms naturally. For blue eyes: bronze, copper, and warm brown intensify the blue through warm-cool contrast. For green eyes: plum, burgundy, and reddish-brown pull the green forward. For hazel eyes: olive and gold-green shades highlight the color shifts.
The green-versus-blue choice specifically: green liner flatters brown and hazel eyes most dramatically, because the green-brown contrast is strong. Blue liner flatters brown eyes through the classic complementary contrast, and suits fair skin with cool undertones. Both read as fashion-forward rather than natural, which is the point of colored liner.
The wearability trick: keep colored liner on the upper lash line only, paired with neutral eyeshadow and natural lashes. The restraint elsewhere lets the color be the statement. Full colored-liner looks, lower line plus colored mascara, suit evenings and the bold. Our eye pencil background guide covers the formula range.
The Lower Lash Line: Honest Guidance
Colored liner on the lower lash line is risky, and the honest guidance acknowledges it. The problem: color on the lower line can read as undereye discoloration, especially reddish and purple shades in harsh lighting. The green and blue on this page are safer than reds, but the risk remains in the wrong light.
The safe techniques: apply colored liner only to the outer third of the lower line, not the full length, which defines without the discoloration risk. Or use the colored pencil on the upper line and a neutral brown on the lower, which coordinates without doubling the color. Or tightline the upper waterline in black and let the colored upper liner stand alone.
The lighting test: check the lower-line look in daylight and in harsh overhead light before wearing it out. What looks artistic in the bathroom mirror can look bruised under office fluorescents. The feline flick guide covers precision liner techniques.
Cost Per Use: Pencil Economics
Drugstore eye pencils like the NYX options here deliver excellent cost per use, because the price is low and the product lasts months of daily lining. The calculation: a budget pencil used daily for four months costs pennies per application. The luxury pencil at five times the price needs to deliver five times the performance to match, which it rarely does in the pencil category.
Where luxury pencils earn their price: creamier formulas that suit sensitive or mature eyes, more sophisticated shade curation, and better sharpening wood that wastes less product. Where they do not: basic black and brown lining, where the drugstore performs equivalently. Spend on the specialty shades and formulas, save on the basics.
The sharpening waste factor: cheap wood and dull sharpeners waste product, narrowing the value gap. A good sharpener preserves the pencil investment regardless of tier. The Clinique liquid liner guide covers a precision liquid alternative.
Colored Liner in Professional Settings
Colored liner at work follows the restraint principle. A deep navy or forest green reads as professional polish in most offices, because the color registers as depth rather than fashion. Bright green, electric blue, and glitter liners suit creative industries but raise eyebrows in conservative ones.
The compromise technique: apply the colored liner thin and close to the lash line, where it reads as definition with intrigue rather than a statement. Pair with neutral everything else. The subtle application lets the color flatter without dominating, which is the professional sweet spot for colored liner.
The seasonal angle: deeper jewel tones suit autumn and winter, when the light is dimmer and the colors read richer. Brighter colored liners suit spring and summer, when the light flatters vivid color. Rotate the colored liner wardrobe with the seasons like any other color cosmetic, because the right shade in the right light always outperforms the wrong shade worn year-round.