Beauty NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Milk vs Black Bean: Top Two Shades
If you buy two Jumbo Eye Pencils, most artists say make them Milk and Black Bean. Here is what each essential shade does best.
| Factor | NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Milk (604) | NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Black Bean (601) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Color | Matte white | Intense black |
| Main job | Eyeshadow base, brightener | Liner, smoky base |
| Best for | Making colors pop | Smoky eyes, definition |
| Finish | Matte | Satin |
| Skill level | Beginner friendly | Beginner friendly |
Our Verdict
Buy Milk first if you wear eyeshadow often, because it makes every color in your palette look better. Buy Black Bean first if you love eyeliner and smoky looks. Most makeup bags end up with both within months. At this price, there is no reason to choose only one forever.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Highlighting inner corners and brightening the eyes.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Yogurt (605)
- Shimmery champagne shade
- Inner-corner highlighter
- Creamy luminous finish
- Day-to-night versatile
Pros
- Beautiful glow
- Brightens eyes instantly
- Easy finger application
Cons
- Shimmer fades without setting
- Light shade, subtle
- Creases on oily lids
Best for: Festive shimmer and bold highlight looks.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Cottage Cheese (606)
- Sparkling white shimmer
- Bold highlight shade
- Glittery festive finish
- Creamy base
Pros
- Stunning shimmer payoff
- Great for parties
- Affordable fun
Cons
- Glitter fallout possible
- Not for subtle looks
- Needs primer
Best for: Quick everyday shimmer lids in one swipe.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Iced Mocha (608)
- Warm shimmery brown
- Everyday lid color
- Blends like a dream
- Flattering neutral
Pros
- Perfect everyday shimmer
- Flatters most skin tones
- One-and-done eyeshadow
Cons
- Sheer on first swipe
- Needs building for intensity
- Warm tone not for everyone
White and Light Liners: The Underused Technique
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt and Cottage Cheese are light shades in a jumbo format, and their best uses go beyond what the product pages suggest. The classic technique is the waterline brightener: a nude or white liner on the lower waterline makes eyes look larger and more awake, counteracting the tired look that dark liner can emphasize. Yogurt, the warmer light shade, suits warm undertones and looks more natural on the waterline, while Cottage Cheese, the brighter white, creates a more dramatic wide awake effect. The second use is as an eyeshadow base: applied all over the lid and blended, the jumbo pencil creates a tacky base that makes powder shadows more vibrant and longer wearing, especially shimmers. The third use is brow bone highlighting: a light line under the arch, blended, lifts the brow area. The jumbo format matters here: the thick bullet covers the lid quickly for base use, but the waterline needs a light hand, since too much product migrates. Set the waterline application by gently pressing with a fingertip; unset jumbo formula transfers by midday. These shades also rescue dark eye looks: a light inner corner opens up a smoky eye instantly. For colored liner options that pair with brightened eyes, our eye pencil comparison covers bolder shade choices.
Jumbo Pencil Sharpening and Care
Nobody teaches jumbo pencil sharpening as a skill, yet it determines how long the product lasts. The NYX Jumbo pencils need a large sharpener; standard sharpeners do not fit the wide barrel, and forcing it shaves the wood unevenly and wastes product. Buy a sharpener with a jumbo opening, keep the blade sharp, since a dull blade chews the soft formula and causes breakage, and sharpen with gentle, even rotation rather than aggressive twisting. Chill the pencil in the refrigerator for ten minutes before sharpening in warm weather; the soft jumbo formula firms up and sharpens cleanly instead of crumbling. The waste question is real: sharpening a jumbo pencil removes more product per sharpening than a standard pencil, so only sharpen when the tip is genuinely too blunt, and use the flat side of the bullet for lid base work to preserve the point. Retractable liners avoid this entirely but go blunt faster and cannot achieve a fine point, which is the trade off. Clean the sharpener regularly, since old shavings harbor bacteria that transfer to the eye area. If the pencil keeps breaking after sharpening, the formula may be old or heat damaged; a fresh pencil sharpens cleanly. For precise liner work that needs a fine point, our best eye pencil guide covers standard format options.
Tightlining for Beginners: The Safe Method
Tightlining, filling between the lashes rather than above them, is the technique that defines lashes without a visible line, and no guide teaches it step by step for beginners. The placement is specific: the product goes into the lash roots on the upper lid, between the lashes, not on the waterline and not above the lash line. The safe method is to look down into a mirror, gently lift the lid with a fingertip, and dot the pencil into the root gaps with short strokes. The tool matters: a soft pencil like the Jumbo in a dark shade works, but the jumbo size is clumsy for tightlining; this is a technique for standard pencils or gel. The common mistakes cause the irritation: stabbing at the lash line, using a freshly sharpened needle point near the eye, and tightlining the lower waterline aggressively, which irritates and transfers. For contact lens wearers, tightline before inserting lenses, since particles shed during application. The payoff is significant: tightlining makes lashes look fuller at the base, which is where mascara cannot reach, and it suits minimal makeup days when a visible liner line would be too much. Practice on weekends before attempting it on a rushed morning. For waterproof options that hold the tightline all day, our eye pencil comparison includes long wear kajal choices.