Cezanne Gel Eyeliner is the first gel eyeliner I’ve gotten from Japan. I was hopeful that I would love it when I saw how smudge-proof it was at the store, but sadly I didn’t when I first published this post. Now that I’ve used it for over half a year, I’m liking it more.
Let’s take a look at its pros and cons and see what made me changed my mind.
Update (Mar 2020): This review was first published in Aug 2019 and updated to included added observations.
My Love for Gel Eyeliner Began in 2012
I recall how ultra-impressed I was when testing a navy blue Clio Gel Liner at a Watsons store in 2012. That was the first time that I’d experienced an eyeliner that didn’t smudge at all with vigorous rubbing.
Since then, gel eyeliners have been my staple and I own countless of them in varying colors, mostly from Clio and Bourjois. I love how easy it is to apply and how long-lasting they are.
In my recent Osaka trip, I caught sight of Cezanne Gel Eyeliner and grabbed two without any hesitation. Let’s find out more about this eyeliner and who I think it would appeal to.

More about Cezanne Gel Eyeliner
Cezanne is a brand from Japan that offers prettily-packaged cosmetics at affordable prices. Among the five types of eyeliners Cezanne carries, the one we are reviewing today – Cezanne Gel Eyeliner – is a twist-up eyeliner that is said to “produce thick and beautiful color”.

This gel eyeliner is also said to be “soft and smooth” on the skin, and resistant against sweat, tear and rubbing. Apparently, you can use this as an eyeshadow by blurring out the line before it dries.

And lastly, Cezanne Gel Eyeliner is fragrance- and alcohol-free, and suitable for sensitive eyelids. With the help of Google translate, I understand that this eyeliner contains Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen and Retinol.
Sounds good thus far? Let’s find out how these marketing promises measure up against actual performance. We’ll begin with the pros.
What’s Good about Cezanne Gel Eyeliner?
1. It’s Rub-proof & Waterproof
I’d actually tested it at the drugstore in Osaka and found Cezanne Gel Eyeliner to be rub-proof (that’s why I bought two). Back in Singapore, I ran another test – rub under running water – and found the eyeliner to be water-proof too.
Update (Mar 2020): While some eyeliners may be smudge-proof when applied on clean and dry surface, they may not stay well over an oily base such as creamy eye cream and foundation.
Cezanne eyeliner stood out as I’ve found the lines drawn fully intact even after a long day out under Singapore’s hot and humid climate.
2. No need to Sharpen – It’s Hassle-free!
Cezanne Gel Eyeliner comes in a mechanical twist-up pencil that is hassle-free and requires no sharpener. This is the kind of eyeliner I would bring when travelling.

3. Great if you want a Natural, Barely-there Makeup
Do you need a gel liner that is so natural you wouldn’t mind using it in your home clothes or at the gym? Well, Cezanne Gel Eyeliner is one such eyeliner.
I actually find the weak pigment to be more of a flaw, but reckon that someone may find it useful since it’s rare to find an eyeliner that could produce such an ultra-natural effect.
In fact, what you see in the image below took multiple back and forth strokes to create enough color for the camera. Perhaps, the effect of Cezanne Gel Eyeliner resembles that of powder eyeshadow, except that this is more smudge-proof.
Update (Mar 2020): The coronavirus situation has made me appreciate the usefulness of Cezanne Gel Eyeliner. With the government’s advice to keep our social distance, I find myself hanging out in my neighborhood more often.
This eyeliner is so casual it allows me to look presentable while blending in nicely with the heartland vibe.

4. Easy to Achieve a Wing Tip
As the pencil tip is fine, it is easy to create a wing tip effortlessly. However, do note that we are talking about a semi-translucent wing-tip. :)
5. An Affordable Eyeliner
I’ve gotten Cezanne Gel Eyeliner for ¥540 (after tax refund) in Japan. This works out to just S$7 based on today’s forex as compared to the $14 it is selling for in Singapore.
You can find out the latest online price HERE.
What’s Not Good about Cezanne Gel Eyeliner?
1. Weak Pigment
This must be the first eyeliner I’ve tried that looks like it’s opacity has been altered down to 30%. With the high translucency, you don’t get a distinct line on your eyelids, though it does help to make the eye appear bigger.
The photo below shows you the swatch of brown (#30) and navy blue (#40) using a single stroke.

2. One Stroke Won’t Work
Due to the fine tip and weak pigment, you’ll need multiple strokes to get enough color on the eyelids. Still, the color would reach a maximum of just 70% opacity, which is unusual for an eyeliner.

On my second use, I broke 4mm of the product, probably because I twisted out too much, applied too much strength or gave it too many strokes.
Although the product is smooth enough to glide along the eyelids, I wouldn’t say it’s buttery-smooth like those from Clio and Bourjois.
3. Limited Colors
It was easy for me to decide on the colors because there weren’t a lot to choose from.
On its official website, you’ll see only two colors. If I recall correctly, there were 3 or max 5 colors in the Osaka drugstore I was shopping at.
4. Low Quantity
Cezanne Gel Eyeliner probably wouldn’t last me very long since it comes with only 0.1g of product, as compared to industry norm of 0.5g to 1.2g.
Look at the image below – the brown eyeliner shows the maximum product it has in the tube.

Recommendation
I didn’t love Cezanne Gel Eyeliner when I first used it, but have since come to appreciate its weaker pigment, ultra-natural effect and lasting power.
Although it doesn’t make my eyes appear as big as when I use other thicker eyeliners, it was useful for very casual outings, such as grocery-shopping, gym or when expecting guests at home. You’ll look presentable without appearing like you have makeup on.
With the Covid-19 forcing us to venture out less, I find myself using Cezanne eyeliner a lot more often now. Hence, I’m upgrading the score of this eyeliner. Rating: 3.5/5
To find out the latest price on Amazon, click HERE
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(This post was first published in Aug 2019 and updated in Mar 2020 to include added observations).
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