When I wear eyeliner, one of my biggest complaints is normally that the formula is too dry – I hate the feeling of a pencil dragging across my eyelid. It doesn’t feel nice, and it certainly doesn’t feel safe so close to my eyes. I’ve been on the hunt for years now for a good pencil eyeliner (I like a softer pencil look for work) in a deep, dark black. Today’s spend or save subject: pencil eyeliners.

Spend: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion, $20

The formula of the Urban Decay liner is insanely creamy – so much that it feels borderline excessive. You definitely need a light touch with this pencil, or it’ll easily end up making a much thicker line, which defeats the purpose (in my mind) of a subtle daytime line. Done correctly, however, it’s gorgeous – the black is pure and opaque, and since the formula is so creamy you can really work it into your lash line, which gives a bit of extra “oomph” to your lash volume. It also has staying power – my oily lids are no match for its grip.

However, since it is so creamy, it’s really easy to waste product by misusing it. It also means that sharpening this pencil can really easily waste product. So, if you’re going to buy this pencil, you have to be prepared for it to disappear quickly.

Save: L’Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner in Carbon Black, $9

Also very creamy, but not quite as much as the Urban Decay pencil. It also works really well into the lash line, making your lashes look lush and thick. The color is quite opaque and very dark, though not quite as pitch black as the Urban Decay pencil. The staying power is as good as the Urban Decay – frankly, it’s not going anywhere.

Since it isn’t so creamy, you don’t lose product quite as quickly. It also comes with a rubberized smudge tool on the end, which does a great job of blending the line further into your lash line (and since it’s rubber, it’s easy to sanitize).

Verdict: Save

The near-perfect color and opacity of the Urban Decay pencil is hard to pass up, but the L’Oreal pencil is a very close dupe, and comes with the added benefit of longer product life and a very effective smudge tool attachment.