Marc Jacobs Beauty review: Our editors tested the new makeup line
One of fashion’s biggest names is making his mark (or should we say, Marc?) on beauty once again.
While Marc Jacobs’ original makeup line was discontinued in 2021, he launched a new iteration this summer — much to the chagrin of beauty editors, many of whom had been rationing the OG products for years.
The much-awaited return includes seven products: mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, blush, bronzer and highlighter. (Given the fresh drop is now produced by beauty conglomerate Coty, it’s safe to say the formulas are different than the first time around.)
In a world increasingly dominated by minimalist packaging and “clean girl” beauty trends, the line is a true visual feast (think: balloon-inspired packaging, glitter and plenty of flower motifs). But how well does it actually work?
Our beauty-obsessed editors were eager to get our hands on the line to see how it stacks up. Read on for our full review — and to see which products earned a permanent place in our routines.
Our review
Marc Jacobs Beauty Drawn This Way Gel Eyeliner in Matte Black
Pros:
- Blends beautifully
- Doesn’t budge after setting
“The caps of these eyeliners come adorned with a gleaming star, which makes sense: They’re the real stars of the show here. My favorite of the handful of products I tested, they glided on like butter, delivered high-impact color, blended beautifully and didn’t budge one bit after setting — even on a hot, humid August day. While I typically go for liquid eyeliners since I like a sharp wing, I’d recommend these to anyone as a softer alternative. If I had to nitpick, I’d add that a built-in sharpener would’ve been a nice touch.” — Elana Fishman, Style & Shopping Director
“A great eyeliner is gold to me, and this is truly a new favorite. It’s soft enough to smudge, but can hold a sharp line, even for a cat-eye look. It also works on the waterline beautifully, easily depositing pigment with zero irritation or pull, and it lasts surprisingly well. To quote Goldilocks, it’s just right. I’ve been wearing black, which is a staple, but I absolutely need dark brown and also want HMU, an ultra-black with gold flecks. The one issue I’ve had is that this eyeliner hasn’t been easy to sharpen, but maybe my sharpener is dull.” — Erica Radol, Commerce Reporter
Marc Jacobs Beauty Drawn This Way Gel Eyeliner in Delulu
Pros:
- Shimmery shades are subtle but fun
- Very blendable and buildable
Cons:
- Requires regular sharpening
“The product itself is super creamy and easy to smudge — I drew some close to the top lash line and used my finger to smear it up my lid a bit, easy peasy. I then amped it up a little, taking some inspiration from Zendaya’s goddess-worthy ‘Odyssey’ makeup, and added more sparkle to my inner corners, which really wowed. To my pleasant surprise, there was no glitter fallout and the white color disappeared to leave a twinkling finish with serious staying power. I love the hint of color and definitely think you could build this up in so many fun ways for a night out, layered with different color liners and shadows. I will say, the pencil is super soft so will need to be sharpened often; I wish it came in a thicker crayon to be used as a shadow topper!” — Melissa Minton, Senior Style Editor
“This duochrome shade is surprisingly versatile, so it’s no wonder it’s really popping off online. While I wouldn’t normally reach for a more purple-based eyeliner, this one changed my mind entirely. It’s just the right amount of shimmer without making you look like you belong at the high school from ‘Euphoria.’ Plus, the creamy formula glides on like a dream.” — Hannah Southwick, Associate Shopping Editor
Marc Jacobs Beauty Flashes Lash-Defining Volume Mascara
Pros:
- Provides a volumizing and lifting effect
- Long-lasting
“I am very picky when it comes to mascara. (It’s my favorite beauty product, and you’ll absolutely never see me embracing the mascara-free beauty trend.) Very few formulas have won me over, but I’m now adding Marc Jacobs to that list. The curved brush lifts and volumizes, and it lasted all day — from a sweaty commute to evening events — sans smudging.” — Southwick
“If you’re looking for an excellent all-around mascara — one that lengthens, lifts and volumizes, all without smudging, flaking or clumping — this is it. Plus, the purple star-shaped tube is super fun. I will say, it’s a bit pricey.” — Fishman
“I have Disney princess eyes! My lashes are long, separated and bat-worthy. So luscious!” — Radol
Marc Jacobs Beauty Born Star Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow
Pros:
- Gorgeous swipe-and-go shades
- Comes in both matte and shimmery options
Cons:
- One reviewer experienced some creasing by the end of the day
“The Mylar balloon-inspired, star-shaped compact is as cute as can be, and the formula didn’t disappoint either — rich, shimmery and packed with pigment. I tried the metallic champagne hue Shady, which worked well as both an an all-over eyeshadow and an inner-corner highlight. I’ll definitely continue to reach for it, although I might incorporate a primer next time, as I did experience some creasing by the end of the day.” — Fishman
“I wear shimmery eyeshadow all the time, so I’ll definitely be adding this swipe-and-go formula to my rotation. Pair it with some mascara or eyeliner, and you’re good to go — it’s basically an instant eye look.” — Southwick
“Buff on with a big brush for a sheer wash, or tap on with a clean ring finger; it’s just a really pretty finish. The eyeshadow has a nice pigment load and creamy formula that doesn’t exacerbate dry skin or fine lines. I’d like to shop the matte shades, and have my eye on a few.” — Radol
Marc Jacobs Beauty Joystick Cream Blush Stick
Pros:
- Buildable and easy to apply
- Perhaps the cutest blush stick we’ve ever seen
Cons:
- Some reviewers had issues with blendability
“This is another standout from the line. It’s somewhat firm and solid and goes on bright, but blends out to a natural flush that lasts all day. My go-to blushes are Westman Atelier and Dior’s Soft Filter creamy formula, and this hangs with the best of them. Another that I’d buy in more shades.” — Radol
“While every one of the products comes in the most adorable packaging imaginable, the cheery yellow blush sticks topped with gleaming daisy balloons might be the cutest of them all. Unfortunately, the formula fell a bit short for me; the color (Shady Business, a rosewood nude) was beautiful, but I found it more difficult to blend out than other cream blushes I’ve tried. That said, I have very dry skin, and I imagine this would be less of an issue for those with combination or oily complexions.” — Fishman
“Like Elana, this wasn’t my favorite of the products I tried from the line. It didn’t blend as seamlessly as I’d hoped, but perhaps I picked the wrong shade. This is one I’d recommend blending with a brush instead of your fingers. That said, the packaging is absolutely adorable.” — Southwick
Marc Jacobs Beauty Legally Bronze Blurring Powder Bronzer
Pros:
- Provides a nice sun-kissed glow
- Gorgeous packaging feels luxe
Cons:
- Since the color is so saturated, there’s a bit of a learning curve for application
- Not the same as the original
“As a major lover of Marc Jacobs’ original Omega Bronzer, I was really excited to try to re-release, hoping it’d be an exact dupe of my beloved product that I’ve been rationing for years. The newbie is good, but definitely not an exact replica. I notice the color is a little more saturated so I have to be careful with how much product I apply, which isn’t something I had to think about with the OG formula. That said, I do really like the new formula overall and think it warms up my skin nicely without being too orange, it just took a bit of a learning curve to make it work properly.” — Ally D’Aluisio, Senior Director of VRT and Page Six Content Strategy
“I’m typically loyal to stick bronzers, but this one might convert me to powders. I agree with Ally that it definitely requires the right brush and application technique to ensure you’re not depositing too much product. But once I got the hang of it, it gave my cheeks a naturally flushed, sun-kissed look I loved. From the packaging to the formulation, it truly feels like a luxury beauty product.” — Southwick
Marc Jacobs Beauty Heart On Long-Lasting Soft Shine Lipstick
Pros:
- The creamy, cherry oil-infused formula feels so hydrating
- Has a nice scent
Cons:
- More of a lip oil than a lipstick
“It’s highly pigmented but light and balmy, with a comfortable feel on lips and decent wear time. Like other makeup from the line, it’s got a luxe, designer feel sans any perfumey scents, though it has a mild, endearing sweet note.” — Radol
“Much like Rare Beauty’s new lip products, this formula feels more like a lip oil and gloss than a lipstick. It has a nice scent but can get a little messy if you don’t apply it perfectly. It feels so hydrating, though, and will likely last me awhile; a little goes a long way.” — Southwick
“Of all the products I tried, this one had the biggest shoes to fill; Marc Jacobs Beauty’s original Lovemarc Lip Gel in Neo-Noir was my signature shade for years, and I’m pretty sure I still have a (long-expired, likely not safe to actually use) tube of the stuff somewhere. I tested Heart On in the cool purple-pink Mauve On, and loved its balmy, nourishing feel. While I’m not much of a mauve lip girl in general, I enjoyed the cherry oil-infused formula so much that I’m eager to pick up a tube of On Red — the closest match to my beloved Neo-Noir.” — Fishman
Is it worth it?
First off, you won’t find a more artfully packaged beauty line out there. That said, if you’re expecting a faithful re-creation of the original line, this isn’t it. But if you’re adding something new to your routine, these products certainly aren’t a waste of money.
We were especially impressed with the mascara and eyeliner, so those could be a good starting place if you’re only picking a few things (especially given the products’ luxury price tags).
How we tested
Our testers used Marc Jacobs Beauty products to create multiple makeup looks, keeping the following criteria in mind:
- Market comparisons: How do they compare to the original Marc Jacobs products, and to other beauty brands available at a similar price point?
- Performance: Obviously, this one’s essential! We analyzed not only how the products looked and how easy they were to apply, but also how well they held up throughout the day.
- Value: Are the products worth the price?
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Associate Editor for Page Six. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts celebrities’ brands to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.
