Forget Olive Young: Why Real Koreans Buy MERZY Eyeliner at Daiso

Why Is the $2 Daiso MERZY Slim Gel Eyeliner Going Viral in Korea?

While overseas beauty shoppers line up at Olive Young to spend $10 to $15 on smudge-proof eyeliners, locals head straight to Daiso for the ultimate drugstore steal. Daiso partnered with cult-favorite K-beauty brand MERZY to launch the MERZY Let’s Fixing Slim Gel Eyeliner for just ₩3,000 (roughly $2.20 USD). It packs the exact same ultra-durable waterproofing polymers, high-density pigment, and buttery glide as high-end roadshop formulas, delivering high-performance wear without the inflated price tag.

What Does the MERZY 1.5mm Slim Gel Eyeliner Actually Feel Like to Use?

1.5mm Ultra-Slim Precision and First Impression on Combination Skin

Having combination skin means my eyelids produce noticeable midday oil, causing conventional pencil liners to smudge into racoon eyes within hours. The standout feature of this MERZY eyeliner is its 1.5mm micro-fine lead, which glides across the delicate lash line with zero tugging or skipping. It gives you total artistic control to draw razor-sharp wings, tightline waterlines, or flick out the outer corners effortlessly without needing a separate brush or sharpener.

10-Second Flash-Fixing and Incredible Smudge Resistance

What makes this liner truly legendary is its rapid 10-second fixing lock: the soft gel applies smoothly like butter, but sets rock-solid after just 10 seconds. Once locked, it forms a water- and sebum-resistant shield that refuses to budge, even when blotted against greasy eyelids or exposed to accidental eye rubs. Out of all the eyeliner options on Daiso’s beauty shelves, this is hands-down the most smudge-proof, reliable liner I have ever used—an absolute must-hoard item when visiting Korea.

“Brown Quartz” Review: The Flattering, Luminous Deep Brown

I personally picked up shade #03 Brown Quartz, and it has become my daily holy grail. It is a mesmerizing, luminous deep brown with subtle golden micro-pearls that instantly gives your eyes a soft, dreamy depth without the harshness of a stark ink-black. It complements warm, cool, and neutral skin tones effortlessly, making it an essential everyday staple that anyone can pull off.

What Shades Are in the Daiso MERZY Slim Gel Eyeliner Lineup?

• #01 Black Onyx: A classic, high-density jet black that provides sharp, defined contrast for bold graphic lines and crisp tightlining.
• #02 Bronze Opal: A deep, moody matte espresso brown that adds sultry soft-focus contouring to your lash line without looking aggressive.
• #03 Brown Quartz: A radiant, multi-dimensional deep brown infused with delicate golden shimmer, designed to create deep, elegant Korean eye looks.

What Key Ingredients Make This Gel Eyeliner Completely Smudge-Proof?

• Trimethylsiloxysilicate: A durable film-forming resin that creates an impermeable barrier against sweat, facial sebum, and tears.
• Cyclopentasiloxane & Isododecane: Fast-evaporating volatile silicones that allow the gel to glide effortlessly before flashing off to lock the liner in place within 10 seconds.
• Synthetic Wax & Microcrystalline Wax: Maintains a stable, fine 1.5mm pencil structure that resists snapping while melting smoothly upon contact with skin warmth.
• Treated Iron Oxides & Mica: Provide rich, opaque one-swipe color payoff and an elegant, luminous finish that stays true throughout the day.

How Does Daiso MERZY Compare to Other Affordable Korean Gel Eyeliners?

Product Name	Brand / Retailer	Tip Size & Lead Type	Finish & Standout Trait	Wear Time & Oil Resistance	Retail Price (KRW / USD)
MERZY Let’s Fixing Slim Gel Eyeliner	MERZY / Daiso	1.5mm Micro-Slim Retractable	Buttery glide, fast 10-sec lock, luminous deep brown	8+ Hours (Zero smudging on oily lids)	₩3,000 (~$2.20 USD)
TAG Slim Gel Eyeliner	TAG (too cool for school) / Daiso	2.0mm Slim Twist-up	Soft matte powdery finish, natural shading	5–6 Hours (Slight fade along tear ducts)	₩3,000 (~$2.20 USD)
Drop Be Slim Eyeliner	Drop Be / Daiso	1.5mm Slim Mechanical	Creamy glide, soft blending finish	4–5 Hours (Better for blending than tightlining)	₩3,000 (~$2.20 USD)
The First Slim Gel Eyeliner	MERZY / Olive Young	1.5mm Micro-Slim Retractable	Long-wear waterproof gel liner	8+ Hours (Comparable fixing strength)	₩7,000 – ₩9,000 (~$5.50 – $7.00 USD)

Where Can You Buy the Daiso MERZY Slim Gel Eyeliner?

In-Store at Korean Daiso Locations

Look for this eyeliner in the dedicated cosmetics aisle of large, multi-story Daiso outlets across Korea. Major flagship branches such as the Daiso Myeongdong Station Branch (12 floors), Hongdae 2nd Branch, and Gangnam Main Branch carry fully stocked MERZY displays with testers, though popular shades like Brown Quartz frequently sell out due to viral word-of-mouth.

Availability for International Shoppers

Because Daiso-contracted makeup lines are priced uniformly between ₩3,000 and ₩5,000, they are rarely listed on Olive Young Global or major Western retail chains. However, travelers can stock up in bulk at physical stores in Korea, while overseas buyers can often track them down via specialized Korean proxy shopping services (such as KoreanBuddies, Harumio) or global Asian beauty resellers on eBay.

★Do you need a lipstick at Daiso?

★Check out this post on highlighters that will make your eyes stand out even more!