First Look| Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner

 

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner ($24) comes to your local Sephora and Ulta today after much hype, hate, and general drama in the YouTube community.

"It looks like crap, how can you say you love it? SPONSORED!"

"I'm not spending 24 bucks on an eyeliner."

"Did Benefit pay you to say that?"

Giving YouTubers and those who went to the launch party the benefit of doubt, I wanted to try out this so called revolutionary product that would give the effect of a gel liner but in a pen form. After all, I really enjoy the look of gel liners (often very matte, black, and long lasting) but find the song and dance of brushes and little jars exhausting.

 

It's a rubbery slanted tip applicator that dispenses product by twisting/clicking the pen. You'll see that the pen comes with a little orange nib that you can use to stuff up the rubber tip to make sure that the product doesn't dry out.

 

I won't offer a personal opinion just yet, as I've only bought this recently thanks to a Sephora preview sale event online. However, I'd like to point out the pros and cons just so that you're an informed shopper. (Also so you can't scream "Sponsored!" at the sight of a positive review...)

There's definitely a learning curve involved with the Push Up Liner, but by no means is it a horrendous product hyped up by social media marketing. I found it to be very interesting to use and a great product once you get the hang of it. As with any new product there will be user error, so buy with discretion and take your time to learn the slanted tip applicator.

Pros

•  It's indeed a gel liner formula within a pen. The product is very black, matte, and thicker in consistency than a liquid. 
• It takes serious elbow grease and an oily eye makeup remover to get off.
• Speaking of which, the product doesn't flake or smudge at all. 
• The pen form and slanted tip appilcator ensures that you get a clean line and close to the lashline as possible. 
• The slanted nib makes cat eye looks super easy even for my hooded eyes. It's definitely beginner friendly.
• Since the product sets almost instantly, I didn't get any transferring to my top lid. 

Cons

• Do NOT dispense more than a needle sized amount for both eyes. This will be your downfall. 
• If you just did the above, you will notice your liner being clumpy, patchy, hard to drag, flaky, and overall horrendous. 
• Even worse, your fat ball of product will just fall off the nib if you click up too much.
• You cannot go over your line once the product sets. Don't try.
• If you make a horrible mistake, you have .006 seconds to correct it. This stuff sets fast! 

Here's a demo pic (excuse my RBF) of how it looks on the eyes with minimal effort.

 I personally witnessed a bunch of YTers dissing the product but then dispensing way too much at one time and trying to spread it evenly on the lid. No gurl. Learn the product before you offer a hasty opinion.

Does the fancy pen form warrant the price tag? Meh. It's still in the range of liners like KVD's Trooper liner or Stila's Stay All Day liquid liner. If you're already spending that much on quality liners, trying this one out won't hurt. If you prefer your drugstore gel liners and don't mind using a liner brush, you won't need this in your life.

October 6, 2014 UPDATE:

After a few months this liner has not hardened in the tube. However, the staying power has definitely changed for the worst. It has a tendency to smudge, flake, and smear even on my dry lids after a day of work. At first I blamed it on my mascara, but sans mascara I still get the dreaded panda eye bags.

Hm, they were onto something after all. 

xo, Be