love it/hate it: benefit they're real! push-up liner

now I've blogged about my past hatred for the original black version of this product before (check it out here), but when I heard that benefit was releasing a new collection of colored liner and mascara I was still excited (#beautyjunkie). I figured that benefit would take into account the issues that basically everyone and their mother had with the product; maybe the formula would be different in the colored version, maybe the packaging would be better designed, maybe it wouldn't require a special remover to take that shizz off, WHO knows. and when I saw that the sephora app had a promo code for a deluxe sample size, I jumped at the chance to try it out. (side note- if you're not doing your online shopping at sephora using the app, you're crazy. best promo codes, super easy to navigate, and you can track your order right through the app. download it now and thank me later.) I was pleasantly surprised to see that the sample was for the brown version; dark brown is my go-to eyeliner color, so much more natural and flattering for day to day. when I opened the liner I noticed that the new packaging had step-by-step instructions on how to use the product (clicking the product up into the tip, and wiping off the start of the product on to napkin before applying to the eye), and while that's super helpful since most people would assume you could just dive right in and start winging, it still doesn't solve the problem that you're wasting half of the product by the time you use it up. I love the creamy gel formula for gliding easily onto you lid, but forget about building up your wing with more than one swipe. if you do, the product balls up on itself and starts to peel off your eyelid (not cute). for someone who can get a perfect wing in one swipe, that isn't an issue. but most people require at least two swipes to get a perfect line. the lock in place formula is supposedly so strong that benefit had to release a special eye makeup remover specifically for this liner (which I'm sorry- but that seems ridiculous to me), but I found that the thinnest part of my liner (near my inner corner to the beginning of my lash line) completely disappeared mid-day. I want my makeup to be locked into place when I apply it in the morning, and be there until I take it off at night.

so final thoughts- I think it's safe to say I truly hate this product, which honestly really bums me out. I want to love this product because I love the idea of it. the design of the applicator tip is genius, it really does give you the perfect wing without even trying, but I can't get over buying a product to literally waste half of it every single use. the new colors are gorgeous (dying over the bright emerald green), but the staying power just isn't there, and the formula isn't anything special. there are so many amazing eyeliners available that unless you can't do a wing to save your life, don't care about throwing away product, and are fine with a crazy formula- don't even bother. watch some YouTube videos, practice practice practice, and save your pennies; two thumbs down.

what are your thoughts on the they're real! push-up liner from benefit? are you part of the 1% that loves it, or do you think it belongs in the garbage?

xx, marissa 

love it/hate it: Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner

normally, I am a huge fan of Benefit products. their They're Real! Mascara is one of my all-time favorites, so I was super excited to hear about the They're Real! Push-Up Liner that they had developed. like a true makeup junkie, I researched the product before the launch, read reviews, watched videos and tutorials before even getting my hands on the product. my bosses recently purchased the liner, and I was able to give it a try myself. to say that I hated this product is a bit strong, but not too far from the truth. so many reviews talked about how much product is wasted with every use, and they were not lying. it seemed that every time I clicked more product into the pen tip, I would have to squeeze out the excess- it was quite a pain. I will say, that the design of the tip is perfect for someone who is just getting into winged liner, and isn't quite sure how to get the perfect flick. it was easy to almost stamp at the outer corner, and then just connect the end to your lash line. the gel formula is great for getting a super smooth, rich, pigmented line- but the rich pigment is quite a b*tch to get off. so much so that they have to sell a special remover for the liner. I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to purchase a separate remover for one eyeliner, but I also don't want to scrub (and damage) my eyelids, or walk around with panda eyes. if only they could work on the product distribution to the tip, I would be obsessed, but for now (as the product is) I have to say I'm a bit of a hater.

have you tried this liner? what are your thoughts?

xx, marissa