The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 has garnered significant attention among beauty enthusiasts, particularly those with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair. This dual-ended product features a color tip on one end and a blender on the other, designed to create either precise lines or soft, blended effects. While many consumers praise its unique color offering that’s difficult to find elsewhere, there are notable concerns about product consistency and potential counterfeit issues in the marketplace. This comprehensive review will explore all aspects of this cult-favorite beauty product.
Product Overview
The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 (0.03 Fl Oz, typically sold in a 2-count package) is marketed as a versatile eye makeup product. Its standout feature is the charcoal gray shade, which fills a significant gap in the beauty market for those seeking alternatives to traditional black and brown eye products. The dual-ended design includes:
- A color tip for application
- A blending tip for softening and smudging color
- A formula that promises easy application and long wear
Retailing at a budget-friendly price point, this product positions itself as an accessible option for consumers looking for specialty shades without premium pricing.
The Perfect Match for Silver Foxes
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 is its targeted appeal to an often-overlooked demographic in the beauty industry: consumers with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair. As one reviewer succinctly notes, “Charcoal is supposed to be the ideal brown color for women with grey or silver hair.”
The significance of this color option cannot be overstated. Many consumers express frustration with traditional black and brown options:
- “I was not happy with the usual black and brown shades, neither worked with my dark brown, going grey, brows.”
- “Browns, black and graphite are too harsh but the grey works well.”
- “I have silver hair and don’t want to use brown or black eyebrow pencil.”
For many users, discovering this product represented a solution to a long-standing problem. As one enthusiastic reviewer shared, “This was exactly what I was looking for! My hair has recently gone salt & pepper and my brown/blonde liners did not look right.”
Versatility: Beyond Just Eyeliner
Interestingly, while marketed as an eyeliner, a significant number of consumers have repurposed this product as an eyebrow pencil. Our analysis reveals that mentions of eyebrow usage outnumber eyeliner usage by more than 2-to-1. This creative repurposing demonstrates the product’s versatility and speaks to a market gap for gray eyebrow products.
Consumers specifically cite the following benefits when using the product for eyebrows:
- Natural-looking results that complement gray or silver hair
- Appropriate color intensity that doesn’t overwhelm mature faces
- Consistency that allows for shaping and filling sparse eyebrows
As one user candidly admits: “I have, apparently, weird coloring and I have been unable to find eyebrow pencil makeup. Anyway, this maybe for eyeliner, but I find it works perfectly for my eyebrows. I’ve stocked up… lol”
Product Performance: A Mixed Verdict
The performance of the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil presents a somewhat divided consumer experience, with strong opinions on both sides.
Positive Experiences
Many satisfied customers report:
- Color satisfaction: “The charcoal color is perfect for me.”
- Staying power: “Lasts till you take it off,” and “Stays on all day. No smudging.”
- Ease of application: “Goes on easily,” and “Easy to apply and easy to remove.”
- Value proposition: “Reasonable priced,” and “Best price I have found.”
The blender tip particularly earns praise for its functionality: “The blender tip is very useful. Super happy with it.” This feature allows users to create softer, more diffused lines that many find flattering, especially for mature skin.
Negative Experiences
Conversely, disappointment centers around several key issues:
- Consistency problems: “These pencils are hard and dry like real pencils! Literally scratched my eyelids trying to get some color on.”
- Application difficulties: “Won’t transfer without breaking apart,” and “You can’t even apply them.”
- Pigmentation concerns: “Not enough color,” and “Color is too light to even show much.”
Some particularly frustrated users report extreme difficulties: “I tried warming it up and swatching on the back of my hand. You can see it finally worked but I had to push hard and it left red marks from the pressure. I can’t push that hard on my eye area.”
The Counterfeit Conundrum
A concerning theme emerges from multiple reviews: the potential presence of counterfeit products in the marketplace. Several reviewers explicitly state they received what they believe to be fake products: “I feel this product is counterfeit. Photo added, pencil on left is fake, pencil on right is real.”
This raises important questions about product sourcing and authenticity. Some reviewers theorize that inconsistent product experiences might be attributed to receiving counterfeit items rather than genuine COVERGIRL products. This possibility is particularly worth considering given the product’s increasing scarcity in brick-and-mortar retail locations.
The Scarcity Factor
Indeed, a recurring theme throughout the reviews is the difficulty in finding this particular shade. Numerous comments highlight this challenge:
- “Its hard to find gray eyeliner eyebrow pencils.”
- “Covergirl eye pencil #105 is getting hard to find.”
- “Charcoal grey is almost impossible to find in stores anywhere.”
This scarcity has created a sort of cult following for the product, with many consumers expressing gratitude for being able to source it online: “Even in cosmetics section of Wal-Mart! Three cheers for Amazon! Second item I bought this week that couldn’t find in stores.”
The difficulty in finding this shade in retail locations raises questions about COVERGIRL’s commitment to maintaining this color in their lineup, leading some loyal customers to stock up when they do find it available.
Quality Control Concerns
The disparity in user experiences suggests potential quality control issues with the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil. While some users report soft, easy-to-apply pencils that deliver excellent results, others describe products so hard and dry they’re unusable.
Several possibilities might explain these inconsistencies:
- Batch variation: Different production runs may have quality differences
- Age of product: Some consumers may receive older stock with degraded performance
- Storage conditions: Improper warehouse storage could affect product consistency
- Counterfeit products: As mentioned earlier, fake products entering the supply chain
One particularly telling review notes: “I have been looking for a grey liner for awhile and this one is perfect. Stays on all day. No smudging. Will buy again.” This positive experience stands in stark contrast to another user’s report: “These eyeliner pencils must have been old, because I couldn’t even draw a line on my eyes.”
Price-to-Performance Ratio
At its typical retail price point, the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil positions itself as an affordable option. Many reviewers specifically comment on the value proposition:
- “Great price point on 2.”
- “Reasonable priced.”
- “Best price I have found.”
When the product performs as expected, consumers generally consider it an excellent value, particularly given the difficulty in finding comparable shades from other brands, including more expensive options. However, those who receive subpar pencils understandably feel cheated even at the modest price point.
Demographic Appeal
The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 has found its strongest audience among mature consumers with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair. Multiple reviewers express appreciation that COVERGIRL offers products suited to their needs: “I’m glad covergirl thinks of older ladies.”
This represents an important market segment that many beauty brands neglect. As the population ages, more consumers find themselves seeking cosmetic products that complement changing hair colors and skin tones. The enthusiastic response to this specific shade suggests significant untapped potential in the mature beauty market.
Application Tips from Enthusiasts
Loyal users of the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil share several application tips throughout their reviews:
- Use light pressure for natural results, especially when using for eyebrows
- Take advantage of the blender tip to soften harsh lines
- For eyebrows, focus on creating shape rather than filling completely
- Some users recommend “warming” the pencil slightly before application
- Set with translucent powder for extended wear
These user-generated tips highlight the product’s versatility and the creative ways consumers have incorporated it into their beauty routines.
How It Compares to Alternatives
While few reviewers directly compare the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil to specific competitors, many note the general difficulty in finding comparable products. Comments such as “Best eyebrow pencil ever – for shade and consistency” suggest satisfied users have tried alternatives without finding equal matches.
One reviewer does mention replacing “my favourite from another brand that I’ve had for years,” indicating that while alternatives exist, they may be increasingly difficult to find or have been discontinued.
Longevity and Wear Time
Reports on the product’s staying power vary considerably. Satisfied customers claim impressive longevity:
- “Lasts till you take it off.”
- “Lasts all day.”
- “Stays on all day. No smudging.”
Others express disappointment with wear time: “It doesn’t last all day.” This discrepancy could relate to individual factors (skin type, application technique, environmental conditions) or to the product consistency issues previously discussed.
Packaging and Presentation
Few reviewers comment specifically on the packaging, suggesting it meets basic expectations without significant positive or negative features. The standard pencil format with a cap covering each end appears functional if not innovative.
One reviewer does note being pleased with the shipping packaging: “Arrived in good time. Packaged well.” This suggests that the product generally arrives intact and protected during transit.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
The reviews analyzed do not address environmental or ethical aspects of the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil. This silence is unsurprising given the age of some reviews and the relatively recent increase in consumer focus on sustainability and ethical production.
It’s worth noting that COVERGIRL (owned by Coty Inc.) announced its Leaping Bunny certification by Cruelty Free International in 2018, making it the largest makeup brand to achieve this certification. However, none of the reviewers specifically mention this aspect of the brand.
Final Assessment: Is It Worth Trying?
The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 presents an interesting case of a product with devoted fans despite notable shortcomings. The unique color positioning and dual-end functionality offer genuine value when the product performs as intended.
For consumers with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair seeking a complementary eye product, this pencil addresses a significant gap in the market. The affordable price point makes it a relatively low-risk purchase, even given the potential quality inconsistencies.
However, potential buyers should be aware of several caveats:
- Product performance appears inconsistent between batches or sources
- Some users encounter unusably hard or dry pencils
- Potential counterfeit products circulate in the marketplace
- The product appears increasingly difficult to find in retail locations
Recommendations for Different Consumer Groups
For consumers with gray/silver hair: The unique shade positioning makes this worth trying despite potential inconsistencies. If you find it works for you, consider purchasing multiple pencils given the reported scarcity.
For those seeking budget-friendly options: The price point represents good value when the product performs well, but quality inconsistencies create some risk.
For those with sensitive skin: Proceed with caution given reports of hardness that “scratched my eyelids” from some users.
For traditional eyeliner users: Consider exploring other options, as this product seems to excel more as an eyebrow pencil for those with gray hair than as a traditional eyeliner.
Conclusion
The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105 represents both the promise and pitfalls of specialized beauty products in today’s market. When performing optimally, it provides a valuable solution for an underserved demographic at an accessible price point. Its cult following demonstrates the product’s potential to fill a significant market gap.
However, the apparent quality inconsistencies and potential counterfeit issues prevent an unreserved recommendation. For many users—particularly those with gray or silver hair seeking appropriate eye makeup—the product may be worth trying despite these drawbacks, especially given the limited alternatives available.
COVERGIRL would do well to address both the quality control concerns and the apparent scarcity of this shade, as they seem to have identified a valuable market niche but have not fully capitalized on the opportunity. The passionate customer base already exists; consistent product delivery would transform this cult favorite into a true beauty staple for mature consumers.
This comprehensive review was compiled based on analysis of consumer experiences with the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal 105. Individual experiences may vary based on product batch, application technique, and personal preferences.
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