Hey there! I’m SUPER excited to share my thoughts on the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Smoky Taupe 130. After diving deep into user experiences and trying this product myself, I’ve got ALL the details you need to know before adding this to your makeup collection.
The Big Secret: It’s Not Just an Eyeliner!
Let’s get something straight right away – this might be marketed as an eyeliner pencil, but the REAL tea is that SO many people are using this as an EYEBROW PENCIL! Especially for those with light brown, dark blonde, or graying hair. One reviewer even said, “This is the perfect color eyebrow pencil for dark blondes. Why not put a spoolie on the end and sell it as such?”
I was honestly surprised by how many reviews mentioned using this for brows rather than eyes. But after trying it myself, I totally get it! The Smoky Taupe shade is PERFECT for creating natural-looking brows without that harsh, drawn-on look.
Color: The Holy Grail for Certain Hair Colors
The Smoky Taupe shade is where this product really shines. It’s:
- Perfect for dark blondes and light brunettes
- Amazing for those with gray or silver hair
- Great for medium skin tones with ashy hair colors
- One of the FEW pencils without those dreaded red/orange undertones
As someone who’s tested countless makeup products, finding a true taupe without warm undertones is like finding a unicorn! One reviewer who’s gone gray mentioned: “Since my hair turned ‘salt & pepper’ I could not find any color to match my eye brows until I happened to see this eyeliner pencil SMOKY TAUPE, and tried it on my eyebrows and it matched perfectly with my hair. Love it!”
Texture & Application: Mixed Reviews
Here’s where things get a bit complicated – there seems to be some serious inconsistency with this product. Some reviews describe it as:
👍 “Just the right softness” 👍 “Smooth application and long lasting” 👍 “Not too hard or too soft”
While others have had completely opposite experiences: 👎 “Like trying to line your eyes with a #2 pencil” 👎 “Completely dried out and immediately broke” 👎 “Have to push so hard it hurts your eyelid”
My take? It seems like there might be quality control issues or perhaps some counterfeit products floating around (a few reviewers specifically mentioned this concern with photos comparing real vs. fake pencils).
When I tried it, I found it to be somewhere in the middle – not the creamiest formula I’ve used, but definitely workable for brows. For eyeliner though, I’d prefer something softer.
Longevity: Surprisingly Good for the Price
For a drugstore pencil, this thing STAYS PUT! Multiple reviewers mentioned:
- “It’s really water-resistant”
- “Stays all day no matter the weather or activity”
- “Lasts all day and looks very natural”
I wore it through an entire workday and was impressed that it didn’t smudge or fade significantly. For the price point (usually under $7), that’s actually pretty impressive!
Formula & Blendability
The Perfect Blend name comes from the smudger tip on the end, which is designed to help you blend the liner for a softer look. For eyeliner use, this works pretty well for creating a smudged, smoky effect.
However, when using it for brows, the blending tip isn’t as effective as a spoolie would be. Several reviewers mentioned wishing it had a spoolie instead, which would make it a perfect brow product.
The formula itself seems hit or miss. Some found it:
- “Not too dry and has a smooth glide”
- “Goes on easily as both finer pencil ‘lines’ or can be smudged”
While others complained:
- “It’s almost as though you have to burn it like the good ol’ days in order for it to work”
- “Very dry, almost invisible when applied”
The Sharpening Situation
Since this is a traditional wooden pencil, you’ll need a makeup sharpener. This was a downside for some who prefer retractable pencils:
“I WANT Covergirl Perfect Point Plus eyeliner in Taupe color. It is discontinued, so I tried this eyeliner pencil in Taupe. I don’t like a liner that I have to sharpen!”
Another issue multiple reviewers mentioned is that the pencil breaks frequently during sharpening, which can be wasteful. One person noted: “When it broke the first time, I sharpened it down to where I could access the tip of the color again. But again, upon application, it broke. I attempted this three times.”
Value for Money & Longevity
The price point is definitely a plus – this is an affordable option, especially compared to high-end brow and eyeliner products that can cost 3-4 times as much.
However, the product doesn’t seem to last very long, with several reviewers mentioning:
- “It would run out so ridiculously fast”
- “Buy 6 or 7 at a time”
- “I had to keep sharpening it therefore 1 pencil didn’t last long”
Who Should Buy This?
Based on all the reviews and my experience, this product is PERFECT for:
- People with light brown, dark blonde, or gray/silver hair looking for a brow pencil
- Anyone wanting a subtle, natural-looking eyeliner (not dramatic or intense)
- Those who prefer ashy/cool tones rather than warm brown liners
- Makeup users on a budget who don’t want to splurge on high-end products
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “I’ve had great success with this lasting all day at work, at hot summer weddings, even surviving 5ks without smearing.”
Who Should Skip It?
This probably ISN’T the right choice for:
- Those wanting a creamy, intense eyeliner for dramatic looks
- People who prefer retractable pencils
- Anyone looking for a warm-toned brown
- Those with very dark hair (it might be too light)
The Verdict: A Hidden Gem with Some Flaws
Overall, the COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Smoky Taupe 130 is genuinely a unique product in the drugstore makeup world. Its biggest strength is that elusive cool-toned taupe shade that works AMAZINGLY for natural-looking brows on the right hair colors.
The formula inconsistency is definitely concerning, and I wish COVERGIRL would just officially market this as both an eyeliner AND brow pencil, maybe even adding a spoolie end.
For the price point, it’s worth trying, especially if you’ve struggled to find the right shade for your brows. Just don’t expect the creamiest application or fancy packaging – this is definitely a basic product that happens to fill a specific need really well.
And if you do find it works for you, you might want to stock up like many reviewers have done: “I’ve had women ask what I use because they like the color… I buy 6 or 7 at a time. HOPE they continue to carry them.”
★★★★☆ (4/5 stars) – A potential holy grail for the right person, but quality inconsistencies hold it back from being perfect.
Have you tried this pencil? I’d LOVE to hear if you use it for eyes, brows, or both! 💕
Buy on Amazon: Here
