The COVERGIRL Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal Neutral presents itself as a dual-purpose beauty tool for both eyeliner and eyebrow definition. After extensive testing and analysis of customer experiences, this product excels as an eyebrow pencil particularly for those with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair, but delivers inconsistent results as an eyeliner due to texture and application challenges. The unique charcoal shade fills a crucial gap in the market for those seeking a true gray option without brown or red undertones.
Product Overview
COVERGIRL’s Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal Neutral is a wooden pencil-style cosmetic that comes with a smudging sponge tip for blending. At .03 oz (850 mg), it’s a standard size for eye pencils, though some users noted it seems smaller than expected. The packaging may vary, as indicated by COVERGIRL, but typically features the brand’s recognizable styling.
Color & Pigmentation: A Rare Gray Find
The standout feature of this product is unquestionably its unique charcoal color. In a market saturated with black eyeliners and brown/auburn eyebrow products, this pencil offers a true gray shade that:
- Contains minimal brown or red undertones
- Presents as a neutral medium-to-dark gray
- Features subtle shimmer that adds dimension without being overly glittery
- Works exceptionally well for those with gray, silver, salt-and-pepper, or white hair
Many reviewers specifically mentioned searching extensively for this exact shade, with phrases like “hard to find color” appearing frequently. For many silver-haired users, this has become their go-to product for years, sometimes decades, making it something of a cult favorite among the gray-haired demographic.
The pigmentation level varies between products—some report rich color payoff while others mention difficulty getting the color to transfer. This inconsistency suggests possible quality control issues or product aging concerns.
Texture & Application: Mixed Experiences
The texture of this pencil presents the most divisive aspect of the product. Customer experiences fall into two distinct categories:
Positive Texture Experiences:
- Creamy enough to apply without excessive drag
- Firm enough to maintain precision
- Can be sharpened without breaking
- Blends well with the included sponge tip
Negative Texture Experiences:
- Too hard and dry for comfortable application
- Tugs on delicate eyelid skin
- Requires warming up (some users even resort to using a lighter)
- Difficult to get color to transfer to skin
- Inconsistent in texture compared to the same product purchased elsewhere
These contradictory experiences might indicate batch inconsistency, counterfeit products in the marketplace, or significant aging effects on product quality. Several users specifically reported suspecting their online purchase was counterfeit compared to the same product purchased in retail stores.
Performance As Eyebrow Pencil: Exceptional for Gray Hair
The product truly shines when used as an eyebrow pencil, particularly for those with gray, silver, or salt-and-pepper hair. Benefits include:
- Perfect shade match for aging hair (a rarity in the beauty market)
- The firmer texture that creates frustration for eyeliner application becomes an advantage for precise brow definition
- Creates natural-looking filled brows without appearing harsh or obvious
- Blends well with the sponge tip for a soft, defined look
- Provides sufficient staying power for all-day wear
Multiple reviewers mentioned using this product for decades specifically for their eyebrows, with some expressing concern about potential discontinuation, suggesting they stockpile it when available.
Performance As Eyeliner: Inconsistent Results
As an eyeliner, this product delivers mixed results:
Strengths:
- The charcoal color provides a softer alternative to harsh black
- More flattering for mature skin or daytime looks
- Some users report good staying power with minimal smudging
- Can be set with eyeshadow or powder for increased longevity
- Works well for those specifically seeking a harder, drier formula
Weaknesses:
- Many users report difficulty applying to the waterline
- The firm texture can tug uncomfortably on delicate eyelids
- Some experience fading or smudging after a few hours
- Application often requires multiple passes to achieve desired color intensity
- Several reviewers completely gave up on using it as eyeliner and repurposed it for eyebrows
Longevity & Wear Time
Wear time varies significantly between users:
- Those using it as an eyebrow pencil generally report satisfactory all-day wear
- As an eyeliner, reports range from “lasts all day without smudging” to “disappears after an hour”
- Not described as waterproof by most users
- Can be set with powder for improved longevity
- Wears off gradually rather than flaking or transferring dramatically
Value Assessment
Priced at the lower end of the cosmetic spectrum, this product represents good value primarily because:
- It fills a specific niche (true gray shade) that higher-end brands often overlook
- The product lasts reasonably long with regular use
- It can be sharpened to extend its
Buy on Amazon: Here
