The Benefit They’re Real! Push-up Liner is arguably the most hyped beauty product of the year. When it launched it. was. everywhere. “A revolution”, “foolproof”, “so unique”. Er, yeah, but what about the very similar looking Maybelline Lasting Drama Black Shock Gel Liner that’s been on the shelves since a few months prior? Being the cheapskate that I am I decided to go with the Maybelline one and managed to pick up a sample of the Benefit – time to compare!

Apparently, what makes these guys foolproof if the rubber tip. Both the Maybelline and the Benefit one are the same – you click the bottom of the pen a few times (or about 104 for the first use!) ’til you get a wee splodge of gel liner appear, then the shape of the rubber tip helps you to get really close to the lash line. I actually found this trickier than using a regular gel eyeliner from a pot with a brush, but this is because that is what I normally use. It is great for people who are more comfortable using a pen style liner. I did find that getting even flicks was easier with this due to the shape of the tip – definitely a bonus.

I liked the Maybelline version – it went on very black and applied smoothly. I had a few wee bumps the first time I used it but these were easily evened out without going too overboard. I found that it lasted the full day as well without smudging. Overall pretty good.

The mini version of the Benefit one didn’t give the full experience as it was a single use squeeze up tube instead of the clicky pen, but the shape of the tip is the same and I would assume that the formula is also the same. I prefer the tip on the Benefit liner – it’s slightly firmer so gives you more control.

However, the formula is crap. As you can see in the above photo it flaked off after around 3 hours. Unfortunately, I was out shopping when this started happening so I was wandering about looking like I was wearing yesterday’s make up. Boo.  I should say as well, the rest of the make up I was wearing was identical to that which I wore with the Maybelline version, including Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer which I really do rate. All other good or bad points asides, if it doesn’t stay on my face, I’m not buying it. SO glad this was a free tester!

So this round goes to the Maybelline Lasting Drama! Sorry Benefit, I still love ya really. The Maybelline version costs £8.99 so I just saved you £9.51. You’re welcome.