Physicians Formula Eye Booster Liquid Eyeliner

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner plus Serum (a mouthful, oh-so-typical of PF) was released early 2011 along with a lash serum-only in the same packaging. It has since received quite a bit of blogger buzz (probably because of the rebate program that made it practically free) and positive reviews. As a typical (east) Asian with stubby lashes that pokes straight down (and a "mild" pulling problem), I didn't hesitate picking it up during one of those CVS promotions.
Beside the sleek silver tube, what intrigued me was the fine brush-like applicator (which reminds me of a Pilot speed-doodling brush pen I have and love very much), a feature that has been commonly found in Japanese brands such as Dolly Wink, Koji and Makemania. That's why it didn't surprise me when I looked at the back of its package and found "Made in Japan" printed on the box. The brush of the Eye Booster Liquid liner is rather user-friendly: slightly bouncy to the touch but stiff enough to retains it's shape and create a fine and consistent line with just a bit of pressure.

However, a fine stroke it leaves behind is usually quite runny, not black/intense enough (I will let it slide since half of the liner is lash serum that's meant to get absorbed). When exerted a bigger pressure, the brush leaves behind a more saturated line that's inevitably thicker, something I am not too fond of (on my tiny lid space). On my arm (Reads: It fares much worse on my eyes), the self-proclaimed 24HR and waterproof formula remained intact for a few hours but it was easily rinsed off with water alone.
On a good day and on my less-hooded left eye, a thin (and sheer) Physicians Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner usually last 5-6 hours before it breaks down into tiny pieces. Whenever I try to layer up to get a bolder black, the formula cakes and smudge much more quickly/almost immediately.  Of course, you are most likely to get a better result with this since liner caking/smudging basically happens to me no matter what I use (That's why I swatched a bunch and did bother buying many eyeliner for the years of 2010-2011.)

Even though I like the brush tip applicator, it has a tendency leaving patchy lines (as the liquid doesn't flow out as fluidly), or just doesn't come out at all after a few uses. The patchy problem can be solved by running the liner over the back of hand for a few times (which can be annoying and wasteful).
A before and after showing the liner's last boosting effect. I don't get why they decided to photograph the subject with mascara on, for the second picture only. (Hello, I can see the clumping!) Picture consistency fail aside, I did experience noticeable lash grow with just a few days of usage, especially on my lower lash lines, which is why I had been using it semi-religiously. Instead of using it every day, I went Captain Jack Sparrow and Crayon Shin-chan with it nightly,  for a few weeks until I lost my patience (Fortunately that happened before the bald patch on my brow grew back).
Lastly, the ingredient list of the liner. Overall: Despite how much it sounds like a negative review, I still think it has great formula (I meant the serum instead of the liner) and design mechanism  that will definitely work better on people whose eyes are not as "Asian".  On my eyes, for normal/daytime use, I can still get uses out of it as an ultra-fine liner right along lash line (because it won't matter even it breaks down). 

Comments

  1. Hi, I'm a new reader. I love how frank and honest you are with your reviews ;) make me grin!

    Have your tried PF shimmer stripes eyeliners, the one with a little sharpener at one end? It's exactly like my Chanel eyeliners, except the PF one is slightly on the softer side. But it draws well and is lasting. You have to know that I have oily lids and I stay in hot and humid Singapore.

    I'll definitely be back for more of your reviews.

    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been wanting to but I never bothered since I prefer to use those sales for blushers instead. Basically eye makeup (especially eyeliner) tend to disappear/get hidden by my lids the moment I open my eyes, so I kind of rules them out as my toy option.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the review! Too bad we don't have this in the UK!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great review! Very detailed. I think your lashes look longer and fuller. I was contemplating on trying this but it wasn't on sale yet so I didn't pick it up. I have the Wet N Wild lash serum that was really cheap and I have yet to try it. Hopefully soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will be a sale in CVS two weeks from now (according to iheartcvs.com) that will give you 7 extra bucks for 10 dollar purchase, if you wonder. The Wet n Wild serum stings my eyes so I only used it on my brows.

      Delete
  4. wow...big difference...but not that you didn't have gorgeous lashes before!

    p.s.where have you been lately? it's been awhile since you posted the wet 'n wild makeup one...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lol, the "a while" you are talking about is actually just two days. I don't blog daily (It seems like it since I do several posts at once and put them on schedule) and I consider my weekend break pretty normal so I don't announce my posting breaks on the blog (because it's not a working schedule and I am not obliged to follow one).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmm, I wonder how this compares with the Dollywink liquid pen liner; I am tempted to try this but I never wear liquid liner

    ReplyDelete
  7. This definitely makes me want to try out the serum version. I've always been super hesitant to pick up lash boosting serums because once you stop using them the effects die out. But what's to stop me from becoming addicted to a reasonably priced one?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Leave a comment and I will get back to you! Commercial links and nameless comments WILL BE removed.