Compare & Contrast: New Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Felt-Tip Eyeliner vs. the original

NOTE: if you're reading this review during the week of June 10 through June 16, all Physicians Formula eye cosmetics are 40% off at CVS this week, and that of course includes these eyeliners.

A couple of months ago, when CVS was running one of their killer deals on Physicians Formula, I decided to give some of their eyeliners a try. I noticed that they had released a new, felt-tip version of their Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum, and since I've heard so many wonderful things from YOU about the original version (which I had yet to try), I decided to buy both.

If you're new to the PF Eye Booster liners, hopefully this compare/contrast might help you decide which one might be a better fit for you. After using both liners for over a month, I know that I personally prefer one over the other, so let's take a look:

 Left: New Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Felt-Tip Eyeliner + Serum

in Ultra Black

(retail: $10.95, 0.088 oz)

Right: The Original Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum

in Ultra Black

(retail: $10.95, 0.016 oz)

Left: Felt-Tip version

Right: Original version

Both liners have essentially the same claims, with the only initial differences being the applicators and some of the ingredients:

NOTE: don't apply EITHER liner to your waterline, folks!

The original liner comes in a silver tube that's narrow and long. The felt-tip version comes in a shorter, chubbier tube:

 Left: ORIGINAL

Right: FELT-TIP

The applicators are dramatically different. The original has an extremely fine tip, while the felt-tip liner has a much thicker tip:

 Left: ORIGINAL

Right: FELT-TIP

These first two swatches were done using the lightest amount of pressure I could apply. I tried to make the finest line possible with each liner:

Obviously you're going to achieve a much finer line with the original liner, but that should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, given what the applicators look like.

What's interesting to note here is how solid and opaque the line drawn with the original is, versus the line draw with the felt-tip liner. The line drawn with the felt-tip liner is streaky and a bit watery, and the overall shade of black is not as intense as the black you get with the original.

Here's another set of swatches that (hopefully) show my point a bit more clearly. For these swatches, I tried to make a thick line with BOTH liners, and I think you can really see how much more intense of a black you get with the original:

I tried going back over my line made with the felt-tip liner, but as you can see, it almost makes the liner MORE streaky when you try to retrace your lines for more intensity:

Now for some water and rub tests!

In this first pic, I held both lines under running water for about 30 seconds:

Both lines did a great job at not running/disintegrating under running water! 

BUT, when I then lightly rubbed both WET lines with my finger, look what happened:

The felt-tip liner pretty much washed away under the pressure of my fingertip, whereas the original stayed completely intact.

And finally, here's a DRY rub test:

For the above test, I have to make it clear that I really rubbed hard on both lines. I basically wanted to see what it would take to get the original to smudge, and wow, that baby just doesn't want to move.

So let me break down the pros and cons of each liner for you:

PROS - THE ORIGINAL:

Extremely intense shade of black

Does not budge, even after getting wet

Lasts all day and night on my (oily) skin without transferring or smudging

Very fine point for precise application

Easily removes with makeup remover

Very light fragrance that is essentially undetectable during application

CONS - THE ORIGINAL:

The applicator, though precise, is a bit floppy. If you're not skilled at applying liquid liner, this can make for messy application. There's a definitely learning curve with this applicator, but the more I use it, the better I am at controlling the "floppiness".

PROS - THE FELT-TIP VERSION:

Removes very easily with regular facial cleanser and water

CONS - THE FELT-TIP VERSION:

Applicator is very firm and scratchy on the skin until you break it in. After about five or six uses, the tip does become a little more pliable.

Shade of black is nowhere near as intense as the original

Formula is watery and streaky

Difficult to retrace your lines for more intensity--retracing causes liner to become more streaky

Strong fragrance that is detectable during application (smells almost like a real Sharpie pen to my nose)

This liner transfers and smudges for me after just a few hours of wear

Chubby tube and thick applicator make me feel clumsy when using this product; I can't seem to get this liner deep down in between my lashes because of the thickness of the applicator.

As for the SERUM and lash boosting effects of these liners, I'm afraid I haven't noticed any improvement to the thickness or length of my lashes since using either of these products. HOWEVER, I have not used these liners on a consistent basis (i.e. every single day for several days in a row), so I don't feel comfortable giving you a verdict on the serum in either product.  I CAN tell you that I've received feedback from several readers who have noticed an improvement to their lashes after using the original on a consistent basis.

FINAL VERDICT: If you're looking for a liner that simply won't budge (even when wet), I think the original Physicians Formula Eye Booster is the way to go. If you're looking for an extremely intense shade of black, then again, the original Eye Booster is the way to go. I just can't think of a single person who might prefer the felt-tip version, due to its streakiness and lack of staying power (not to mention the chubby tube which makes me prone to clumsiness during application). I do want to reiterate though that if you're a novice when it comes to liquid liner pens, the applicator on the original Eye Booster is not kind to newbies. It's very thin and quite floppy, so it does take some practice. It took me about a week to master, but if I'm in a hurry, I still sometimes have issues with the applicator "springing back" under pressure, which will lead to tiny, unwanted brush strokes. So you do need to be careful and take your time with this one, but the results may be very well worth your trouble, especially if you're looking for a true smudge-proof, waterproof, intense black liner. You'll get all three with the original Eye Booster, but not with the new felt-tip version.

The original Eye Booster comes in three shades: Brown-Black, Black and Ultra Black. For more info, visit the PF site here.

PS: If you're new to liner pens, I would suggest starting with the Jordana FabuLiner in Black (available at Walgreens for $2.99). Of any liner pen I've tried to date, I believe that this liner is the most user-friendly for newbies.