Just in case you were wondering, the answer is yes, you may replace the words to the Lil’ Kim/50 Cent joint, Magic Stick, with the name of Benefit’s new liquid liner, Magic Ink ($20).
Magic Ink: The Magic Stick Remix
I got the Magic Ink
I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice
I hit the baddest chicks
Shorty don’t believe me, then come with me tonight
And I’ll show you maaagic
(What? What?)
Maaagic
(Uh huh, uh huh)
I got the Magic Ink!
For reasons unknown even to me, I’ve taken to singing this while I line my lids with Benefit’s new jet-black liner, and I’m pretty sure it’s driving my cat cray-cray. 🙂
For the record, it’s kinda hard to apply liquid eyeliner, even a smudge-proof one like this, while singing (try it sometime!), but in this case, I think the applicator has something to do with it.
Magic Ink comes with a thin, flexible brush a lot like the brush that comes with NYX Studio Effect Liquid Liner but less firm.
I’m usually partial to pen tip liquid liners because I find them easier to control than liquid liners with brushes, but I don’t hate Magic Ink’s brush, although I think it could stand to be a tad stiffer.
To apply Magic Ink, Benefit recommends a dot and line method they call the “jimmy, jimmy dot.”
this video that shows how to do the “jimmy, jimmy dot.”
The technique isn’t new, but it’s still a good one, especially if you play for Team Wimpy Lash like me.
It fakes the appearance of a thicker fringe by building a solid base of color at the lash root. Simple, but genius!
I used the jimmy, jimmy dot for these pics. Truth be told, I struggled to draw a smooth line with Magic Ink, trying numerous tricks — removing excess product from the brush beforehand, holding the lash line taut between two fingers, and applying the liner with short, precise strokes. Eventually, I got where I needed to go (a crisp, smooth line), but I wouldn’t call Magic Ink the easiest product in the world to apply.
Next time I’m in a big hurry, I may just reach for the Sonia Kashuk Bent Liner brush, or perhaps a pen tip liner like LORAC Front of the Line Pro, which I can use to swipe and go.
Swatch of Magic Ink on NC35 skin
So does Magic Ink live up to its name? Yeah, I think so — the ink itself, fo’ sho’. It’s good stuff. No smudges all day long (while remaining easy to remove), even when I don’t use an eye primer, and I adore its deep, inky black.
I’d like it even MORE for $16 instead of $20, but if you like thin brush applicators with your liquid liners, and you’re already a Benefit fan, Magic Ink might just wow you with her charms. Available next month at Benefit stores or online now at benefitcosmetics.com. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B/B+
You might like Benefit Magic Ink if…
- You prefer liquid liners with thin brush applicators to ones with a pen
- You’re looking for a long-wearing, smudge-free liquid liner that’s a shade of deep, dark black
- You heart Benefit Cosmetics (and who doesn’t?)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Nora says
September 14th, 2010 at 5:24 pmWhile it looks nice, I’m afraid I don’t really see the appeal when my Maybelline Line Stiletto works just as well. :-/ They’re a bit late to the game with this one, I’d say. Though in their promotional video you linked to, I gotta give props to folks who are bold enough for what looked like a double winged liner approach (wing on top and bottom lashlines!). Maybe one day I’ll be bold enough to try that!
Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:36 pmYou can do it! Maybe try it around the house and wear it around just to see how you feel in it. 🙂
makeup morsels says
September 14th, 2010 at 5:34 pmoooh I love how black that is! but I would most definitely have to use my SK bent liner brush, liquid liner applicators like that give me a lot of trouble.
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Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:35 pmI hear ya! I’m going to give this another go with my brush… hopefully it’ll go faster.
Gina says
September 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pmEhhh that line looks a little rough. I assume that’s the liner’s fault, because I’ve read your reviews of liquid liners in the past, and your lines have always been clean an beautiful (and I’ve been envious!). I’ve been using Stila’s Stay All Day liquid liner and it works just fine for me, so I’ll stick to that =]
Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:34 pmOh, I haven’t tried that liner from Stila. Does it wear well?
Tracy says
September 14th, 2010 at 5:55 pmMy problem with this kind of applicator is that it gets all over my lashes and then it interferes with my mascara application. Ugggh. I like the pen tip ones a whole lot better than the brush tips.
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Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:33 pmI hear ya. Which pen tip liners are your faves?
meghan says
September 14th, 2010 at 6:13 pmMy trick for smoooooooov liquid eyeliner lines is 1. felt tip 2. dragging the brush from the outer corner to the inner corner. That last part makes a HUGE difference, I don’t know why, but the brush always skips when I do inner > outer.
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Kayann says
September 14th, 2010 at 6:58 pmReally?? I have that same problem! Maybe I’ll try that tomorrow! Thanks!
Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:33 pmI do that one too, Meghan! 🙂 Great tip!
Amber says
September 14th, 2010 at 6:17 pmOoh I’m gonna pass on this one. If it’s tricky for you, it’ll be disaster for me! I finally tried a gel liner and I think I’m over liquid…though I did really like the gold & black look you did with the MAC FF liner. 🙂
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Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:32 pmI feel ya. You get a LOT of control with the gel liners. I bet if you found a gold gel liner you could easily dupe the look…
Which one did you try? MAC Fluidline?
Amber says
September 14th, 2010 at 9:11 pmI tried L’Oreal HIP gel liner on Nina’s rec. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but it goes on and stays on really well.
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Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:56 pmI’ve heard that’s a good liner. Welcome to the awesome world of gel liners! It’s a beautiful place to reside, LOL!
Maria says
September 14th, 2010 at 6:32 pmDo you find that it dries matte or a little shiny? The only issue I have with my L’oreal lineur intense and Maybelline lash stiletto is that is stays too shiny for my liking.
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Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:31 pmHi Maria,
It’s mostly matte with a little bit of shine.
Kayann says
September 14th, 2010 at 6:55 pmI’m still mastering Lorac’s pen liner… Super easier but one eye always seems to look better…
Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:31 pmSame thing happened to me when I first started using liquid liner. I think it happens to most people!
You know what helps? Taking pictures of yourself. Use your camera phone and take a few snapshots… it’ll help you figure out what you need to do to correct your lines.
Kayann says
September 15th, 2010 at 4:47 amThanks! I’ll try that! 🙂
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:55 pmYou’re welcome!
You could also try using scotch tape to help guide you with your lines. When you’re done drawing them in, let the liner dry and then remove the tape. It’s very handy for doing the wings at the end.
Mary Eleazar says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:16 pmmmmm…blackety black! Just the way I like my liquid liners!
Karen says
September 14th, 2010 at 7:29 pmIt’s super dark! Love the color. 🙂
mill says
September 15th, 2010 at 3:07 amid actually love benefit to do a FELT TIP liner. that would be something. i feel like felt tips are easier to use and are less messy, and noone really uses liquid anymore one they’ve tried felt.
i like mac’s penultimate but if benefit could give me this kinda colour in a pen, id buy 🙂
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:53 pmI’m right there with you, babe.
Ithfifi says
September 15th, 2010 at 3:18 amI love how black that looks! Me and that brush would be in a ‘tears before bedtime’ situation though. I’m currently going through a really weird phase of pure love, Its kind of messy but I love the results. For my liner at the moment I am using Urban Decays eye shadow transforming potion with my favourite black pigment powder… Mmm! Get a perfect consistancy 😀
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Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:53 pmOoh, I’ve always wondered about that stuff! Does it work fairly quickly, or do you have to wait long for it to dry?
Katie says
September 15th, 2010 at 6:27 amI struggle with liquid liners. I have been using Urban Decay’s Ink for Eyes cream eyeliner and LOVE it. It gives the look of a gel or liquid but goes on MUCH easier. It comes in several colors, but I like the black.
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:52 pmYou’re so lucky those work for you! I had trubs with the staying power.
Nina says
September 15th, 2010 at 6:38 amIono … im a total eyeliner klutz and gel liner is totally the idiot proof as far as im concerned… 🙂
Its really black though and I like that!
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:52 pmMe too! It’s not easy to find black liquid liners with color this rich.
Kim says
September 15th, 2010 at 7:13 amEven though the phrase “jimmy, jimmy dot” is making my day, I still think I’ll be needing a liquid liner with a Sharpie-type tip. 🙂
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:51 pmHa ha! I feel ya.
Melissa W. says
September 15th, 2010 at 4:34 pmI love how dark black this is but I know I would never be able to apply it correctly, haha. It is funny but in 8th grade I was the master of liquid liner. I don’t know what happened to me since then but now all my lines look a bit wobbly. I do much better with pen-type applicators too.
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Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:49 pmMaybe it’s because we’re getting older? I’ve noticed that I don’t hold my camera as steady as I used to, LOL!
Erika says
September 15th, 2010 at 6:33 pmI so had to teach all my friends how to do liquid eyeliner. I think I have it pretty easy because of the shape of my eye but Ive never had a problem with any eyeliner not going on smooth the first time.
that said the pen type is much easier, if this comes out in that….Ill be working it!!
Karen says
September 15th, 2010 at 8:48 pmA pen version of this would be awesome… I’d be over that in a hot second!
And aren’t you sweet for teaching your friends how to work liquid liner, aww!
Amee says
September 16th, 2010 at 2:49 amthe liner is very much pigmented..jet black.. but applying liquid liner is mess for me.. so i m using maybelline’s gel liner..
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Joey Chong says
September 18th, 2010 at 12:38 pmWhen I first saw the release of this, it didn’t get me excited..
But after seeing how black the black is..
Now, I want it so bad =)