A couple weeks ago I received the
Benefit They're Real! Mascara, pre-release, in my
Beautylish Elite box (
click here for that blog post). Aside from skincare, my lashes are the most important and time consuming part of my beauty routine. I love to try new mascaras and build up my lashes as fabulously full and lengthy as possible! So when I saw this mascara in my box, I quickly checked out the product description to see what Benefit was claiming it'll do for me.
It's the mascara that's beyond belief! This jet-black mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates lashes for a spectacular "out-to-here" look.
The exclusive brush is specially designed to maximize the performance of the long-wearing, glossy formula-revealing lashes you never knew you had! Staggered bristles grab close to the root, boosting length & volume beyond belief. The precision bristles on the custom-domed tip lift, define & curl even your tiniest lashes. The end result...luxurious, silky lashes that won't smudge, clump or dry out.
Product Details:
- They're real and here's the proof!
- 94% saw dramatic length and volume*
- 90% saw base-to-tip curl*
- 94% saw visible lift*
- 100% saw long-wearing results*
- *Results observed in a consumer panel survey
- 8.5 g Net wt. 0.3 oz.
How to apply: Position wand horizontally & wiggle from side to side, base to tip, to achieve maximum volume, length & lift. Hold wand vertically & stroke upward to curl & separate. Layer generously as desired.
Since this mascara is called "They're Real!", I assumed it's claiming to give me that false-lash effect. I have used this mascara for about 2 weeks now and I feel that it's just not the mascara for me. I documented two different demonstrations to show how this mascara looked on my lashes curled and uncurled. I also included a demonstration of how I normally wear my lashes.
The brush of this mascara is plastic with rather short teeth, and the tip is a rounded shape with longer teeth. I used the shorter teeth to apply the mascara to my lashes horizontally, then I used the rounded tip to apply the mascara to my bottom lashes and inner/outer corners.
My lashes normally don't like plastic mascara wands (they prefer the traditional bristle wands), and this mascara did not prove to be any different. I find that the wand applies too much mascara to my lashes, making them look spidery and clumping multiple hairs together instead of separating them like it claims to do.
Even after combing out my lashes (which I usually do in my regular lash routine), the formula dried to a sticky consistency which just clogged up my lash comb and made my lashes look even more spidery.
The first demonstration is with my lashes curled:
The first week I was almost embarrassed to be seen with such clumpy lashes, but for reviewing purposes I toughed it out. I also hoped the mascara would begin to work for me a bit more... nope. The formula actually weighed down my lashes and flattened my curl. It did, however, lengthen the lashes quite a bit. The formula seems to dry pretty quick, so by the time I applied my second coat I could feel the product attaching to my lashes and applying more rather than removing what's already there. I think this quality would be perfect for shorter lashes to really extend them.
The second demonstration is with my lashes uncurled:
I was thinking since the mascara didn't look flattering on my curled lashes - it might work better on uncurled lashes, which it did perform a tiny bit better than the previous week. I still experienced massive clumping, but the mascara performed well and lifting my lashes and creating a slight curled effect. I think this method would be perfect for short lashes that naturally fall or are stubborn straight.
You might see the above photos and think the lashes look fine. But, I personally want my mascara to separate and enhance each hair while adding some volume and length. I normally use and LOVE Benefit BadGal Lash Mascara, so the last demonstration is to show the quality and performance that I love for my lashes:
My Final Thoughts:
I feel the
Benefit They're Real! Mascara is not suitable for longer lashes; the formula is thick, wet and tends to clump, plus you really need to work with it to look as decent as I got them in my photos. On the other hand - if you have short lashes and need more product on them for them to stand out, this mascara might just be up your alley. I did notice this mascara doesn't smudge, melt, or flake all day (tested on many 12hr days). Overall, I won't be switching from my staple Benefit BadGal Lash Mascaras.
I also wanted to add, there are a lot of positive reviews on this mascara as well, so for me personally this mascara just didn't flatter my lashes at all - but if you check out
Benefit's Facebook page, there's tons of ladies with before/after photos to show how it boosted their lashes.
*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions
