Review: Benefit They're Real Mascara

Here's a review on Benefit They're Real Mascara

PRICE: P1,200.00

PLACE BOUGHT: Benefit Cosmetics, Greenbelt 5

OTHER LOCATIONS: Benefit Cosmetics, Rustan's Essences at Shangri-La Mall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong city

DESCRIPTION (Taken from benefitcosmetics.com)

They're real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!

THE VERDICT:

Finally, here's the much- anticipated review of Benefit's They're Real Mascara.

I like it for its catchy name. Well, Benefit has always been known for giving whimsical names to their products. And the steel gray tube is absolutely adorable. It's very lightweight, albeit a bit chunky for my makeup kit.

They're Real is apparently the 'Jack of All Trades' of mascaras. It promises length, curl, volume, and lift for lashes beyond belief.

During Maggie and Annie's visit to the Philippines for Benefit's grand launch, they mused about this mascara and divulged that the secret behind its prowess is the specially- designed wand.

I want you to pay close attention to the wand. Notice that it has an uneven shape and various bristle types on it.

Spiky edge- for curling and separating lashes; can be used to coat your lower lashes

Middle part- for lengthening; has thinner and evenly- spaced bristles

Bottom part- for volumizing; has bigger and compact bristles

HOW TO USE:

Use the middle part in applying the first layer of mascara. For girls with sparse and very thin lashes, make sure you create a solid base first by coating the base of your lashes. That way, your lashes won't be weighed down by the mascara.

Use the spiky edge to style your lashes, and coat the lash tips. Carefully run the spiky edge in an upward-vertical motion from the base of your lashes to the tips for a curled and fan effect as well. However, the spiky part has a tendency to accumulate globs of mascara, so make sure you wipe it with a clean tissue first prior to using it.

Unfortunately, the bottom part and its volumizing bristles cannot be utilized well during usage. I don't see the point why those useful- looking bristles were placed on that part. In my opinion, the product could've given me more volume if those chunky bristles were positioned on the middle part.

It's also not the best mascara to use if you're in a hurry, as the spiky edge can be too risky for your eyeballs.

Here's They're Real on me:

Bare lashes

First Coat

Second Coat

I didn't apply a third coat anymore. It has a wet and semi- thick consistency, and I've observed that it has a tendency to clump if you put too much of it. If you are using this, I suggest that you allow intervals in between coats to prevent 'cockroach legs lashes'.

I was expecting monstrous volume, but got fuller lashes instead. It wasn't a bad thing, as the mascara made my lashes look plump naturally. At least I got volume out of it, albeit not that much.

But its lengthening ability is praise- worthy. It made my lashes look longer by half an inch! Sometimes, I couldn't believe that my lashes are THIS long whenever I'm using the product. I also love it for its curling properties. It makes my lashes obey the eyelash curler!

Overall, I like it. It doesn't smudge and flake during wear, and gives me superb length and curl. Pigmentation is very good too. The jet- black shade really gives depth to my eyes. However, I'm having mixed feelings about it. Due to the price, perhaps? It's very expensive for something that I will throw away in a few months, and I wasn't really blown away by its volumizing ability.

I will recommend it to people with thick lashes, as its semi- thick formula will work well with this kind of lashes. And if you need length, this does the job. if you have money and want to try out new products, go ahead and buy it. What didn't work for me might work for you. I will buy it again if they reformulate the mascara and revamp the wand's design