They’re Real! Benefit mascara review

Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash is the only mascara I have used, loved and repurchased. However, last year Benefit released They’re Real and replaced Bad Gal Lash as my favourite mascara.

They’re Real is a false-lash effect mascara, which is perfect for me since I can’t/don’t like applying false lashes. The secret to the mascara is in the wand. The rounded end means that each and every lash can be coated, and it only takes the one coat to get the effect.

For me, it’s perfect because it does the job it’s meant to do without clumping my lashes together or ending up all over my lids. I can easily get away with just one coat to get the effect I want.

Naked lashes

They’re real!

I have grown to like the packaging on this, although I am not much of a packaging girl generally. But I like that it is not too long and fits into makeup bags and pockets easily.

If I had to find a fault with this I would say that, because it is so effective at coating every lash, I don’t like the defined look you get on the lower lashes (think Twiggy). I skip using this on my lower lash line and opt instead to applying eyeliner so that my lower lashes are more subtly defined.

*This was a gift from my little sister. Thanks Sis! 

Quick review: Rimmel ScandalEyes mascara

Scandaleyes is the newest offering from Rimmel London and the first of their mascaras that I have tried. I like the packaging, and the shape and size of the brush is a plus point in my opinion, but that is where the positives end for me unfortunately.

I have found in the past it takes me a few uses of a mascara before I like it, but this has consistently given  a poor performance for me.

The mascara claims:

The brush picks up a lot of mascara but this does mean that you have to be careful applying your coats as your lashes can end up transferring mascara on to the rest of your eye area.

It does clump, even with one coat, and your lashes end up so sticky with mascara that it is hard to brush them through, which I have never had to do anyway with other mascaras anyway.

Definitely not one I would recommend picking up. I’m consoled by the fact that I picked it up with a 3 for 2 and this was the freebie! Considering I have never been too hard to please when it comes to mascara, I am surprised how much I dislike this, let me know what your worst mascara is, so I know what to avoid!

No7 Extravagant Lashes Mascara Review

The label on the picture may say new, but I actually purchased this mascara a while ago when it was first released and being heavily promoted by Boots. It has sat in my mascara collection since and is finally its turn to be featured in my makeup bag.

I have previously reviewed the No7 Extreme Length mascara, which I have numerous sample sizes of from No7 promotions and actually really like that. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the extravagant lashes.

The main feature of this mascara is the square shaped applicator, which is made up of a series of square disc stacked ontop of one another. As you can hopefully tell from the picture, its is the corners of these squares which are then used to apply the mascara. Although this design means that the wand picks up a lot of mascara, as someone with quite big eyes even I found this too big to use without it being awkward. I find myself being scared each time that I will end up transferring mascara all over my eyelid and now rarely apply mascara to my lower lashes. I am not sure what the logic behind the square applicator design is, but since I don’t recall seeing any other brands using it, I imagine it hasn’t been successful.

The mascara claims; volumising, lifting and curling effects. I did notice a slight curling effect, considering I do not always curl my lashes before applying mascara. The main effect I noticed was a huge amount of clumping. I believe this may be due to the formulation of the mascara, which contains a polymer (similar to eyelash glue I believe) which is meant to provide the curling effect. This makes the mascara feel sticky on the lashes, and also clumps. Also having spoken to a No7 assistant, the strong PVC glue like smell is normal, and is also due to the polymer used. She even told me that they do not actually advise this mascara!

On the positive side, the colour is very intense and because I do not like wastage, I will strictly use this to the 6 month advised time, and promptly replace!

Mascara Overload!!! Plus No 7 Extreme Length Review

Does anyone else have this problem??

This is my collection of freebie mascaras from other purchases. I just realised how many I have to work through! There must be a good 2 years supply if I am strict about when I throw them out.

I am currently using the No 7 Extreme Length mascara (mini gold one pictured), although not that particular one since I seem to have accumulated two! I picked this one because I previously had another freebie, (mini Bad Gal Lash from Benefit) and I liked being able to keep it in my handbag for ‘emergency.’

Hopefully I will review these as I go through but trying to organise myself today I couldn’t believe how many I have collected.

I actually really like the No 7 mascara, the colour is a good black and it does have a good lengthening effect ( I am actually wearing it in my hair colour pictures). I do and don’t like the brush, I think my favourite is the bad gal lash but this one does a good job in distributing the product nicely without clumping. The bristles are plastic and I don’t have a problem with that but occasionally a lump of mascara will accumulate at the end of the brush and if I don’t look I end up with that on my lashes. Additionally, I don’t have a problem applying to my lower lashes since it isn’t too wide.

Overall I do like it, and the mini size I have works well to take with me on a night out or when I go away.

So anyone else have this problem? I say ‘problem’ but who doesn’t love a freebie? and of course the extra cash to spend on something else!