Is Benefit 'They're Real' the best mascara ever??

First of all, I have to say a big thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, and CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah @ FashionismyH2O for winning!! I loved doing a giveaway, can't wait for my next one!! =p

So, as you may remember, I spent this weekend in London. One of the presents I bought myself  -  after reading good reviews on it - was Benefit's They're Real! mascara (£15.90 in airport, £18.50 on website). I have not worn it out the house yet, but I have had a wee shot in order to do a review here.

Here's the packaging and wand:

It boasts high percentages on the box about X amount of people finding the product fantastic in every way, but I'm always a bit sceptical of this. I have used Benefit mascara before, I have a few shades of Bad Gal, but I always found the brush made my lashes a bit clumpy so I'm glad to see this type of brush instead.

It says on the box to start at the base of the lash (duh) and wiggle the wand side to side as you comb it through your lashes to thicken and coat, all pretty self explanatory. But then it says hold the wand vertically and move up and down your lashes to separate and curl. This was new to me!

So here's my lashes before any mascara:

I have quite curly lashes so I don't need to curl them and it's not usually something I look for in a mascara, but 'They're Real' promises the full package - "lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out" (from the Benefit website). My eyelashes are quite light I think and the tips are almost blonde, and I don't think I have very many lashes so I was hoping this mascara would fix all that!!

Application wasn't that easy I have to say, I got it all over my eyelid (I put on a slick of eyeliner to cover up how much mess I made lol) and I didn't really get the whole 'holding it vertical' part. But here's the results:

Before                            After

Before                           After

Before                              After

Plus Points:

• The mascara definitely does make an impact on my eyelashes!
• They are longer looking, as shown in the front on view
• They are more curled, you can clearly see they have opened up from my eyeball in the side view 
• It has made my eyelashes much darker!

Negative Points:

• I found it quite messy to apply, it seemed to go all over my eyelid!
• I think it makes my eyelashes look quite 'spidery'
• I don't think it thickens my lashes or gives the appearance for more lashes.

Soo.. Would I recommend it? Well, it certainly didn't work for me as well as I've seen on other people. I think you have to be really looking for length and curl to get the most out of this, and unfortunately that's not what I need in a mascara. I also haven't had to on long enough yet to check for smudging, removability etc.

If you're looking for long, curled lashes, then give this a try. As for me, I think I'll be sticking with my falsies. :(


OMG, edit!!
How could I have forgotten to post a pic of my pumpkin?? Scott and I left it to the last minute (i.e. 6pm on Halloween night) before thinking about a pumpkin, so of course they'd all sold out. So we made 'pumpkins' out of a melon and a grapefruit!

Here's the finished product. Scott went scary and I went, uhm, cat.

Hope you all had a happy Hallowe'en!!

~ Lauren ♥