Benefit they're real mascara review

The latest mascara I'm using is Benefit 'they're real'. Anything that even hints at creating a fake lash look is always a must try!

I have developed a love and hate relationship with 'they're real'. It has some very good points, but some irritating ones as well.

The brush, well I couldn't get a good close up shot; but I will try and describe it.
It's got fine plastic bristles all over but at the top of the wand it sort of fans out into a spiky circle.
At first I thought this was odd and unnecessary, but wow, it helps to catch every single lash!
I don't think any mascara I've ever used has really grabbed every lash in just a couple swipes.

The brush:

The formula, is very unique. It is sticky, and it doesn't really completely dry. I find if I use a lot of layers my top and bottom lashes will get stuck together. I hate that!
It's also not the easiest to build up, you can only really do 2-3 coats before it just starts to get so thick and sticky it looks like your lashes are all one big fat eyelash. Well not quite but you get the idea!

Wearing 2 coats of Benefit they're real:

Do my lashes look fake? nah I don't think so.

They're real gives longer slightly thicker lashes with decent separation. Nothing too amazing. It holds curl ok, but it doesn't 'lift' them up as claimed.
The wear of this mascara is really good. It doesn't flake, smear or smudge at all!
That's because it's waterproof. Gimmicky that they don't advertise it, but it is absolutely a waterproof mascara. It is so hard to get off my lashes I always wake up with left over black panda eyes the next day. I hate that so much.

I love the fact that I can put this on and 8 hours later my lashes still look great, and I don't have to worry about it flaking down my face at work.
I hate the fact that they put so much hype on it when it's performance is actually quite average, my lashes don't look anywhere near fake, doesn't lift lashes, and they don't mention that it's waterproof.

Overall, I will use it up, but I don't think I'm going to be trying things from Benefit anymore.
I find I am almost always disappointed in their products for the price, and they are just too gimmicky.
For $30 I would much rather grab myself a tube of diorshow black out, thank you.
I think if you are curious and don't mind waterproof mascara or a hefty price tag go ahead and try it. Otherwise, I'd say pass! It's really not that impressive.

repurchase? no

rating: 3/5

price: $29 CAD (OUCH!!!)

trash review: Benefit speed brow

The latest product on my stash I've used up is Benefit speed brow. I don't use too many Benefit products since I find the line overpriced and a little gimmicky but I do like the items they offer for eyebrows!

Speed brow wand:

The actual package is tiny, like a mini mascara. The wand is also like a mini mascara wand. So basically, it's brow gel in a mini mascara tube.

swatch:

The color is very sheer and natural looking, making this a great choice for many different hair colors. It has a gel-like consistency that dries to a firm finish. It really holds your brows in place.

My brows before (nothing on them) :

My brows after using speed brow:

This is not a bad product. I like that it is so quick and easy to use. I wish that the color was a little bit more pigmented to help fill in sparse areas. It doesn't help with that.
It does allow you to shape your brows and get them to look neat for the day. That I like.
I used this up within 2 months of daily use. That is the fastest I've ever gone through a brow product! Considering you don't get very much to begin with, I think that it's overpriced. I am going to hunt for something similar, only cheaper!

Repurchase? No, maybe if it came with twice the amount of product.

Price: $21 CAD

Rating: 3/5

Benefit Bad Gal Plum mascara review and neutral EOTD

Benefit Bad Gal lash has a bad rep. But I personally like it. It gives your lashes a nice natural fullness, and doesn't clump. It does flake a bit if you apply too much.

Bad Gal Plum is the same formula and wand as the original, but it is a nice deep aubergine color.
The effect doesn't show up as much when you put it on your lashes, it looks like a dark blackened brown, but you will notice the purple tone in sunlight.

swatch of bad gal plum smudged to show actual color:

My EOTD: NARS night sun, MAC 100 strokes, MAC Vanilla pigment

I found that it really made my green eyes stand out, more than regular mascara.

Overall, I'd suggest checking this out, but you can get a similar effect using one of Almay's colored mascaras for half the price.

repurchase? maybe, if I am feeling frivolous.

price: $22 CAD

rating: 4/5