I’m fairly new to Benefit Cosmetics, but I’ve been impressed with what I have tried so far. In the past I scored a sample of Benefit Bad Gal mascara – which I liked – but I wasn’t over-the-top impressed with. You see, I’m on a seemingly endless journey to find the ultimate mascara. I want a mascara that takes on the full and sultry look of false lashes, without the clumping and smudging that commonly occur with volumizing and lengthening mascaras.
As a bestseller at Sephora and on the Benefit website, and with a name reminiscent of arguably of one the best sitcoms of the nineties, I had high expectations for Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. Available in a single shade – jet black – Benefit They’re Real Mascara will set you back $22.
What Benefit says about They’re Real! . . .
- Lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates
- Long-wearing formula
- Won’t smudge or dry out
- Specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had
Benefit They’re Real Mascara does not provide the volume I was hoping for (Urban Decay Big Fatty Lash Mascara is still my favorite for volume). However, They’re Real takes the cake over Urban Decay when it comes to lengthening.
I curled my lashes before applying Benefit They’re Real, and applied two coats of mascara on my top lashes and one on the bottom. Impressively, the curl held from morning to night.
I experienced minimal smudging on my lower lash line about halfway through the day, which isn’t that big of a deal. Nothing a quick mirror check and wipe can’t fix. Lastly, removal was quick and easy with an oil-free makeup remover.
All in all, you may like Benefit They’re Real! Mascara if:
- You value length and curl over volume and definition
- You don’t mind purchasing mascara in the $20 price range
- You don’t mind a non-waterproof mascara
What is your favorite mascara at the $20 price range? Favorite drug store mascara?
Here is a cute video from Benefit introducing the product in a promotion featuring real women off the street in San Francisco trying out They’re Real mascara.
