Sunday, October 7, 2012

Instant Lashes

Considering the relative short shelf life of mascara and the quality and performance of cheaper brands, high end mascara has never particularly appealed to me. But for whatever reason, when I saw the wand of Benefit They're Real on display, something told me that I'd probably like it. A lot. It reminded me a bit of my beloved Maybelline Define-A-Lash, with its stiff spikiness and defined bristles. The tip looked intriguingly like one of those Medieval spiked balls, and the girl at the Benefit counter kept emphasising how it didn't smudge, and then showed me the pack with the complementary travel size, and before I knew it, I was handing over my credit card for something I never planned to buy.






The pack I bought isn't bad value as the free travel size mascara has the full-sized wand and is 4g, which is just under half the full 8.5g size. I imagine that the travel size would still last a decent amount of time. As for the mascara itself, I'm surprisingly impressed by it. It has thoroughly exceeded my expectations. I would go as far as to say this is the best mascara I've used. I'm even considering repurchasing at Australian prices when both the travel and full size run out.

I have fairly typical Asian lashes, i.e. short and mostly straight, and having monolids, what eyelashes I have are largely overtaken by my eyelid. If I had naturally lush, curled and long lashes, I'm sure I could use whatever rubbish mascara was available and be set, but I need all the help I can get. My trusty Shiseido eyelash curler is an unmissable first step, and one coat of They're Real is enough to bring my lashes to the point where they're actually visible. I have darkened, thickened, separated, clump-free, lengthened lashes. Better still, it holds curl and smudging is kept to a minimum. The last part is somewhat of a revelation, as I don't think I've come across a single mascara when applied to my lower lashes, that didn't bleed and smear by the day's end. They're Real really stands out in that respect.

l-r: bare lashes, with one coat of They're Real



Something about the wand and formula means that even when this mascara is whacked on in a somewhat haphazard manner while rushing out the door in the morning, it doesn't smear and smudge all over my eyelid. I've found the spiky tip of the wand is particularly useful for coating the small, fine bottom lashes. Needless to say, I'm glad that the combination of the Benefit sales assistant's persuasion and enthusiasm, and my own boundless capacity to buy makeup that I don't need, resulted in this purchase.

54 comments:

  1. Awesome post! I've been hearing good things about this mascara but it's never really appealed to me. Your pictures show that it can do great things! I think I'll buy an Asian branded mascara next and if I'm unhappy with that go with Benefit's :P xx

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  2. Been wanting to buy this one for a long time too! Just like you, I was drawn to it... I've only ever liked the Telescopic line from L'Oreal because it really curled my lashes... They're kind of like yours. But this one has kept me wondering, I'm glad you cleared it out! As soon as I run out of my false lashes mascara, I will give this one a go! ;) Thanks xx

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  3. I love it on you! I've been contemplating to buy this for ages but I haven't yet..

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  4. Wow! they make your lashes pop! and it doesn't look like it clumps/connects your lashes together. maybe I'll try it someday! and you have gorgeous eyes! ♥

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  5. Wow the gold looks beautiful, even though it's not the point of this post :P it really thickening :)
    x

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  6. I have always been tempted by this mascara but never bought into it! I may need to now haha, I have never purchased a high end mascara before!!

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  7. Usually I'm impartial to high end mascaras to but I got the sample size of thus and love it! It looks amazing on your lashes :)

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  8. Ive heard alot about "they're real". I have the same lah problem as you. They grow straight down, which is super sad. :( but this seems like it will work for me too!

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  9. I want to try this mascara too.. My lashes are super straight. :( great review!!

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  10. They're Real looks super impressive!! Gutted I returned mine! :( xx

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  11. I have a feeling I'm going to end up the same- starting off loving drugstore (ahem Maybelline) mascaras but converting to high end. This sounds like the world's best mascara ever, though you didn't include a photo of the full size's wand? And I'm surprised it holds curl despite not being waterproof- yet another virtue! The travel size is adorable, and oh so handy haha. And it may be irksome for some but I think it's so cute that (dark-eyed) beauty bloggers generally cannot escape the inevitable reflection in the iris of the eye ;) As always, gorgeous photos, and really pretty everyday eyeshadow! Which shadows did you use? :) PS: I've been keeping an eye on your Instagram on the sidebar and the French Toast looks amaze. Yumm. So does the wallet, but you know. Foood. Hah.

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    1. I am assuming the full size wand is the same as the travel size :p I haven't actually opened up the full size yet. Haha, you can totally see me in my daggy only-wear-at-home t-shirt pointing the DSLR to my face and then the buildings past my balcony in the background! Here, I was just playing around with two new cream eyeshadows I bought in NYC - MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque and Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Busy Signal. Do you have an Instagram? The French Toast was delish ... but a tad too sweet. I want to go back and get the tagine next time for brunch :)

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    2. We all have a drawer of daggy only-wear-at-home t-shirts! The cream shadows look so pretty! I spotted the Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Sippin' and Dippin' on StrawberryNet for $12+ and was so tempted but realised the likelihood of me wearing a orange/coral eyeshadow- Benefit or not- was rare. I've seen swatches of it and some said it's an almost-dupe of Rubenesque. I don't have an Instagram- I've yet to jump on the iPhone bandwagon! Brunch... My sister and I had a Wendy's Lookbook youtube marathon and I now associate the word brunch with Wendy. :)

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  12. I love this mascara! One of my favourite!

    gl0ssi.blogspot.ca

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  13. I'm starting to wear mascara whenever I go out now, so I've been interested in reading reviews on mascara and like you, I always thought inexpensive brands are the way to go because of their short shelf life (after they're open, of course). Thank you for the review!

    Right now I'm using maybelline volum mega plush :) I bought it because of the packaging XD

    nyuu
    lolitium.net

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  14. Holy cow, the mascara makes your lashes look gooooorgeous! Thank goodness for sales associates (for once), right? Love your eyeshadow look here too. :)

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  15. wow I can def see the difference! it elongates your lashes and gives volume! I might give it a try then! But I already have enough mascara at least until the end of the year T.T
    btw, you have beautiful eyes! would love to see more of your face! :-D

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  16. I am still using YSL Shocking mascara, it is good if you want the fake lash look but it gets clumpy. And I can't use it on the bottom lashes. This might be a good alternative for me. It looks good on you!

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  17. i too just resort to drugstore mascaras b/c of the short shelf life and just b/c drugstore mascaras are pretty good!
    i love benefit! i haven't tried their mascaras but i love their cream eye shadows/liners! this mascara really does bring out your eyelashes. hmmm...i wanna try it out! i'm almost out of my maybelline mascara (amazing stuff though!)

    alex @ carouselstreet.com

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  18. The mini version is so cute! Since I haven't tried this mascara, I think it's a great idea to try the mini version before purchasing the whole tube :)x

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  19. I still want to try this mascara, the wand looks so good. xo

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  20. interesting i will have to test this out. i find that korean and japanese formulas with fibers work the best for asian lashes but it seems like you got nice results. then again i just really love all benefit products.

    http://www.loveforschoolgirl.net/
    xx rae

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  21. p.s. i really like the way your makeup looks here. very beautiful for monolids

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  22. Woah, I really do notice a difference! It almost looks like you have falsies on. The next time I decide to splurge on makeup, I'll definitely keep this mascara in mind.

    Jenny @ Geeky Posh

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  23. your eyes are so beautiful!! I loved to try this mascara soon, benefit finally arived in my country !!!! :D
    hugs!

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  24. i love mascara. it's the one thing I cannot live without. My bag will always have a wallet, a key, a mascara and a curler. ive recently ordered opulash mac. it's quite expensive but i never tried an expensive mascara. by the way, what's the shelf life of mascara? you didnt mention it

    just me,
    www.phioxee.com

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    Replies
    1. Hope Opulash doesn't disappoint you! I believe the recommended shelf life is 6 months :)

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  25. I really enjoyed this mascara.. It lengthened my lashes like no other.. But I don't feel that it gave me as much volume as the Makeup forever Smokey Lash did

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  26. That makes a big difference to your eyes, I have one that I ordered from the US ages ago but as I only ever have two mascaras on the go, I haven't tried it yet. Am looking forward to it!

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  27. I have heard nothing but good things about this product!! Also love the photos - amazing shots :)

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  28. I am so glad it works on you!

    So sad that this works nothing for me. =( It is at best a very nice daily eyelash-highlighter, but does not lengthens or curls, only slightly thicken. And it smudges. =( It goes all over my face when I tear.

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  29. Lol. Everytime I hand my credit card over without prior planning, my mind would lash into a huge confused fight. Lol.

    The mascara really helped define and darken your lashes! However, I tend to stick to lengthening fiber mascara cause I love the extra few millimeters. =D

    ♡ M.May

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  30. I've heard amazing things about this mascara and I'd love to try it but the price keeps getting in the way. Like you said there ARE other cheaper alternatives and the life expectancy of this product is so short that it would make a huge waste of money to invest in it. I'm glad it worked for you though, there's nothing worse than a ridiculously expensive product not living up to the hype ^^ xx

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  31. nice one, that mascara really does make a difference :D very pretty pictures x
    thanks for commenting on my blog, am following your blog on gfc and bloglovin now x

    if u like u can visit/follow me at:
    http://dancing-in-high-heels.blogspot.co.uk/

    have a good day x

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  32. Like this mascara, and also the eye-shadow!!
    What about fllowing each ohter doll?
    Xxx

    Carolina

    www.the-world-c.blogspot.com

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  33. I love this mascara too :) You have some great photos x

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  34. We just love this mascara!! Glad you love it too! Thanks for visiting our blog. We are now following you via GFC and would love for you to visit us again and follow if you like. :-)

    Jayme & Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings

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  35. hi ^^ your eyemake up is simply cute! i like it ^^
    maybe i will try this mascara. it really can make your eyes looks prettier :D

    thank you for visiting my blog and left a cute comment xD
    i've follow you :D

    visit my blog ^^
    www.luchluchcraft.blogspot.com

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  36. I like your eye makeup! And the mascara sounds great! I've run into the same issue with mascara on my lower lashes. I don't want to end up looking like a raccoon by the end of the day, so I usually skip mascara on the lower lashes altogether. It's great to hear this mascara stands up to the test. :-)

    ~ Yun

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  37. Looks like a great product! I have the same type of lashes as you.. looks like I'll have to pick this one up soon

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  38. I've always wanted to try this!

    xx. Hybrid Hunter

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  39. Nice product, I need to try it!

    http://namelessfashionblog.blogspot.it/
    http://www.facebook.com/NamelessFashionBlog

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  40. Wow great product! Thank you for visiting my blog! Means the world to me, following you now on Bloglovin and GFC! Please return the love back to me and Let’s stay connected!
    Xox
    Borka
    www.chicfashionworld.com

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  41. I swear by They're Real, it's my FAVORITE mascara!

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  42. Thanks for the review! Makes your lashes look great and I like your eyeshadow look. :)

    Fiona
    www.toxicdiamonds.com

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  43. I'm amazed! This mascara looks great, I've heard great things about this but never thought about trying it cause I thought it'd be another one of those nice high end mascaras that wouldn't hold a curl for my short stubby asian lashes! I'll definitely look into this the next time I'm looking for a new mascara :D

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  44. nice review! your blog is great! maybe we follow each other!? let me know :) greetings www.yuliekendra.com

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  45. its so hard to find a mascara that is a keeper. will definitely give this one a go! http://www.allthingskirpy.blogspot.com.au/

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  46. awesome makeup dear! your eyes are stunning! <3

    Letters To Juliet

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  47. i LOVE this mascara! i have very sparse lashes and this mascara gives me the volume!! <3

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  48. OMG are those lashes "real"? LOL well i really didn't know that this mascara would make such a difference, I too for one- am freekin monolid and I love the way these lashes create a voluminousness look!! love it!

    http://jennyjiin.blogspot.com/

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