Review: Benefit They're Real Mascara

After hearing a LOT of great things about Benefit's They're Real Mascara, I went for a look around the Benefit shop in the Trafford Centre with Chris.

I was stood reading the packaging, admiring, coveting, wishing it wasn't so damn expensive, and then Chris offered to buy it for me - I refused, he offered again, I refused again, he told me he'd only offer one more time, I accepted.

We came home and I immediately removed my mascara and applied this... Oh My God.

My eyelashes are naturally stumpy at best - I usually wear eyeliner along the base of my lashes, and then a couple of coats of mascara, to make them look a bit thicker and longer.  One coat of this and POW eyelashes everywhere.

I didn't believe the hype, but it's all true! Every word.  With the first coat, my eyelashes were longer, thicker and jet black, and with the second coat they practically touched my eyebrows.  Amazing!

I'm not sure if it's the mascara wand or the formula, but they're both different to any high-street mascara I've tried before.  The wand is plastic with little spikes all around, and longer spikes on the end - so you can actually get the eyelashes in the inner and outer corner of your eyes, and it makes all the difference!

The formula is wetter than most mascaras I've used before, and it doesn't dry super quickly, so you have time to apply a coat and fix your lashes into the right position to avoid clumping before you apply the second coat if you need it.

The instructions say to apply the mascara starting at the base of the lashes and slowly wiggle the wand toward the tips - it's definitely the only way I've found to apply it to avoid my lashes sticking together, just because the formula is so wet.

Ingredients - Paraben Free

I also find that I need to curl my lashes before I use it, because mine aren't very curly naturally - it's pretty lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down your lashes at all and holds the curl really well.

I've not had any issues with the mascara crumbling or flaking off, and it stays on until you wash it off.  It's definitely got the longest wear of any mascara I've tried before.  Whilst that is a major positive, the negative is that it is quite difficult to remove.  I've adapted my nightly face routine to include an oil based cleanser around the eyes - either Dermalogica's Precleanse or DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil, whichever is closest - followed by my usual Witch face wipes.

It is pricey, as I mentioned, at £18.50/8.5g, but it's DEFINITELY worth the money.  If you have stumpy lashes like mine, or if you're looking for a mascara that won't clump, or you simply want one that will stay put for as long as you need it to, this is the mascara for you - give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

I've included some photos below to show the comparison between my natural/usual/they're real lashes.

Natural lashes - No mascara or eyeliner

Lashes with  2 coats of Maybelline Colossal Volum'Express Mascara and eyeliner 

Lashes with 2 coats of Benefit They're Real Mascara and no eyeliner

Available to buy from Benefit (2 free samples with every online order) and Boots for £18.50.



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Review: Glossybox June 2012

After mentioning Glossybox in a few of my blogs so far, I've decided I should start reviewing the boxes I receive - starting with the first one I got, back in June 2012.

Glossybox is a monthly subscription of 5 high-end beauty product samples (with some full-size products sometimes, too) for £10 + £2.95 p&p.

You can earn Glossydots by reviewing the products sent to you in a quick survey, and redeem points for a free box. (1000 GlossyDots = 1 free box)

 'Tried and tested by the Glossybox Pros, Glossybox does the hard work for you'

The first item in my 06/12 box was a little box with 3 samples of Agent Provocateur Eau Provocateur perfumes.  I won't lie here, the box is in my makeup case and the phials are still full.  I don't like perfume samples and I don't want to smell like these ones smell.  The Black one, L'Agent, is supposed to be 'fresh' and 'floral'.  It smells like an old man's house.  The Pink one, Signature, is 'citrus teamed with red fruit' - honestly smells like talc. And finally, the Red one, Maitresse, is supposed to be 'a floral feast'.  I just don't like it.

This one was a let down, I'm afraid. 

(RRP £39/50ml - available from AgentProvocateurParfums.com)

Second in the box was a Glossybox brush, 'Made with best quality goat hair with natural tips from Asian mountain goats'.  The hairs are indeed super soft, but they don't pick up any product, and they don't lay it down - which, for a makeup brush, isn't all that great.  The design is okay, I like the all-black look, and it hasn't shed at all, but it just doesn't do the job.

(RRP £15)


Next was a sample size Yves Rocher Ultra Volume Sexy Pulp Mascara.  It has a really nice curved brush applicator, and lays on the product really well - coating individual lashes with no clumps.  As it claims, it doesn't weigh down lashes, it's not heavy but still gives a good impact.  The pigment's good (I have the black one - also available in brown and blue), and it stays on for ages.  I have no complaints about this one!

(RRP £16.90, available from Yves-Rocher.co.uk for £8.95 - online exclusive)





Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick

 'Ideal for camouflage of skin concerns such as dark circles, acne marks, redness, dark spots, vitiligo, and the masking of tattoos. Product benefits: 40% pigment concentration- Twice the coverage of a traditional foundation. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Sweat resistant & water resistant. SPF 30. Long lasting-14Hr hold.' 

Despite all it's miraculous claims and the recommendations from anyone I mentioned it to, this isn't suited to my skin.  It provides really heavy coverage, which broke me out - although I'm sure for someone less sensitive skin, it would work well.  I do think it's a lot to pay for what is, essentially, a concealer stick, and there are similar, less expensive products on the market.  

(RRP £19/12g, available from TheGarden.co.uk)

The final product in the 06/12 box was a tiny sample of the Summer Warmth Bronzer from BM beauty.  It is a mineral bronzer with the fewest ingredients I've ever seen in a product - Mica, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.  It is very pigmented and applies really well.  It has a really dark colour to it in the packaging, but it goes on as a nice warm golden bronze, with a bit of a shimmer.  It builds well or you can leave it as a light dusting for a healthy looking glow.  It's not too expensive, and it has no bad ingredients (In fact, all their makeup is free from parabens, BUAV, animal products and synthetic dyes/fragrances) so it gets a big thumbs up from me.

(RRP £8/4g, available from BMbeauty.com)

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