Review: Benefit They're Real! mascara

There's no beauty lover who hasn't heard about the Benefit They're Real! mascara. The much hyped mascara is everywhere and it claims everything. "Statistics" show that 94% saw dramatic length & volume, 90% saw base-to-tip curl, 94% saw visible lift and 100% saw long-wearing results. Oh, results observed in a consumer panel survey, but I can't find how many testers there were! (94% of 1000 is a lot more reliable than 94% of 50 people.. Just saying..)

ANYWHOOOO, check out MY review of this mascara! I have thick lashes, so I wondered.. 

A while ago lovely Caroline from  Miss Carolily asked me if we could do a collaboration post. I got enthusiastic and my answer is pretty obvious since you're reading this collaboration review post. For this collaboration we each sent each other a list of our favourite products and now we're trying out the other's favourite products! 

Benefit They're Real! mascara. This is not the usual box, but there was a promotion when you get a mini version of the mascara and the price was still the same, soooo yay!

Oh a little background information before I start. I have very thick and long lashes and I have many of them. I've tried many mascaras, but usually they make my lashes heavy or make them clump. So if this mascara doesn't work for me, it can definitely work for you. I have them problem lashes, y'all. 

The claims

Packaging

The mascara usually comes in a black box with orange and white letters, but this time there was a promotion. The mascara is packed in a very sleek and chique silver packaging. It looks pretty! The mini version of the mascara is dark grey, with the same letters. 

Brush

The They're Real! mascara has a rubber brush. I used to hate these, but since I'm wearing my favourite mascara of all time (Max Factor Masterpiece HD) I got rid of the hate. What caught my attention were the bristels on the top of the brush. And I have to say, I love using this brush vertically so I can use these weird little fellas. All in all, the brush is good and it seperates the lashes fine (almost perfect).

Pictures with no mascara on, but lashes already curled.

Formula

What really bothers me is that the mascara is not available in waterproof. Waterproof mascara is a bit lighter than normal mascara, which makes my lashes less heavy. The formule of the mascara doesn't make my lashes clump at first. I did curl my lashes for this review, because I always curl my pin straight lashes. I tried applying the mascara without curling my lashes and it was just a massacre. (I guess I'm part of the 10% that doesn't see base-to-tip curl with this mascara)

First layer

As you can see, the mascara doesn't do that much for my lashes. I did curl my lashes, but the mascara made my lashes heavy and they went almost straight again. Bummer. 

Second layer

After the first layer I carefully curled my lashes again with an eyelash curler. Here you can see that the mascara does more for my lashes now, but still not what I'm used to. My all time favourite mascara does a lot more for my lashes. I do like how it opens up my eyes more. Okay, let's continue.. 

Third layer

The lady at the store told me that you can layer up this mascara without it looking clumpy. Well LADY, I guess you haven't looked at my thick lashes. So, no. You can't layer up this mascara without it looking clumpy if you have thick lashes. 

However, I have to stay honest in this review and I honestly think that if you don't have thick, heavy lashes like mine, this mascara might actually work! Plus, it did give me much much length. Just too bad my lashes got too heavy to actually see the length.

What do I think?

I think this mascara really opens up my eyes, which I love. Too bad it makes my lashes heavy and it clumps a little. But it does make my lashes really long. And the heavy part is a liiittle solved if I curl my lashed twice, but that's just too much work for me. Like I said, I have problem lashes, so mostly what doesn't work for me, does work for others. And I honestly think this mascara would do so much for your lashes if you have thinner lashes than mine! Really! 

Retail

The Benefit They're Real! mascara retails for €24 euro at Douglas. 

With a little more eye make-up

It looks pretty decent with my eyeliner, though! 

A little summary

Pros

• Makes lashes really long
• Easy brush to use
• Unique brush that actually adds something to the (use of the) product (with the funny tip)
• Opens up your eyes
• Gives volume and length
• It's jet black!

Cons

• Not for you if you have thick, heavy and many lashes
• Clumps if you do have them
• Expensive
• Not everywhere available in the Netherlands

Would I repurchase the They're Real! mascara? No. I'm afraid not. I do love how it opens my eyes, but I'm not paying €24 for it again. It has too many cons for me. I will use this mascara until it's empty, or I'll give it to my cousin who has thinner lashes than me. I really want to love this mascara, because it has many pros, but the biggest con is that you can't see my lashes are long, because it weights my lashes down :( Such a bummer!!!

Have you tried Benefit's They're Real! mascara yet?

What did you think of it? If not, what's your favourite mascara?