All benefit products that I've purchased thus far has lived up to its high expectations.
Except for this one.

Honestly, for all the good reviews out there, I was expecting much more, but I find my drug store mascaras are much better.

It does clump as you apply more product, I have long eyelashes and I find with the use of this product it almost looks stumpy rather than long.

The applicator brush is cool because the end has spikes on them, so you can conveniently get in those corners. But otherwise I wouldn't rave about it at all. It's "jet black" in colour yet coats very lightly, so I often find myself having to go for a third layer just to get the full effect :(

I feel like I am possibly the only person in the world that hasn't tried this mascara up until now. I received a sample in a goodie bag at an event I attend and just about did a dance of joy when I saw it. I have been following the hype since the cosmetics range became available in July again and have just not had the heart to spend the money on the rather expensive mascara when there are some other really amazing and affordable ones out there that I would rather try first.

So here is my take on it. The packaging on the sample is very stylish and it looks like it's going to take my breath away when I open it. It's slightly different to the average black mascara casing you mostly find.

When I opened it up my heart sank a little because I am not a fan of the plastic type mascara brush that is attached to many wands these days. I have tried many over the years and they are said to create a fuller and more curled lash and because I have virtually no lashes this always draws me to them but I am always disapointed. I really do prefer a good old brush when it comes to mascara. Plastic brushes are not stable and the control on the wand is very poor. The only plus side to me on this particular wand is the extra bristles at the end which allows you to get into tiny corners and do the bottom lashes nicely.

What I want from mascara is a lengthening, curling and thickening effect. I honestly don't fell this mascara gave me any of those besides just a little bit of volume maybe. What I do like about it though is that it doesn't dry your lashes out and doesn't seem to smudge too much. I also didn't get that dreaded imprint on my top lid like I do with others. Also it only really takes one good coat because it is a very nice deep black. It does build nicely without clumping which is always a bonus. I also found that it separates my lashes really well which is something I like a lot.

So after testing it out for myself and knowing the result I get from it, and the fact that it has a plastic brush, as well as it being really pricey I doubt I will buy it again in a full size when there are so many other great mascaras far more affordable that give an even better result to my own lashes. I will recommend it to others though because it is a nice dark, easily build-able and non drying formula that lasts. Other people must like the plastic brush or they wouldn't keep making them and so I say if you like that kind of thing and don't expect miracles from your mascara that you might truly like this one.

I was really excited for this product to launch in SA, it's a product that almost all beauty bloggers overseas rave about!

I found that this mascara was bordering on a bit too expensive for my budget but because I'd heard such great things about it I'd pay for it!

It's difficult to deny that the wand is great, reaches all the little lashes, and has an extra fine tip to reach inner corners of the eye.

Unfortunately, besides definition it provides no volume and little evidence that you've made the effort to put on mascara. Also, I've found that it doesn't last throughout the day and it tends to easily print on the upper lid and I often find black smudges under my eyes when I check in the mirror after a few hours.

Because it was so expensive I can't really bare to throw it out, wouldn't recommend it to others either -- I don't feel it's worth the hype or money.

Benefit they'er real mascara

I absolutely love the brush this mascara has, allows you to reach all corners of the eye! It definitely lengthens your lashes, but does not give the volume I expected....I would recommend this product to others, but not purchase it myself.

Yesterday I used the sample I received from BB and I was really excited because Benefit has been all the rage in beauty circles of late.

I was impressed by the product because it does work well. It went on relatively well and I did not find smudges all over my face. I guess this is down to the wand which is not the usual mascara brush but rather a plastic wand with little pokey things (for lack of a better word).

Also the end has the pokey things also, so it is easier to get to the lashes that were missed on the usual application. I did, however, find that it was a little bit clumpy, which is not a bad thing but I am not the biggest fan of that look.

Thing is, it's a mascara and they have the shortest lifespan of all the makeup products, which is why I would not part with approx R300 for it.

While I do like it, I have a long list of absurdly cheaper, drugstore ones that meet and somewhat beat the Benefit product.

How I feel about this mascara: I like it but I don't LOVE it. It's okay, it works - gave my lashes a little definition and volume but nothing to write home about. There are better, cheaper mascara which gives more drama - something I look for in mascaras.

Not so sure about the mascara I won't be leaving my current favorite maybe will see after a few tries and then will decide
.

Perhaps I read far too much into the hype of this mascara, but my dad actually bought me two tubes of it back from the UK last year, and I just didn't enjoy it at all. I didn't feel that it lengthened OR volumised my lashes, and it was so darn difficult to remove. I disliked it so much that I actually passed it on to my mom who DID enjoy it (no clue why - just different preferences maybe?).

I much prefer the Benefit Bad Gal lash - they used to do a purple one, I'm not sure if they still do, but I tried it first when we last had Benefit in the country, and loved it so much that I got a friend to get me several tubes of it when they went overseas. For a good long while it was my holy grail mascara, until I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a mascara, when the cheaper ones are just as good for me.