Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara is a bit of a cult classic, as it is one of the more famous high end mascaras. I have heard so many raves about this product that when it was part of Sephora’s birthday gift set this year, I was thrilled to finally try it after reading the hype! Could it be? A high end mascara that truly outperforms my drugstore favorites?

First, a little about my lashes: they’re thick side, do not hold a curl at all,  and they’re black. They also in the “medium” category when it comes to length. What I look for in a mascara is length, so I thought this was going to be something amazing in that department.

They’re Real! has a plastic brush that is quite long, with a circular end point that has some additional spikes on it. I haven’t quite figured out what this is for, but I’ve used it for applying mascara to those inner corner lashes that are difficult to reach. I don’t mind this brush, but it’s not amazing to me.

Bare lashes! Super straight!

With They’re Real! mascara

I’ve been using this off and on since I got it (in April); definitely enough times  to form an opinion. Like pretty much every mascara I’ve ever used, including waterproof, this does not hold a curl very well for me. Also, I don’t think it makes my lashes look dramatically different than other mascaras. The biggest problem that I have with this mascara is that I have a REALLY difficult time removing it.

They’re Real! does stay in place all day and doesn’t give me panda eyes (always a good thing!). I would have to give this mascara an average rating: not the greatest, but not terrible.

Have you tried this mascara? What do you think of it? I’ll use up the little tube to see if I change my mind, but when it comes to high end mascaras, I will stick with Too-Faced Lashgasm and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes.