top of page

They’re Real! Magnet Mascara - A Test On Hooded and Almond Eyes

BY GEORGIA ROSE AND SOPHIE CHUNG

When you think about mascara, Benefit would be one of the first brands that pop into mind and to no surprise, their newest eye-adorning product is living up to, or some would say, surpassing, its hype.

Rectangle 39.png

1 MAR- 2021

When their newest release landed on our doorstep, we just had to put their claims to the test.


If you’re a makeup lover, you’ve probably tried or heard about Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara. An iconic product that creates the look of naturally fanned out and defined, long lashes, Benefit Cosmetics made its mark in the beauty industry with this cult favourite.

Following it up with Roller Lash and BADGal BANG!, they recently launched an intensified 2.0 version under the They’re Real! umbrella called Magnet. As the no. 1 mascara brand in the U.S., let’s just say they’ve got a big reputation to live up to.

Dubbed as an extreme lengthening mascara, it features a magnetic mineral-enriched formula which forces the lashes to really lift up. It’s actually quite simple; the wand itself has a magnetic core that draws the lashes up as you comb it through, drawing the magnetic particles upward. In other words, the mascara wand and formula are physically attracted to each other, resulting in - as benefit claims, 40% longer lashes.

At first, the mascara seemed more of a marketing gimmick than anything, but it really does work, and you can see the results immediately. Aside from the magnetic technology, Benefit has also altered the opening of its tube to be slightly smaller so that it scrapes away all the excess product from the brush as it’s pulled out. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner? No more “ah shit that's too much product” moments.

Rectangle 25.png

They’re Real! Magnet Mascara Swatch

Rectangle 38.png

Benefit They’re Real! Magnet Mascara, $49

Rectangle 25.png

The Panel Review

Georgia:
I hardly ever wear mascara. Not because I don’t like it, but because my hooded eyes get in the way and I’m left with a black under-eye smudge only a few hours later. Smudging is just inevitable with my eye shape so I have become accustomed to checking the mirror every few hours. For me, testing mascara is about having to check it less, and not necessarily about having zero fall out. What can I say, I’m a realist.

But by some miracle, Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara works a charm for these hooded peepers. Application was seamless, thanks to a wand that features lots of tiny zig zag bristles to separate each lash. The wand, combined with no excess product, meant less clumping and smudging.

For the first test, I applied the mascara to one eye for the day, just to take a comparison photo, but I ended up forgetting about it and going to dinner with mascara on just one eye - oh, the things I do for a review. For the second test, Sophie and I both popped concealer and powder under the eye and applied mascara to both eyes.

I was able to go all day without a smudge, and that’s really saying something. The only other mascara that might beat Benefit, in my eyes, is the M.A.C Extended Play Giga Black Lash (a long time favourite). It wasn’t until 5pm when I started to see some fall out appear, mostly caused by me running around in the evening heat.

I'm not sure if the powder had much of an effect as I still experienced some smudging, but again it wasn't until the evening which is a huge feat for hooded eyes.

Sophie:
Benefit BadGal BANG! Volumising Mascara was one of my favourite formulas, much more so than the original They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara. However, this new Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara has far greater volumising effects than BadGal BANG! but also creates out-the-gate length and lifts the lashes up, which is so bizarre to me as the lashes are heavier but defy gravity somehow. It’s one of those mascaras that make your real lashes look like falsies. If you like a natural look, this one is not for you but if you want your wee eye hairs to go from 0 to 100, you’ll want to nab a tube.

Eye shape - I’ve got almond shaped eyes and double eyelids. The first time I tried it, it was on bare skin and I applied it on both the top and bottom lashes but I quickly realised that this formula was indeed too extreme to apply multiple layers and also too thick to apply on the bottom lashes as I kinda gave off this ‘dumbstruck deer in the headlight’ look. After a few hours, the mascara had smudged on my under eyes.

The second time around, I applied it only to the top lashes and applied concealer and powder on my undereyes. I think it may be due to my super straight and quick-to-sag lashes but on the bottom outer corners, there was a very light patch of grey by the mid afternoon. Nothing major - very manageable amount of smudging and there’s no flaking.

The Verdict

Georgia:
If the new Benefit They’re Real! Magnet Mascara works on hooded eyes, then I feel that round eyes would have no issue! The mascara really lives up to its claims, promising to lift and lengthen your lashes by 40%. Well, I didn’t quite take a ruler to my lashes, but by eye, I think it does that and more! As someone who’s lashes disappear into my eyes, I don’t think I can turn back now. *orders lifetime supply*

Sophie:
Yes, there was a teeny bit of smudging when I wore two coats but I think I’ve nailed the application now. They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara is an intense formula so I have to make sure that I’m light-handed and apply only a single coat. The formula builds up dramatically and this may be a keen preference for a lot of lash loving gals out there, but I like my lashes to look naturally long and lifted all day. I like separated, fanned out lashes so as soon as the wand brushes through my lashes a few too many times, it moves into volumising territory and fanned out lashes are no longer achievable. However, as the tube dried out a bit, I’ve been having greater success with the control and am seriously loving this formula.

It miraculously ticks all the boxes as a lifting, volumising and lengthening mascara. I’d recommend you use light strokes and try to refrain from getting too much product on your lashes as it’s super intense.

TLDR; will I be using it everyday from now on? Yes. Does it smudge? A little bit, yes - but it can be controlled by a very light application and you can also reduce it with some concealer and powder under the eye.

Sidenote: It’s not a waterproof formula. It can withstand a few tears but as soon as you wipe your sad stress fluids off of your face with the back of your hand, it’s time to get the oil cleanser out because you’re going to have grey under eyes.

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

6d5b79696bd52fa264a733f30d5b73c4 1.png

RELATED STORIES

Rectangle 29.png

 

GIVEAWAY

silki the label x chatty chums.jpg

SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to Chatty Chum's mailing list to receive the latest in beauty and lifestyle news, giveaways and the launch of our Editor's Collection boxes. 

bottom of page