Benefit They're Real! vs L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess

 On Internet everyones raves about Benefit They're Real! Mascara. You will see tons and tons of gurus loving this mascara. I was so intrigued! So the first time I entered a Sephora (I was like a little kid on a candy shop) I ran and bought several Benefit products, including Benefit They're Real Delux Mini. As the name states, is smaller but let's face it: paying so much for a mascara? I rather test a little tube and then decide wether to toss it or buy the normal size set.

 As soon as I could I tested the mascara. And to my surprise, I discovered it was a good mascara but not an amazing one. I have been in a long search to find that mascara that makes my lashes look super dark, gigantic and voluminous and of course it must not flake nor clump (is it too much to ask? I guess…)

 A week or two before I got in my hands L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess, and for the same price (compared with the Mini size), and I decided to compare them in this review.


 This is L'oreal brush, it is long and it blends so it is easier for application. The formula is really wet, and it takes a little bit to dry. Odor wise, I sense a generic mascara smell, nothing heavy.

 Benefit is significantly smaller, which is perfect for reaching difficult places and lower lashes, it has a rounded tip which also is excellent for precision. The formula is not wet, so you don't have to take time for it to dry as with the Volume Million Lashes Excess.

 Comparison of both brushes:

On top: Benefit "They're Real", below:"Loreal Volume Million Lashes Excess"

Left: Loreal and Right: Benefit

 As background, I have long straight lashes but they do not represent a challenge to curl, they curl easily and if I use a good mascara the curl won't fall. What I look in a mascara is more of a dramatic effect, as my makeup is mostly focused on my eyes.

 They're Real! give a natural look, in my opinion. The formula is great, as it makes lashes look really clean with no clumping, nor smudging. After using it for 11 hours, with a little bit of rubbing, and foggy climate, when I came home my lashes looked the same as before leaving. They hold well the curl. They don't give volume, but they give a beautiful effect on my lower lashes making them look long but without ugly clumps.

 Volume Million Lashes Excess give more of a dramatic effect, with really thick and black lashes. It clumps even after just two coats, no matter how much I take the excess of the brush, it will clam but this can be solved by simply by separating the lashes with a clear brush wand. As the formula is wet, it does smudges and at the end of the day I could see residues of the mascara in my cheeks.

 Side to side comparison

Left side is Loreal and Right Side is Benefit

 As a side note, Benefit mascara is harder to remove than L'oreal.

 Regarding these two mascaras, you should opt for the one that adjust the best to your need and budget, as the They're Real full sized mascara retails for over $20 usd while L'oreal mascara cost half the price.