Mascara Matchmaker delivers honest reviews on the latest mascara launches.
Benefit is known for a few things — say them with me now: Benetint lip and cheek stain, Hoola bronzer, and, of course, They're Real! mascara. In fact, it seems like every mascara Benefit puts out elicits a cult following.
Well, friends, since I tend to venture toward any and all mascara launches, I was eager to try out the brand's latest beauty revelation: Roller Lash. It's a mascara that claims to lift and curl lashes, eliminating all need for a lash curler. I'll be the judge of that.
RollerLash Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics
Benefit is tauting RollerLash as the mascara "everyone can use." Meaning this mascara accommodates every woman's lash needs, whether she's got short lashes, straight lashes, or small eyes.
RollerLash was inspired by a curling iron or rollers, since those are the most precise ways to curl your hair.
The Wand
This wand went through four different designs! It started with a large, curved brush that resembled what I like to call a "banana with spikes." Benefit found it was too big for smaller eye shapes, made lashes heavy, and caused clumping.
Design number two was slim, with a subtle bend to the wand and a soft material. It was good but didn't create enough of a curl for straight and short lashes.
Design number three is where Benefit added the tiny "hooks" to the wand. These were made for the shorter lashes. While it did coat every lash, the curl wasn't right, and the location of the hooks wasn't conducive to creating a lifted effect.
The final design, number four, involved strategic hook placement so they would grab each lash from root to tip; the style is now Benefit's patent-pending Hook 'n' Roll brush.
Application
Many of you are probably wondering what Benefit means by "hook." Honestly, reading about it, I was skeptical. It's a mascara wand — it's not heated. How is it supposed to grab every lash and create a long-lasting lift to lashes?
My lashes are long naturally, but they aren't too thick, so I rely heavily on my lash curler to get me flirty, curled lashes. When applying RollerLash, you instantly feel the hooks. It's hard to describe, but they really do catch every lash, and it feels as if they're being molded upward. (I don't want to use the word "pulled," because that is the last thing I want when it come to my eyelashes.) It was gentle, and I noticed a lift after my first coat.
One Eye With RollerLash
The mascara itself isn't too wet, which tends to make lashes clump together. I liked the fluttery effect it gave my lashes! And this is just one coat. It's not overkill, and it still looks natural.
Application on the Right Eye
Both Lashes With RollerLash
My verdict? I loved the lift it gave me, and I appreciated that I actually felt it "hook" my lashes — it wasn't just a gimmick to put on the packaging. Plus it really did hold a curl. Granted, it's not going to be as perfect as an eyelash curler, but it's a natural lift that lasted throughout the workday.
If your lashes are on the heavier side, I'd say stick to one coat, since this mascara might weigh them down and defeat the purpose of curling the lashes.
The Final Look
RollerLash retails for $24 and will be available Feb. 27.