“This mascara is like a lash lift in a tube – and it’s under £15”
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
“This is unlike any other budget mascara I’ve tried,” says Stylist’s senior beauty writer, Charlotte Bitmead.
When it comes to mascara, the Stylist beauty team are firm advocates of not spending a fortune to get a good set of lashes. There are the flake-free ones, the ones that don’t clump and the ones that give you volume for days – none of which have to cost you a fortune.
However, getting one that acts like a lash lift is no easy feat. It’s more about lengthening and curling than adding drama and volume, which is why the right brush is so important. This is where the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Mascara comes in.
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Mascara
buy nowThe unique skinny wand is long enough to grab every individual lash. If fanned-out lashes weren’t enough to pique your interest already, the magnetic pigments and lengthening fibres in the formulation will. These act like a supportive bra for your lashes, keeping the curl lifted for longer. It even comes with the bold claim of getting your lashes 5mm closer to your brows.
I love a thin wand – not one of those fluffy brushes that make a mess on my lids after I’ve applied my eyeshadow – so this was right up my street. It only took one coat to see a visible difference, leaving me feeling like I’d just had a natural lash lift to give a ‘your lashes but better’ look, but with zero clumping involved.
It’s enough to define every tiny lash without making it look like you’ve got anything obvious on. If you’re not quite brave enough for the naked lash trend, this is the perfect compromise.
My biggest mascara bugbear is smudging on my lower lash and near my eyebrow, so the ultimate test is whether I see any flecks within a few hours of application. None of these telltale signs happened with the Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Mascara. Not only was I smudge-free, but I found that my lashes stayed plumped throughout the day.
The only slight fault I’ve found with this is that once it’s set, it doesn’t budge. So, if you’re a fan of topping up your mascara throughout the day, this might not be the best choice as it dries a bit too much to add any layers. But if you just want your mascara to stay put and don’t want to worry about it throughout the day, this is a great option. Did we mention it’s under £15? Talk about a steal.
Images: Charlotte Bitmead; L’Oréal Paris
