This Drugstore Mascara Started a TikTok Controversy, so I Had to Try It

Welcome to Deep Reviewsyour one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market’s most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

The majority of our Deep Reviews will feature our editors’ honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a particular beauty brand, but every so often, we’ll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I Love It. As the name suggests, these reviews will hone in on one standout beauty formula our editors quite literally can’t shut up about. This time around, I’m highlighting L’Oréal Telescopic Lash Lift Mascara ($15).

A lot of products go viral on TikTok, but as someone who spends a little too much time on the internet, I haven’t seen a mascara cause as much frenzy as L’Oréal Teloscopic Lash Lift has. For scale, the hashtag #TelescopicLift currently boasts 348.4 million views and counting on the video app. After an influencer was accused of wearing false eyelashes in advertisement for the product, many took to social media to give the product a true test. And despite the initial controversy, most of the reviews were full of high-sung praises. Even as an editor, I was intrigued. One trip to the drugstore later, I was ready to give this “revolutionizing” mascara a shot. 

At first, it was a bit tricky to apply the product evenly. But that’s when I realized this wand is different than any other wand I’ve used before. (Do not be like me and forget to read the directions on the box.) The product comes with a double-hook bristle brush, each side offering a different step for the best results. The first step is to use the front hook to lift and load the lashes, which adds volume and length. Following the first step, I noticed a natural curl that I would only get from the use of an eyelash curler. Second, I carefully brushed my lashes with the side-hook comb to separate the lashes and avoid any clumps.

Since the two-step method on this product makes the process quick and efficient, there isn’t a need for many coats like there is with other mascaras. Despite having naturally long lashes, I’m always building up multiple layers to get the dramatic effect I want. With this one, only one coat is needed for full-looking lashes. I know the phrase “less is more” is a bit cliché, but it’s the motto for this product. Applying additional layers can cause the mascara to get clumpy, so the best results will be with minimal product. (This means less time in my makeup routine, which is a winning situation.)

L’Oréal set out to make your makeup routine more seamless, and this product surpasses that goal. If you’re looking for a mascara that requires minimal application but still creates a dramatic look, this is the one for you.

While this mascara comes with its own built-in comb, I still find it helpful to have a lash separator on hand for optimal results. 

L’Oreal’s lash primer is always helpful with any of their mascara. It helps the product glide on and sticks to the lash more smoothly.

Merit’s mascara is another mascara that holds the “less is more” concept. 

Rare Beauty’s mascara adds a hefty amount of additional volume with little work needed.

Mascaras do the additional work, but there’s always room for some additional TLC. That’s where GrandeLASH’s serum comes in, which our editor-in-chief only shares glowing reviews for.

Another TikTok viral mascara that’s worthy of the hype.

Even tears won’t let this mascara break down.

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