The volumising mascara is the only one I’ve tried so far that has ticked all of the boxes
In the 15 or so years that I’ve been wearing makeup, I’ve tried dozens of mascaras from different brands that promise to do various things. While some have impressed me, not many have ticked all of the boxes. This was until I found a Benefit mascara hidden inside the cosmetic brand’s 2024 beauty advent calendar, and it’s safe to say I’m obsessed.
The BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara usually retails for £27, however both LookFantastic and Debenhams are currently offering it on sale for £21.60. If you’ve never tried the mascara before, or are already a fan like me and need to replenish your stock, now is the time to snap it up.
My eyelashes are naturally quite dark and long, however they have no curl whatsoever and aren’t very thick. My main priority when looking for a mascara is one that has the ability to keep the lashes curled throughout the day and make them thick and dark without clumping.
I unboxed Benefit’s unique beauty advent calendar containing 24 products worth over £295
I opened Face The Future’s £99 beauty box containing £612 worth of luxury skincare products
I always use an eyelash curler before applying mascara, however a few mascaras I’ve used over the years fail to keep the curl in place – within an hour my lashes are straight again. The first time I used Benefit’s BADgal BANG! Mascara in the shade Pitch Black, I curled my lashes then eagerly removed the mascara applicator from the tube.
I was a little apprehensive as to whether it would be able to curl my lashes and make them longer, as the brush isn’t curved and the bristles are pretty small. I needn’t have worried, though, as from the first swipe, my lashes were transformed.
The mascara lengthened my eyelashes and made them jet black – the blackest my lashes have ever been. I applied a few more swipes, then waited for the first coat to dry before applying a second. I was delighted to see that it made my lashes even thicker and bolder while ensuring each lash stayed separated without clumping at all.
The mascara dried quickly and felt super lightweight, to the point where it was like I didn’t have any on. This is thanks to the Benefit mascara being infused with aero-particles for a lightweight finish.
I have worn the mascara every day for the past two weeks, both on its own and with a full face of makeup. I’m delighted to report that, as Benefit claims, the BADgal BANG! Mascara really is smudge-proof and water-resistant.
There was no transferring at all underneath my eyes, which often happens with other mascaras when I’m wearing concealer and foundation under my eyes. There was also no crumbling fallout, an issue I’ve had before with other mascaras.
Benefit’s mascara lasts all day and night without the need to touch it up. Another positive is that you can add as much or as little volume as you like – it’s the most buildable mascara I’ve ever used. Some days I’ll wear one coat for a natural finish, or if I’m wearing a full face of makeup, I’ll apply two or three coats for a bold look that will stand out against the eyeshadow.
I don’t have a bad word to say about Benefit’s BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara. However, like many beauty products, it’s not for everyone. One person on the LookFantastic website found the mascara to be ‘very wet’ and noted that after a couple of hours, they got ‘the dreaded panda eye’.
Fancy giving the Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara a try? You can buy it from LookFantastic and Debenhams for £21.60 while the sale lasts. Benefit and Boots are both selling the mascara for the full price of £27.
If you’d like to browse more mascaras, the SEPHORA COLLECTION Big by Definition Mascara costs £14.99. Boots has the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara priced at £12.99.
