I Tried BENEFIT’s Roller Lash Mascara—And It Got My Stick-Straight Lashes to Hold a Curl
Truth: I experience lash envy on a regular basis. As someone who is obsessed with eye makeup (I seldom leave the house without at least a smudge of eyeliner and coat of mascara on), I’ve always wished my lashes just had more oomph. While I’m lucky that my lashes aren’t super problematic, they seldom hold a curl for more than five minutes, and I find myself in awe of others with lashes that have lift, height, and volume—naturally or mascara made. I’ve tried every type of eyelash curler under the sun, and my mascara stash is full of social-media-influenced buys, from drugstore mascaras to high-end formulas that promise to make my eyelash dreams a reality. And while I have found a few that I like, the results always seem to be temporary, as my lashes just naturally start to droop during the day. Not to mention I’m a serial eye rubber, so finding something that doesn’t easily smudge because I can’t control myself is also a struggle. Note to self: Stop touching your face.
Naturally, when the opportunity to do a BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara review came along, I was totally up for it. It promises everything I’m looking for in a new mascara: lift, a long-lasting curl, staying power, no clumping, and no need for harsh scrubbing or half a bottle of makeup remover to take off. Mission accepted.
First, Let’s Talk About the Product
Just as I was beginning to think I had already tried every type of curved wand out there, a new fancy mascara wand entered the villa. Enter: BENEFIT COSMETICS’ Hook ‘n’ Roll brush, which is the wand attached to the BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara. It’s a slightly curved mascara wand with 360-degree bristles designed to literally hook onto and curl your lashes upwards as you swipe. The design helps curl, lift, and separate every lash, and the brand also states that the curls “last 12 hours...no hairspray required.” And yes, I’ve tried the hairspray trick too. This baby is also water-resistant, humidity-proof, and made with provitamin B5 (to help keep those wispies strong and conditioned). Sounds pretty much like a curling mascara match made in heaven.
Next, Let’s Take It For a Test Drive
As a nurse, I typically have a super busy day and often find myself in lots of interesting situations. So naturally, I decided to give this mascara a go and apply it before work. My initial thoughts: Packaging? Adorbs. The grippy wand makes it so easy to control your application with no chances of slipping or transferring mascara in places you don’t want it to go. The brush? Instantly intriguing. Because of the way its bristles are designed, there’s virtually no way that you’re going to miss applying product to any of your lashes. The slight curve of it, as well as the size of the wand (I wouldn’t call it a skinny wand, but somewhere close to it), makes it easy to get super close to your lash line and prevent any lash clumping.
I applied two coats and was obsessed (like, immediately). My lashes were lashing. They were perfectly curled and separated, and as a bonus, they looked super long as if I had used a lengthening mascara or a tubing mascara. Even better, I was able to apply them to my bottom lashes with ease. My bottom lashes had a separated, “doll-like” effect, and the formula lifted them enough to keep them from smudging onto my under-eye area. The hook ‘n’ roll brush had me hooked, and the formula was a winner for sure. No lash curler needed either, which I love for mornings when I’m in a rush. But, would it last? Or would it fall flat like my curls every time I try to use hair rollers?
Ten hours later...
My lashes were still lifted, flake-free, smudge-free, clump-free, and I was a happy camper. My once droopy, straight lashes were still curled up high, making this tube one I will definitely use on repeat. Only thing I wish that I did was check out their website, which has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it clip with a beauty tip on how to apply the product correctly. You need to wiggle the wand super close to the base of your lashes to really hook onto your lash hairs. And be sure to hold the wand vertically when applying to your bottom lashes.
The Final Verdict
Overall, I give BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara a big thumbs up. If you’re looking for a defined curl that lasts all day, this might be one of the best mascaras for it (and it also comes in an adorable travel size version so you can stash it on the go). If volume is what you’re seeking, I’d go for something with a thicker wand like BENEFIT COSMETICS BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara (my go-to when I want some drama). Besides curl, BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara’s jet-black pigment really pops if you’re looking for a solid black mascara to complement your eyes. I can’t wait to give it a whirl with some eyeshadow, eyeliner, and extra eye glam.