Yarr me hearties, buy some o'this! (L'Oréal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara)

Member Name: bamamo

Product:	L'Oréal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara
Date:	03/01/09 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does exactly what it says, long lasting, no clumps, fun tube shape

Disadvantages: Design not totally practical, brush a little too long

My quest for a perfect mascara has admittedly been half-hearted. To be honest, I don't usually use one just because I've been blessed with such long eyelashes anyway that I don't find it totally necessary. Most tend to give such an extreme look that I look I'm wearing false eyelashes, which is not ideal for an everyday look! So I decided to treat myself to a new one I had heard a bit about and thought might suit my needs, and bought a tube of Loreal Telescopic Clean Definition.


THEY SAY
Loreal claim that it's high-precision flexible brush provides "telescopic length up to 50% longer" and "cleanly defined, perfectly separated lashes".

I bought the Clean Definition version in black, there are also carbon black and brown "normal" (eg non-defining) versions and a black waterproof version.


DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY
The most unusual thing about the mascara to look at is the shape of the tube - it's shaped like a telescope! I kind of enjoyed this because I'm a pirate nerd, but to be honest there are classier-looking mascaras out there. The good thing about the design is that as it is wider at one end, it is easy to stand the bottle up on the counter, by the sink, etc. For an 8ml bottle though, it's pretty bulky and long.

The brush is made of flexible rubber with spikes rather than bristles. I really liked both these things, but I did find it a tad long. It is slightly angled when you hold it up, although I'm not totally sure whether this is because it's supposed to be or because it's flexible and I've bent it!

Once you get the hang of the length of the wand, it is pretty comfortable and easy to use, although the inner corner of my eye was still a little difficult to get at.


RESULTS
Like I said, I'm lucky to have fairly thick and long lashes anyway, and so I bought this mascara for lengthening purposes only. I was a bit worried that it would make my lashes look spidery as has been the end result with lots of products I've used.

Fortunately the brush really does define and separate so there were no clumped together "spider's legs"! Using a zig-zag motion as Loreal recommend I didn't get any clumps at all. My lashes did look longer and a little darker without looking tacky or too made-up. Just the look I was going for! What's more, even though there's nothing on this product that claims it does this, I feel that my lashes look slightly curled also, especially at the outside corners of my eyes. They seem to stay like this for a while even when the mascara is removed. I would say it is just as good as if I had used an eyelash curler.

Even though I didn't buy the specific waterproof version, I have worn this and had a little (okay, a big...) weep whilst watching a film. Even though I rubbed my eyes, I didn't get any black tear tracks down my face, and only very minimal smudges under my eyes, which could have been avoided had I used a hanky (or watched a happier film!)

The staying power is really very good, no flaking and just one coat gives enough effect and doesn't need touching up throughout the day. I wouldn't say it is the easiest to remove, even when I think I've got it all I wake up and find a tiny smudge under my eye, but this is easy enough to wipe off.

Comfort-wise, I have sensitive eyes and wear contacts and had no problems whatsoever.

VERDICT
As you can tell, I'm really impressed and this is definitely going to become my everyday mascara. If you don't have naturally thick lashes, this won't do much to thicken them, but for lengthening I would definitely recommend. If you're looking for a high-drama look then this probably isn't for you.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
This is a pretty expensive mascara, I'm sure there are cheaper ones which work really well, but now I like this I'm not sure I will be trying any others in the near future. It costs £8.99 a tube, and can be bought from anywhere that sells Loreal cosmetics eg Boots, Superdrug etc. I Googled it after buying and found that you can pick it up for £3.99 on eBay and around £6 at a couple of discount makeup sites. Doh!

Summary: A good everyday mascara for lengthening and defining, but not so much for thickening.