Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara Review

 

During my visit to The Makeup Show, I received a generous bag of goodies to try and review from the participating brands. It’s one of the most fun parts of visiting the show, because I get to try a ton of new things. I’ve discovered a lot of great products this way. In this year’s bag, media visitors received Benefit Bad Gal Bang mascara. I was surprised. First, this product has been out for a little while–it launched in February of this year. But then I realized I didn’t hear a ton about this, and I haven’t heard about it recently. So I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But I’m always down to try a new mascara! I’ve been test driving Bad Gal Bang for a few days now, and I’m ready to share my thoughts.

First, what does Benefit have to say about Bad Gal Bang?

BADgal BANG! 36 HOUR* FULL-BLAST volumizing mascara creates MASSIVE volume without weighing down lashes. The gravity-defying formula builds volume the more you layer, and contains aero-particles, one of the lightest known materials, derived from space technology. This innovative intense pitch black mascara layers easily for bigger & BIGGER impact. Its custom big Slimpact! brush is streamlined to reach root-to-tip, corner-to-corner, upper & lower lashes for BIG VOLUME WITH 360° REACH!” 

Wow…so my mascara has space technology particles in it. Fancy. 💁🏻‍♀️

The brush on this mascara is a tapered synthetic bristle brush. It’s fairly large, so I was kind of intimidated about getting it into the corners of my eyes without bumping my nose or something, but I managed to get into those harder to reach areas of my eye area without incident. It doesn’t have those pokey-scratchy bristles that some synthetic brushes have, either.


I would say you can definitely see volume has been added to my lashes. They look thicker and blacker, similar to the (probably enhanced) photos on the Benefit website. I also definitely see added length. In this photo I’ve applied just a single coat. To be honest, I’m not a mascara layering kind of gal. I don’t have the patience to layer my mascaras up. If they don’t work with one or two coats, I’m over it.

A large reason behind my intrigue towards Benefit Bad Gal Bang mascara was its claim of being smudge-proof. I’m not sure if it’s due to my eye shape, but everything smudges on me. EVERYTHING. (Translation: I’m pretty sure it’s due to my eye shape, but also don’t want to admit that since hitting my 30s I need much more emollient under eye products that are also contributing to the problem.)  So when a mascara claims to be smudge-proof, my ears perk. I’m happy (and shocked) to report no smudging with this mascara! It’s not waterproof (but does label itself water-resistant), and yet doesn’t smudge. Impressive, Benefit. I see you.

Lastly, I did a wear test after curling my lashes (a step I’m 99.9% of the time too lazy to do). My lashes often point straight down and get stuck to my bottom lashes, but today they’ve remained curled with this mascara. They aren’t exactly reaching for the sky, but I still call this a win.

So is it worth paying the high end mascara price? Well I’m certainly glad I got to try it for free first, because shelling out high end prices for a mascara that has to be thrown out in 3-6 months is not my style. But I have to admit, this is a great mascara and I’m really happy with it. Would I repurchase? It’s definitely within the realm of possibility. The lack of smudges is a pretty big deal to me. This mascara might just be the one that gets me to cross over to the high end mascara dark side.

Benefit Bad Gal Bang mascara retails for $25 for a full size, and $13 for a mini at Sephora, Ulta, and Benefit’s website. Don’t forget your Ebates. ;)

The Benefits of Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit_Logo

About a month ago (yeah, this post is overdue…what else is new…) I attended a fun Benefit event at Macy’s in Westminster. I got my makeup done by supersweet MUA Katie, and she and I talked about the latest and greatest (and some cult favs) from Benefit! Inspired, here is my list of favorites from Benefit. If you’re new to the brand, or just want to try some new things, check these out! [Read more…]

November Favorites

It’s November favorites time!!! Woo woo! Since I started a new job in November I have been wearing a lot more makeup, but I’ve also been getting up super early and spending a LOT of time in my car, so I’ve just been keeping a few choice products in a makeup single makeup bag and “living” out of that bag (plus the various lip products in my purse…) [Read more…]

Face of the Day: Sundressed

This is what I wore on my face today. Well, you won’t be reading it the day I wore it, but this is what I wore to work on 11/26. :) I work in a chic business casual office and just wanted enough color to perk up my face and look polished. Read on to see what I used…

[Read more…]

The Best Complexion Brightening Products EVER

Much to my delight, it’s really starting to feel like fall. Or at least, the California version of fall. I love it! But it can have a negative effect of making one’s complexion look a little…dull. So I thought I’d share my top picks for the very best brighteners out there.  [Read more…]

My Mom The Purple Princess

My mom loves purple. It is her faaaaavorite color. Sure, pink is nice, but this lady is serious about her purple stuff. Someday when I’m rich and famous (lol) I will buy her dream car and have it painted purple for her. So, inspired by my dear mommyloves, here are a bunch of awesome purple things, and where to buy them.

1. Makeup Cleansing Tissues w/ Lavender Extract – $2.80 / Forever 21
Okay so these aren’t exactly purple…but they smell purple. And my mom loves face wipes. These are great, by the way. I have the cucumber variety on my bedside table right now. I’m fairly certain these are the exact same wipes sold by Beauty Treats too.

2. Ruffled Silk Dress – $27.80 / Forever 21
How cute is this springy ruffled dress? I like that it is obviously a warm weather, daytime dress without being really revealing. I’m of the mind that with a great jacket or sweater and some tights, this dress could transition into cooler seasons as well.

3. French Connection Bow Back Knit Sweater – $50.20 / ASOS
Now that is how to show a little skin while still being classy. It’s sexy, not trashy at all, and the bows keep things feminine and pretty.

4. Benefit Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in “Kiss You” – $18 / Sephora
These lovely lip shines give a pop of color without any stickiness. If you’re timid about rocking a purple lip this spring and summer, a gloss is a great way to start.

5. Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder – $32 / Sephora
This powder is ever so slightly lavender-tinged in color, and comes in an absolutely gorgeous purple compact. I’ve used up a lot of my De-Slick and it has never let me down. It doesn’t cake, doesn’t look chalky, and keeps oilies and shine at bay.

6. Tweezerman Hot For Dots Matchbox Itty Bitty Files – $4 / Sephora, drugstores
I’ve been trying these out recently, and as soon as they came in the mail mom was hooked. “Can I have one?” she asked while opening the box, hahaha. Anything miniature is cute, and miniature with polka dots? Sold.

And for more purpley goodness…

Best Purple Eye Shadows

  • Make Up For Ever 92 (Sephora)
  • MAC Satellite Dreams, Vibrant Grape, Plum Dressing, Fig. 1, and Shale (MAC)
  • Wet ‘n Wild Color Icon Palette in Lust (Drugstores)
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils in Delinquent and Morphine (Urban Decay)
  • NYX Single Eye Shadows in Sensual and Beauty Queen (NYX)
  • Stila Cassis (Stila Cosmetics) it looks blue online but trust me it’s a gorgeous purple!
So, what’s your purple preference? Comment and tell me! :)