L'Oreal PRO XXL EXTENSION MASCARA

The first thing I noticed was the cheap looking finishing on the product packaging. Some of the silver coating in the center was already chipping off when it arrived - not really what I expect from a brand new product.

The application was simple enough, coat with a swipe of step 1 then a coat again with step 2. The curved brush shape seemed to give good coverage and make it easier to get those corner lashes.

But the application was not clump free as claimed - it wasn't terrible but definitely made a few clumps on my lashes. I also found the mascara took quite a while to dry, bits coming off on my top eye lid and sticking top and bottom lashes together in the corners which is never a great feeling.

I think that the design of the bottle could be improved too as it felt like the wands should be screwed in the opposite way (ie with the product in the center and the wands coming off rather than the other way around). As the packaging is all curved it doesn't feel safe to put the mascara down as you apply, so I could only use one hand. It made me feel worried that I was going to absent mindlessly drop it and torch something else and and get mascara everywhere.

Wearing the product was the real disappointment though. After 4 hours of not leaving the house and only working in my home office, I looked in the mirror and the mascara was already flaking off, giving me that grey under eye smudgy look that we all try to avoid. I tried again the next day, this time I went and worked at a cafe, but when I got up and looked in the bathroom mirror I was so embarrassed by how bad it looked I thought stuff this - never wearing this again! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it's a NO from me!

I really wanted to love this because for special occasions I currently use two different mascaras, one for volume and one for length and this 2 in one product could've solved this. However, unfortunately I didn't love it. I really liked the volumising step one on it's own, I felt it did a great job of adding volume without clumps and the brush didn't have an excess amount of product on it like some mascaras do. But I found when I added step two, the lengthening mascara, it didn't really add to the overall look except for going clumpy and making multiple lashes stick together which kind of undid the volumising effect of step one. So I'll continue to use it but only step one and I don't think I'd buy it again.

This mascara arrived with no excess packaging, perfect! The 2 ends are clearly labelled ‘1’ and ‘2’ so you know which to apply first. Step 1, the volumising primer, has a straight brush. I found this very easy to apply, and was the only coat I applied to my bottom lashes and it was perfect for them. Step 2 has a curved application brush. This was simple to apply and get onto those small inner lashes. There was no clumping from either mascara. I was disappointed with the amount of extension provided by this mascara. I didn’t feel it was any more than I have achieved with other mascaras, so the name ‘XXL’ seems a bit excessive. I did find that throughout the day, some of the filaments fell out around my eyes. Even worse when I accidentally swiped them causing smudges. Given the price, I think you can achieve the same, if not better, look with cheaper mascaras

If I had to name one makeup product I couldn’t live without it would be mascara. I love trying out new mascara and love it even more when it stacks up to the hype and delivers on what it says it would.

I loved that this mascara did live up to its name.

Step one gave me the best results, my lashes appeared longer which I loved.

Step two was supposed to apply fibers to give extra length but I didn’t really notice a difference with this step.

I found the formula to be on the drier side, I would’ve liked it to be a bit more wet as I feel that applies better.

I loved the shape of the wand and found it coated the lashes nice and evenly.

The best part of using this was that it didn’t clump my lashes together as most mascaras do especially when applying two coats.

It was handy to have the primer and fibre in the one tube of mascara as this saves space in the makeup bag and saves time with application.

All in all it’s a great mascara and I’d happily continue using it.

Having "barely there" lashes mascaras are an absolute essential item and so when I was selected to trial the Loreal Pro XXL Extension mascara I was super excited so thank you BR team!.My first impression was where is the packaging? I was surprised to find my mascara arrived without any packaging which would of included directions and a list of ingredients which I usually check to make sure there is nothing I could be allergic to eg: wheat however a quick google search and I was reassured the product was safe for me to use.The masacara is rather bulky in size but don't be fooled by this because the brushes were perfect to coat every lash including those wee annoying ones in the corner of my lower lashes.I found the mascara very easy to use by first applying the primer which is clearly labeled the number 1, giving my lashes several coats because I didn't feel they looked coated enough next I applied the fibres marked the number 2 on the other end of the mascara,just a couple of coats.I didn't see much volumn but it definitely lengthened them considerably.I felt the formula was on the dry side although not a bad thing because I didn't notice any smudges or panda eyes while wearing this all day.I did notice a slight fibre fall under my eyes but it was only minor and easily brushed away.I would of preferred a more intense black colour to really make my eyes pop because although my lashes were very long they were lacking in standing out and not seeing hardly any volumn was a bit dissappointing too.I did love that the mascara is buildable without any clumps and how my lashes looked lifted and curled but I also noticed my lashes had that "spider leg" look going on and personally I am not a fan of this.It definitely has lasting power and my lashes did not feel stiff or brittle while wearing this I also found it very easy to remove just by washing my face with my usual face wash and I did not notice any loss of eyelashes or irritation to my eyes which some mascaras tend to do to me.Would I use this again? Possibly if they bring in a more intense black and it is quite an affordable mascara similar priced to other drug store brands.

This mascara certainly adds volume, I can't say I really noticed much of a difference in the length. I'm nearly sold on it, but I still find it clumps quite a bit, which isn't a look I'm particularly fond of. I was surprised it didn't come in a sealed tube - I'm not keen on buying a product that might have already been opened in a store - even a security sticker to stop it being opened would be nice The tube is dual ended, the first end being a primer which adds volume (worked really well) the second being the lengthening which contains lots of little fibres. I wasn't so keen on that bit - maybe with some practice it might be better?

Picked this out in the vault. Like the colour packaging. Also, the style of the brushes. 1st brush is thinner and gets every last particularly great for the inner lashes. 2nd brush has a curl to it. The formula has fires.

The end look is great, I really do like it. The only unfortunate thing and why I don't use fibre mascaras is that they irritate my eyes. Stray fires tend to fall out and it becomes unpleasant.

The look, amazing. The after effects not so great. If fires don't irritate your eyes, would highly recommend.

My lashes are average at best, they’re very straight and flat, one side curls but the other resists, and while they’re not stubby, they’d hardly be mistaken for long and luscious.

This mascara reminds me of ones they did years ago with the white primer at one end and mascara at the other. This formula looks better with both sides being black and quite frankly they could both be used as stand alone mascaras, but by pairing the more fibre based formula in number two over number one that does create extra length.

You can get very similar results by applying mascara the old fashioned way, where you layer more of your usual mascara over a dried layer. But this sits slightly nicer I think.

The length itself wasn’t probably much different to other lengthening mascaras - which with one applicator I’d probably be more inclined to stick to.

While in terms of volume I couldn’t see much difference.

I think the idea is interesting and the results not bad.