No other makeup product seems to spark as much discourse as mascara does. While some brands guarantee long, voluminous lashes, others boast flirty, curl-enhancing features. Prices can range anywhere from $5 to $100. Buzzwords like “smudge-proof” and “lash-amplifying” are nothing but empty promises. And has anyone actually figured out how to achieve those coveted full lashes without creating unsightly clumps yet? With an infinite number of variations available that promise volume, length and curl, choosing the right mascara suddenly becomes a headache.
Luckily, L’Oréal has a universally flattering — and cheap — option for mascara seekers everywhere. Under #lorealtelescopicmascara, the makeup brand’s mascara has gone viral on TikTok with more than 30.4 million views, and it’s not hard to see why: In just a few swipes, the modest eyelash wand takes users’ lashes from naturally flat to long and luscious. And for less than $15, customers won’t fall prey to pricey name-brand mascaras that don’t always deliver the ultimate eyelash glamour they claim to.
The L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara both lengthens and volumizes lashes without creating annoying clumps.
How I found L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
My eyelash game had previously been pretty weak. For years, I jumped around from brand to brand trying to find the right mascara for me, but to no avail. Whether from my local drugstore or a high-end brand at Sephora, everything I tried was either too subtle for my naturally flat eyelashes or way too clumpy, giving the illusion of spider legs for lashes (which is a cardinal sin in the makeup world).
It wasn’t until March 2020 that I found the antidote to my mascara woes. Like most of the population during this time, I was stuck indoors mindlessly scrolling through TikTok for hours each day when suddenly, a video of a girl flaunting her seemingly miles-long lashes appeared on my For You page. Intrigued, I halted my thoughtless scroll and watched as she whipped out L’Oréal’s simple, golden tube of mascara. In just a few swipes, I witnessed the girl’s lashes magically rise in length and bloom in volume. I closed the app, ran to Amazon, immediately purchased the product and have never looked back since.
Why it’s a score
Since my initial pandemic-era purchase, L’Oréal’s Paris Telescopic Mascara has become my daily mascara of choice. Whereas my eyelashes were previously invisible, I now can’t seem to escape comments like “Your lashes are so long!” or “What mascara do you use?” from friends and strangers alike. And because I’m no gatekeeper, I respond by rehashing my daily mascara routine: give each lash a good 10 pumps using your eyelash curler, apply however many generous swipes of L’Oréal’s Telescopic Mascara you desire, perhaps add in a line of eyeliner for that extra oomph and boom! Eyelashes for days. For less than $15, this mascara makes you look like a million bucks.
L’Oréal’s mascara can lend its pristine finish to its lean, flexible elastomer wand. With one straight, flat line of bristles along all four sides of its head, it’s nearly impossible to pick up unsightly clumps or have those awkwardly underwhelming lashes against a full face of makeup. If volume is your top priority, the wand’s simple design additionally makes it easy to bulk up the mascara layers without weighing down your eyelids.
For those who desire maximum volume while still maintaining L’Oréal’s exceptional lash-separating precision, I recommend trying the “mascara cocktailing” technique, pairing the Telescopic Mascara with Maybelline’s Lash Sensational mascara. Together, this mascara duo is a match made in heaven. Maybelline only enhances L’Oréal’s lengthening abilities and takes its inherent volume up a notch. I add Maybelline into my mascara regimen for special occasions or when I’m feeling a little extra on any given day.
Overall, the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara is more than deserving of its TikTok-approved reputation as a makeup routine must-have. Take it from me — I can’t go a day without it. With clumpless swipes stretching your lashes to lengths you never thought reachable, this unassuming tube of volumizing goodness gives expensive name brands a run for their money.