Traditionally, Benefit has been renowned for its mascaras, but for a while, a standout product had been elusive. This has changed with the launch of the Benefit Fan Fest Mascara, which has been undergoing rigorous testing. While there was an obsession with Rollerlash years ago, the memory of its performance has faded. However, from the very first application of the Benefit Fan Fest Mascara, it was clear this would be a personal favorite. The mascara builds impressively, even with three coats, and it lasts well on the lashes without smudging or causing panda eyes the following morning. It also removes easily with regular makeup removal.
The Benefit Fan Fest Mascara is currently the go-to in many makeup bags. For those seeking a more affordable alternative, the Sky High mascara is a highly recommended option. After switching to this Benefit mascara, constant compliments were received, which was unexpected given the vast number of mascaras available to meet every lash need. This can make choosing the right mascara challenging, often leading to sticking with familiar favorites. Personal long-time favorites include the Better Than Sex Mascara from Too Faced for volume and the Bad Gal Bang! from Benefit for length and density. However, the new Benefit Fan Fest fanning mascara has earned a permanent place in the rotation.
The Appeal of Fanned-Out Lashes
Long, fanned-out lashes are a prominent beauty trend, typically achieved with false lashes or eyelash lifts. The Benefit Fan Fest mascara was tested to see if it could deliver a similar effect, and the results have been thrilling. The mascara promises "fan-tastic" lashes, primarily due to its special brush head. This brush is curved in a way that separates lashes for optimal curl, and the Full-Flex Fiber Brush aids in making lashes appear more defined and multiplied.
Innovative Brush and Formula
The fanned-out effect is not solely attributed to the brush; the mascara's formulation also plays a significant role. It contains cranberry extract, rich in nourishing fatty acids, and Vitamin B5 to ensure well-groomed lashes. Rice wax is included to define and separate lashes, providing a long-lasting curl.
How to Achieve the Best Results
To apply the Fan Fest mascara, the brush should be placed at the lash line and gently swept towards the tips. This process is repeated several times, and for the ultimate curl, the curved brush is held vertically against the lashes on the final pass.
In-Depth Review and Performance
The Benefit Fan Fest Mascara is highly effective for creating a fanned-out look and is considered worth the hype. It demonstrates excellent longevity, enduring stressful office days and sweaty workouts. The mascara is layerable and does not clump or crumble, even after repeated application, while feeling remarkably lightweight. Initially, it was thought that the mascara improved with a slight drying-out period, similar to some other formulas. At first, it was considered another good mascara from the brand, providing neat fanning of uneven lashes with added volume and length, described as effective yet classy. However, after about a week of use, the impression deepened, attributed to it becoming slightly drier. It then secured the position as a favorite mascara. A minor complaint was the potential for it to leave marks just below the brows on oily eyelids if not applied carefully. This led to a surprising realization: the mascara was making lashes long enough to touch the brow bones.
Further investigation revealed that the mascara seemed to make lashes darker and longer, even after cleansing. This led to the question of whether the mascara could actually promote lash growth. A boyfriend's puzzled comment about mistaking lashes for fakes prompted a side-by-side before-and-after comparison, which was astonishing. The difference in lash length, even without mascara after a month of use, was significant. When compared with mascara applied, the results were amplified, showcasing "Bambi lashes" that could be achieved with a less built-up application for a classy, smooth look.
This mascara offers a convenient alternative to lash serums, as it doesn't require remembering daily application. At approximately £20, it is also more affordable than many lash serums. While it cannot be definitively promised to make lashes grow, it demonstrably did for the reviewer.
Ingredient Analysis
Initially, there was a concern about claiming lash growth if not explicitly stated by the brand. However, an examination of the mascara's ingredients revealed a deliberate inclusion of lash-loving components. These include conditioning Provitamin B5, fatty acids from nourishing cranberry extract, and rice wax for definition, separation, and lasting lift. The formula is designed to improve lash health, which it clearly did for the reviewer. This suggests a potentially long-term relationship with the Fan Fest mascara.
A Hater's Conversion: The Fan Fest Mascara Experience
The reviewer admits to a long-standing dislike for Benefit mascaras, citing issues with removal (They’re Real), uncomfortable wands (They’re Real), eye irritation (Roller Lash), and smudging (Bad Gal Bang). Therefore, a new Benefit mascara launch was initially low on the excitement list. However, due to persistent requests from followers to review the Fan Fest mascara, it was purchased and tested. The review begins with the packaging, which is described as a sleek, shiny black tube with blush pink detailing and a ridged handle that mimics a fan effect - simple yet appealing.
The brush of the Fan Fest Mascara is a departure from Benefit's previous molded, rubberized brushes, utilizing synthetic fiber bristles instead. The wand features a curve, tapering to a point, which was a point of excitement for the reviewer, as this type of wand is preferred. A consistent positive attribute of Benefit mascaras is their rich black pigment, and the Fan Fest Mascara lives up to this standard. The formula is described as creamy and works well with the wand. Ingredient-wise, it's a wax-heavy formula, with Rice Wax being a key ingredient for defining and separating lashes.
The initial application of the Fan Fest Mascara was surprisingly impressive. The mascara felt lightweight on the lashes, even when built up significantly. It delivered on length, separation, and lift. The most striking aspect was the fullness of the lashes without appearing overly voluminous, fulfilling the "full fan effect" promise. It even picked up lashes that were previously unnoticed. A 9-hour wear test was conducted under demanding conditions, including temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius while gardening. The mascara held up remarkably well, with only the lift slightly diminishing by 5 PM. A notable point is that an oil-based cleanser is required for removal.
The reviewer expresses disbelief at loving a Benefit mascara, stating it was not anticipated for 2023. The Fan Fest Mascara is hailed as an absolute thumbs-up, a contender for the best of the year, and highly recommended, especially during sales, acknowledging the price tag.
Allure's "One to Watch" Recognition
The Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara has been recognized by Allure as part of their "One to Watch" franchise, highlighting innovative products. The article questions the need for yet another mascara, given the abundance of lengthening, volumizing, defining, and curling formulas already available. Many mascaras promise length but often come with drawbacks like clumps, smudges, and flakes. The Fan Fest Mascara is presented as a product that changes this, offering impeccably fanned-out lashes without the struggle of combing through clumps. The ease of application and the resulting eye-opening effect, without the need for touch-ups or cleaning up smudges, earned it this prestigious title.
Development and Innovation
Benefit Cosmetics has a strong history with best-selling mascaras like They're Real!, Badgal Bang!, and Roller Lash, all of which are Allure Best of Beauty Award winners. However, each mascara focuses on a specific effect. According to Maggie Ford Danielson, director of brand outreach at Benefit Cosmetics, the brand aims to "solve" specific problems rather than create a multi-purpose "Swiss Army Knife" mascara. Observing social media content revealed that users were resorting to unsafe methods, like using safety pins or tweezers, to separate their lashes for dramatic effect. To address this, Fan Fest Mascara was developed over nearly four years and more than 50 iterations, specifically to combat clumping and achieve a fanned-out effect, which involves "expansion" and stretching lashes horizontally.
The custom wand features a 40-degree bend, designed to be "Goldilocks" - neither too big nor too small - and to hug lashes of various eye shapes. Extensive trials were conducted on diverse eye shapes, including almond, round, monolid, and hooded lids. The perfected, rounded shape of the wand easily nests into lashes and can grab the entire lash line in one sweep. What enhances its impact are the grippy, fiber bristles that "dig into the root to separate and elongate," unlike molded plastic wands. The brush has 220 bristles, each with a wave pattern that evenly distributes the formula. The wiper inside the tube limits product pickup to prevent clumping, and while buildable, the mascara is not intended for "mega-mega drama." The resulting aesthetic is fluttery and "sexy," according to makeup artist Fara Homidi.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
The ultrablack pigment is due to iron oxide, while waxes and film formers coat and thicken lashes. Rice wax provides definition and separation, and acacia senegal gum offers support for lifted lashes. A unique aspect is the matte finish, which is more so than glossier formulas like Roller Lash. This texture helps separate lashes rather than allowing them to stick together. The formula also allows for streamlined application, with minimal excess product on the brush, eliminating the need to clean bristles before use. Post-use, lashes remain non-brittle thanks to nourishing ingredients like Panthenol (vitamin B5), sunflower seed oil, and olive oil esters, which act as emollients to keep the formula malleable and prevent lashes from drying out.
Personal Testing and Application Experience
The reviewer typically wears mascara daily, preferring a defined, fresh-looking finish that enhances natural lashes without being over the top. Tubing mascaras are favored for their smudge-proof wear until removal. Upon opening the Fan Fest Mascara, the wand was noted to have the perfect amount of formula, unlike many new mascaras. After curling lashes, the wand was applied from roots to tips. A single coat separated each hair, providing a "my-lashes-but-way-better" effect. A second coat resulted in lashes literally fanning out to an unprecedented dimension. The remaining formula was applied to bottom lashes. Within a minute, lush, feathery lashes were achieved, negating the need for liquid liner. Makeup artist Holly Gowers suggests starting at the root and working upwards and outwards for an elongated effect, while Fara Homidi recommends extending outwards on the corners for a "sexy kitten lash." The results were achieved with minimal effort, without clumps or smudges.
Throughout the day, volume was maintained, and by evening, the mascara was still intact. Removal was surprisingly straightforward, not requiring significantly more effort than usual tubing mascaras. Homidi suggests using an oil-based makeup remover on a cotton round for 10 seconds to loosen the mascara before wiping, followed by a normal cleanser. Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser was also found to be effective. Mara's Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil successfully melted the mascara off, similar to its easy application.
Diverse Lash Types and Mascara Performance
For individuals with short, thin lashes that tend to curl, most mascaras fail to provide adequate length and fullness, often necessitating the use of falsies. The Fan Fest Mascara successfully addressed this, providing subtle yet wispy and long lashes for an event. The wand is easy to hold, and the applicator dispenses just enough product to fan out lashes without clumping.
For those with naturally long lashes, who may not be overly picky about mascaras, the initial impression of the Fan Fest Mascara was one of skepticism regarding curved brushes. However, the reviewer was proven wrong. The mascara's easy-to-grip, textured handle and sufficiently curved spoolie provided excellent control and built-in lash curling. A common issue with mascaras is the trade-off between length and volume, but Fan Fest offers both. The super-black formula added slight length to the tips on the first swipe, allowing for root-to-tip application. Holding the brush still near the lashes and blinking repeatedly builds the formula without clumping, resulting in a fanned-out, doll-like appearance.
For individuals with naturally curly lashes seeking added drama without excessive clumping, Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest was a hit from the first stroke. The curve-shaped wand effectively grabbed and coated every lash, including the smaller corner ones, without making them feel stiff. Two coats provided satisfactory results: long, thick lashes that were not overly dramatic. While lashes drooped slightly towards the end of the day, a third coat easily remedied this.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The price tag of a mascara does not solely determine its quality, as drugstore formulas can outperform expensive ones. However, compared to other options at Sephora, the Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara is positioned in the mid-range, priced at $28, the same as other popular Benefit mascaras like They're Real!, Badgal Bang!, and Roller Lash.