It takes a lot to wow me. No, I’m not being conceited – I’ve spent nearly four years as a beauty writer testing hundreds of products and, trust me, most of them barely make me raise an eyebrow.
So when I come across a product that truly impresses, I write about it. Today’s spotlight is on the new L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Mascara.
I already knew L’Oreal’s mascaras were gold-standard (I have about four in my makeup bag) but this launch creates a result I don’t think any other L’Oreal mascara does – it’s one of the best.
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, overview
Pros: Adds next-level length and definition; it’s an affordable option; it doesn’t smudge
Cons: The lengthening results are more impressive than the volumising
Price: £13.99
Overview: Any mascara that is fronted by Kendall Jenner – i.e. L’Oreal’s Global Brand Ambassador – has my attention. But, without allowing a celeb endorsement to sway my opinions, I can honestly say this has earned a permanent spot in my makeup bag.
Giving my lashes the ‘wow’ factor, it adds SO much length and definition, giving the illusion of a £13.99 lash lift! I love the jet-black pigment too as it makes my lashes appear denser than what they are.
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, reviewed
The Extensionist mascara has my ideal type of brush – dense, plastic, short bristles that don’t flick product onto my eyelids. In fact, this brush is made out of over 300 individual bristles to separate and curl each lash. So when the brand promises extension-like results, I believed every word.
Even after a few quick strokes, I was amazed at how well the wand clung onto my lashes to lift and define. As the formula is fairly thin, feel free to layer up as much as you like and it will not clump. Trust me, I put on about 10 coats and no clumping was in sight. No matter how far you go, the result will always be super fluttery lash-lift-like lashes.
The brand also uses magnetic pigments and lengthening fibres. Which is what, exactly? Basically, the ultra-black pigments grab onto every lash, defining from root to tip, while lightweight fibres cling to the ends to visibly stretch them out — giving you that long, separated effect.
When it came to the wear test, this was where I put the mascara through its paces. My morning makeup started at 7:30am where I then commuted to the office (busy London tubes included), spent a day squinting at a screen before racing home at the end of the day. By 9:30pm, when my makeup came off, there was zero smudging and my lashes looked as long as they did at the beginning of the day.
My overall thoughts? If you love lashes with a heavier, dramatic look, this isn’t for you. But if you appreciate an elevated fanned-out result that has people wondering, “Wait, are those your real eyelashes?”, then this is totally worth a spot in your collection.
Shop the L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, £13.99
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
