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Mascara Comparison: Benefit Bad Gal Lash and Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

January 23rd, 2011 by Karen 26 Comments

Jessica

Friend me on FacebookWritten by Jessica

The battle for lash supremacy continues! Blogger Jessica pits two powerhouses of the beauty world together in today’s guest post. Wimpy lashes better look out!

Oh, I’ve had my share of struggles with high-end mascaras, and I’m sure you have too. Are they worth paying a premium for when there are so many more affordable options out there? It depends, but for the past few months I have been using and loving Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara. As a matter of fact, I named it my Holy Grail / Must-Have Product of 2010.

But because my mom has been raving about Benefit Bad Gal Lash for months, I decided to finally pit the two mascaras together in an ultimate battle of the brands.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash — $19 (Sephora)

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash — $22 (Sephora)

The Packaging

I like the way both products are packaged, but I give the advantage to Bad Gal for its amazing brush. Super thick and substantially longer than the brush included with Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash, it’s just plain better in my opinion. Other than that, however, the packaging for both mascaras is fairly standard (tube and wand).

The Application

As covered in the video down below, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash applies rather clumpy, but it thickens the heck out of lashes and does so better than Bad Gal. The formula’s also much darker, but Bad Gal applies like a dream, lengthening better with greater definition. As far as application, I’d call this one a tie.

The Lasting Power

Lasting power is extremely important to me. Some might say I put all of my eggs in one basket on this one, but overall I think that if a mascara doesn’t last through the night, beautiful or not, what’s the point?

Well, Benefit Bad Gal Lash really disappointed me here. Despite applying like dream, it just didn’t last, leaving my lashes dull and lifeless well before the end of the day, while Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash, despite its clumpy formula, lasted all day and night.

Seeing them in action

No Mascara


Not wearing any mascara


Not wearing any mascara

One coat of each


Wearing one coat of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and one coat of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right


Wearing one coat of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and one coat of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right

Two coats of each


Wearing two coats of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and two coats of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right


Wearing two coats of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and two coats of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right

The Winner

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash!

Wearing Smoky Lash, my lashes looked longer, thicker, darker and more impressive at the end of the day, and since lasting power matters more to me than almost anything else when it comes to mascaras, the extra $3 for Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash is a premium I’m willing to pay. Benefit Bad Gal Lash applied beautifully and really gave my lashes that “goddess” look, but it just didn’t stand the test of time.

To see what I thought about Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash (My Favorite Mascara of 2010) versus Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara (My Favorite Mascara of January 2011), click here.

Jessica

Friend me on FacebookWritten by Jessica

I’m a little bit like Batman — a law student by day, and a makeup enthusiast/beauty product hoarder by night! I started my website, BellaLiberté, to trade beauty tips and info on the best sales, and to make sure my stash of beauty products wouldn’t go to waste. Whether you’re a beauty aficionado or brand new to makeup, come say hi.

Mascara Comparison: Benefit Bad Gal Lash and Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash / Originally published January 23rd, 2011

There are 26 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Video Keywords: benefit, guest post, make up for ever

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Comments

  1. Tanisa Olivia Rossi says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    Excellent review! I’ve been MUFE Smoky Lash and I loved it, I must buy it again. :
    Tanisa Olivia Rossi recently posted … Friday Night Hair Haul Review

    Reply
  2. Merv says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    My experience: For whatevs reason, the wear of Bad Gal improves DRAMATICALLY after it dries/thickens up a bit in the tube. Thus, the first week of Bad Gal is never as good as the three months following.

    Reply
  3. Arianne says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Great review! Your lashes definitely do look longer with Smoky Lash.

    I love the MUFE Smoky Lash myself. I had huge problems with the Bad Gal especially when it comes to holding a curl. I just did not like it at all.

    Reply
  4. Tiffany says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Nice review! Bad Gal used to be my go-to mascara until I switched to using drugstore mascaras mainly.

    Reply
  5. Terri says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Thanks for the review! I know that the MUFE mascara seemed to last a long time, but is it waterproof? I have a problem with my eyes watering, which usually = raccoon eyes if I am not wearing waterproof (or tube) mascara.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 23rd, 2011 at 3:18 pm

      No. But MUFE does make a waterproof version called Aqua Smoky Lash that is waterproof even when submerged! It’s really nice for those who have problems with smudging and smearing! However, word of warning it is really difficult to get off. You need a quality makeup remover to really get it all off. But the formula and application is amazing just like the non-waterproof version!

      Reply
  6. Gina says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    I’ve used Bad Gal in the past, but I actually hated the brush! I usually don’t get along with big, huge, clunky wands; I end of up with product on my lids, under my lashes, and a poke in the eye. The MUFE wand looks so nice and sleek, though, much more appealing to me. I might have to give this mascara a shot!

    Reply
  7. dani@callitbeauty says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    i’ve used bad gal before and wasn’t really impressed. i’ve been wanting to try smoky lash for a while though, glad to know it lasts a while! that’s one of the most important things for me when it comes to mascara.

    thanks, jessica!
    dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Collection Spotlight- Marchesa – Resort 2011

    Reply
  8. Tracy says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Great review! I used to use BadGal, but then I got tired of the raccoon eyes at the end of the day. I’ve never tried MUFE Smoky Lash, might have to one day but I’m currently loving mainly drugstore mascaras.
    Tracy recently posted … Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse

    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    NGL, I kind of freaked out a tiny bit when I saw the title of this review. These are probably two of my *absolute favorite* mascaras. I really appreciate the detailed comparison! I’ve been using Bad Gal Lash for the last month or so (after like, years of drugstore mascaras) and the application is just heavenly. I actually really recently noticed that it has faded by the time I get home from work… I’ll have to take that into consideration when I’m on the mascara market again!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 23rd, 2011 at 6:35 pm

      I am glad you kind of freaked out a tiny bit…because I love both mascaras as well. I wanted to give a good comparison of them both so that those of us who love mascara but hate getting taken on a run for our money, could see a strong comparison of two great mascaras! I am glad you found this helpful. I really wish the Benefit Bad Gal Lash would have lasted longer because it looks incredible on the eyes!
      Jessica recently posted … Nail of the Day- OPIs Oh So Glam

      Reply
  10. Katie says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    This was such a cute (and helpful!) post!
    Katie recently posted … Fitness Challenge

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 23rd, 2011 at 6:35 pm

      Thank you!!!! I am glad you found it helpful!
      Jessica recently posted … Nail of the Day- OPIs Oh So Glam

      Reply
  11. mint says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    thanks for the helpful comparison!
    mint recently posted … Apothicacom Giftcard Giveaway

    Reply
  12. Jen says

    January 23rd, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    I’ve tried both as well… I like MUFE’s better. I wanted to love BADgal, but the formula was a bit too dry for me.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 24th, 2011 at 6:18 am

      I didn’t find Benefit Bad Gal to be drying, but I did find that it’s lasting power was nearly non-existent. It definitely bummed me because I wanted to love it so much.
      Jessica recently posted … Nail of the Day- OPIs Oh So Glam

      Reply
  13. Olga says

    January 24th, 2011 at 5:04 am

    for me bad gal lash looks great on lashes, unfortunatly I didn’t like it. Need to try the MUFE one

    xx Olga
    Olga recently posted … Meet my little zoo

    Reply
  14. Kim says

    January 24th, 2011 at 6:11 am

    That’s too bad about the staying power of Bad Gal because it looks really nice in your photos. How do you think the MUFE compares to YSL Faux Cils and Lancome Hypnose?

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 24th, 2011 at 6:17 am

      I have yet to try either of those, but you better believe I am writing them down to do a comparison. I compared Diorshow to Chanel Inimitable not too long ago and it was really difficult to tell the difference. Both applied amazingly and looked fantastic on the lashes. I didn’t write a post on it, but I think when you’re paying around $30 for a mascara it should wow you. I will definitely have to compare those two soon!
      Jessica recently posted … Nail of the Day- OPIs Oh So Glam

      Reply
  15. Marina says

    January 24th, 2011 at 8:44 am

    I love Smoky Lash, it’s the best mascara i’ve tried and i’ve tried a bazillion! My lashes are the bane of my life – scarce and so thin they are hardly visible 🙁 But the last SL i got is horrible, i don’t know the reason – either it’s dried or was improperly stored – but its formula has gone all awry and seems to be disintegrating. So disappointing i’m kind of afraid to repurchase again.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 26th, 2011 at 6:03 pm

      That’s so disappointing! Sounds like a bad tube! I have noticed when it dries out…it’s done. There is no resurrecting it from the dead. Haha. Which kind of bites because you can sometimes get a little of life out of drying-to-dry mascaras. 🙁

      Reply
  16. elwoods says

    January 25th, 2011 at 6:29 am

    Wow I have been wanting to get MUFE smoky lash for awhile but still can’t justify the price right now. I will stick to my CG ashblast and L’oreal Voluminous! I love the way you line your eyes! So subtle and really brings them out though? What do you use? What is your technique? Maybe another post? 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 26th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

      Are you familiar with tight lining? I tight lined the top of my lids and just ran some Benefit Waterproof Bad Gal Liner in my waterline. I only take it about 2/3rd the way though the waterline though. I find lining my entire eye closes my eye a lot! Maybe I’ll do a post on how it’s done in the future. A lot of my video tutorials on http://www.bellaliberte.com feature this technique. For a specific video check out my Fake It ‘Til You Make It – Universal Makeup” tutorial. It’s from January 12th. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Whitney says

    January 26th, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Hmmm, have to respectfully disagree on this one. I find that the MUFE flakes like CRAZY on me! I was a long time Bad Gal enthusiast, but it doesn’t give the same drama as some others… I do agree with the previous comment that Bad Gal gets better after a week (weirdly enough), it definitely does! I’ve been loooooving Hypnose Drama by Lancome, lately.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      January 26th, 2011 at 6:00 pm

      Definitely. Not everything works for everyone if it did, there would be no need for multiple brands or formulas. I have noticed my MUFE smoky lash flakes a lot more on my eyes toward the end of it’s 3 month life. However, I don’t notice a lot of flaking at the beginning or even middle of it’s life. I have yet to try Lancome Hypnose Drama but it is definitely on my list! Thanks for your honest opinion. 🙂

      Reply
      • Whitney says

        January 26th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

        I do sometimes wonder about the product turnover of my local sephora, so you may be on to something– I noticed that it flaked right away, it may very well have been a bad tube.
        Oh, Hypnose Drama has been in all of lancome’s gifts this year, including their online sampling– good way to check it out. The brush took a little getting used to (it’s weird and S shaped), and it’s veeeerrry juicy at first, but after like 2 uses it was all good. (it also tends to flake towards the end of its lifespan, but i’m thinking that’s just the norm.)

        Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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