Duped: Blinc Kiss Me Mascara

Yes, it's a little soon for another dupe post, but I just had to share this good news. It's out! At last, L'Oreal's Double Extemsion Beauty Tubes is OUT. It's not available yet in Boots, but it is in Superdrug (although not on their site) at a promotional price of £7.99 PLUS Superdrug is having a 3 for 2 offer on ALL L'oreal products - including skincare and makeup.

I have been waiting for this mascara ever since reading this reivew by Kiss and Makeup, way back in March. It is a dupe of the cult-favourite, Blinc Kiss Me Mascara because it utilizes the same "beauty tube" technology where each lash is coated in a water resistant tube of mascara, resulting in longer, fluttery, waterproof and smudgeproof lashes that last until you slip them off with warm water. But this is one case where I think the cheaper dupe has exceeded its more expensive rival.

Although I've never tried Blinc's version, previous reviews have commented on the lack of volume or length it provides, but many love it anyway because it lives up to its claims of being waterproof, flake proof, and easy to remove. L'Oreal has matched Blinc on all these counts, and gone one up, by adding its white, fiber-filled base.

The first step uses fibers to add volume and length to your lashes. So when using it, zig zag it at the base of your lashes to gain volume, then concentrate on flicking it on the ends of your lashes, building them up until they're the length you want. I manage to build mine up to previously unseen lengths - almost looking like I had false lashes on. However, I could do with a bit more volume as my lashes looked a wee bit spidery. Still, considering how short and sparse the looking my natural lashes are, I'm certainly not complaining.

Once you've achieved your desired look, it's time to move onto the black topcoat. This can be slightly annoying as it is very sheer and completely un-clumpy. So it can take awhile to coat all your lashes, but once you have you're left with long, fluttery lashes that last and last and last.

And has it lasted? After a day of running around, and getting stuck in a hot crowded tube, my mascara has not budged, smudged, or allowed my lashes to wilt. On my oily skin this has always been a pie-in-the-sky dream for me. What's more, I even did that incredible no-no, I applied mascara to my lower lashes - almost a guaranteed racoon look for me. But this mascara has stood up to even that.

It isn't as easy to remove as I'd like though - or maybe I haven't quite got the knack of it. It took quite a few tries to gently "slip" the tubes off my lashes. But this is a price I'm more than willing to pay for this wonderful dream come true in a tube.

*Disclaimer: The "Duped" column refers only to cheaper alternatives for more expensive products. It in no way implies that the cheaper product deliberately duplicated the pricier version. In some cases, the cheaper product may pre-date the more expensive product.