Benefit has rolled out yet another mascara that is specifically designed to “grab, separate, lift, and curl” your lashes without having to use a lash curler! It also claims to work on all lash types including short and straight lashes. Well, well, well, that just sounds too good to be true! And if any mascara promises to work on short lashes? I am the perfect candidate for the test!

Shown here is a mini size that I received with my recent online order. When it comes to mascaras, I like to try a sample first because my lashes are very picky; they are short, sparse, and thin. I’d like to make sure that I really, really like it before committing to purchasing a full-size version.

So, the Roller Lash! Let’s hear the marketing buzzwords!
- The patent-pending Hook ‘n’ Roll brush, inspired by Velcro hair rolls, is supposed to catch, lift, and curl your lashes (magically) without having to use a lash curler. (OK, I added the word “magically” there myself, but anything that promises to defy the laws of gravity without an outside force has to be magical!)
- The formula is ink black, water-resistant, and leaves a satin finish.
- The super-curling mascara is supposed to hold curls for up to 12 hours!
- Contains Provitamin B5 and Serin to condition lashes during wear.

A close-up look at the Hook ‘n’ Roll brush

It is a skinny, curved, flexible plastic brush type that contains numerous short bristles and small “hooks” to grab lashes from the roots and curl them upwards while you apply the mascara. The bristles on one side (the inner curve) are smaller and shorter so I suppose they will be good for applying the mascara on the lower lashes. Since my lower lashes are pretty much non-existent, I can’t really confirm how well this mascara will work on them.
I normally prefer a smaller wand since it tends to fit my small eyes better. Plus, it tends to reach the lash roots and those tiny baby/corner lashes better, too.

Upon closer inspection, I also noticed some type of fibers sticking out from the wand which I assume to help add length to your lashes. The mascara is ink black as claimed but it’s not the blackest I have seen.


The test
First I tested the no-lash-curler-needed claim. I applied one coat of the mascara on my bare, uncurled lashes and as much as I refused to believe it, it really did curl my lashes upwards! I suppose the “Hook ‘n’ Roll” thing is real! However, due to the rather wet formula, my curls seemed to droop down a little as soon as I applied a second and third layer. This usually happens with most mascaras I have tried, though. Yep, having sparse and thin lashes is not fun at all.
Next I tested it on curled lashes. Below is the application result after 2 layers:

It’s pretty obvious that the mascara enhanced the look of my lashes. It’s not a drastic improvement by any means but the difference is noticeable. My lashes look longer (although just slightly), thicker, and fuller. My eyes seem to open up more and look more awake. I don’t notice my lashes clumping together or weighing down as long as I limit the application to 2 layers. If I apply a third layer, my lashes will tend to clump and droop down and will require a lash comb to separate them.
Let’s see a full-face shot:

I’m pretty happy with the results I see here. There is no crunchy or stiff feeling post-application and the formula lasts all day without flaking, smudging or transferring just as promised. When it comes time to remove, it comes off quickly and easily with any mild makeup remover.
I suspect the Roller Lash mascara will be yet another hit just like her sister, the They’re Real! mascara. The results I have seen online on those who have a thick and full set of lashes are incredible! They look almost like false lashes! Amazing how a little tube of mascara can do. :)
The full-size version is now available on the Benefit website and will be available in store at other retailers on Friday, February 27th. Do you think you’ll be trying it out?
I can relate when you say your lashes droop upon 2nd/3rd layer of mascara. I have the drooping issue with most mascaras, especially when the mascara needs to dry on the lashes. I found that if you let the mascara “dry out” a bit on the applicator first, it mitigates this issue, since it’s not as wet and will set right away after its applied. Thanks to the awesomeness of your macro shots, I see that there are fibres in the formula as well, so that will help someone like me with short, sparse lashes. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the great tip, Sheila! I’ll give it a go! :D It’s not fun having thin and sparse lashes. T_T
Hey Jaa, this does look pretty good! I’m sitting this one out for now because I have way too many mascaras, but if I need one in the future, I’ll give it a go! Definitely wouldn’t mind trying a little sample tube, either, but those are hard to come by in this country.
I figured you wouldn’t be interested in this one since you haven’t had much luck with Benefit products lately. ;) Are you still working on the They’re Real! Push-Up Liner or have you given up on it already? LOL
Oh I gave up. I gave it another couple of chances after I penned my review. At first everything went well and I wondered if I had decided I hate it too soon. Then one day, out of the blue, it decided to crack ALL ALONG that wacky little fold I have within 2 hours. I think it went to the bin afterwards.
It cracked?!!! That would be my last straw too! Ugh! I suppose you can’t return it? :(
Nope, that’s just not done here. Benefit is also horribly overpriced here. I’m afraid this is just a no-win situation for me :(
Just like By Terry is horribly overpriced here! We are even. ;D LOL!
It looks nice. I’m not sure Benefit will get my dollars but anything that curls, slightly lengthens and volumizes has my vote!
It does all of the above, Erin! And with eyelashes like yours, I bet you’d see a much more promising result! :)
I can definitely relate to the droop thing! It doesn’t happen with all mascaras, but the ones it does happen with are absolute champions at it – they’ll completely straighten out a curl I’ve put in, and *then* make them droop further! >_<
The effect looks pretty on you – I'm glad to hear it comes off easily – I felt like I needed to fill an industrial grade waterblaster with eye makeup remover to get They're Real off, LOL!
Haha that one just stays ON and ON yeah?! I can think of SO many mascaras that weigh down my lashes. Maybe the problem is my lashes and not the mascara. LOL.
I wonder how well it actually holds a curl? I always curl my lashes before and after applying mascara and find that my lashes often droop and lose their curl later on :( even after just one coat and with slightly older mascaras that have dried out slightly!
I’ve been so frustrated with finding a good mascara that I’m planning to just get eyelash extensions soon >_<
I can’t figure out how to curl my lashes after I apply my mascara. My lashes always get stuck in between the curlers when I try to do it! :( For this Roller Lash one, my lashes seem to stay curled pretty much all day (if I limit to 2 layers). :)
I love the way Benefit markets there products, always just the cutest packaging!
There other mascaras have always worked well for me I really want to try this one just have too many at the moment. But im glad to see how this one works.
Great post as always
xo Mo.
Hey Mo! Thanks! I have way too many mascaras as well but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to try more. LOL. What are some of the ones that work really well for you?
hahaha im the same way. I have about 6 i am rotating at the moment lol
but my favorites that work really good for me are iT Cosmetics Tightline, Benefit they’re Real, and Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black (long time fav)
Thanks for the rec, Mo! I love the Benefit They’re Real! as well. :D
I am interested to try this out because of its curvy wand. Thanks for the review, Jaa!
No problem, Laarni! Hope you give it a try! :)
This looks pretty good, your lashes look nice and fluttery but not too caked in mascara.
Thanks, Melissa! I prefer my lashes to look natural for a day-to-day basis. If I want a lot of volume, I’ll just wear falsies. LOL.
Awesome review, hun. Again, amazing shots. I got the same sample, hehe. My review is going up tomorrow. I decided to do something a little fun and make it a link party as well – because there are a good number of reviews out on this guy from bloggers I follow. And we all have different lashes, right? I’ll include the link to your post! (if that’s ok) :-) xo
Ohhh can’t wait to read your review! I’m curious to see how it works out for you! :) Thanks for thinking of me. Please link away!! :D
I like her sister a lot good to know Evdn she is as good as her Sister ;)
Haha yep! She’s just as good! But she’s easier to remove, though. ;)
I swear I commented on this post, not sure what happened to my comment. I like the difference that it makes to your lashes. My concern is that it’s not waterproof and that it would smudge on me but I hope to get a sample to try it out.
I was making changes to the comment subscription, I probably deleted yours by accident. Sorry! I’d totally get a sample first if non-waterproof mascaras tend to smudge on you! :)
I’ve heard so many great reviews for this one so far! Looks great on your lashes :)
Thanks, Jen! :)
I’m still testing it. Have to do different tests and see how it goes. I wouldn’t go without curling my lashes though, but with a bit of curling it seems to hold them a bit better than other mascaras. Still they drop because my stubborn lashes just love to not hold in place (the suckers), and I kind of expected a miracle, lol. Probably it will be much better after some weeks of drying a bit, as it happens to most mascaras (for my taste).
I’d love read your review on this! :) Curling my lashes is a crucial step for my eye makeup routine. What’s even harder than finding the perfect mascara for me, though? Finding the perfect curler that fits my eye shape perfectly and one that doesn’t leave out any lashes uncurled. I have yet to find it. :( I think it doesn’t exist. LOL. Someone somewhere you invent a personalized curler service. Hehe.
I hate the feeling when I can sense the mascara, because then that’s all my brain concentrates on! So I usually go for the more “natural” looking effect where I don’t end up piling mascara on.
This one looks great though, I really like the wand and the after effect is generally exactly what I look for. :)
Same here! My lashes are so sparse and thin that I never attempt to cake on any mascara. It would only result in a spidery lash look on me! Eww! Hehe
Hi Jaa,
this one looks really nice on you. I have purchased they are real last year and didn’t come to terms with it all that much. I have very straight lashes and they don’t hold curl even after curlers. So I decided to stick to whatever works for me and stop experimenting not to burn money lol. Still I get small mascara samples whenever I can to give it a go ;-)
Yeah it’s rare for me to buy any full-sized mascara now… I just have sooo many samples to go through!
This definitely lends a nice, defined lash look in your side by side pic, but I don’t know, I feel like Maybelline Lash Discovery would work even better and costs a lot less. I picked up that new-fangled looking Sephora lash comb and LOVE IT! You should definitely pick one up. You can comb through clumpy mascara to get more definition. My lashes tend to droop with 3 coats of product as well. I wait until they’re completely dry and re-curl them with a lash curler very carefully and voila – problem solved! Even though I know that’s breaking the makeup laws, it works for me! :)
I have been trying to excel at curling lashes post-mascara! Maybe I just have to wait for them to be completely dry first! Thanks for the tip, Kristen! I love my MAC 205 Mascara Fan Brush but I wouldn’t mind checking the Sephora one out! :)
I can’t wait for this to come out here too as I have the feeling I’m going to love it! I didn’t like They’re Real at all (hard lashes? No thanks!) but this one sounds amazing! :) xx
Gyudy’s Notes Of Beauty
Reviews on the They’re Real! are so divided! You either really love it or hate it it seems!