Is L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara Worth the Hype for Achieving That False-Lash Look Without the Falsies_
We are using
mascaras daily, sometimes multiple tubes simultaneously, yet the hunt for that perfect “my lashes but better” effect never really ends. When TikTok exploded with videos claiming L’Oréal Telescopic delivers “false lash results from a drugstore tube,” I was immediately skeptical. Another viral moment destined to disappoint? Or does this skinny little gold tube actually perform optical illusions on your eyelashes? The price tag hovers around $10-13, which feels almost suspiciously low for the promises being made.I bring you my two-week daily testing experience, complete with mistakes and unexpected discoveries. Let’s keep reading below!First, the physical reality of this thing:
The Telescopic mascara comes in that distinctive elongated gold packaging—slim, almost pen-like. The brush is where opinions immediately divide. It’s a flat, flexible plastic comb
with short bristles on one side and even shorter ones on the other. No fluffy fiber brush here. The first time I pulled it out, I actually wondered if I’d received a defective product. It looks… underwhelming? But some friends want the real performance breakdown, not just packaging impressions.Here’s how it stacked against my current rotation:
| Feature | L’Oréal Telescopic | Maybelline Sky High | Benefit They’re Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush type | Flat plastic comb | Curved fiber brush | Rubber ball-tip |
| Lengthening effect | Extreme—adds 3-4mm visibly | Moderate—curls more than extends | Moderate—volumizes more |
| Clumping tendency | Minimal if technique is right | Prone to spider legs | Can get spiky |
| Lower lash application | Excellent precision | Tricky, often smudges | Too bulky for detail |
| All-day wear | 10-12 hours, minimal flake | 8 hours, slight transfer | 12+ hours, bulletproof |
| Removal difficulty | Easy—warm water works | Moderate—needs makeup remover | Difficult—dedicated eye remover |
The learning curve nobody warns you about:
My first application was a disaster. I approached it like a normal mascara—wiggle at base, sweep up—and ended up with thin, separated lashes that looked barely coated. The formula is wetter than expected, and that flat brush requires a completely different technique. I almost tossed it after day one.Then I watched someone mention the “flat side against lashes” method. Game changer. You align the longer bristles with your lash line and almost comb upward in slow, deliberate strokes. No wiggling. The shorter side is for separating clumps after, or for lower lashes. This way you can actually control the product distribution rather than fighting the brush.The real questions start here:
Does it actually look like false lashes?
Honestly? From a distance, yes. Up close, obviously not—real lashes have texture, falsies are uniform. But the length extension is genuinely impressive. I have medium-length natural lashes, nothing dramatic, and this created visible tips that extended past my eyelid crease. Several people asked if I’d started using a lash serum. That’s the effect we’re talking about.What about volume? Does it deliver fullness or just length?
This is where expectations need adjusting. Telescopic is primarily a lengthening mascara
. It separates and extends, but it doesn’t build dense, fluffy volume. If you want that thick, doll-like lash line, you’ll need to layer with a volumizing formula or look elsewhere. I tried building multiple coats, and past three layers, it started looking slightly spidery rather than plush.Is the waterproof version actually necessary?
I tested both. The original formula holds up through normal days, slight humidity, even light eye watering. The waterproof version? Only grab it if you’re planning to cry, swim, or live in extreme heat. The removal process for waterproof is significantly more annoying—you need oil-based remover and patience. For daily office life, the regular formula survives just fine.The problems that emerged during testing:
The wet formula takes forever to dry. I’m talking 60-90 seconds of keeping your eyes half-open to avoid transfer. Several mornings I blinked too soon and ended up with mascara dots on my brow bone. Frustrating when you’re rushing.Also, the tube dries out faster than expected. By week three, the formula was noticeably thicker and less cooperative. Still usable, but that silky glide from day one was gone. I suspect the slim packaging exposes more product to air with each opening.Some technique refinements I figured out:
- Wipe excess product from the brush tip before application. The tube loads too much formula otherwise
- For maximum length, apply to bare lashes first, let dry 30 seconds, then add a second coat. Don’t wait fully between coats or it gets crunchy
- The flat brush works amazingly for lower lashes and those tiny inner corner hairs. Better precision than any fiber brush I’ve used
- If you get a clump, use a clean spoolie immediately. Don’t try to comb through with the mascara brush itself
Comparison to the “dupe” claims:
Beauty forums constantly compare this to high-end options like Lancôme Définicils or even Diorshow. Having used both, I’d say Telescopic is closer to Définicils in spirit—both are about clean separation and length rather than drama. Diorshow is a different category entirely, more about volume and luxury texture. The Telescopic isn’t really a dupe for anything, it’s its own specific tool.The price versus performance reality:
At roughly $11, the value proposition is strong even with the quirks. One tube lasts maybe 6-8 weeks with daily use before drying out, which is standard for mascaras. When you consider that prestige alternatives cost 3-4x more and don’t necessarily outperform on length, the math favors drugstore here.So what’s the final take?
Hope this helps you decide whether to grab it or keep scrolling. For my specific needs—natural-looking length, easy removal, lower lash precision—Telescopic has earned a permanent spot in my rotation. It’s not my only mascara, though. I pair it with a volumizing formula when I want drama, or wear it alone for clean, professional days.The viral hype is partially deserved. The length effect is real and photographable. But the technique requirement and drying time mean it’s not a grab-and-go product for everyone. If you’re impatient or prefer fluffy volume over defined length, you might end up frustrated.Detailed setup methods, let’s take a look: curl lashes first if you curl at all, wipe brush excess, align flat side to lash base, comb upward slowly, use short side for separation, wait 60 seconds before blinking fully. The blogger often uses this sequence for morning makeup when precision matters more than speed.
