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.
Written 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.
Excellent review! I’ve been MUFE Smoky Lash and I loved it, I must buy it again. :
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.
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.
Nice review! Bad Gal used to be my go-to mascara until I switched to using drugstore mascaras mainly.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
This was such a cute (and helpful!) post!
Thank you!!!! I am glad you found it helpful!
thanks for the helpful comparison!
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.
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.
for me bad gal lash looks great on lashes, unfortunatly I didn’t like it. Need to try the MUFE one
xx Olga
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?
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!
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.
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. 🙁
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? 🙂
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. 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
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.)