Brown, Burgundy & Blue: I Tried Benefit’s New BADGal Bang Coloured Mascaras
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Say what you will about coloured mascaras, they’re making a comeback. And this beauty writer has had a front-row seat to the ’90s revival.
Before Benefit’s new BADGal Bang Coloured Mascaras were even on my radar I was already hounding our marketing team for products so that I could dive headfirst into this trend’s resurgence.
Then I got the inside scoop on Benefit’s upcoming release… needless to say, I was excited.
As a ‘90s baby who grew up in the era of blue mascara, body glitter, and frosty eyeshadow, nostalgic trends like this always pull at the heartstrings of my inner child.
Sure, they’re not for everyone, but as your self-appointed pop-culture correspondent, I’m here to make a case for colour-coated lashes.
I promise they’re not as scary as they look. Actually, they’re a super easy way to elevate an eye look.
I waited eagerly for Benefit’s new cosmic-coloured mascaras to arrive at Adore HQ.
In that time I watched as the internet declared brown mascara the new black, and then burgundy the new brown. The anticipation almost killed me.
To add insult to injury, people began claiming burgundy looks even better on green/hazel eyes. OF WHICH I HAVE!
Finally, they arrived… let’s just say my black mascaras have been looking rather lonely.
But more on this soon. First, let’s get you up to speed on this exciting new arrival.
Meet, Benefit Cosmetics BADGal Bang Mascara Colours.
If you’re a Benefit lover, chances are you’ll already be familiar with the BADGal Bang Mascara.
The cult classic is one of Benefit’s best-sellers, beloved for its volumising powers and ability to simultaneously lift, lengthen and separate each lash – speaking from experience here.
Benefit has upped the ante with a colour rendition that retains all the features you know and love of the OG Badgal Bang Mascara, now in three shades: Powder Blue, Rebel Brown and Wild Plum.
Get to know Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Bang Mascara Colours
- Designed to be smudge-proof and layered easily.
- Volumising, long-wearing mascara for up to 36 hours.
- Water-resistant, aka you can dance in the rain just don’t go swimming.
- Enriched with ProVitaminB5 to help enhance lash thickness and strength.
- Lightweight formula that feels comfortable on the lashes and is never heavy.
Not sure which coloured mascara suits you best? Here’s what Benefit suggests.
In short,
- Green Eyes: Go bold with Wild Plum.
- Blue Eyes: Opt for the warm tones of Rebel Brown.
- Brown Eyes: Brighten up with Powder Blue.
You can also refer to your skin’s undertones to find your ideal mascara shade match.
If you’re unsure, an easy way to find your undertone is to check the veins on your wrist.
For example, blue or purple veins suggest cool tones, while green suggests warm, and veins that closely match your skin indicate neutral.
Even though I’m pale, I have quite a warm undertone so earthy tones of peach, red, brown, and green suit me best. Whereas wintery and watery tones suit cool-toned people, think blues, greens, silvers and purples.
Mascaras in complementary shades will highlight your skin tone and enhance your natural features.
That said, the best part about beauty IMO is that there are no rules.
These suggestions should be taken as such: suggestions.
Don’t let the colour of your iris or your skin’s undertone hold you and your lashes back from living your best cosmic-coloured life.
I certainly haven't – let’s get into it.
My Benefit Cosmetics BADGal Bang Mascara Colours Reviews.
Powder Blue.
Let’s start with a familiar friend to most of us, blue mascara.
It’s been quite some time since I coloured my lashes cobalt. I wondered if I’d still love blue mascara as much as I did as a teen, or if it was too OTT for this twenty-something type A.
As I came to discover, with the right makeup to match, a swipe of Benefit’s Powder Blue Badgal Bang Mascara is the perfect pop of colour to jazz up an eye look.
For my fair complexion, dewy, natural skin with hints of pink, glowy cheeks and a glossy lip set the ideal scene for this bold mascara to take centre stage.
I was impressed with how bright and pigmented it was, and how quickly it coated my lashes in its colour.
The formula still felt comfortable like the OG black Badgal Bang, didn’t clump and barely transferred onto my upper eyelid – brownie points for this as most mascaras do.
Now, the real test, did I feel like a clown wearing blue mascara outside the house?
Answer: not. one. bit.
Because I’d toned down the rest of my makeup, the blue didn’t feel as in-your-face as I’d expected. The cashier at Woolies even complimented how “bright” my eyes looked–considering how tired I’ve been after a nasty cold, I’m taking that as a win!
Alternatively, if you’re more confident and makeup-versed than me, you could dial up the impact of the mascara with a lick of electric blue liner; I didn’t have one in my kit to try this time.
In summary, moving this mascara from trend to timeless from here on out.
Rebel Brown.
We started strong with a statement shade, now onto something more classically wearable.
Truth be told, I’d be wanting to get my hands on a brown mascara for ages. I’d seen chatter online about how it’s the no-makeup makeup of mascara. Obviously, I had to try it for myself.
And honestly? I don’t know if there’s a better way to describe it.
I haven’t put this mascara down since it entered my kit weeks ago. Not only does its earthy tone perfectly complement my hazel eyes, but it instantly softens a makeup look.
It feels less ‘put together’ than black mascara while still lengthening, separating and enhancing the overall look of your lashes.
I’ve been pairing it with a brown liner – my go-to as I’m sure some of you will know is the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao – to build up the mascara’s intensity.
I like to keep things fairly natural for the rest of my makeup, too: sun-kissed skin, flushed cheeks, and a matching brown or nude lip.
Wild Plum.
As you may or may not have guessed from the outset, I saved the best for last.
I don’t usually like to play favourites–I love all my children equally–however as a hazel-eyed gal, it’s hard not to be a little biased toward this complementary shade.
You see, part of the allure is that burgundy and green are opposites on the colour wheel. If you know anything about colour theory or have been keeping tabs on TikTok’s ‘colour analysis’ trend, you’ll know opposites attract.
Hence why burgundy is touted as the ideal colour for green eyes, brown for blue and inversely, blue for brown.
Keen to learn more about colour theory and skin undertones? Tune in below.
The Wild Plum isn’t as bright as I’d expected, which is perfect for subtly enhancing an eye look without taking too much attention away from the rest of the face.
Worn on its own, this mascara feels like wearing sexy underwear that you and only you know about. To those around you, it’s an air of confidence or extra pep in your step.
Paired with a burgundy lid and liner, it’s a statement. But one that is guaranteed to have the people asking “Where the heck did you find such a stunning mascara!?”
To which you respond, Adore Beauty, of course. Where else?
Final Thoughts.
Thank you Benefit for curing my winter blues with a lineup of colour-coated mascaras that my inner child and I have fallen head over heels for.
I’m not sure how I’m ever going to be able to return to black mascara again now that these beauties have entered my life.
But you know what? I’m okay with that. And I think you will be, too.
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