Monday 14 May 2012

Review: Maybelline Illegal Lengths

I spotted Maybelline's new mascara whilst browsing the aisles of Boots the other day and as usual, thought it was a must-buy to review for you all. I believe this mascara is actually a re-formulated re-release of the old Illegal Lengths so for those of you who loved the last one... it's back! I generally love Maybelline mascaras, I think they are amongst the very best on the high street, so as always when they release a new mascara... I snatched it up!
I'm normally more of a 'volume' girl, so I wasn't convinced that I'd love this one quite as much as my Colossal Volum' or The Falsies but I gave it a whirl over the weekend and was generally impressed.


It's a fibre mascara that claims to add up to 4mm length to your lashes. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with fibre mascaras. Some I love, some I find just a pain to work with (usually high street options fall into this category!)


The packaging is a rather unusual curved silver tube. I don't love it but I think it's nice they're taking a step back from the bulkier tubes that house The Falsies and Colossal. The brush is a little on the long side for easy application, I found it a little fiddly to apply, especially on the bottom lashes.
I found this mascara adds significant length to the lashes, but also adds a boost of volume too. The results are really pretty and surprisingly clump-free, however I think something is lacking here... for me personally, this mascara just isn't quite dramatic enough. It's a nice mascara but it's not groundbreaking.
The staying power is good. I find the one downfall of Maybelline mascaras is that they tend to smudge on the bottom lashes after a few hours, but I find Illegal Lengths isn't as prone to this as the Falsies.

Overall I was impressed, but not blown away, by this mascara. It might not be dramatic enough for those who like the doll eyed effect, but if you're a more natural girl, this could be for you! It certainly adds a good amount of length to your lashes and it's undeniably one of the better high street fibre-extension mascaras!


You can pick up Illegal Lengths now, priced at £8.49.
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42 comments

  1. I have the same problem with smudging on the bottom lashes! Great review, can't wait to try this on myself! Oh and amazing eyes!

    http://dugongsss.blogspot.com

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  2. I need a new mascara, this seems ok but like you say, nothing groundbreaking! Shame :( xx

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  3. i still haven't found anything that beats ysl for me, but thanks for the review! xx

    http://thebeautydish.blogspot.com/

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  4. I've been loving Maybellines Great Lash lots of lashes it does not smudge on the lower lash!

    http://simonebeautyxox.blogspot.ca/

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  5. I have almost no eyelashes on bottom, so I never bother to apply mascara there.

    I'm also in love with YSL.

    http://apeekofmarislife.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for the review Fleur. I am quite interested to try out this mascara as I've been looking for something new :)

    raspberrylipstick.blogspot.com

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  7. Not really a huge fan of fibre mascara's. I think they tend to get really clumpy when they start to dry out a bit!

    www.cosmeticintelligence.blogspot.com

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  8. Really want to try this

    www.summerlightrunway.blogspot.com

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  9. are there any mascaras you would recommend that are particularly good as they don't smudge on the bottome lashes- I always have a problem with this!

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  10. Cool! It's great that they don't smudge. That problem was constant with my old Falsies mascara. I think they've reformulated that one in the past year though as well?
    I haven't tried a fibre mascara yet, I recently hauled Lash Catcher after I read your review (and saw how STELLAR your lashes looked in a Feb video of yours!).
    I'm more of a dramatic volume girl too, I think that this would be awesome layered with another mascara! Will deffo pick one up in the coming months xx

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  11. I'm currently loving Boots 17 peep show (I think that's the name) mascara, and I'm loving it, didn't expect it to be so great for the price. I was wondering what this mascara might be like, good review but I think I'll stick with my Peep Show for a now :)

    http://jasrocksout.blogspot.co.uk/

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  12. You're lashes look stunning...looks like a must buy for me!!!!

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  13. Stunning lashes.

    http://tealeafcafe.blogspot.com

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  14. I think this looks quite good, although I am bad for getting mascara smudges underneath my bottom lashes :/ I might look a bit further in to this as I am in need of a new mascara.

    Frances xx

    http://francescassandra.blogspot.com

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  15. I've heard great things about this mascara & can't wait for it to arrive to my local drugstore. :)
    Take care,
    xoxo


    Visit: thereviewella.blogspot.com

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  16. I've had my eye on this mascara for a while now, thanks for the review.
    http://pixie-myworld.blogspot.co.uk/

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  17. So glad I read this review, I was just off to have a look at this mascara! But I'm a big fan of the doll eyed/dramatic lashes look so I think I might pass! Though who knows what result you could get if you combined 2 mascaras?
    www.withlove-rosemarie.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. I'm with you on sharing the love for Maybelline mascaras! I hadn't heard of this one but I like anything that adds length so I just may purchase it.. thanks to you! I'm using the Falsies Flared mascara at the moment and I really like it. I reviewed it on my blog if you'd like to take a look - http://asubtledifference.blogspot.co.uk/ xxx

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  19. It looks lovely on! My mascara never looks that lovely! xo

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  20. i love this mascara, i've recently started using the elf wet clear gloss with it and they are a power couple for sure!

    http://janalyric.blogspot.com/

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  21. i like the length that it gives xx

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  22. I just got this mascara too, I like wear it everyday, but I wouldn't wear it to go out at night.
    xx-B
    http://thegreyclover.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. Every mascara I buy, even the high end ones, smudge on my bottom lashes. I do love Maybelline mascaras though, especially for volume. I ran out omy Falsies months ago and still haven't repurchased it. xoxox

    heytheremma.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. Thanks for the review - I love maybeline mascaras but have not tried this one yet. Think I might get it now; you're lashes are lovely! Xo

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  25. Hmm looks like I need to give this mascara a go :) Thx for sharing Fleur and btw, I ordered your rose gold bracelet and I absolutely looooove it!! xx

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  26. It looks gorgeous on the lashes! I never seem to get on with Maybelline mascaras tho xxx I do want to try some of the fiber mascaras and I find they give me great length xxx

    www.sparkleinsequins.com

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  27. I never really get on with Maybelline mascaras usually but this one looks interesting, might pick it up next time I am in Boots! Thanks Fleur!

    http://missjaynebecca.blogspot.co.uk/

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  28. oo i'm such a fan of ONE by maybelline, collassal used to be my fave and then tried ONE out and never turned back however this mascara does look interesting I'd like to see what it does to my lashes!

    http://honeyteaandbiscuits.blogspot.co.uk/

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  29. I felt the same, it's a good mascara but not amazing. L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes will always be my favourite :)

    http://maligreen.blogspot.co.uk

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  30. I have this too and I really enjoy it. Strange, the packaging is different in the US than the UK one.

    www.seventhingsbeauty.blogspot.com

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  31. I've been wanting this mascara for a while because I'm more of a girl who looks for length. A bit disappointed that you weren't a fan, but I'll probably still give it a go myself. Great review!

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  32. I'm always more of a volume mascara girl too but I might need to try this out, looks pretty good.

    Just Another Day:
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  33. I do hate trying new mascaras, such a waste if they arent great!

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  34. Wow, thats rather different packaging for Maybelline!
    I still can't go past the Max Factor 2000calories mascara though.
    - Kristy

    http://summerxmermaids.blogspot.com.au

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  35. Your lashes look great with this mascara! It's nothing mind blowing but it definitely looks like a nice product. I'm gonna try some Maybelline mascaras soon! I always read good things about their formulas

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  36. I love Maybelline mascaras - definitely the best 'drug store' ones!! xx

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  37. I use this on the tips of my lashes before the diorshow w the comb brush & its perfect!

    Drobehead.tumblr.com

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  38. Looks amazing!!!!!
    KoreanKosmetics.blogspot.com

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  39. I love love love this mascara! For a drugstore mascara it's excellent, it gives me lashes length and doesn't look clumpy, it's great :)

    www.buttonsnbows101.blogspot.com

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  40. I have the same eye color (:

    http://julieknowshow.blogspot.com/

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  41. Hope they release this in Malaysia! Looks really nice on your eye! =) Problem is, all my mascaras seem to go dry really quick recently.. Though it was Maybelline cz that's what we use most, but then my mom bought a ZA one, n I got a Revlon one, n same thing! We think it's the hot n humid weather.. =(

    www.petitemodel87.blogspot.com

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