The universe of mascaras is infinite. It is probably the most used product, even by people who don’t regularly wear makeup. If you were to conduct a poll, most people would say it is the single product they would choose if they had to live forever with only one makeup item. It lifts the lashes, frames the eyes, and gives luminosity to the iris.
The L’Oréal Telescopic mascara has been one of my favorites ever since its launch. No matter what, I always have a spare one in my makeup drawer. I can try a new one every time, yet I still come back to this iconic mascara. The original Telescopic was launched in 2005, and the latest version- which I am comparing the OG to here in 2025- is the Extensionist version. You will notice more differences than similarities between the two products.
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After making this comparison and really getting into the details, I know how each one performs. They both remain my favorites, just used for different looks.
L'Oréal Telescopic OG
I will start with the OG Telescopic mascara, and when I talk about the Extensionist one, you will see exactly how each one performs and why I think these two are the most iconic mascaras from the brand.
The OG Telescopic mascara currently nowadays in 3 shades, plus a waterproof must-have version:
- Black Noir
- Black Brown
- Blackest Black
I have had my share of time playing with brown mascaras, and the best one to use for my hair tone and lashes is actually the black one, because it emphasizes the color of my eyes and makes my lashes look more visible and voluminous. The waterproof version of the OG mascara comes in blue packaging, but I have never tried it, as I believe it’s more for events and I don’t enjoy the hassle of removing it at the end of the day. The OG Telescopic washable mascara comes in a already very recognizable metallic-like gold tube with a long, conical shape.
Did I mention it is a drugstore product? That means it is widely available and offerred at a decent price. While it doesn’t cost 2 dollars, it leans more toward the $15 mark as of 2026. The OG washable formula promises longer lashes, suitability for sensitive eyes, and 24-hr wear.
About the 24-hours wear claim, I can say that it does stay on your lashes, but the overall look of the eye is no longer as intense after 6-8 hours. Although you will not have fallout, it feels like the intensity of the lash color fades and the volume is not as high as in the beginning. It’s like after 8-10 hours the mascara gets tired- just like us:)). The mascara doesn’t smear around the eye area, so it lives up to the expectations and will not fail you.
If you have some natural lash length, this mascara will make your lashes stand out. For me, since I have naturally curled lashes, it enhances this curl and keeps it for the whole wear time. However, if your lashes are stubbornly straight, it won’t do much in that department.
My eyes don’t sting or water during use. I do have very sensitive eyes, so strong light or wind will make them water, but not the mascara itself. In fact, even with all these tears, the mascara stays in place and doesn’t run underneath.
Can we talk about the brush? I think it’s one of the most important aspects when it comes to a mascara. The OG Telescopic brought innovation when it first launched. The applicator is a flexible, precision elastomer brush whose main purpose is to lengthen first, and then add volume to the lashes. This is not a “spidery” lash look mascara. Although you can build it up to a level where it can become clumpy, that is not the look I go for. I like long, curled, separated, natural-looking (not spiky) lashes that are well defined. There is a comb side to the brush that will separate the lashes specifically for this purpose.
I like the fact that I can use the mascara right from the first time I open it, because the formula is not too watery like many other mascaras are. A little tip I’ve learned from a very well-known makeup artist is that, if you want your lashes to look fuller, you need to tightline between the lashes with a gel liner or just dark eyeshadow before applying mascara. It makes a huge difference!
The mascara washes away at the end of the day with my normal double-cleanse method (step one: cleansing balm+ step two: cleanser). For a simple skincare nighttime routine, read my blog post HERE. There are only a few steps you need to follow, and it will make your evening routine much shorter and more efficient. The only thing you need to do is switch products according to your skin’s needs.
L'Oreal Telescopic Extensionist
I truly love this mascara, even though it is so different from the OG one. In the end, the only thing that connects them is the fact that their main purpose is lengthening the lashes- like a “telescope looking at the sky”. Throughout the years, I have tried a few of the Telescopic versions that came out on the market, and this is the mascara I have liked the most.
I love it for the instant length and curl it gives me, but it takes some practice and patience to work with. it is very easy to make mistakes, as the brush deposits a lot of product from the very beginning. Because of this, so you will need to start slowly at the bottom of the lashes and wiggle your way through to the ends, but do so very carefully.
It is one of those mascaras that comes out “wet”-it’s more liquid in the tube, and it feels like it takes longer to dry on the lashes. I understand now that the formula is very different from the OG, hence the “wetness”. When I start applying it to the lashes, I must stay very still and not blink, as every little flinch will cause stains on my lid. Because it takes time to dry, you might think after a while that you are good to go, only to blink and end up with another stain. By the way don’t panic: let the stain dry down and gently remove it with a spoolie.
The Extensionist mascara gives me instant length just as the OG does, but when it comes to volume, I feel like it looks a bit more clumpy- meaning the lashes look fuller, but not in a natural way like the individual-lash volumizing effect of the OG. I don’t need much product to get the volume effect, so I need to work carefully and preferably avoid adding extra layers.
What makes this mascara truly “wow” is the curl and the longevity of that curl. This is achieved mostly through the shape of the wand, as well as the formula.
The Extensionist mascara wand has denser, silicone bristles with hundreds of short and long teeth arrayed along the curve of the wand. The wand is curved- as you can see from the picture- mimicking the natural contour of the eye. While the core is stiff, the bristles have soft tips for pushing up and curling the lash.
The curve does last longer than when using the OG Telescopic mascara, which is amazing for anyone who has stubborn or short lashes and has lost hope. The eye suddenly looks open and luminous, and everything looks lifted and snatched. It is an instant “wake-up” look!
This mascara takes more than water and a regular cleanser to remove. This is because of the formula- you can read more below on why.
Main comparison points between the OG and the Extensionist mascaras
The wand
- The OG: Has a stiff skinny wand with fewer bristles, which are widely spaced with 4 flat combs to comb through lashes. The bristles are made of silicone/rubber and have tight alignment.
- Extensionist: The wand is curved, with hundreds of bristles, with short and long tips for lifting the lash.
The stem flexibility
- The OG: (referring to the entire mascara brush, from the tip to the cap-handle.) It is very flexible, bends easily, and makes manipulating the wand easier.
- Extensionist: The stem is firm, which helping you create lift and curl.
Lash effect
- The OG: Lashes have ultra-fine separation and length, giving a natural yet dramatically enhanced look.
- Extensionist: The lash lift is strong and holds a curve, with long-lasting results. It can create a “spidery” or clumpy effect if you are not paying attention and applying it gently.
Formula
- The OG: A classic wax-and-water emulsion, with a wet-to-creamy texture that stays lightweight. You really don’t feel anything on your lashes, and it is easy to work with right from the very beginning. It has no fibers, relying instead on traditional paraffin, beeswax, and carnauba (a natural plant wax) to softly coat individual lashes.
- Extensionist: A polymer-gel formula that enables film-forming. It feels “wetter” and is formulated with synthetic lengthening fibers (Rayon) and film-forming acrylates/polymers.
Neihter of the two is vegan, because they contain beeswax. If you prefer vegan options, you can try the Telescopic Lift mascara, as it contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Wear time and ease of removal and
- The OG: The OG Telescopic wears nicely throughout the day, with minor fallout and minimal intensity fading. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this, but eyelashes often loose some pigment intensity by the end of the day; with this specific mascara, that only happens in a minimal way. I don’t get “panda eyes” if tears or humidity are involved, and it doesn’t smear if you touch your eyes. It comes off easily at the end of the day with my normal double-cleanse routine.
- Extensionist: Wears nicely throughout the day with minor fallout, no “panda eyes”, and no smudging. I do not recommend using it for your lower lashes (since it takes longer to dry and is wetter in the beginning, it can stain the under-eye area). The lashes stay wonderfully curled. However, because of the form-filming polymers, it requires micellar water or a biphasic makeup remover to break down the product, followed by double-cleanse routine.
Final Thoughts
For the way I personally like my lashes to look, my overall preference is still the Original Telescopic version. Both my top and bottom lashes get defined and lengthened for a “naturally dramatic” look. On the other hand, the Extensionist mascara is ideal for lifting and curling stubborn, straight upper lashes. I wonder if I could combine them:))
Which one is your favorite if you’ve ever tried either of them? Leave your answer in the comment section below!