For the first time, I wish something had been discontinued: L’Oreal tampered with the L’Oreal Telescopic formula.
Huh…That’s Weird
When I had to travel earlier this year, I picked up a fresh tube of L’Oreal Telescopic in Carbon Black because I worked through my stash (I bought a few tubes on sale a while ago). I thought I had mixed up tubes because I noticed it wasn’t applying the way I’d expect a fresh tube. And, weirdly, it wasn’t removing as easily despite using the same tools. At the time, I was on the opposite coast; perhaps the water was different? Or, Occam’s Razor: I left the new tube at home.
After all, L’Oreal Telescopic was reliable – it lengthened, separated, and simultaneously did not smear but did remove easily at the end of the day. It was super accessible – drugstore, Ulta, Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon – you name it, you could find it.
What Gives, L’Oreal Telescopic?
That wasn’t it. I bought another tube this month. Still didn’t remove easily. Going at it with a makeup removing cloth and warm water removed maybe 20% of it – I still had stubborn product clinging desperately to my lashes for dear life.
I had to use Albolene to remove it fully. For the non-waterproof L’Oreal Telescopic formula, that is unacceptable.
So…what gives?
Mad as Hell about the L’Oreal Telescopic Formula
I suspected a formula change…and I was right.
I’ve been using L’Oreal Telescopic mascara for damn near a decade and a half. I chose it over prestige options because they didn’t provide enough of an edge to justify their 2-3x price point for how often you must replace them.
But this reformulation is absolute garbage. It isn’t even accurate to describe it as merely a shadow of its former self. It is a different product entirely, wearing L’Oreal Telescopic’s clothes.
The L’Oreal Telescopic formula wasn’t broken. Why on earth did you try to, “fix,” it, L’Oreal?
We Know Why
Inevitably, this boils down to a bunch of jackass Business Boiz (I have an MBA, I can say it) making ill-informed, short-term business decisions to cut cost. Who cares if that choice ruins a cult favorite that has a loyal as hell customer base – Q2-Q3 net profit will be temporarily boosted!
The Bottom Line
I’m disgusted. I’m not trying their expansion formulas on the Telescopic line.
Instead, I’m looking for other products. I’m giving Essence’s Lash Princess line a shot: it is hyper affordable (sub-$4 on the recent Prime Big Deal day, but $5 regularly). I’d consider Maybelline Sky High as one to try ($9), too. I’m just as resistant to prestige formulas because I can’t justify the price point.