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Quick Verdict
One eye got the L’Oreal Paris Extensionist, the other got the Revlon Colorstay Extension, and I didn’t think they’d be that different. They were. One fanned and separated my lashes like a false lash, the other added depth and fullness. I love both, and I ended up wanting to use them together.
Buy if you:
- Want a fanned-out, separated, false-lash look for everyday
- Like a thin comb wand that gets right under the lash line
- Are over 50 and want lift without curling first
- Don’t mind layering two mascaras for a dramatic result
Skip if you:
- Want one coat and done, the second coat is where both actually deliver
- Prefer a waterproof formula (this one I tested is washable)
- Only want maximum drama from a single tube, no layering
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One Eye, One Mascara, Two Very Different Results
The difference hit me immediately: one eye lifted and fanned my lashes like a false lash, the other added depth and fullness. I tested the L’Oreal Paris Extensionist against the Revlon Colorstay Extension side by side, one eye at a time, so you can see which does what. Both claim to give you lash-extension results from a drugstore tube. After doing this side by side, one eye each, I can tell you they work completely differently, and depending on what your lashes actually need, you might want one, the other, or both. Grab both on my Amazon here if you want to follow along.
One thing about my testing conditions: no curler, no primer, nothing. I haven’t curled my lashes in years and I’m not about to start. That actually makes this a useful data point, if the L’Oreal can lift and fan my uncurled lashes on its own, it’ll do the same for you.
The Two Wands Tell the Whole Story
The wands are the biggest difference between these two, and you notice it the second you pull them out. The Revlon Colorstay Extension has a thicker wand with a little twisty effect and extra hair fibers built in to add volume. The L’Oreal Paris Extensionist has a way thinner wand, a precision comb, which is meant to add more lashes and let you get really under and close to the lash line.
The L’Oreal is ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, which matters more to a lot of us over 50 than the marketing ever admits. I tested the washable Blackest Black, though there’s a waterproof version too.
How Each One Actually Went On
The second coat is definitely where it’s at, for both of them. I started with one quick coat on each eye just to get a fast vibe, and that first pass is fine but a little quiet. With the Revlon, you’re supposed to give it a little turn as you apply, and I did. With the L’Oreal, I used a slight twisty motion too, looking in the mirror behind me instead of at the camera so I could really see what was happening.
Right away I noticed the Revlon lifted and pushed my lashes up more, while the L’Oreal added a bit of fullness on that first coat. But once I went back in for the second coat, that’s when both of them really came alive. If you only do one coat and walk away, you’re not going to see what these can do.
The Fanned-Out Eye vs. the Deeper Eye
Once both eyes were done, the difference was obvious, and I didn’t expect that. The L’Oreal side gave me a fanned-out look. It lifted and separated the lashes almost like a false eyelash, each one standing on its own. The Revlon side was doing something different, it wasn’t fanning them out, it was adding lashes, adding depth. More fullness, more density, like there was just more there.
So I stopped thinking of them as competitors. The Revlon is your bold-lash, night-out tube. The L’Oreal is the one you reach for on a Tuesday when you want your eyes to look awake but not painted. Forcing a single winner here would mean steering the wrong person to the wrong wand.
The One Coat That Fools You
The catch with both mascaras is the first coat undersells them. When I did just one quick pass to get a fast read, I almost couldn’t tell them apart. It was only on the second coat that the L’Oreal’s separating, fanned-out effect and the Revlon’s added depth actually showed up and split into two different looks. If you’re the kind of person who swipes once and rushes out the door, you’ll miss most of what you paid for with the Extensionist. That extra thirty seconds for a second coat is the whole game here.
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L’Oreal Paris Extensionist Mascara
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Who Each Mascara Is For
If you want your everyday look, the L’Oreal Paris Extensionist is your pick. The thin comb wand gets right under and close to the lash line, and the separated, fanned-out finish reads as polished without going over the top. It’s the one I’d reach for on a normal day, especially since I don’t curl and it lifted my lashes on its own.
If you want drama and density, a night out, photos, a fuller look, the Revlon Colorstay Extension leans that way with its thicker fiber wand. And if you’re feeling adventurous, do what I decided to do: use one first to fan the lashes out, then layer the other on top to add more depth. Best of both.
L’Oreal Extensionist vs. Revlon Colorstay Extension
These two aren’t really competitors, they’re teammates. The L’Oreal Extensionist wins on separation and that fanned, false-lash lift, thanks to the thin precision comb. The Revlon Colorstay Extension wins on fullness and depth because of the extra fibers in the thicker wand. Where the Revlon pulls ahead is drama in a single tube; where the L’Oreal pulls ahead is that clean, defined everyday look and getting into the lash line. If I had to hand one to a friend who wanted the safest all-rounder, I’d give her the L’Oreal. If she told me she loves a bold lash, I’d point her at the Revlon.
My Advice Before You Buy Either
Always plan for two coats, and give the wand a little twist as you go. That twisty motion is how both of these are meant to be applied, and skipping it flattens the effect. Don’t judge either one off a single quick coat like I did at the start, it’s not a fair test. And if you already own one, consider grabbing the other rather than replacing it, because together they do more than either does alone. You can find both of them on my Amazon here.
Pros
- L’Oreal’s thin comb wand gets right under and close to the lash line
- Fanned-out, separated finish that looks like false lashes
- Lifted my lashes on its own even though I never curl first
- Revlon adds real depth and fullness with its fiber wand
- The two layer beautifully together for a bolder look
Cons
- One coat barely shows the difference, you need the second coat
- The version I tested is washable, not waterproof
- Getting the full effect really means owning both, not just one
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the L’Oreal Paris Extensionist mascara washable or waterproof?
Both. I tested the washable Blackest Black, but L’Oreal makes the Extensionist in a waterproof formula too. Pick washable for easy removal and waterproof if you need it to survive heat or tears.
Is the Extensionist mascara safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes?
Yes. It’s ophthalmologist-tested and listed as suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. That’s a big reason I’m comfortable recommending it to fellow readers over 50 who deal with dry or reactive eyes.
Do I need to curl my lashes before using it?
No. I don’t curl mine at all, and the L’Oreal still lifted and pushed my lashes up on its own. The comb brush and the formula do the lift for you, which is exactly what I want from a lazy morning mascara.
Can I use the L’Oreal and Revlon mascaras together?
Yes, and that’s what I’d suggest if you own both. Use one first to fan out and separate the lashes, then layer the other on top to add depth. The combination gives you more than either does solo.
Which one is better for an everyday look?
The L’Oreal Extensionist. Its separated, fanned-out finish reads clean and polished for daytime, while the Revlon leans more dramatic. If you want subtle-but-defined for the office or errands, reach for the L’Oreal.
Does the Extensionist mascara clump?
Not in my test. The 300-bristle comb separates each lash instead of gluing them together, which is why it gives that fanned-out effect. Wiping excess off the wand before applying helps keep it clean.
How long does the L’Oreal Extensionist last through the day?
L’Oreal rates it for 24-hour extended wear without smudging or flaking. I can’t promise a full day from a one-sitting comparison test, but the washable formula came off easily with cleanser at the end, so removal isn’t a struggle.
Is this mascara good for older, thinning lashes?
Yes, especially the L’Oreal. Thinning lashes benefit from separation and lift rather than heavy weight, and the thin comb wand defines each lash individually. If your lashes are sparse, the fanned-out look makes them read fuller without looking spidery.
How many coats should I use?
Two. One coat gives a quiet result and the two mascaras look nearly identical at that stage. The second coat is where the L’Oreal’s separation and the Revlon’s depth actually show up, so don’t stop at one.
Get it now
L’Oreal Paris Extensionist Mascara
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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🛍️ Revlon Coloray Extension Mascara — check price on Amazon →
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