Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara vs Benefit They're Real!

I have been using They're Real for several years now, trying other things in between but never really finding anything I liked as much. Poring over mascara reviews online I found several positive ones for the Revlon mascara. Having worked in a prestige/mass-market cosmetic store when the Revlon one was released, I had seen the brush (you know how they package them with the brush out and a disposable lid on the tube?) and noticed how much it looked like the Benefit mascara brush. Not wanting to drop $23 on mascara, the next time I was at CVS I picked up the Photoready 3D.

It is amazing.
It might have been about $8, so I saved at least $15. (more money for other makeups!!) ha.
It's a little tiny bit softer/more liquid than They're Real so it might be easier to smudge when it is wet but it works pretty much the same. It dried a bit softer than the Benefit mascara also, which is a plus for me. I had been using Maybelline Full n' Soft for a few weeks because I HATE crunchy lashes, but it does little to nothing as far as volume for me.

Winner: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume

pictured: no mascara on my left eye, Benefit They're Real on my right eye. 

(HUGE difference, this stuff is great.)

pictured: same as above, Benefit on my right, nothing on the left

pictured: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara on both eyes. 

The Benefit might be glossier and a tiny bit blacker, but for me I think they are similar enough for me to get the cheaper one. 

*apologies,  the pics are only iphone-camera quality