3-second volume, 5mm longer lashes and instant glass skin? We put L'Oréal Paris to the test

When people ask me what my job as a beauty editor actually entails, my answer is usually pretty simple: I test products for a living. Every month, I have the pleasure to botanise in my beauty cupboard, swatching marvellous makeup launches, lather up with brand new lotions and spritz styling sprays and sweet smelling perfumes en masse. I have to. I view my relationship with our beauty-loving readership as a holy matrimony of reliable reporting. It is why my regular roundups, touching on the best new launches each month, are some of my favourite articles to write.

In short: I've kissed a lot of beauty frogs throughout my 10 years as a journalist. It also means I have discovered a rare prince or two. And somehow, in 2026 L'Oréal Paris has managed a hat-trick of viral launches that actually deliver on their instant transformation claim.

Below, we deep-dive into the Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, the Filler Glass Skin Hydrogel Glow Mask and Liquid Cream, and the Big Hair Day Collagen Lifter Refreshing Volume Spray. Four fairy godmother products that will have you feeling like Cinderella in (almost) no time at all.

What it is: A classic hydrogel mask experience: cooling on contact, slick at first, then tightening as it absorbs. Inspired by K-beauty trends and formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, adenosine and soothing vitamins, it’s designed to deliver a glass-skin finish in 90 minutes (yes, you read that right). The two-piece format requires a bit of care during application, but once secured, it stays firmly in place.

The wear-test: I wore this on an early-morning flight to Paris after a near-sleepless night spent worrying about missing a 5am taxi. My goal with this in-flight experiment (earning more than a few curious glances from my seat neighbours) was simple: land looking awake, hydrated and vaguely human.

The packaging promises the mask will turn clear after 90 minutes, signalling full absorption. For me, it took closer to 60. Whether that’s down to cabin air or sheer desperation on my skin’s part is hard to say, but peeling it off was oddly satisfying. It had the gratification of those old-school peel-offs from pre-teen sleepovers without the irritation, tugging or pilling that usually comes with them. The mask stayed intact, lifted cleanly and left no sticky residue behind.

What remained was skin that looked transformed – hydrated, smooth, reflective and convincingly glassy in a way TikTok products often promise and rarely deliver. By the time we landed at Charles de Gaulle, I was already glad I’d packed backups.

The final verdict: There’s a reason this mask is viral. It delivers an immediate, visible payoff that justifies both the wear time and the careful application. While it’s not something you’ll reach for daily, it absorbs faster than many competing hydrogel masks that require four hours or more.

If your skin is dull, dehydrated or in need of a rapid reset before a flight, event or long day ahead, this is one of the rare sheet masks that earns its hype. Consider it a once-weekly insurance policy for glass skin.

What it is: The companion to the viral glass skin sheet mask, this is a lightweight, milky liquid cream. Formulated with hyaluronic acids and a vitamin blend (B3, B5 and C), it’s designed to hydrate, smooth and boost radiance while remaining fluid enough to absorb quickly. Despite the name, it behaves more like a skin conditioner than a traditional moisturiser, with a subtle pearlescent sheen that helps create a reflective finish.

The wear-test: I used this as a prep step before makeup ahead of the main event in Paris. On bare skin, the effect is instant with skin looking and feeling plumper, fresher and noticeably more reflective before any makeup goes on. That’s exactly why it works so well as a base before your foundation.

It absorbs quickly, but it does need a brief pause before moving on (a universal step most people ignore, and then still complain about pilling product). Once it has settled, makeup applies smoothly and evenly, with none of that pesky pilling or slipping. More importantly, the hydrated look holds. The glow you see at application doesn’t disappear as the evening wears on, which is often where formulas like this fall apart.

The final verdict: This is a smart, modern glow step. Especially so for anyone who wears makeup and wants it to look better for longer. The shine is the point, but it’s flattering and enduring rather than greasy or short-lived. Treat it as a finishing layer for skin rather than a classic moisturiser, and it does its job exceptionally well.

What it is: A lengthening mascara promising up to 5mm of added lash length and a lifted C-curve shape. The slim, comb-style brush is designed to extend and separate rather than bulk up, with a formula aimed at lift, definition and long wear over softness or volume theatrics.

The wear-test: I’m not a mascara loyalist. I’ve never found “the one". I rotate formulas constantly, mostly because my lashes are short, stubborn and prone to clumping along a slightly wonky lash line. Brow-grazing lashes have never been part of my reality.

Until this. The transformation was immediate. One swipe in and my lashes looked visibly longer, lifted and more defined than usual. Yes, there was a hint of clumping, but that’s a lash-growth issue rather than a formula failure. More importantly, the extension effect was undeniable.

It held up impressively too. No crunch, no stiffness and no transfer, even through a torrential Paris rainstorm. By the end of the night, lashes still looked lifted, and removal was refreshingly easy. No tugging or annoying residue in sight. My days playing the mascara field may be counted.

The final verdict: This is a mascara for people who don’t usually get excited about mascara. If your lashes are short, stubborn or resistant to curl, the lift and length here are genuinely convincing. I wasn’t looking to commit, but consider this me settling down.

What it is: A refreshing volume spray designed to lift flat hair at the roots in as little as three seconds. The lightweight formula is enriched with collagen peptides, adding visible lift and body while keeping hair looking fresh for up to 48 hours. Unlike traditional dry shampoos, it’s designed with a patented wide, diffusing nozzle to help distribute product evenly, avoiding buildup and leaving no white residue.

The wear-test: I had a solid foundation to start with thanks to the shampoo and conditioner in the new Elvital Collagen Lifter series, but this spray is what saved me in Paris. I used it as recommended, lifting the hair into vertical sections and spritzing at the roots for maximum effect. It refreshes hair in the same way a dry shampoo would, but without the chalky cast or heavy feel. The finish is light, touchable and weightless with a softly floral scent.

What really stood out was the spray itself. The nozzle diffuses product evenly, so there’s no product buildup and no risk of overdoing it. I found it especially useful on my fringe. Newly cut and not yet accustomed to daily contact with skin, it has a tendency to turn greasy fast. This kept it feathery and fresh throughout the day, without forcing me into unnecessary wash cycles.

The final verdict: If you’re after maximum lift and don’t mind stiffness, this won’t replace a volume powder. But if you want quick root lift, freshness and movement you can still run your fingers through, this is a far more elegant daily option.