I applied this mascara to the eye on the left of the photo. I applied L'Oreal Voluminous to the eye on the right of the photo. I see no difference in the lengthening of the lashes. I do see a major difference in clumping and lash separation. I attribute that to the design of the applicator brush. It makes it much easier to apply mascara to the shorter lashes on the inner upper eye and the lower lashes. Some of the clumping may be because this mascara is new and the L'Oreal isn't, but I can really see the difference in lash separation. Will I spend $30 on mascara instead of $10, solely for the brush? Probably not, but I have friends that would.