So, what to do now? Well luckily I got the hookup and got 3 free mascaras from Maybelline - all relatively new on the market, and all quite distinct. As I tried them out I figured that there must be other Lash Stylist mourners out there looking for a new direction - so this Mascara Review, my friends, is for you.
(Oh and I'd like to preface this review by stating that I always use an eyelash curler - as every woman should - so all mascaras were tested on pre-curled eyelashes).
Mascara #1 - The Colossal Volum' Express:
What the brand boasts: Creates 9X the volume, instantly. Patented MegaBrush + Collagen Formula plump lashes one by one. Dramatic Volume with no clumps.The Reality: The brush is short and fat, as is the tube it comes in (so fat in fact that the word "Colossal" must be broken up into 2 lines - COLO on top and SSAL under it). Yes, this mascara creates volume and there are no clumps which I definitely appreciate. Also the tube is shiney and bright yellow, making it easy to find in your makeup bag! However the girth of the brush makes it kind of difficult to get in between the lashes, and coat and separate the ones on the outer corners. This one is a biggie for me, so a few points off there. Score out of 10: 8.
Mascara #2 - Lash Stiletto:
What the brand boasts: The only mascara that does for lashes what stilettos do for legs. The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle. Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length. Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine.The Reality: Well this is a gimmick if I ever heard one. All women know that stilettos do wonders for legs, so this is a clear manipulation by association. This mascara didn't really add length, thickness or shine. If anything it just held in place the curl that my eyelash curler left behind. The packaging is definitely sleek - quite the opposite of the Colossal - with its long black tube, silver writing and even a red strip at the bottom (which I'm assuming is supposed to be a Christian Louboutin reference?). The brush was long and skinny, which did allow me to get to the smaller and corner lashes, but it didn't matter because once I got there you couldn't even tell I added a coat. Lame. Score out of 10: 4.
Mascara #3 - Pulse Perfection:
What the brand boasts: It’s our first vibrating mascara. Transforms your lashes to perfection. Patent-pending elastomer brush vibrates 7,000 times per stroke. Provides clump-free definition, intense color, and shine.The Reality: Well, it vibrates. To some this might be a pro but to me it's simply odd. I didn't like the feel of my lashes/eyes vibrating and the noise got a little annoying. I'm assuming that the point of this vibration is to eliminate the zigzagging motion we must do manually with regular brushes - though I still found myself doing it with this one (old habits die hard I suppose). The brush is a decent size and does allow easy access to the smaller and corner lashes. The mascara itself is quite thick, making me think it might be prone to clumping as time went on - and I do think clumpy mascara is one of the tackiest things you could put on your face (second only to foundation that's the wrong color). When used without the vibrations it's decent I suppose - but it's also like $15, which is several bucks higher than regular drug store mascara - so if you're gonna buy it, it should definitely be because the vibration does something special for you. Score out of 10: 5.
So I guess The Colossal wins. I'm still on the hunt to find a 10 out of 10, but until then I guess my lashes will be coming from the fat yellow tube. Any recommendations?
'prece.
3 comments:
First, I really enjoy your blog. Second I am always on the look out for a great mascara as well. For several months I wore lash extensions, but they left me bald after 2 months so that ended, but I am left with the image of long full lashes on my face. My own lashes are short and very curly so I tend to go for lengthening and volumizing mascaras. I've been using the Maybelline Colossal for almost a year and I really like it. As it gets older it can start to clump a bit, but I take it as a sign to buy a new tube. I also like the Loreal Lash Extends tubes, and the Covergirl Lash exact (the one Drew's been promoting, orange tube). The Lash extends provides NO volume, and it's weird to see the little black flecks that were the "tubes" wash off, but it does add great length. The brush on the Covergirl Lash exact is more comb like so that may suit your needs better. It doesn't go on as thick as the Colossal, but it is still pretty good. I have actually found that if I layer the colossal over the tubes I get kinda close to the look of extensions, well as close as possible without adding falsies. Hope all that helps!
Thank you for the mascara reviews. I just discovered your blog (love it) at the same time I'm looking for a new mascara - Kismet. I have long lashes but not a lot of them. I'm looking for fullness more so than length. Unlike you I have never had a mascara that I loved, just keep trying and hoping, handing over my money at the makeup counter. Going to give the Colossal a go - I like the idea of being able to find the yellow tube in the black hole that is my makeup bag.
Also Amusing Musings thanks for the useful input.
Could you use a brush from an old Lash Stylist tube to apply Colossal and separate lashes at the outer corners?
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