Mascara Reviews
When I was a teenager I always used to get asked what mascara I was wearing - usually when I wasn't wearing any. Unfortunately as I started getting more into goth, the natural thickness of my dark eyelashes diminished - thanks to me scrubbing my eyes every day to remove layers of black make-up.
My eyelashes are still dark and slightly longer than average, but I need a little help to imitate the look I used to have without even trying. I like outwardly theatrical eyes, bold and flirtatious. I leave the falsies for special occasions, but my regular mascara is normally one of those marketed for 'dramatic evening looks.'
I'm a mascara junkie - I've tried numerous brands over the years and have sometimes owned three or four high-end names at once.
Here I'm going to review some of my favourite - and least favourite - mascaras.
I'll also note that I have EXTREMELY sensitive eyes which flare up at the slightest thing, so you don't necessarily need to worry that a certain product will do the same to you. Most people are nowhere near as sensitive as me!
DIORSHOW
Often cited as the Holy Grail of dramatic mascaras. Diorshow has had various incarnations. The ones I've used are the original Diorshow, Diorshow Blackout and Diorshow Iconic.
Diorshow is a straight black, pretty thick in the tube and even moreso on the lashes. The consistency can be a little difficult to work with - it had a tendency to gloop on me and made my eyelashes look spidery. I found Blackout to be the same, except the shade of black was much deeper and more striking. Iconic seemed somewhere in the middle of the two blacks, but the consistency wasn't as thick in the tube I had,
Generally Diorshow can be tricky to get used to, but the payoff is incredible (I'd recommend using a lash comb after applying).
7/10
YSL VOLUM EFFET FAUX CILS
The final effect is similar to that of Diorshow, but I find it clumps less on the lashes. Oddly though, it seems to dry out much quicker than any other brand I've tried (within two months) despite how well I look after my mascaras. I've gone through two tubes in total.
On the bright side, Faux Cils has never really made my lashes look spidery and so it's easier to layer up. The shade of black is not as dark as Diorshow.
8/10
MAYBELLINE THE COLOSSAL VOLUM' EXPRESS
This is the mascara I'm currently using, because I was broke when I bought it but still needed a drugstore brand mascara to fill the gap my YSL had left behind.
And it's actually quite good. I still prefer Faux Cils, but this one is excellent for building up, doesn't clump and is an average shade of black. The packaging also looks like a Cadbury's Creme Egg (as my mum says).
6/10
MAC ZOOM LASH
I'm not keen on MAC's mascaras. This one in particular I got as a gift from my aunt who works at the airport and sometimes gets stuff from duty free. It did absolutely nothing for my lashes and was a little too sticky in consistency.
4/10
BENEFIT BADGAL LASH
I'll admit right now to my bias - I despise this. I read great reviews and had high hopes, but after shelling out £15 I was disappointed in the performance of Badgal Lash. I put it on and it seemed pretty awesome, but an hour later I was informed by my friend that it was running down my face. I looked in the mirror to see the ultimate raccoon eyes and emo streaks of black tearing towards my cheeks. I later discovered this had happened to a fair few other people as well. I took the tube back to the counter and got my £15 back. I might try it again if Benefit changed the formula or something.
3/10
L'OREAL LASH ARCHITECT
I actually quite liked this, though it was much more 'natural' looking on my eyelashes than my usual mascaras despite the fact it's supposed to be buildable for dramatic eyes. Ultimately I gave up on it because it appeared to be irritating my eyes.
5/10
My mascara quest is nowhere near over - I see myself trying still more brands in the future, because as yet I've never come across one which I could call perfect. There is almost always at least one drawback to a great product, especially the 'cult' ones!
And with that in mind, feel free to enlighten me with the names of your favourite mascara/s!