Back today for a quick round-up of the mascaras I’ve recently used up! I’ll give a quick review on each and let you know whether I would consider repurchasing.
I know that mascara preferences can be very personal. I have quite long lashes, medium density, so I tend to avoid lengthening formulas with fibres. I like my lashes to look separated – not into the overly voluminous clumpy lash look. I do like a little bit of volume and tend to keep the more volumising mascaras for evening looks, whereas something more subtle and “natural” is my preference for everyday.
My main issue with my lashes is that I have some straight lashes that I need to keep curled with the rest, and their length tends to weigh them down so I like a formula to help with lift. I have quite sensitive eyes and they can get quite watery (allergies, crying, watering for no reason..) so I often go for waterproof formulas, or at least long-lasting and smudge-proof as I often end up with smudging under my lower lashes even when I’m only wearing mascara on the top lashes! I also find a lot of drugstore brands will irritate my eyes so I tend to go for higher-end brands.
I always use a clean spoolie to brush through the mascara after application because I HATE clumps, so the style of wand doesn’t really matter too much.
I think that pretty much sums it up for me! Let’s get on with the mini reviews.
Sephora Outrageous Curl (Waterproof)
This is one of my recent heartbreaks. Sephora had the audacity to discontinue their best mascara formula and nothing beats this waterproof version for lift and holding a curl. It lasts all day with no smudging. The non-waterproof version is also nice, although not quite as epic.
It has weird short stubby plastic wand, but I tend to just plonk some product down and go straight in with a Wayne Goss spoolie. RIP this one.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 3/5
- Brush applicator – 3/5, since it reaches the roots easily
- Volume – 3/5
- Separation – 4.5/5 (0/5 when only using the applicator)
- Curl – 5/5
- Lift – 5.5/5
- Smudge-proof – 5/5
Personal score: 5/5
Repurchase? Don’t rub it in. I only have one backup.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
I really do like this mascara. A holy-grail product for many, it’s a dry formula and is very volumising. It has one of those nice big hourglass shape brush spoolies which tend to be popular. Not the best formula for lift, but the waterproof version doesn’t do a terrible job. I wish this one was a deeper black, as when it catches the light it can almost look a bit greyish-blue.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 3/5
- Brush applicator – 5/5
- Volume – 4.5/5
- Separation – 3.5/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 3/5
- Smudge-proof – 4/5
Personal score: 4/5
Repurchase? Repurchased before, may buy again but not in any rush.
Tom Ford Emotionproof Mascara
Despite the name, I have definitely cried this one off my lashes before. On an average day it wears well and seems fairly waterproof, but perhaps Tom Ford doesn’t cry as hard as I can. Some days I like this, other days I hate it. It is volumising but can lean towards clumpy if I’m not careful. I also despise the size of the wands on Tom Ford Mascaras – they are GINORMOUS. The spoolie is longer than the width of my eye and I often end up getting the product all over my face.
I have a difficult time reaching a verdict on this, but I guess I’d say it’s just ok. Not worth the £38 price tag.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 5/5
- Brush applicator – 2/5 (it’s a nice brush apart from the size)
- Volume – 5/5
- Separation – 2/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 3/5
- Smudge-proof – 4/5
Personal score: 2.5/5
Repurchase? Nah
Tom Ford Extreme Mascara
I prefer this over the emotionproof mascara. Same issue with the wand and not as water resistant, but I prefer the way it makes my lashes look. It’s volumising but not clumpy. Nothing special when it comes to curl and lift, and again, not worth £38.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 5/5
- Brush applicator – 2/5 – same as the Emotionproof mascara
- Volume – 4.5/5
- Separation – 3/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 3/5
- Smudge-proof – 3.5/5
Personal score: 3.5/5
Repurchase? No
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2
This is a beautiful fake-lash effect mascara. Volumising and super black, perfect for a lashy look. I’ve had this for way too long, and even though the formula is still great and hasn’t dried up, it’s time to stop using it. It’s not the longest wearing, but I don’t experience too much transfer. The wand has a nice traditional brush with long bristles.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 5/5
- Brush applicator – 5/5
- Volume – 5/5
- Separation – 3/5
- Curl – 3.5/5
- Lift – 3/5
- Smudge-proof – 3/5
Personal score: 4.5/5
Repurchase? Yes!
Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara
Despite the hype, I didn’t get along with this formula. It’s too voluminous and weighs down my lashes. Currently have some other Lancome mascaras in rotation which I’m really enjoying, but this one is not for me.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 4/5
- Brush applicator – 4/5
- Volume – 4/5
- Separation – 3/5
- Curl – 2/5
- Lift – 1/5
- Smudge-proof – 2.5/5
Personal score: 2/5
Repurchase? nope
Chanel Le Volume Mascara
A very well known mascara and a good all-rounder. Great volume, some curl and separation, lift fades through the day though and it smudges a little on me. I liked it but it didn’t stand out to me. The brush is plastic and a bit too spiky for my liking, but does apply the product quite well.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 5/5, so chic
- Brush applicator – 3/5
- Volume – 4/5
- Separation – 3/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 2.5/5
- Smudge-proof – 2/5
Personal score: 3/5
Repurchase? Probably not.
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara
I’ve used this mascara for a long time and always loved it. I think the name is misleading as it’s more of a natural, separating mascara. This most recent tube dried out quickly and flaked and faded badly on me. Not sure if I had a bad batch, if the formula has changed, or maybe I’ve just grown out of this one. The wand is plastic but the spikes are quite short – I find is doesn’t poke me like other plastic wands and has the nice separating properties of a plastic applicator, but it doesn’t transfer enough product and requires building.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 3/5
- Brush applicator – 2.5/5
- Volume – 2.5/5
- Separation – 5/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 3/5
- Smudge-proof – 2/5, flakes a lot
Personal score: 3/5
Repurchase? Might give it another chance.
Benefit Roller Lash
I only tried this in the mini size. It has a curved wand which is good for curling, but I don’t find it holds the curl that well throughout the day. Not the longest wearing. I think this formula had potential but it didn’t deliver in the long-run
Ratings:
- Packaging – 4/5
- Brush applicator – 4/5
- Volume – 3/5
- Separation – 4/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 2/5
- Smudge-proof – 2/5
Personal score: 3/5
Repurchase? No
Estee Lauder Little Black Primer
A very waterproof formula, but makes my lashes look a little crispy when dry. Struggled to get this to work for me both under and over other mascaras, and did not like it alone.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 4/5
- Brush applicator – 3/5
- Volume – 2/5
- Separation – 2/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 4/5
- Smudge-proof – 5/5
Personal score: 2.5/5
Repurchase? No
By Terry Mascara Terribly
This was not a stand out in any category, but I did like the way it made my lashes look – really natural for everyday. Not something I could wear to work as its not that long lasting and is smudges on me after a few hours, but I liked it for days around the house when I want to still feel a bit more put together.
Ratings:
- Packaging – 4/5
- Brush applicator – 4/5
- Volume – 3/5
- Separation – 4/5
- Curl – 3/5
- Lift – 2.5/5
- Smudge-proof – 2.5/5
Personal score: 3/5
Repurchase? Unlikely
I expect to do a part two to this mascara round-up towards the end of the year. Keep an eye on this blog for a new Charlotte Tilbury review very soon!! I also have some recent product misses and fails, and some big lip product posts coming in the next month or two, so stick around and subscribe!
