I'm probably a little late to the party on the whole two sided mascara - one to prime your lashes and the other to blacken them and add some intense volume. However after falling head over heels in love with the Lancome Cils Booster XL which is essentially just a white mascara that preps your lashes beautifully ready for a black mascara; I decided to try out an alternative to it considering it is rather expensive and all, so I looked no further than at the mothership that is L'Oreal which ironically own Lancome so I was hoping it would be a near dupe.
I picked up the L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara (£11.29) which is a two step mascara - a white base coat that acts as extensions for your lashes with it containing Ceramide R which contains naturally derived fibres whereas the black coat literally coats each lash with a intense colour wrap to darken them and to create the appearance of lash extensions.
Now as much as I would love to say that this is a direct dupe for it's Lancome counterparts, it sadly really isn't as there is just one factor that lets it down which is the scent. I'm not sure about you but I like my mascaras to smell like mascaras however the white base coat of this instead smells very similar to nail glue and rather strongly too. Regardless of the off-putting scent, I cannot fault as to how well it performs especially when you spent the time to carefully apply the layers and build it up. I personally love to coat my lashes with the white base coat until they're literally white and have so much more volume than before and then using the black side to carefully cover up the whiteness, ensuring I coat every lash. Whilst it does give incredible volume and length, it doesn't quite resemble lash extensions as they are more often than not clumped together. In order to create lash extension looking lashes, I tend to go in with the No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara afterwards to define my lashes and separate them. By using a separate mascara afterwards, it helps to create the appearance of lash extensions that look full, defined with plenty of length and volume. Whilst it can be a little time consuming, the effects are definitely worth it so whilst I may not be repurchasing the Lancome version anytime soon, I can definitely see myself repurchasing it's L'Oreal counterparts time and time again.
I've definitely become a bit of a hoarder when it comes to makeup as I seem to buy everything that I see on offer which immediately goes into my backup makeup drawer - yes, I've become one of those people! I have more than enough makeup to last me for many years just I cannot seem to resist buying more especially when there are new products launching all the time! One said launch that I'm rather late to the party on is the Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara which continues to be one of their more popular mascaras.
The Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara (£7.99) is a new and improved version of the original just with the added extra of it containing argan oil. Unlike the original, this helps the lashes feel conditioned and not weighed down - no matter how many coats you apply! Combined with the ultra flex brush that has ultra-soft bristles that literally hugs the lashes, defining them from root to tip to help create clump-free, fuller looking lashes.
I will admit that I was a little skeptical when it came to using this mascara partially because I do suffer with gaps which was caused by eyelash extensions and I've literally tried everything to help regrow my lashes. However I'm not entirely sure why I was skeptical of using this mascara as although it hasn't helped regrow my lashes completely, it has helped make my lashes look fuller with every use. When used by itself, it does define the lashes more than any other mascara however I much prefer to use it for the finishing coat as it truly defines the lashes to create the ultimate fanned out look without skimping out on the volume. I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad mascara for what it does but it just hasn't transformed my life as much as other mascaras have.
I am a big mascara junkie and I love nothing more than trying out mascaras although I try to stick to having two open at any one time. Whenever I'm in the market for a new mascara, I look no further than No7 purely because I prefer their formulas over the likes of L'Oreal and Rimmel and they're forever handing out their infamous money off vouchers which make them even cheaper. As I've tried out almost every mascara that they do, I thought I would share my favourite mascaras from No7.
The No7 Midnight Lash Mascara (£13.50) is one of their more recent launches having only come out leading up to Christmas last year. It is one of their blackest mascaras which not only coats every lash but contains black pearl and sapphire to really dress the lashes. Unlike traditional bristle wands, this has a rather interesting shape with the wand being fatter in the middle and the bristles going in a diagonal shape. This particular mascara helps give lots of definition, length and volume whilst coating every lash. After several coats, you get beautifully long lashes which helps make the eyes appear larger which will be ideal if you have short lashes. As the formula is not waterproof, the slightest bit of moisture will smudge the lashes so ensure you stay well away from water or instead seal the lashes with a waterproof mascara.
I've already reviewed the No7 Stay Perfect Mascara (£12.95) but it is still one of my favourite mascaras to date and is one of No7 best selling mascaras! It has a plasic straight wand which can coat even the shortest of lashes transforming them completely into beautifully long, black lashes. This mascara is ideal for those wanting lots of volume and definition as it builds up the lashes within a few coats. Despite the formula not being waterproof, it does not budge at all! You can literally go running and still have perfect looking lashes which is a bold statement but is one that I'm sticking to as I've put it to the test. I personally prefer using this as a bottom lash mascara as it gently defines my bottom lashes whilst giving length.
The No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara (£12.95) is the only mascara by No7 that I've used lots of samples of and is one mascara that I simply cannot live without! The wand is a traditional plastic wand which is slightly curved that allows you to coat every lash without smudging. Unlike other No7 mascaras, the formula is enriched with hollow shaped fibres that sticks to the lashes so you can easily build up the lashes to make them longer, more defined and just generally fanned out with intense volume. I personally prefer using this mascara in conjunction with other mascaras to really build up the length and truly define them and I find that using it that way, it sets my mascara so that it does not budge despite the formula not being waterproof.
My last favouite mascara is the No7 Lash Impact Mascara (£13.50) which is one of their more intense mascaras. This has a traditional bristle wand which helps get right into the base of the lashes and really build up the volume. Unlike other mascaras by No7, this particular one has a bold claim that it gives great volume in one coat and an amplified false lash effect in two coats without clumping which I will happily hold my hand up and say is false. It does give incredible volume and it can give an amplified false lash effect within quite a few coats - you have to really work with the mascara and build it up from the base to get the effect required. If it gave false lash effect lashes within two coats then the amount of time I spend applying mascara will be halfed - literally! Despite it's false bold claim, this is quite literally one of my most favourite mascaras by No7 as if I truly spend my time building up the length, I will achieve false lash effect lashes which last all day without clumps or flaking off.
Out of all the brands that are available over in the states, one that I was most excited about getting my mitts on were Physicians Formula as they're a brand that aren't easy to get ahold of the UK, despite them soon launching here. I picked up quite an array of products and one that I was most excited about trying is their Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara which I've heard so much about. After trialling it for a few months, I thought I would finally share my two cents about it.
The Physicians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara ($9.99/£6.29) is one of those mascaras that the ingredients are 100% of a natural origin of which 70% are completely organic. It is 100% free from harsh chemicals, parabens, synethic colours, fragrances and preservatives all whilst being cruelty free and having a recylable brush. The mascara itself claims to give a natural false lash effect due to it containing natural fibers that helps amplify lash volume, length and curl with no irritation.
I've been using this mascara for the best part of five months and I must say this it is one of the best mascaras I've tried. I will first admit that I haven't noticed it making my lashes dramatically longer than normal and on closer inspection, I can't see any fibers at all which makes me question the mascaras claim. However what I have noticed is that this mascara works better combined with another mascara like the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara for example. When used by itself, it gives the lashes both volume and length but it doesn't necessarily curl them unless you've used eyelash curlers beforehand. When used with another mascara, it gives dramatic length and volume. The brush itself is a plastic wand which may not be to your liking if you prefer traditional mascara wands but the wand is where the magic lays, as it helps give your lashes a real boost in the volume stakes. It gets right into your lashes and helps lift them which it turn gives the appearance of false lashes. I can get about seven hours wearing time before it starts to flake off slightly which is how long I wear my makeup for roughly anyway.
I'm hoping that when Physicans Formula do eventually launch properly here in the UK, that this mascara is included in their lineup as I expect that many people will be wanting to get their mitts on it as it truly is a brilliant mascara and I regret not picking up more of it.
Whilst out in America, one thing that I stocked up on apart from eos lip balms are mascaras as they work out far more cheaper out there than what we pay here in the UK. With that being said, sometimes the US version has different packaging/different name altogether which is definitely the case with this as whilst it may be called the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara in the US, in the UK it's known as the L'Oreal False Lash Flutter Mascara.
The L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara ($7.97/£10.99) is one of those mascaras that everybody was talking about when it was released back in the summer due to its unique double winged butterfly brush that gave the false lash effect without clumping your eyelashes.
I'm almost coming up to the six month mark with this mascara which means that I will need to throw it out very soon although I'm not sure if I can as I am literally in love with this mascara. Due to its unique design of the brush, you can really extend your lashes and give it plenty of volume without any clumps. I like to use the different angles of the brush to get the full effect - using the longer butterfly edge to give length whilst using the sides to add definition which altogether gives a great impact. I have the normal formula which although its great, I have noticed that it can smudge slightly and wear off after a few hours wear so I think I will repurchase it in the waterproof formula once I've gone through a few more mascaras. If you're looking for a mascara that packs a punch then I urge you to try the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara as you won't regret it!
Have you ever wanted to own something from a brand but never really wanted to splash the cash? I've felt like this towards YSL for ages however that has since changed after I found a discounted Babydoll set in my local Boots in January for a insane price of £9! It seemed criminal not to pick it up at that price if you ask me!
The YSL Babydoll Mascara (£24.50) comes housed in their same iconic gold tube with an added red babydoll scrawl.The brush itself is rather thin compared to others and is chunky with the head at a slight angle. It has an alternating mix of wide set bristles with finer ones which helps magnify and coat the lashes whilst defining even the shortest of lashes. I find the best way to use this is by starting at the root and wiggling it in in a gentle zig-zag like motion towards the ends of the lashes which creates the effect of false lash effect lashes.
I've been reaching for this on a daily basis for a few months now and it is most definitely love with every use. It seperates my lashes whilst giving length and volume which is what I tend to look for in a mascara. I find that it keeps its curl even after a long day at work which is definitely a bonus! Whilst I do love it, I won't be repurchasing it unless I find it again at another insane price as it does seem rather barbaric to repurchase it when I know that there are other mascaras out there that do pretty much the exact same albeit not in the same luxe packaging..
Max Factor are one of those brands that seem a little expensive for what they are and I would always much rather settle for something cheaper that I know I'll love. Before Christmas, I got colour matched to their Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation which I then bought as well as one of their mascaras and I received a free gift with purchase which included their False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara in Black/Brown.
The packaging of this is nothing special - a simple black, chunky tube with writing and a blue band around it which symbolises that it's the waterproof version. Most mascaras I've used have always been rather skinny so using something this chunky feels a little weird to say the least. The wand of this is also rather chunky and I've experienced problems with the actual bristles falling off which as you can see, I've lost quite a few. I'm not sure if it's because it may be a dodgy batch or if the continuous scrapping off excess mascara is to blame. The formula of this is very wet which means that every use, I have to scrape most of it off just to ensure that I don't clump my lashes even more. Even leaving it alone for two months hasn't dried it out and it's still just as wet as when I first used it.
Now between you and I, the name of this is an outright lie as it doesn't give false lash effect lashes. As how can false lash effect lashes look normal?! No matter how many coats, my lashes never seem to reach full, false lash looking as they just looked like I had applied one coat instead of several. This is one mascara that I will be using only on the weekends for a natural look for when I'm walking the dog or going out for a walk but I wouldn't dream of using this for work or for a night out. Max Factor, I'm thoroughly disappointed!
Collection are one of those brands that can have a few good hit products, in particular their cult Lasting Perfection Concealer, as well as quite a fair few products to miss altogether. On a recent Boots points splurge, I ended up picking up the Collection No Clumps Mascara as it was on offer and I fancied a new mascara as I knew that my No7 Stay Perfect Mascara would be coming to an end.
The Collection No Clumps Mascara is a mascara that claims to give beautifully defined lashes without clumps all with the help of a cleverly designed plastic wand. I've been using this now for the best part of two months now and I can honestly say that this is one of the best defining mascaras I've come across. Despite having a few short stumpy lashes, this helps transform them into long, separated lashes which has resulted in people approaching me and asking me if I'm wearing fake eyelashes or asking what mascara I'm wearing. They're all rather surprised to hear that its been thanks to this mascara.
Whilst this mascara does give brilliant results, I find that it does dry out rather quickly especially with every day use but it's cheap enough to be replaced every few months or so. I will definitely be repurchasing this mascara once I've gone through my stash as well as any mascaras that I'll be purchasing in America in May.
The No7 Stay Perfect Mascara was the first mascara I bought after I stopped wearing eyelash extensions. It's one of those mascaras that is billed as being the perfect mascara as its smudge proof, flake proof, sweat proof, humidity proof and even tearproof. The mascara itself comes housed in a chic gold tube which eerily mimics YSL packaging just without the hefty pricetag. It has a plastic straight wand which means you can tilt it at any angle and it will still coat the lashes.
On first uses, I really did not get on with this mascara. I found that the formula was far too wear and it wasn't give my lashes any length and just left them looking rathy stumpy. That was until I received a sample of the No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara and used it in conjuction with the Stay Perfect and I found that this was literally a match made in heaven. I found that the Extreme Length Extend literally extended my lashes and made them look longer whilst the Stay Perfect gave volume and definition. Whilst that duo was incredible, I've noticed that the space of a few weeks, the Stay Perfect Mascara dried out slightly which meant that it was perfect for using on my bottom lashes as it slightly defined them.
I find that this mascara definitely lives up to its claims and it is literally perfect. I found that it wouldn't budge at all on those days when work got to me or when I was running around everywhere and it even takes using two different makeup removers just to remove it. I would highly recommend this mascara for anybody that is looking for the perfect summer mascara as you won't be disappointed!
