Diorshow Extase Mascara Review

While having some quality mother-daughter bonding time in the +66, I asked my mom what mascara she used. Some background about my mom - she doesn't wear eyeliner so a quality mascara is extremely important to her. Then I remembered that she had passed me this sample of the Dior Extase Mascara to let me try because she had bought loads to hoard.

Yes, this is the only mascara my mom has settled on to use pretty much for the rest of her life and has no intention of switching loyalties. Such fantastic attitude!

The mini tube is pretty much the exact same packaging and brush (sans the dior monogram print all over the tube) as the full sized and I actually prefer small sizes because let's face it - 3 months to completely use up a mascara is pretty much mission impossible.

The brush is a large bristley type brush, just the type I like. I don't like the plastic wands (like the covergirl lashblast) because I always seem to poke my eyes with them (and it hurts) but not with the bristle type wands. If you look closely, the wand is knobbly, like beads on a bar. I'm no professional so I have no idea what the different types/shapes of wands do.

What I really appreciate about this wand is that it has teeny tiny bristles on the very tip of the wand that allow me to coat my inner eye lashes using the wand vertically. This is very useful especially if you're like me and are not able to flip the wand around and still handle it well. Also useful for very short bottom lashes.

Curled lashes | One coat | Two coats | Thee coats

On to the only thing that matters. Performance. This mascara is not waterproof, but it's very definitely smudgeproof on me. Take that oily eye area! This lasts and lasts without migrating or flaking, even better than the waterproof and insanely hard to remove japanese mascaras I've tried. And it comes off easily with a water based remover or warm water. Consider me extremely impressed.

It delivers on both length and volume, though as you can see it tends to get rather clumpy by the time I've hit the third layer. Two layers is the bomb diggity. As I have decently long but uneven and sparse lashes, I really appreciate how the Dior Extase Mascara really amps up the volume, especially on the my outer lashes.

This is also one of those formulas that are not overly wet and get all over the place because you've blinked before the formula has dried. It also goes on the lashes in a very lash-like manner. By that I mean that unlike some formulas where it coats the lash and each lash comes out looking like a stick, the Dior Extase manages to coat the lash evenly so that it tapers and still looks like lashes.

One more point that I'm pretty sure bugs only me. You know how some formulas dry on the lashes like they've been on the lash for the entire day? I don't quite know how to describe this well, but I call them old looking lashes - it's almost like the formula turned powdery and just slightly ashy or grey. I absolutely hate those. Not with the Dior Extase Mascara! This formula stays black and fresh all day long. That alone gives me heart eyes.

The only downer about this mascara is that even though I've curled my lashes, upon application of this mascara it almost straightens out my curl. I consider this very strange because the formulation is not heavy or wet at all. Just a mystery I'll never solve I guess!

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Pros:

• Not waterproof but extremely smudgeproof even on oily lids
• Lasts all day
• Looks freshly applied and black all day long
• Comes off easily with water-based makeup remover/warm water
• Big on volume and length
• Formula keeps lashes still looking like lashes (tapers out towards tip of lash)
• Has bristles on tip of brush for easier application on inner lashes/bottom lashes

Cons:

• Straightens out my curl
• Not waterproof (not for wet eyes/sad days/sad movies)
• Does clump ever so slightly (and on the third coat)

Conclusion: A all the way! 

Maybelline the Magnum Volum' Express Ultracomb Waterproof

Say hello to my current go-to mascara! It is the Maybelline the Magnum Volum' Express Ultracomb Waterproof Mascara. Boy that is a mouthful. There is a similar version of this, but not with the Ultracomb. Instead, that has a more 'normal' looking brush. I picked this up at Watsons on sale at about SGD$12 but I believe the normal retail price is just under SGD$20. 

I really like that the tube is this bright yellow, really helps with the ease of finding it in my stash! It tries to convince you it delivers volume (or in this case volum') by being a fat tube. The main reason I chose this was because the wand of this mascara is pretty reminiscent to the Majolica Majorca Lash King brush, and Majolica Majorca is a brand I definitely trust with mascaras. If only they weren't so hard to remove. Anyway, unlike the MM Lash King, this is a single sided wand, meaning application is only done with the spiky part of the wand. The other side is essentially useless. What a 1 dimensional wand, you might be thinking, but it's surprisingly good and works well to separate and coat lashes!

The only thing I do not like about the wand is that there are no bristles/spikes at the tip, making it quite hard to reach the outer lashes. It's not too bad for upper lashes, but getting the outer lower lashes is a real pain and not quite achievable with this wand. Going at the bottom lashes with a vertical wand is not possible either. 

Some background on my lashes - I'm quite lucky to have decently long lashes by asian standards, but I don't have very thick lashes. They are also quite gently curled naturally. Hence I normally go for volumising mascaras, though lengthening never hurts. I'm seldom fussed over whether the mascara holds curl. 

When I first used this mascara, I thought meh. It had quite a nice semi-wet consistency and gave me rather nice length and definition, but simisai (translation: what rubbish) volume!? I felt rather cheated, because the mascara is a VOLUM' mascara! So I added on a second layer as I would normally (ie. I let the first layer dry, then add a 2nd) and I was horrified because not only did it clump my lashes, it made them horrendously stick straight! 

I'm not one to give up on products. Lesson learnt - no layering on dry masacara. The picture on the left is with a single coat, the one on the right is with 3 wet coats. You be the judge. 

 From L-R, Curled lashes, no mascara; single coat; 3 coats of mascara.

The mascara is really versatile. You could probably get away with people thinking  you're not wearing mascara with a single coat of mascara, yet get an almost false lash effect with multiple coats. This mascara also really lives up to its waterproof formula, I could only get it off with an oil-based/bi-phase make-up remover. Gel removers and cleansing waters don't get the dirty deed done. That means, no smudging through the day! 

Certainly, the longevity of the mascara sounds good, but I would not recommend this for a full day of wear. This is because the formula is a rather heavy formula. I find that even with curled lashes, the mascara causes my curl to semi flatten out over the day.

Also, the length that is built tends to kind of droop after about the 5 hour mark and I'm not a fan of obvious fiber bits. The bright side is that these fibers don't flake off I guess? They kinda just like to hang. (heehee)

I also don't know if this happens to anyone else, but the blackness of the mascara disappears when it's been worn for too long! My lashes just look kinda dry and old.. it's really quite odd. Of course, these are really only visible if more than one layer is put on.


Summary:
Pros:

• Interesting wand that's easy to use and apply
• Versatile mascara: both natural and false lash looks can be achieved
• Good lengthening effects
• Decent volume can be achieved without clumping
• Waterproof formula that can be removed with oil-based/biphase remover
• No smudging
• No flaking

Cons:

• Can't really hold a curl
• Fiber tips tend to droop after a while
• Formula loses darkness after a while, lashes look old and dry
• Hard to reach outer lashes and bottom lashes with this wand

Conclusion: I would purchase this mascara for its natural look rather than its volumizing effects. This is also more a school day type mascara, not full working day. Most of the cons can be mitigated by wearing only a single coat, and since the natural look is one I favour, this mascara gets a B+ from me. 

Have you used this mascara before? What are your thoughts? Happy Monday everyone! I really enjoyed writing this review but now it's time for me to get back to the serious dissertation writing. Toodles!

Weekly Favourites #8

Hello lovelies! How's the week been treating you? I've had a rather breakthrough week with some of my products and I'm super excited to share with you how I use them.

I've had the Renew Rose Hip Oil for a rather long time. I've used it on and off, always put off by how my skin could not fully absorb the oil. I absolutely detested the oily film it left on my face no matter how long I left it on to sink in. However, I recently dug it up to give it another whirl. This time, on a rather sturdy cotton pad, I put quite a good bit of hyaluronic acid toner (I use the Naris Up Hyaluronic Skin Conditioner) and then 2 drops of rose hip oil, then swipe it all over my face. I find this method allows the mix to fully absorb into my skin and leaves it completely moisturized and plump. My skin seems to be healing more quickly too (might be a placebo effect) and I'm really loving it!

Ah Mac Pro Longwear Concealer... we have a serious love-hate relationship. I could never quite like the texture of the concealer and found it too watery and thin, affecting the coverage that it gave. However, since most of my scarring has gotten slightly lighter and I've gotten fairer, the coverage of this concealer is perfect. It works best with a flat powder brush or stippling brush, rather than fingers (that was my mistake) for higher coverage. It layers rather well, to a maxium of 2-3 layers before it starts to cake, enough to blur out the most obvious imperfections. Most days now I just use this concealer with powder and I've really got the 5 minute face routine down pat. -smug face-

Has anyone ever finished an entire tube of lip balm before it gets lost or purchasing a new one? I have to admit that I lose lipbalms like I shed hair (okay, that might be TMI). However, they more or less do turn up when I clear out my bags. The Maybelline Baby Lips in Smoothing Cherry turned up the other day. It's colourless and massively emollient. It might be odd but I adore the artificial cherry smell (don't judge me). I don't find the moisturizing effects last but the short term effect is just great. Doesn't help that the colour combination of the tube is so adorable.

A repeat favourite! I've been experimenting with the Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Ultra Comb and testing it to its limits and so far I have not been disappointed. This works well in a single layer (or 2) for the nicest, barely accentuated lashes. I am a sucker for a natural looking lash. I also tried layering this mascara wet, and after 3 layers or so, I got the most incredible volume and length, almost like I was wearing false lashes. The only problem is that the extended portion of lashes tend to droop if I wear the mascara for too long, but since I seldom wear mascara for such extended periods, it's perfect!

A friend once told me, girls are attracted to all things sparkly (upon looking at a Swarovski crystal display case and oohing and aahing) and I could not agree more. I just had to share this H&M ring. It's a blue, green, purple, gold sparkly glittery orgasm in a ring. I am obsessed. At SGD$6.90, it's the perfect pick me up for the day (or week if you must).

Hava great friday night everyone! I'm going to be tucked away at home performing magic on my dissertation. Wish me luck! <3

Weekly Favourites #7

Ah monday blues how I do not like you. As I've been mentioning, I'm trying to curb the spending habit so I've dug through my stash for some oldies but goodies.

Turns out my medication helped most of my face but nicely avoided my forehead. My forehead is a cyclical disaster area for comedones. When I realised that the medication wasn't working, I went to the root of the problem - blackheads. I've been using the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque quite excessively (every other day) to try to minimize the blackheads. This really works at deep cleansing the skin and ridding all the excess sebum. The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion stops the comedones from getting inflamed. I used to think the lotion was for under the skin pimples/cysts, but it seems to be working on comedones too. The pair have been working quite well together, enough for me to see steady improvement. My only worry is that I'm drying out the skin but we'll see how that goes.

My love for pinks have fizzled and I've gone orange. My outdoor cheeks have been adorned with the Barry M Blusher in Orange. Honestly, the neon orange scared me at first, but all I need is a little on my cheeks for some life. Since this blush is matte, the NYX Mosaic Blush in Highlighter pops on the subtlest of glows. On the cheeks, nose bridge, cupid's bow, eyebrows, inner tear duct... I probably overuse it. No glitter or sparkles, only a pearly sheen.

My new purchase of the Maybelline Mineral Concealer in 02 Medium was an old favourite 5 years ago and I've rediscovered why. I feel like this has a new formula that's slightly more slippery, but just dabbed on, stippled out with a powder brush and medium to high coverage, easy peasy. My face has never gone on faster. This has been a godsend for my forehead.

The boy has always said eyeliner ages me so I've been ditching the eyeliner in favour of the Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Ultracomb for school days (Y'know, to try to blend in with the 19 year olds, who am I kidding). This varies from the version with the normal brush as the effect is much more natural. Wouldn't say it gives my lashes that much more volume but I tend to favour lashes that actually look like lashes. 2 coats, definitely waterproofed it's way through a sweaty gym session hour.

Anyone shares the same favourites as me? What are yours? Have a good start to the week!

10 under 10

Good Monday girls! If you don't know, I'm now a student again and school has officially started. Not too sure if that's a good thing, but what I know for sure is that going from a sizeable pay cheque each month to an allowance again is not fun. I definitely had to cut back my spending, and that includes makeup too.

As fellow Singaporeans know, the price of makeup in Singapore is definitely not on the cheap side - a drugstore foundation like l'oreal or maybelline can easily set us back S$30 or more. I have compiled a list of products (that I've used and quite like/don't hate) which fall under the S$10 category which hopefully might help some people start out. All the products here can pretty much achieve a simple everyday makeup look.

Psst I did cheat - there're 11 products!

Elf Studio Line Powder Brush ($6, found at smoochiezz's warehouse/sales or at watson's tradeshows for slightly more expensive)
I use the this every single time I do my make up. It is the only item in my makeup collection I can truly refer to as a holy grail item and I have 3 of these brushes (1 I've thrown away). This brush can do everything! It buffs in liquid and creams like a dream, when stippled gives beautifully blended high coverage. Can be used with mineral foundations, even powder blushes and loose powder when used with a loose hand. If you could only buy one brush, buy this brush. My only complaint is that water tends to loosen the handle so be careful when washing.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector 10ml ($2, found at selected watsons)
Okay, I cheated again, this is a travel sized item. I suspect these were leftover stock from beauty boxes. Well, for $2, no harm trying. I don't love this nor hate this item, but it has SPF26 (better than nothing), and is a good yellow-tone for majority of the chinese in Singapore. Also does a decent job at evening out skin tone, though in my case it is just a tad too fair.

Essence Match 2 Cover Cream Concealer ($4.50, found at selected watsons)
I've raved about this insanely here. I don't think I need to rave more. If you're worried about undereye circles, use this and be happy.

NYX Concealer in a Jar ($7, smoochiezz's warehouse/sales or watsons's tradeshows for more expensive)
This concealer is supposed to be a dupe for MAC's Studio Fix Concealer. I don't think it's as high coverage, but I do like that it's has high enough coverage and enough tackiness to cover blemishes and not shift during the day. I used to use it quite a bit, if I wasn't the concealer whore I am I think I would still be using it today. If I'm not wrong the formula has been updated to be slightly creamier but I do have the updated formula in another colour and it works fine.

Elf HD Powder ($10, smoochiezz's warehouse/sales or watsons' tradeshows for more expensive)
I hope this doesn't constitute cheating because it is technically $10 if you know where to find it. Decent setting powder, really does seem to blur out imperfections and really mattifies the skin. Said to be a dupe for the MUFE HD Powder (which I don't have). Don't use it if indulging in flash photography though (google - silica powder flash photography). You have been warned.

Alobon Blush ($5-7, Mustafa)
I usually chicken out from buying facial products from places that sell makeup that's slightly dubious in origin and content, but I did fair amount of research and it seemed alright. I really like this blush, I do. It reminds me so much of the MAC MSFs and is just so pretty and marbled I would buy it just to look at it. And it's just so cheap. It is also incredibly pigmented, some are incredibly sparkly (can be avoided by using a stippling blush) and can double up as highlighter. It has also never broken me out.

Mizon Blooming Tint ($6, Venus at Clementi)
If you're not one to put dubious makeup on your face, then try this Mizon Blooming Tint. The concept is similar to Benefit's Benetint in that it can be used both on the cheeks and lips. I found this to be a thick liquidy texture that is not highly pigmented. For my skintone, it is barely visible on the cheeks, but for fairer people it will be a really nice natural flush of colour though it does take a while to build up. I like it more on the lips as the result is really a rosier, pinker version of my lip colour. It also fills up the fine lines and has a subtle glossiness. Very much love it for its subtlety.

L.A Girl Lipstick ($10, selected guardians)
Extremely pigmented and creamy lipstick in a very large array of colours. Packaging looks cheap, but all the lipsticks from the drugstore brands (aside from Essence) are at almost double the price or more. This works.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner ($8.75, found here)
I don't know if this can be found in Singapore yet, but regardless, it's cheaper online. I seem to have misplaced my black version, but this eyeliner is nicely pigmented, creamy and really does last a decent while. I picked a pencil liner over a liquid liner because they're just more versatile in the sense that I can use a pencil liner to tightline, do a cateye, or smudge it out for a smokey eye. Have your pick.

Silky Girl Big Eye Collagen Waterproof Mascara ($14.90, usually on sale at watsons/guardian)
Okay, I really am a big cheat, but this mascara is always on sale when I visit the drugstore. I think I got mine for $8. The only cheaper mascaras would be those in daiso (no way I'm letting a $2 product go near my eyes) and the Essence mascaras (the range is INSANE I don't dare to start testing). It may be astonishing, but this is the only mascara I have found that does not smudge on me. I have tried mascaras from l'oreal, maybelline, majolica majorca, estee lauder, dior, mac and they've all transferred to my under eye without fail. Lord knows why of all brands, Silky Girl would work out. Anyway, this is really quite good, slightly wet formula that coats lashes evenly without clumping. It lengthens the lashes considerable, and volumizes them strand by strand rather than as a clump. No thin spidery lashes for this mascara. I do quite love it.

Maybelline Eyebrow Pencil by Eyestudio ($6.90, selected watsons)
No face can do without brows, you need a brow pencil. This has one of the most neutral brown grays I've seen and would match black hair, brown hair, heck even blond if you like intense brows. Easy to use, doesn't go on too dark, I even use it to line my eyes sometimes. It does tug a little bit if I do my eyes, but it works for a lightly defined eye. Simple and good.

Hopefully that wasn't too long ore tedious a read. What are your top 10 under 10 - Singapore version? I would love to know!



Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated to any of the brands featured, nor were any of the products sponsored. All products featured were paid for by myself.

Weekly Favourites #1

Hello hello my happies! It's a great day as it's the first week that I have after officially concluding my working life and restarting my life as a full time student. I technically should have more than enough time to do at least weekly updates so get ready to see more of me on this blog.

My new project is to do at least a weekly favourites, though honestly, don't expect them to vary too much as I'm not that fickle a person. But I'll definitely try to change my items up.

Moving on ->

/edit. I think this post is rather long, I will cut down the number of items in my future weeklies. /edit.

I found this vintage (I use this word very loosely) clutch during one of my site visits for my dissertation. Honestly, you can find the best deals in HDB estates *wink. To cut a long story short, I saw it when I started my site look-a-round, lusted after it for about 2 hours, and then bought it for myself as a reward after I completed my visit. What sweetened the deal was the discount the auntie gave me. Been carrying this around ever since even though clutches are a ton more irritating than a sling bag. Fits all my shit too! It can fit my bigass long wallet, my iphone, an umbrella/waterbottle....love it!

This Kate Moss Velvet Hour perfume is another all time favourite of mine. I got it after I finished my La Perla and Chanel Chance and Paris Hilton (sense my desperation for a new perfume?) and I got it because I like my signature scent to be...uncommon. Velvet Hour takes some getting used to, and I find it a rather complex scent (I hope, my nose is rather unsophisticated). It starts of rather peppery spicy but that smell wears off into a rather awesome floral musk. This is definitely gonna be a repurchase of mine. I find the scent matches the clutch too. Bonus!

California Baby Aloe Vera Cream was a desperate purchase of mine when my forehead broke out insanely in comedones (I swear it was ALL OVER I must've had more than 50 on my forehead) and was crazy dry and flaking at the same time. I was going so mad over it because I felt so helpless. My forehead has been loving this - one application and it stopped all the crazy flaking! I was sold! Though there has been some controversy over the brand reformulating its ingredients, the formula doesn't seem to irritate my skin. It kinda also has been working wonders on the lines under my eyes...This whipped cream is like a cool soft, waxy balm that applies matte on the face. It's leaves a little of a waxy/oily thin protective layer which does not interfere with make up.

My one and only Revlon lip butter when I succumbed to the craze is in Tutti Frutti . I'm not a big fan of lip products as I just don't want that much make up on my face. I already smother enough make up on my face for my complexion. Recently though, I've been rather loving the ombre lip look and have been using this to stain the insides of my lips. The colour is a gorgeous coral and is not too extreme. It's gone by the first meal but honestly I don't really care.

Natural Collection Blush in Pink Cloud has been my go to blush for about half a year now and I've hardly made a dent. It's just the sweetest, subtle-lest, matte pink blush to put on the apples of the cheeks. It's not a unique colour, I'm sure, but the formulation has just the right amount of pigment and is not powdery or chalky and it's pretty darn cheap too at 3 pounds (if I recall correctly). It's the perfect hint of flushed are you not wearing blush colour for me.

My mom really likes the Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara and gifted me a sample to stop me from wearing too much eyeliner. She really likes it. This really coats my lashes and makes them fuller and longer without making them look fake like most drugstore mascaras do on my thin chinese lashes. The only downside is that I don't think this is a waterproof formula, rather a smudgeproof formula. For my oily eyes, it does transfer to my lower eyes sometimes so I cannot wear it on my lower lashes.

Lastly and finally, I've had this Estee Lauder CyberWhite Brilliant Cells BB Cream for quite a while but only recently dug it out. This pinky toned BB cream has pretty much no coverage but does a brilliant job at perking up skin tone. This BB cream really makes me aspire for perfect skin so that I can wear it on its own ): I like to apply this on the center of my face just as a nice brightening base. Then I don't apply foundation on my T zone. Sounds weird I know, but it does the job.

Have a great week ahead and let me know your favourites! <3

Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara Review

I have recently been into this whole smokey eye only with eyeliner thing. My sister tells me it makes my eyes so big it's scary, but I'm kinda lovin' it. But with that look, it makes my eyelashes look non existent, and I'm not the type of person who would spend the time to put on false eyelashes everyday. I also really hate mascara that makes my lashes clump, and essentially look like I have mascara on. Yes, I'm hard to please.

I think though, that the Majolica Majorca Lash King mascara is pretty damn close to what I am looking for. 

It retails for about S$25.90 at Watsons, I got it at 30% off during one of the sales, so for $18 bucks it really is worth it. 

I have to put a disclaimer here saying that I know nuts about mascaras. I am not a mascara fiend because I'm actually quite lazy to put on mascara in the day. Therefore, I have not given myself the opportunity to try many mascaras (thank goodness if not I'll be spending even more money). I have tried the older mascara from MM with a comb instead of brush though.

First up. WHAT TACKY PACKAGING. I absolutely hate the fake gold/metal cover. For goodness sake, plastic is not whimsical in any way. At least use a spray painted metallic paint to make it look like proper metal, not some cheapo plastic. At least that way, it'll feel a little bit more expensive. Owell, on the plus side, tacky plastic does not flake I guess. 

That aside, I guess it looks quite good from afar so make sure that you're standing in a deserted corner of the toilet if applying mascara in a public toilet. 

This mascara is a fiber based mascara, unlike its older counterpart ( or at least the one I tried, can't remember its name anymore). It looks quite scary when the wand is drawn out of the tube because the fibers look so long. I was very afraid that it would fall into my eye when I was applying, but it applied very easily. Also I had my doubts about the fibers looking sleek on the lashes when applied because they're so damn long, but I was pleasantly surprised at how natural this applied.

The brush works great in separating the lashes, unlike the comb mascara which i found actually caused my lashes to stick together cos the formula was kinda sticky. This formula is way drier so no sticking there! Also, this differs from the comb formula in that it's not a glossy formula. So lashes don't look as black and shiny, but more fluffy and real.

I really think that this picture does all the talking. I believe that this mascara is promoted to add volume to the lashes, but I find that length is really its strong point. This works decent at volume, but unless you're into the super clumped up look, this will not work. This really makes lashes look like lashes, but better.

I was honestly shocked at how this mascara did not leave those unsightly clumps on the lashes that have to be combed out later with another comb. I really loved it. Then I stupidly went to add another coat. NO. THIS MASCARA ONLY WORKS WITH ONE COAT. ONE. 2 coats spoil anything. This mascara teaches you not to be greedy. 2 coats will cause the brush to get stuck when combing through the lashes, and cause clumps EVERYWHERE. You have been warned. ONE.

I don't usually curl all my lashes, but I do sometimes curl my outer lashes because I like the lift. I found that this mascara does not hold the outer curl very well, though they don't straighten out.

Absolutely waterproof, though I found that when I laugh a lot or blink too hard, I do get slight smudging under the eye at midday. Pretty negligible in my opinion. It really lasts at least 12 hours, and even then, quite a chore to get off if you use a water-based remover. That's the price to pay for something that's so permanent. I have taken a bath with this mascara on and it looked exactly the same. No streaks then, so I gather the transfer is more from rubbing than tears.

It really is a winner if you, like me, are a fan of natural looking lashes. It also helps to save time because you know there's no way in hell you can put on a 2nd layer. ^_^V


Summary:


Pros:

• Super natural looking formula
• Lengthens like crazy with just one layer
• Decent volumizing properties
• Waterproof
• Lasts forever

Cons:

• Transfer to under eye slightly
• Does not hold curl very well
• Cannot put more than one coat
• Hard to remove

Maybelline Great Lash BIG and L'oreal Ultra-Volume Collagene Mascara Review

I found out a while ago that I have a friend that has kept her mascara for almost a decade and to my horror has actually used it recently. She claimed that it was just the white part, and it didn't smell funky or was in any way bad. Mascaras...scary things.

Anyway, before the times of the great invention made public - the false eyelashes, there was mascara. For the women who don't like going through the hassle of sticking falsies on, or just don't know how, here are 2 mascaras that I quite like. I haven't found one that I love so....

They are Maybelline's Great Lash BIG Mascara, in Blackest Black and L'oreal Ultra-Volume Collagene Mascara in what I also assume to be simply, just Black. 

Maybelline Great Lash has a couple of formula's like the original Great Lash, and the waterproof one. The one I have claims to give bigger lashes (duh), and I think just has a larger/different wand than the original Great Lash. This is not the waterproof formula. I apologise for the flaking condition the tube is in. This is why companies should print not stick. Apart from that, I do like the strawberry themed colouring of the tube. The neon green cap makes it extremely easy to spot in a mass/mess of tubes.

L'oreal Ultra-Volume Collagen Mascara, which I shall henceforth call LUVCM,  is enriched with Hydra-Collagene, supposedly known for its volumising  properties, and claims to plump lashes up to 12x. *coughbullshitcough*. No more elaboration on marketing. I bought this because I thought it was waterproof, but it's actually not, so it was a mistake buy. Nonetheless, it has gorgeous packaging, a glossy plastic that almost looks like glass. It has a black tube in a transparent outer casing. Very nice, but also attracts fingerprints. Reminds me of Lancome at any rate. 

Here's a look at the wands. Nothing out of the ordinary.

LUVCM applies a rich matte black. It both volumizes and lengthens quite drastically, and is overall still quite a natural looking mascara. When I first bought this mascara, it applied like a dream. It didn't clump, even when layering. It has since dried out and clumps a bit when I try to apply it. So ladies, remember to cap this baby tightly if you have it!

I would suggest layering this mascara while it's wet and to stop applying the moment it starts to dry up because it WILL clump. I would also not put more than 2 coats of this. I guess clumps could always be managed by an old mascara wand or a comb but we all know we're in search of the mascara that does not need that.

I don't usually curl my lashes, so the lengthening effect is not obvious, but look closely at the closed eyes and you'll see that my lashes have grown quite a bit by the 2nd coat.

This is not waterproof so don't expect it to hold up. It smudges a bit on my undereye after a few hours, but that could be because I didn't curl my lashes. At any rate, I find that I only need to clean my undereye once if I'm out the entire day.

My eyes are not symmetrical, neither are my eyelashes. This eye of mine seems to have sparser, less evenly spread, but longer eyelashes.

Maybelline Great Lash BIG (MGLB) is favourite mascara to date for a natural look. Reviews online have said make up artists rave about this product but in their opinion it does shit. I do not agree!

MGLB is not the blackest of mascaras in the market, even though the colour I have says blackest black. But our lashes are not incredibly black either anyway. It Does darken lashes, but not in a HEY LOOK AT ME! way.

It's lengthening properties are perhaps more visible than its volumizing, but I feel it does both very well. The brush catches every lash and coats them evenly. This mascara rarely clumps. Unless of course, you're an idiot who puts like 10 coats of mascara. 2 coats work well for me because I'm lazy. On lazy days, I only coat my bottom lashes because they lengthen my lower lashes but nobody can tell I have mascara on. It's awesome!

As again, I like to layer this when my mascara is still wet and stop when it's dry, but this mascara can be layered when dry. The photos above are layered when dry, as I had to pause to take the photo then add a layer.

MGLB is not a waterproof formula, so yes it will smudge. I had this with me when I was in the cold climate of Sweden and I found it didn't smudge when I was out of the heat and humidity of Singapore. Yay!


Summary:

Pros (LUVCM):

• Intense matte black
• drastically lengthens and voluminizes with just 1 or 2 layers

Cons (LUVCM):

• Smudges on the undereye
• clumps when layered too much
• seems to be drying out too fast

Pros (MGLB):

• Super natural looking
• Lengthens very well
• Can be layered quite a bit and still not clump and still look natural

Cons (MGLB):

• Smudges on the undereye
• Needs at least 2 layers to build up to desired length
• Does not voluminize that well