Revlon Overtime Mascara Review: Long Yes, But Not Exactly Long Lasting

So, I'm a big fan of makeup that is long lasting. I don't really have time for any touchups in my life, and having to think about my concealer or mascara at mid-day? yeah, I think I'll pass. So, this new "everything lasts 24 hours" trend is one I approve of. When it works.

I really want to be able to recommend this mascara. Look at how it worked to start with! It adds some great length and volume. But by the end of the day (these pics are about 12 hours later) it really has fallen a bit flat. No flakes or smudges, but not as much curl and the volume is way down.

I do have to say that this product is easy to use. The formula doesn't clump, it separated my lashes pretty easily and I really do like how it looks for the first 10 hours or so.

What do you think? Would you call it a failure after 10 hours of greatness?

Revlon

5

Pure Romance Bedroom Eyes Mascara Review: Crazy Volume

Lately I am all about crazy volume in my mascara. I'm buying volumizing mascaras left and right, and when I'm not photographing them for review pics I'm often layering them. (Tip: Making the second mascara one with a molded plastic brush is really helpful for preventing the clumpies. I hate the clumpies. I like to use CG LashBlast Fusion.)

This is my current favorite first layer. The pictures here don't do it justice, there really is a lot of volume in this wand, especially when paired with a second mascara. The brush has nylon bristles that are pretty close together, and you really do need to do a light wipe with a kleenex first. Application is very easy after that, just the normal wiggle as you pull it through your lashes. The result is great volume, nice length and it helps hold the curl. The pics above were "done" about 14 hours later and you can see that the curl fell a little bit throughout the day, but the volume was definitely still in full force (easier to see in the "looking up" pics).

The mascara doesn't have any issues with smudging or flaking. One note, Pure Romance says that this is waterproof, I'd call it more water resistant. I noticed a little bit of smudging one day when I got something in my eye, I rubbed it... it was watering... in my book a really waterproof mascara doesn't do that. It was less smudging than I'd see with a "normal" mascara. On the plus side, it was easier to remove than a waterproof mascara.

I got some great compliments on my lashes whenever using this mascara. Definitely one I'll be reaching for in the future!


Pure Romance

3

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Review: Waterproof ANY Mascara

A good waterproof mascara is hard to find. Often it doesn't apply quite like the non-waterproof version, is nearly impossible to remove (anyone else gone to bed with a bit of residual mascara because you've just given up on removing it all?) or even worse... it isn't actually waterproof!

Over at Anastasia they've decided to fix this problem. Enter Lash Genius. This is an amazing product, it makes any mascara waterproof!

If you take a look at the brush inset above, you'll see that Lash Genius is a translucent milky white gel that is a bit "loose" and not sticky. I apply it after my mascara, but while that mascara is still a bit wet. It doesn't seem to cause clumping or spidery lashes, which is amazing. Instead, it is absolutely, 100% invisible. Let it dry and you're free to get wet!

Once applied, I decided to test this mascara waterproofer in my most intensive way possible at home, which is in the shower. Yup, I applied mascara, the Lash Genius, and hopped in the shower. (If it was summer and I had a pool I would have gone for a swim. I'm not lucky enough for either to be true.) After the shower my mascara had wilted a little bit, meaning it just looked like I'd had it on for a few hours. I had less curl and volume. But, there was no running, no smudging and no raccoon eyes! I think that's a success.

I will say that this product is more dependent on the user than the typical waterproof mascara. Because you're applying this over your regular mascara, you won't waterproof a spot if you miss it. If you hit a spot with the Lash Genius, it will be waterproof. Just remember that there is more user error with this product than a typical waterproof mascara.


You can enter to win a Lash Genius now from Anastasia! Comment on their FB page post about your favorite tear jerker movie.


Anastasia

2

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara Review: Does Lancome Hype Equal Amazing Volume?

Sooo.... how 'bout dem Lancome mascaras? Pretty amazing, heh? I swear every time I turn around I hear about how amazing they are. I've tried them before, but since they often are for things I don't need more of (any more length and my lashes will be permanently stuck to the inside of my glasses), I usually ignore them. Plus that whole thing with the vibrating of the wand? I fell for it and ran to my local counter, only to get a mascara that was kind of blah. And expensive.

On a recent trip to Sephora, I went to look for the Doll's Eye's mascara that everyone loves. And got distracted by this one, which seem REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT VOLUME. (It is "the ultimate instant-volume mascara for lash drama") So, I grabbed it instead.

The first thing that you'll notice about this mascara is the shape of the wand. It's a bit flattened and it has this strange curvy S shape. The bristles also stick out a bit at some wonky angles, though I believe this is on purpose. It took a while to get the hang of it, but the idea is that the S curves around with your lid, letting you hit more of the lashes at once.

I found that this bristles hold on to a lot of product, and you'll want to blot it gently with a tissue before application or else this can get pretty messy! After the light blotting I found that it was a pretty clump free mascara and did help with some nice volume, though it wasn't a lot of volume. There was some length, but not a lot. And the curl seemed to depart towards dinner time.

I'd put this mascara in the "nice" category, but I have better ones that cost less. I'll continue to reach for my LashBlast when I want lots of volume.


Note that this mascara comes in a dark grey from Lancome and their counters. It appears that the color I have, Excessive Black, might be a Sephora exclusive? Not sure, but it appears to be only from Sephora on-line and when I double checked my local Lancome counter only had the grey.
Lancome

3

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Mascara Review: No Curler Needed?

This mascara from Hard Candy promises volume and curl in 1 little tube, no curler even needed. I was a bit afraid of the exaggerated hour glass shape of the mascara wand at first, but overall... how did it do?

Well, once I was used to that wand, the results were pretty good. I found that I did still need to use a curler, though I thought the mascara held the curl pretty well through most of the day. It offered good length and volume and clumping was kept to a minimum. As well, there were no flaking or smudging issues.

To get good results with that crazy wand you'll need to ignore the entire length of the wand and just use one "bulb". The exaggerated shape meant that I could hit lashes with the 2 bulbs, but in between I was missing lashes. Somehow I always managed to make one of the 2 areas clumpy. Just use it like it is a round mascara brush and you'll be fine!


Hard Candy

1

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review: Does it Live Up To the Hype?

I don't usually care too much about the writing on my mascara's package. But, this one seemed to come with more than the usual number of promises. Combined with the name, some hype from old Makeup Alley friends... and yeah... to say I had high expectations for this mascara is a bit of an understatement. Long wearing, dramatic volume, length and curl. Pretty much sounds like a dream mascara, right?

Is that what I got?

Well, it's pretty good. I had a bit of an issue with clumping, but that seems to be par for the course these days. A little help from a lash comb and those issues are solved. (Reminder: I don't use the lash comb when taking pics since about 99% of people skip that step. Here you can see things look a little clumpy, but it actually isn't too bad.)

I thought there was good length and volume, though the results weren't quite as long lasting as I had hoped. I've just double checked the times on my before and after pics, and that's only 10 hours. (I usually have about 12-14 hours for those pics, I think I was distracted by my daughter and got a super late start that day.) 10 hours and things are already starting to droop a bit...

So, yes, the results look good, but have a lash comb ready and don't expect all day results. I'd be fine with using this mascara for a night out, but not so much for a full day at work.

Benefit Cosmetics

3

Milani Runway Lashes Review: Still Debating

I have to admit that I'm still undecided about this mascara. Yes, it adds volume. Milani claims that it is long lasting (yup), smear-proof (that too), but non-clumping. This is my issue, since for me this mascara really was clump-city.

After applying, I had to spend quite a bit of time using my lash brush pulling things apart. Note, I skip that step on picture days since about 99.99% of women don't do this. I try to show how it will work for you. So, here are some clumps! This was actually a somewhat clump free day.

BUT.... once the clumps were gone, I did like this mascara. It adds some volume. It adds some length. It keeps the curl pretty much all day, about the 12 hour mark (this pic was at 14 hours) things do start to disappear. Until then, it looks pretty much the same as right after application. I'm just not too sure about the time I spent to keep things clump free. If you figure out the trick, let me know!


Milani

0

5 Years of Favorite Products: CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara Review

This is the best non-fiber lengthening mascara that I've found. It applies easily and quickly, adds (the illusion of) some nice length, holds curl and gives a little bit of volume. I've mostly used it as a second mascara, for use after 1 coat of a volumizing mascara (usually the LashBlast Volume). The plastic bristles are great for pulling apart lashes so I don't end up with clumpy spidery lashes.

CoverGirl

1

5 Years of Favorite Products: CoverGirl LashBlast Volume

Before the release of LashBlast Fusion, Lash Blast Volume Mascara was my go-to mascara. It provides good volume that lasts pretty much all day without becoming a big clumpy mess.


CoverGirl

1

5 Years of Favorite Products: LashBlast Fusion Mascara Review

Back when I originally reviewed LashBlast Fusion mascara, I called it a holy grail mascara. I still feel that way. This is a go-to mascara for me, one that offers great volume and length without flaking or smudging. The brush is plastic, which I find is the best way for me to avoid clumps.

CoverGirl


I originally had a sample of this mascara, but I've since repurchased many, many times.

3

5 Years of Favorite Products: CoverGirl LashBlast 24HR Review, The Mascara I'd Use if I Still Took Overnight Call

When I heard that a 24 hour version of CoverGirl's LashBlast mascara was going to be released, I admit I was a little bit.... perturbed? Why, oh mascara gods, hadn't this been released years ago? Like maybe.... 2001? When I first started taking overnight call as a medical student? That was in the pre-80 hour work week days (why yes, the hours are federally mandated to not exceed 80 hours now. Which sounds like a lot until you hear that I generally worked well over 100 hours a week as the med student and the residents worked even more.) Anyways, by the end of a 36 hour shift, I looked like a hot mess.

So, this mascara probably wouldn't have survived those 36 hour shifts (it is labelled 24 hours) but it would have been closer than many other mascaras!

To me, this mascara is similar to LashBlast Fusion. It lengthens. It volumizes. It helps maintain curl. Except it just does it for a really long time. At the end of the day (these pics are after about 17 hours) things look almost as good as they did that morning, with no smudges or flakes. I haven't tested this mascara for a full 24 hours (I no longer take overnight in hospital call), but if I did I have a feeling that it would live up to the claims.

I will say that this mascara is a little harder than other "normal" mascaras to remove. It isn't in the ballpark of a waterproof mascara, but it definitely requires a good eye makeup remover and a little scrubbing to fully remove it. I think it is worth it!

CoverGirl

4

5 Years of Favorite Products: CoverGirl LashBlast Mascaras, All of Them

I fully admit that I got a little distracted and never really finished up my series of my favorite beauty products as part of my 5 year blogiversary.

To help make up for it, I've been taking way too many pics of my eye balls in an effort to properly document my favorite mascara. Because, you see, I don't just have one. (Oh no! How could I have just one favorite mascara??) I have an entire line of favorite mascaras. It was really hard to pick a favorite, and I noticed that I tended to keep coming back to the CoverGirl LashBlast mascaras.

To really share them with you properly, I've taken new pics of all of them and I'll be reviewing (or re-reviewing, whichever is the case) all of them this week. One a day.

So, stay tuned for lots of amazing (and affordable) lashes!


CoverGirl


Most of these mascaras I purchased, some were sent to me by CoverGirl for consideration, and then some of those were repurchased again. Only the Luxe hasn't been purchased by me at some point, though to be fair I only tried it for the first time about a month ago!

1

MAC Studio Fix Mascara Review

This little plastic molded brush has really surprised me. I have to admit that I was a bit shocked when I first pulled it out of the tube. "Really? This little thing?" The brush is short and just... small. The entire thing is molded out of the plastic and the bristles are a bit further apart that I would normally like. I thought it was the perfect set up for either: A) not accentuating my lashes at all. Or B) Clump City. Or most likely, C) All of the above.

It turns out that the right answer is actually D) Neither of the above.

The little brush seems to do a great job of finding every tiny little eye lash and getting mascara on it. The little ones down near your lash line that most wands either miss or just clump in with the bigger ones? Yeah. Got those. This makes your lashes look nice and lush.

Studio Fix also does a good job of not making you look like Tammy Faye Baker with the clumps, though it is a bit hard to keep the lashes from sticking together towards the end of the lashes. I normally just pull these apart using a metal eye lash comb, easy peasy. But, since most people skip this step I do as well on mascara photo days, blah blah blah. So, you can see them there. But! Only the tiny bits of the tips were doing this, it would take about 2 seconds to pull them apart. This mascara is quite a bit better if you take that 1 tiny little step.

The mascara does a good job of holding all day long. Notice that I still have the good volume at the base of my lashes and they are still nicely curled. All in all, I'd recommend this one.


MAC

2

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara Review: Bigger Lashes?

I fully admit that I have previously tried the regular Grow Luscious mascara, but just wasn't very impressed. There wasn't a lot of volume, I had some flaking issues. I was debating about continuing with a trial, but then my friend Nancy over at Beauty 411 posted her Grow Luscious Review. Since she was having a lot of the same issues I decided that it simply wasn't worthwhile continuing with the trial.

So, you can imagine that I was more than a bit skeptical when a different Grow Luscious showed up on my doorstep. This one says "plumping", but is it really a volumizer?

I think it is! This mascara wand does a great job of grabbing every little lash and applying just the right amount of mascara to make it look amazing. There's no clumping. No flakes in sight. The mascara adds a little bit of length, but mostly it adds volume, and it keeps it there for well over 14 hours.

I'm impressed.

Revlon

1

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara Review: Add Length Like Crazy!

I'm a fan of adding length with mascara, but when I have to be careful which pair of glasses I wear with a mascara... You know a lot of length was added! Meet the new Maybelline mascara that can only be used with my Coach glasses.

I recently featured a L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes review, and I was sure that this Maybelline would simply be big sister's mascara in a new tube. But, I was wrong!

I seriously love this mascara, even though it seems to fall a tad flat after the 12 hour mark. First, it is not goopy coming out of the tube, which is unique for a fiber filled mascara. When applying, my lashes immediately just pop. The new length and added volume are immediately apparent. Best of all- it doesn't clump on itself! I can apply 2 coats without issues. I don't need to use a lash brush either.

And these things really are so long with this mascara that I can't wear my new glasses. The lashes brush against the inside of the lenses and leave little smudges behind. They drive me crazy.

After about 12 hours my length and volume have gone down (the pic above was at 14 hours, it was a very long and not fun day at work so I'm a bit scary looking), but there are no flakes or smudges in sight!

Maybelline

11

Maybelline Lots of Lashes: Yet Another Re-Do?

Pretty recently, I shared with you a little review of Maybelline Great Lash Big Edition. It was a dramatic improvement over the original, much touted version. Maybelline released not 1, but 2 new versions of Great Lash this fall. This second version is actually quite a bit different than the Big Edition. The main difference is obviously the brush: nylon bristles versus molded plastic. But, I believe (at least based on what I've read, I don't have confirmation from Maybelline) that the actual mascara formula is basically the same for all 3 versions.

The Lots of Lashes advantage is that the bristles do a great job of keeping the lashes separated and not clumpy. I do have a bit of a hard time getting great volume and length, simply because the bristles seem to put very thin layers of mascara on to lashes. I really have to push quite a bit to get the mascara on to my lashes. Once I've gotten it there, I have good volume and length. It lasts all day (though there is a bit of volume loss), without any flaking or smudging issues.

I've had great success with this mascara as a second layer of mascara. Apply a volumizing mascara, which might have clumping issues, and rather than using my mascara brush to pull things apart I pull out this mascara. The brush does a great job of separating things back out. I usually curl, apply my 1st mascara and before it has a chance to dry. Then I move on to my other eye.

What do you think? Are there any mascaras that you save for layering?

Maybelline Lots of Lashes

4

Maybelline Great Lash, Big Edition: Does Great Lash Finally Live Up to the Hype?

Back in 1991 when Allure magazine was launched, I was just about to start high school and my obsession with beauty products was just beginning. I would pore over every issue, coveting products and buying pretty much anything and everything I could afford with my meager babysitting and candy store salaries (I was the girl that made fudge at the candy store. I swear I couldn't smell chocolate for years I was so desensitized).

So, I swear to you that Maybelline Great Lash was probably mentioned in about 75% of Allure's issues back in the early 1990s. There was always a makeup artist in there somewhere raving about it. They loved the stuff. I had no idea why. I would buy a tube, try it out... and... blah. Just, blah. My lashes weren't long. They weren't volumized. Finally I found out why the makeup artists loved it so much. It was a bit thinner than many other mascaras, so it was great for applying over another mascara. And since models were always running late from their previous runway show.... it was perfect. But for me, wanting amazing lashes for school? Not so much.

I haven't used Great Lash since then. I frequently call it the most over rated mascara on the market. But, I think that my feelings might be changing. Because they've come out with 2 new versions of Great Lash, and they're both much better!

This is the "Big" version. The formula is different than the original Great Lash, they call it Volumizing though it still has the same no smudging/flaking benefits. I think the real change is the brush. Gone is the little spindly brush that didn't really work well for me. This new brush is larger, picks up all of your lashes though it doesn't allow them to clump together. The right amount of mascara is very easy to apply, and really there are no issues with clumps.

I think overall this mascara gives some length and curl, but mostly it is a great volumizer. The results are still natural looking, but I definitely had much more volume. The results lasted throughout the day.

Maybelline Great Lash

1

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara Review: Is it Falsies in a Wand?

I have to admit, this mascara took a lot of practice before I felt comfortable taking pics of how it works. And I'm still not really happy with how things are turning out a few days later, I think I don't quite have the hang of it with this mascara.

According to L'Oreal, this mascara is quite different from their previous Voluminous products.

Super-fine nylon and rayon fibers perfectly adhere to natural lashes, enveloping them from root to tip thanks to an exclusive polymer in the formula. Meanwhile, an architectural precision brush with a 40-degree angle and reverse twist bristles ensure optimal application, making lashes appear fuller, longer, curled and sculpted. No clumps or messy results – just flawless lashes from every angle.

I tried for a looooong time to get a pic of the brush, but my spiffy dSLR was just not having it. I think the amount of mascara, and then the fibers, that come out of the tube (which is how I typically like to showcase the brush, since that's what you'll be dealing with), my camera simply could not decide it was focused. Even in full manual mode, it refused to actually snap a reasonably in focus picture. Over at Addicted to All Things Pretty you'll find a few great pics of the brush with mascara wiped off, this should give you some idea of what the brush looks like underneath all of the mascara!

Basically, this is a mascara with fibers in the formula that adhere to your lashes, improving the length and volume of your lashes. I think that it takes quite a while to get used to using this mascara, and until you do it is clump city. For real, not even remotely joking. I can't even tell you how many days I pulled out my metal eye lash brush and spent about 5 minutes picking all of my lashes apart. It was rough.

I'm finally getting the hang of application now. What I've discovered:
• Do not wipe the mascara wand off with a tissue. For me, this created more clumps on the brush that then simply transferred to my lashes.
• Start at the very base of your lashes and sweep the brush up to the tips, but also a bit diagonal across lashes as you apply. This actually pulled apart the clumps for me.
• I did best with 2 coats, applied immediately together without any drying in between.
• Have a lash brush handy!

Once applied correctly it does a good job of lengthening and volumizing. The day I took these pics I was at work, so I applied about 6:30 am and nightly pics were at 9:30 pm or so. The mascara looked perfect until about 8:30, so the 9:30 after everything starts to disappear isn't entirely accurate. 14 hours of good lashes is a success in my book.

Would I buy this mascara in the future? I probably would, now that I have the tricks of application down. Prior to that, I would have said no. Now I get great volume, a bit of added length and it looks great.

L'Oreal Paris
L'Oreal's Facebook Page

Disclosure addition: I was actually asked to make this a sponsored post, in which I would receive both the product sample and money to write this review. I wasn't sure how this worked with my new BlogHer Contract, and I had this mascara on my shopping list anyways. So, I accepted the sample and said no to the sponsorship. They were requesting that I provide my honest opinion anyways, so that's exactly what I've done.

6

Buxom Lash Review

With my newly lengthened (via Revitalash) eyelashes, I've been having some extra problems due to clumping and just tangled lashes. Yes, I just said tangled. I know, I know, I should be counting my lucky stars lashes, right? Well, I am, but I'll just say that I'm much more appreciative of molded plastic mascara wands that I ever was before. They really do help to separate out my lashes and prevent them from becoming a big tangled mess.

The brush on this Buxom mascara is a perfect example of a great molded brush: the bristles are spaced a little bit further apart, they do vary a little in length (which helps to pick up a few little stragglers on either end of my lash line) and it holds just the right amount of product. I don't have to really work to get the mascara on my lashes, nor do I have to fight to keep my lashes separated. I think it adds great length and volume.

The thing that I'm not quite as happy about is the staying power of this mascara. While I have no smudging or flaking issues, somehow it does just seem to disappear at the end of a long day. I didn't mess up and accidentally put a no mascara picture above in the "that night" spot. It seems as if the mascara disappears when worn over about the 12 hour mark. I still have some length but definitely lose definition and volume.

Buxom Lash

1

DiorShow Iconic: Finally, a Clump Free Mascara From Dior!

In the past, I've always been disappointed by DiorShow. I hear tons of raves for these popular mascaras, but when I've tried them in the past the result has just been lashes full of clumps.

A few months ago, I found their new Iconic mascara on an end cap at my local Sephora. At the time I was having a particularly hard time keeping my lashes curled for more than about 5 minutes, so when the display promised "curling" I grabbed this mascara!

According to the Sephora website, the "oblique cut brush that gives an extra lash-curling effect. With its long, skinny teeth, the plastic comb brush allows you to precisely coat each lash one-by-one-creating a long, separated fan of lashes that usually takes the skill of a makeup artist."

Since buying this mascara, I've had some amazing lash growing success (I used Revitalash)and the result is that now rather than having lashes that won't curl, I have lashes that are very easy to tangle. Seriously, it is actually a problem. They are so long that they can easily get bunched up and I need help to keep them separated.

The brush from DiorShow Iconic does help keep my lashes separated. The bristles are plastic and don't move around a lot, but because they spiral around the brush they do pick up most of the little lashes that are otherwise easily missed. Application was easy and I didn't even need to wipe off the mascara wand first. I think it does a great job of giving me added length and volume without looking clumpy. There was no flaking or smudging, though I did lose some curl by the end of the day. It removes very easily with pretty much any makeup remover.

DiorShow Iconic Mascara

3