You have better things to read, you say? I doubt it. Onwards.
I tried all of these with one coat only. Just to be fair. And scientific. Because this is super sciencey. Then I came here to tell you my thoughts. You don’t have anything better to do today, remember?
Loreal Voluminous:
Spoiler Alert – this is my winner. This is the mascara I will be buried in. Definite volume, goes on easily, fullest looking lashes, slight flaking. The bit of flaking was worth it for how well it covered and amped my lashes.
CK One Color:
I could tell this was a higher end mascara, but it just didn’t give me the fullness I like. It covered my lashes evenly, but that is about it. I think I would need to add multiple coats to get the effect I like. It was meh for the price.
Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara:
This one has the cool little ball-tip applicator. So, you don’t put it on like normal mascara. Instead of brushing it on, you paint it on with a stroking motion. Despite the price tag and the supposedly newest trend in mascara application, I felt that it had a similar look to the Calvin Klein: went on nicely, but didn’t have a ton of volume. And, let’s be honest, I don’t need to learn a new way to apply mascara. I’m good.
Mary Kay Lash Love:
This was a close second to Voluminous. I felt like it gave me the volume that I wanted and it didn’t clump. It did have a major advantage as well – it didn’t flake at all. The only reason it comes in second is that it gave me slightly less fullness.
Great Lash BIG:
I really liked the coverage on this one; I got really big lashes – just like it says. Props to the marketing team. However, I liked the results better when I used two coats. I am a weirdo about mascara wands, and this one was big and chunky – oh and that is a good thing… One last note: I don’t know if this was the mascara or something else, but my eyes were really itchy the day I wore this. Has anyone else experienced itchy eyes with this brand? Was my experience a fluke? I will try this one again to be sure – I liked it enough.
UPDATED!
Benefit Roller Lash:
This is almost as full as my previous winner: Voluminous. And, fullness is usually my number one criteria. But, the reason this one comes out on top is because it really does what it says. My eyelashes are instantly lifted and look like I took a curler to them. Also, it doesn’t flake a single bit! So, the curling action makes up for the very slight decrease in fullness and make it my fave. But, I get so sentimental about things, so I might go back to my Loreal one day just for sentimental reasons. (I received Roller Lash in exchange for a review, but honestly, I’m being so honest.)
What’s your fave mascara? Clue me in. Why do you like it?
I am addicted to ModelCo fibre lashxtend. Got in my birchbox and haven’t looked back.
Ooh! Now, since you got it in a Birch Box, do they give you the option to order more when you run out? Or do they tell you where to buy it?
I got Blinc mascara in my birchbox and will never look back! My eyes water something fierce pretty much whenever I’m outside, so something that will not smudge or flake is a must. It has a “natural” look about it, so unfortunately I don’t get the fancy glam big lashes like some other mascaras give, but I’m alright with that if it prevents me from looking like a raccoon.
Ooh that sounds fancy. Like you would get it as Sephora :) And, do I need to be seriously concerned about Lisa Gibes’ eye watering now?
I’m with you on the Loreal. That’s the only stuff I use and my favorite part? It lasts longer than any other mascara I’ve tried. I’ll go a very long time before I have to buy a new bottle. And I’m cheap so that makes me happy :)
Ha! You know, I have used Loreal so long that I wouldn’t even know how long it lasts compared to other brands! That’s good to know.
OoooOOO thanks for the reviews. I’ve been looking for a new mascara. I tend to try and find the cheapest, but alas, that has it’s downsides haha. I’ll have to try the Loreal next time.
I love it. Loreal is made by Lancome, and I can’t imagine that they deviate too much from the expensive formula, ya know?
Maybelline Full and Soft has my undying devotion. It is cheap and fab. Like me..?
Cheap. Fab. Sassy.
I looooove that loreal voluminous! I use it when I get bored with my other love, bare essentials mascara. Maybelline makes my eyes itch like woah.
Hm. So maybe it wasn’t just me. Bummer. I liked the way Maybelline looked, but I’m not going to walk around itching my eyeballs forever ;)
Love the reviews :) I like the Loreal Voluminous, but my absolute favorite is Urban Decay supercurl curling mascara…I’m on like my fifth tube. It curls lashes perfectly and doesn’t clump at all (which is my pet peeve with mascaras). If I want extra volume, I’ll add a coat of the Loreal Voluminous or my free sample Clinique high impact afterward.
Hands down, clump crusher. I can put on layer after layer (depending on how dramatic I want my lashes) and it doesn’t clump or flake. LOVE IT.
I’ve been pretty happy with Cover Girl’s mascara. I found that the grocery-store versions work pretty darn well compared to the higher end or even the eco ones.