Name: Lash Out Mascara
Brand: Sleek Makeup
Size: 11ml
Price: £6.99

From Sleek Makeup’s website:
With it’s intense carbon black formulation, Lash Out volumises and lengthens lashes to maximum effect! The spiral nylon brush captures each and every lash, ensuring that lashes are evenly coated with no signs of clumping. The narrow wand reaches in to inner corners for a precise and defined finish from root to tip.

What I liked:
- great everyday mascara
- lengthens lashes
- thin wand, reaches all lashes
- holds a curl well
- longlasting, doesn’t smudge
- pretty and edgy packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t add a lot of volume
- if you want a mascara that gives a false lashes look, this is not for you

Are you looking for a good everyday mascara that lasts long without smudging and doesn’t break the bank? Then try Sleek Makeup Lash Out Mascara. It is packaged in a fuchsia tube with a black grunge, graffiti-style design that’s both edgy and girly. And it is so pink and bright that it is impossible to miss in your makeup bag. It may not appeal to everyone, but I love it (how could I not? It’s PINK!).

But how does the mascara perform?

The mascara is a deep black color and has a texture that’s neither too dry nor too runny. It feels quite light on the lashes and doesn’t weight them down. It doesn’t irritate eyes either. I also love the wand. It is very thin and quite long, with short nylon bristles, which allows me to reach every lash and apply the mascara with ease. It also separates lashes quite well and lasts more than 9 hours on me without smudging, smearing and flaking.

I noticed that the first coat didn’t do much for my lashes, but the second one added a lot of length and a bit of volume. I wouldn’t really call Lash Out a volumising mascara though. It doesn’t provide that dramatic, false lashes effect, but adds enough length and definition to make it a wonderful mascara for daytime. You could also build it up for more dramatic results, but I find that can make it clump a bit. I think two coats are enough for most people though.

Available at: sleekmakeup.com

Summary
Sleek Makeup Lash Out Mascara is a good daytime mascara that will add lots of length, definition and a bit of volume to your lashes. The thin wand coats every lash with an intense black color that lasts for hours without smudging and flaking.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Inimitable Intense Mascara
Brand: Chanel
Price: $30.00

From Chanel’s website:
This technologically advanced formula builds on the success of the original mascara, delivering dramatic effects with a unique brush. The result is a more intense lash look, with the same easy application. Lashes appear longer, thicker and more curled, yet each lash, even the finest, is still precisely separated – without clumping, spiking or flaking.

What I liked:
- intense black shade
- adds length
- makes lashes look fuller and a bit thicker
- holds a curl well
- longlasting, doesn’t smudge nor flake

What I didn’t like:
- it becomes clumpy after two coats
- doesn’t separate lashes well
- the price

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara, which is available in four shades – Brun, Noir, Purple and Rouge Noir – is one of those rare mascaras that make your lashes look great, fuller and longer with just one coat, which is ideal for lazy gals like me. Noir is a true and intense black shade with a quite thick, smooth formula that doesn’t weight lashes down. It doesn’t take too long to dry either.

The wand is very simple with tiny teeth that reach all the lashes, even the smallest ones. A single coat creates a dramatic look that’s not over-the-top: it makes lashes noticeably longer, fuller and a bit thicker too. It also holds a curl from the lash curler for the entire day. A second coat makes lashes look even more dramatic, but because the mascara doesn’t separate lashes all that well (if you want precise definition, Inimitable Intense is not for you), it will also make small groups of lashes stick together. After a third, it becomes really clumpy.

However, considering how well one coat works (I only applied one in the swatch above), that’s not really a problem. And once applied, Inimitable Intense lasts all day (so no need to retouch it) without flaking nor smudging. To me, the main con is the price. It retails at $30.00, which is very expensive especially when you consider mascaras have very short lives. But if you’re gonna spend that much on a mascara, you’d want to buy one that delivers and Chanel Inimitable Intense does. It keeps its promises and makes lashes look great.

Available at: Nordstrom

Summary
Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara has a quite thick formula and simple wand that provide a lot of length and fullness and a bit of volume too with only one coat. In addition, it holds a curl well and lasts for the entire day without smudges and flakes. However, it doesn’t separate lashes well, becomes clumpy after a couple of coats and is very expensive.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Ultra Tech Waterproof Mascara
Brand: Kiko
Size: 10ml
Price: €7,20

From Kiko’s website:
The short bristles provide more voluminous lashes. The longer bristles add length, separate and define lashes. The texture, created especially for this particular wand, ensure a longlasting hold and extreme shine.

What I liked:
- adds length
- doesn’t weight lashes down
- intense black color
- makes lashes noticeable without being over the top
- doesn’t smear nor flake once dried
- the wand
- the packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- formula is too liquid, takes ages to dry
- application is a bit difficult
- doesn’t curl lashes
- doesn’t add much volume
- difficult to remove

Every now and then, Kiko has special offers on mascaras, reducing the price from €7,20 to €3,90. So of course the last time they had this offer, I had to take advantage of it. Kiko makes quite a lot of mascaras so I checked some reviews before deciding which one to purchase and the Ultra Tech mascara was the one that received the most praise. It’s available in both a regular and a waterproof version; I picked up the latter. So, do I think it deserves all the rave reviews it’s been getting? Mmm… yes and no.

I like the wand. Made of plastic, it has short bristles to add volume and longer bristles to separate and define lashes. The wand is also slim, which makes it easy to reach all the lashes, even those little had-to-reach ones, coating them with a very intense black color with a slight glossy finish. It’s definitely one of the blackest mascaras I’ve tried.

However, I’m not too keen on the formula. It’s way too liquid! Seriously, I had never come across a mascara with such a liquid formula and I hope I never will again. Because of this, it picks up too much product, so you’ll have to wipe the excess away with a tissue, something that I’m not keen on doing as that’s just wasting product. But the main problem with the liquid texture is that it takes forever to dry so you’ll have to be very careful not to close your eyes for a while after application or it’ll leave your under-eye area looking very messy!

And because this is waterproof, removing it is not that easy. For the same reason, you’ll also have to be just as careful when applying it cos if you make a mistake and a bit of color ends on your lid (a mistake all too easy to make because of how liquid the texture is), it may completely ruin your makeup. Once dried, though, the mascara won’t budge. And yes, I know I have repeated it a thousand times how liquid the texture is, but well, it is and it drives me insane lol. So, I abandoned it for a while. After a month, I tried it again.

This time, the texture had dried and the mascara wasn’t as messy to use anymore. Unfortunately, the drier texture made application a bit more difficult, but I like the results a lot better. It adds quite a lot of length to lashes, no curl (you’ll have to use your lash curler for that but at least the mascara doesn’t weigh lashes down) and only a bit of volume. Considering this is marketed as a volumising mascara, I was disappointed it didn’t perform better in that department.

It clumps lashes together a bit but the wand does a good job at separating them. I probably should have separated them a bit more in the swatch above but it looked fine in real life, it’s only when I saw the picture that I realised I should have wiggled that wand a bit more. Overall, I like the result: it’s not too dramatic but not natural either. It gets your lashes noticed and can be used both for day and night.

Available at: Kikocosmetics.com

Summary
Overall, I think Kiko Ultra Tech Waterproof Mascara is a good mascara for the price. It coats every lash with an intense black color, adds a lot of length and a bit of volume (not as much as it promises though). As a result, lashes are noticeable without being over the top. However, at first the formula is so liquid it makes application very messy as it takes ages to dry. And because it is waterproof, removing it is not easy. Once dried, it won’t budge though.

Rating: 3.5/5

Name: Diva’s Lashes
Brand: Pupa
Size: 10ml
Price: €15,00

From Pupa’s website:
A high definition volume you have never seen before.
Filming agents coat lashes one by one, giving them structure. Microgranules of black cellulose make them thicker without weighing them down. Its exclusive brush defines lashes in an extremely precise way: big size and stiff bristles to graphically define lashes, wider space between the bristles for a greater product release.

What I liked:
- lengthens lashes
- separates lashes well
- sleek, eye-catching tube
- doesn’t smudge nor flake
- easy to remove

What I didn’t like:
- if you don’t like big wands, this is not for you
- adds volume by clumping lashes together
- the price

Whenever I buy a mascara I don’t like, I always wonder: “why do I keep trying new things instead of sticking to Pupa mascaras, which I know always work well for me?”. And a mascara with a name like Diva’s Lashes has a lot to live up to: you expect curved, long, and thick lashes that look like you’re wearing falsies but in a glamorous, not over-the-top way. So, you see, I did expect a lot from this mascara. But does it deliver?

Let’s start with the wand. It is big which I hate because, having small eyes, I don’t find it very easy to control and may accidentally deposit some of the intense black color on the lid (as you can see in the swatches, sorry about that). The bristles are stiff and not very close to one another which allows more product to be released onto the lashes. Unfortunately, it releases a bit too much product and it can get a bit clumpy, although the wand does a pretty good job at getting rid of it and separating lashes (that’s if you apply only one coat).

The formula itself is on the thick-side and dry. The mascara adds quite a lot of length, adds some curl (but not as much as an eyelash curler does obviously) and doesn’t weight lashes down. Had Pupa’s Diva Lashes been marketed as a lengthening mascara, I’d have thought it does a pretty good job. But this is a thickening mascara and well, while one coat defines and lengthen lashes in a natural way, it doesn’t really add that much volume at all.

So, I applied another coat and this time I got volume. But only because the mascara clumped my lashes together and separating them wasn’t as easy as it had been when I only used just one coat. The lashes look so unnatural and messy with two coats, don’t they? I guess if you only need a lengthening mascara and are satisfied with one coat, this does a great job, but it doesn’t really live up to its claims.

I had never been disappointed by a Pupa mascara before but I guess there is a first time for everything. *sighs* But you’ll be glad to know that, although not waterproof, this mascara lasts almost all day or me without smudging nor flaking, and is easy to remove. I also like the packaging: the red tube, larger at the top and slimmer at the base, is sleek and eye-catching.

Available at: Pupa counters

Summary
It is really hard for me to rate Pupa Diva’s Lashes Mascara. It is marketed as a volumizing mascara but at that it fails: one coat adds little to no volume, two coats adds volume by clumping lashes together. But as a lengthening mascara it works much better: one coat (don’t dare use more!) adds length, curl, definition and makes lashes look naturally pretty. It also lasts for hours without smudging but it has a big wand that some may find hard to control.

Rating: 3/5

Name: Love For Lash
Brand: Layla
Size: 10ml
Price: €11,72

From Layla’s website:
Love For Lash, a creamy and hydrating mascara with a professional multifunctional applicator. The PVC applicator of Love For Lash curves-volumize and comb the eyelashes fastly. Three different lengths and different curvature realize a complete eyelashes make-up. The material of the applicator Love For Lash, favors the release of mascara on the lashes giving an intense and extra black effect.

What I liked:
- lengthens lashes
- adds some volume
- gives a dramatically natural look to lashes
- separates lashes well
- the wand
- longlasting, doesn’t smudge

What I didn’t like:
- result is not as dramatic as promised
- doesn’t add a lot of volume
- some people may find the formula too thick
- the price

Mascara wands seem to come in all shapes and sizes these days: curved, round, with both regular and comb-like bristles, vibrating ones etc. But I had never come across a wand with three different types of bristles before. I’m not sure if you can see them all well in the picture below, but Layla Love For Lash Mascara has a wand with long, short and curved bristles! Sounds a bit scary, but it is really easy to use and I really love the look it gives to my lashes.

The long bristles are supposed to add length, the short ones add volume while the curved ones.. well.. they curve lashes. And they work. Love For Lash added quite a lot of length to my lashes and curled them too, although not as well as an eyelash curler would obviously. As for volume, that was ok. It didn’t add as much as I had opened, but it thickened my lashes a bit. The wand is also good at separating lashes too!

The result? Dramatically natural lashes. Let me explain. I think the effect this gives to lashes can be too obvious for daytime or if you work in an office with a strict makeup code, but it’s not so dramatic that it makes your lashes look like you’re wearing falses. Your lashes will be noticed but they won’t be over the top or look unnatural.

The formula is a bit on the dense side, which I know not everyone likes, but I don’t mind. The color is a deep, dark black that lasts for hours on the lashes without smudging (although I don’t think this is waterproof) and it tends to clump slightly only if you apply too many coats. But the wand, as mentioned above, does a great job at separating and declumping lashes so that won’t be a problem.

Available at: http://shop.laylacosmetics.it/

Summary
Layla Love For Lash Mascara has a quite dense formula and a wand with short, long and curved bristles that lengthen and separate lashes while also adding some volume and curl. The result is lashes that get noticed but still look natural. In addition, it lasts for hours without smudging. I wish it provided more volume though, considering the price but I still think it is a great mascara.

Rating: 4/5

Applying mascara is one of the most important steps in your makeup routine. Even when you’re in a rush and don’t have time to do a full face, or if you just like to wear very minimal makeup, chances are mascara is the one product you won’t forget to apply. And it’s no wonder why. It defines lashes, darkens them making them longer, sometimes thicker, and just beautiful. But how do you apply it properly to get the best results? Here are a few tips and tricks..

1. Apply mascara after eyeshadow and eyeliner: mascara should be the last step in your eye makeup routine. First, apply eyeshadow, then line your eyes with eyeliner and finish with mascara. If you apply mascara first, it will smear, flake and just make a mess.

2. Curl you lashes before applying mascara: curling your lashes is not a must (I often forget to do it lol!), but it helps to open up the eyes and make you look more awake. If you decide to use an eyelash curler, then do so before you apply mascara otherwise you’ll end up with lashes that look clumpy and weirdly-bent.

3. Apply mascara properly: applying mascara is easier than it seems. Place the wand at the base of your lashes and wiggle it in a zig-zag motion and drag it up through the lashes. Then, hold the wand on the upper side of the lashes, at the base, and pull through. This will remove clumps.

4. Apply mascara on the lower lashline: if you decide to apply mascara on the lower lashes, which will make eyes appear wider, simply hold the wand perpendicular to the eye and then move it back and forth.

5. Apply a little mascara at a time: start by applying one coat of mascara by using two or three strokes to one eye and then do the other. If you’re not satisfied with the result, proceed with a second coat for a more intense effect. By applying a little at a time, you’ll avoid applying too much. If your lashes become clumpy or spidery then you have definitely used too much product (which also leads to smudges).

6. Get rid of clumps: to avoid clumps, simply wipe the mascara wand with a tissue to get rid of excess product. If you still apply too much, use an eyelash comb to remove clumps.

7. Check for smudges: once you have applied mascara, check for smudges and flakes. If there are any, remove them with a q-tip and, if necessary, retouch your makeup.

8. Use waterproof mascara only on special occasions: waterproof mascara is hard to remove and so shouldn’t be used everyday. All that tugging and pulling when you are taking it off is not good for the delicate eye area and can lead to irritations and even wrinkles. Instead use waterproof mascara only when you’re going to the beach/pool or for special occasions when you know you’re gonna shade a tear or two.

Do you have any more tips or tricks on how to apply mascara? Share them in the comments!

Name: Lash-Art Mascara in Black
Brand: Layla
Size: 7,5ml
Price: €10,64

From Layla’s website:
Invent “Total Color”, looks covering all the eyelashes with one or more colours, or create “Minimal Chic Looks” by coloring only the tips for winning results.

What I liked:
- adds a lot of length
- separates lashes well
- doesn’t clump
- longlasting
- easy to remove
- the packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t provide much volume
- minimal smudges (doesn’t bother me but for some people it may be a con)

Layla Lash Art mascara was designed to add some color and fun to your lashes. It is available in six shades – green, blue, purple, yellow, red and black – that can be used all over the lashes for a “Total Color” effect or just on the tip of the lashes for more wearable but fun and artsy looks. Unlike most colored mascaras, these really show up on the lashes but more on them in a later post. Today, we’ll only gonna talk about the black shade.

I’m glad that Layla decided to make a black shade of this mascara so that even those that don’t want to wear crazy colors on their lashes can still use it. For those that are looking for a good lengthening mascara, this is certainly an option to consider. The mascara has a nice consistency that’s creamier of that of most mascaras on the market so that your lashes will feel soft to the touch.

The wand is peculiar too. It is made of rubber and bigger and wider at the ends and thinner in the middle. Together, the formula and the wand add a lot of length to lashes and separate them well, giving lashes a natural look that won’t go unnoticed and is perfect for daily wear. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t really provide that much volume. If you’re looking for a mascara to give you that false lashes look, this is not for you.

This mascara also lasts for hours on the lashes and, once I put it on in the morning, I don’t have to reapply it during the day. I noticed some very minimal smudges (barely noticeable and not enough to give me panda eyes) only on very windy days when my eyes would water up. If you have very watery eyes, you may experience some smudging too, otherwise, it stays smudge-free for the entire day and it doesn’t clump either.

Available at: http://shop.laylacosmetics.it/

Summary
Layla Lash-Art Mascara in Black is a great mascara for daily wear as it provides a lot of length and separates lashes well. It doesn’t clump, lasts all day and smudges on me only when my eyes water up because of the wind (and even then, only minimally). However, it doesn’t add much volume.

Rating: 4/5

Mascara ads have always been a pet peeve of mine. Of course I know that every advertisement blatantly exaggerates the merits and benefits of the products they promote and have to be taken with a pinch of salt, but mascaras ads have to be among the most deceiving types of adverts there are.

Brands ask us to believe that their new mascara is so amazing that it will thicken, lengthen, curl, separate lashes when it is so obvious that the models are wearing false lashes which, very often, are then even digitally enhanced!

Do cosmetics companies really think that we are so stupid naive to think that one or two swipes of their mascaras will make our lashes reach our eyebrows like in the photo above? And thank goodness they don’t, cos I don’t want my lashes to look so unnatural! But even when lashes on ads look more natural, we know that a mascara can’t make our lashes look like we are wearing falses, doesn’t matter how much we hope so.

I really wish cosmetics brands would finally realize that using false lashes in their ads doesn’t do them any favours. I know they’re trying to sell us the hope that if we try their new mascara our lashes would look amazing, but what they are actually doing is telling us that their mascara sucks. After all, if it performed well, there wouldn’t be any need at all to use fake lashes in ads.

So, my dear cosmetic companies, can you please stop treating your consumers like total idiots and show us what your mascaras really do? I guarantee you that if you show us pictures of models wearing only the mascara, we’d still buy it.

We know mascaras aren’t miracle products. We know that we will never look like your beautiful, overly-photoshopped model. We know that ads always manipulate products to make them look their best and create false expectations, but seriously this is getting way too far now.

More and more consumers are starting to ignore your fake adverts and rely on online reviews before purchasing a mascara so that they can see the real before and after pictures and make their mind up if that products delivers what they’re looking for. So isn’t it about time you take the hint?

What do you think of mascara ads? Do they drive you batty as well?