Mascara Reviews
7 February 2006
Here are a couple of mascara reviews as requested. As you can see, most of them are from drugstore brands. The reason why I *love* drugstore mascaras is that mascaras need to be replaced once every two to three months. So why spend $20+ on a high end mascara when you can spend only $6-7 on a drugstore one?
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Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara ($17) This is a multi-effect mascara that promises to thicken and curl. It is formulated with hard waxes to help build lashes and synthetic polymers to give body and volume. It only comes in one color, black. The brush is medium-sized and reaches the roots of my top and bottom lashes easily. I still need to use an eyelash curler to get that curled look but the brush does give my lashes a nice lift. The formula is a lot thicker and drier than most mascaras. It does deliver volume without too much clumping but it flakes horribly. I always end up with tiny flecks of mascara all over my face and have to take an extra minute cleaning up. Other than that, the mascara wears pretty well and washes off easily with soap and water. Overall, this is a very average mascara and at this price, I definitely would have expected more from it. |
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Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara ($17) Oh my god this is hands down the most sweat-proof, tear-proof and friction-proof mascara ever! It never smudges or flakes and stays intact until I take it off with an oil-based remover. The formula contains vinyl and feels really moist but I really like the way it wraps itself around my lashes and the dramatic effect I get from it. I swear my Asian lashes are darkened like 100 times when I wear this. It also comes with a dual maxi-reservoir brush and delivers decent volume with zero clumping. No wonder they advertise this as the mascara for clubbers! |
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Chanel Cils A Cils Mascara ($24) This contains film-forming gels, beeswax, silk fibers and pro-Vitamin B5 to deliver buildable volume and length. I really like it and it does do a decent job lengthening and thickening my lashes without clumping too much. My only complaint is the price. $24 is simply too much for a mascara, you can definitely find something similar out there that costs less. |
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CoverGirl LashExact Mascara ($7) I really like this. The plastic bristles picked up every single little lash that I did not know existed. Plus unlike traditional brushes, this one does not make my lashes clumpy and I do not have to comb them. It does not flake on me nor smear onto my undereye area either. I will definitely stock up on this during my next trip to the drugstore. |
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CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara ($7.99) After seeing the Drew Barrymore ad, I literally ran out there and picked this up! It comes in a HUGE bright orange tube that is very cute and it claims to differ from other mascaras by having 50% more bristles so lashes look “their biggest, without clumping!” I personally find the brush a little hard to work with. It is true that it has a lot of bristles so you can keep building up the volume but the bulkiness also makes application so much more difficult. I cannot reach my smaller lashes without smearing mascara onto my eye! So despite the fact that it does not flake and it does add fullness to my lashes, I will not be repurchasing this. |
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CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara ($7.99) This is a new edition to the LashBlast Mascara. Its new Elasta-Nylon formula claims to create up to 80% longer lashes and guess what, it does deliver! My lashes are instantly defined and lengthened and I can keep applying and applying without clumping or flaking. The best part for me is the new Super-Length brush. It contains 450 fine bristles that actually reach all of my lashes – both on top and bottom – without smearing onto my eye like the original LashBlast. The mascara also wears well and removing it is effortless. All you need is a bit of water and soap, which is perfect for those with a hectic schedule like me. The only thing I can pick on is the color. I like my lashes sooty black and while the LashBlast Length comes in 4 shades (Very Black, Black, Black-brown and Brown), the darkest shade is still a little too light for my liking. Other than that, the new LashBlast Length is a great mascara if you are looking for length with zero hassle. |
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L’oreal Bare Naturale Mascara ($9.95) This is my first mineral mascara. It is paraben and fiber-free and contains an unique luminous ingredient complex to help protect and condition lashes while providing a natural luminosity. I definitely like that it does not contain harmful ingredients and it does wear pretty well. The formula, however, can be better. It has the tendency to clump if you apply more than 2 coats and it did not deliver as much volume or length as I wanted. Try Voluminous instead. |
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L’oreal Voluminous Mascara ($6.89) This is one of my holy grails and I always come back to it! I have it in Blackest Black and it thickens and darkens my eyelashes like there is no tomorrow. One strange thing I noticed though, is that the formula usually starts out a little dry but becomes more moist after a couple of uses. It can also become clumpy after a while but I *love* the dramatic effect it gives to my lashes. |
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L’oreal Double Extend Mascara ($9.49) I really like how American companies are finally trying to catch up with Asian brands and come out with mascara base coats (Shiseido came out with a mascara base with fiber back when I was in high school). Having said that, I love their idea of putting the base coat and mascara in one product. It is very convenient but the product itself is not that great. The fibers made my lashes too heavy and droopy. The mascara also did not do much and if you apply too much, it looks kind of spidery. |
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L’oreal Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara ($9.99) When it comes to mascaras, I have always been more into volume than length but this totally changed my mind. Just like the tube itself, this patented, no-clump brush is long and skinny and it fits perfectly on my Asian lashes. It also lengthens my lashes significantly (and I do mean significantly!) with barely any clumping. The best part is this actually curls my lashes a little when I apply it and it holds up really well too. If you are looking for volume, however, this will not deliver. I highly recommend it for those who are looking for length and definition. |
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L’oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara ($9.99) Infused with collagen and Hyaluronic spheres, this is an improved version of the oh-so-famous Voluminous mascara that can easily replace your fake lashes. Just like the Voluminous, this makes my lashes instantly thicker and darker with just a coat or two. The brush is a lot bigger than the Voluminous but unlike other mascaras with big wands (Hello CoverGirl LashBlast and Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper!), it still reaches the base of my lashes and those puny bottom lashes without smearing all over the place. When worn alone, the Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara does not give a lot of length but when I combine this with L’oreal’s Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara, I get va-va-voom lashes (even the ma at MAC asked if I was wearing falsies!) I also love how this does not clump as much as the Voluminous and my lashes never look stiff and brittle. It also never smears until I wash it off with warm water. Not to mention the new black-patent packaging looks super luxe and reminds me of higher end mascaras. Click here for a picture of me wearing the L’oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara. |
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L’oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara ($9.49) This is supposedly a Givenchy Phenonmen Eyes Mascara knockoff and first made its appearance in Europe. The first thing that caught my attention is the patented Flexi-Globe brush. I have been wearing mascara for over 10 years and I have never seen anything like it. It has a spherical shape that allows you to apply the mascara vertically, horizontally and virtually every way so you can reach everything, including those tiny bottom lashes and hard-to-reach corners. The tiny spikes also makes it the perfect tool to separate clumps, which for this mascara, is highly essential. The formula contains your usual ingredients – paraffin, jojoba oil, palm oil and pro-vitamin B5 – to give length, volume and smooth application. While there is a definite difference in the length and intensity of my lashes, applying the mascara is a total mess. The mascara clumps so badly that using a lash comb (or the brush as I mentioned earlier) and spending that extra minute de-clumping everything is not even an option. Other than that, the mascara wears pretty well and will not flake or smear until I take it off. The verdict? Love the brush, hate the formula. Click here for a picture of me wearing the mascara. |
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Lancome Definicils Mascara ($22) Even though this won the Allure’s Readers’ Choice Award and Glam.com Beauty Award, it was a disappointment. Unlike the “lavishly long, perfectly defined lashes” it promised, it only lengthened my lashes a little and barely did anything to make them look fuller. It is definitely not worth the $22, skip this and get L’oreal instead. |
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Max Factor Lash Perfection Mascara ($6.89) This has totally blown all the other mascaras away! Initially, it feels a little wet on my lashes but with just a couple of coats, it darkened and thickened them like 10 times! Plus the revolutionary new iFX brush worked wonderfully and there was absolutely zero clumping. No wonder this is voted as one of the In Style Best Beauty Awards! |
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Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara ($7.99) Selected as the Official Mascara of Milan Fashion Week, this mascara has an iFx brush just like the Lash Perfection. It does not lengthen a lot but it does deliver volume (not as much as the Lash Perfection) without any clumping. It also stays on pretty well and I barely get any smudges until I take it off at the end of the day. Overall, it is a good mascara that does its job but I definitely prefer the Lash Perfection over this. |
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Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara If you liked CoverGirl’s LashBlast mascara, chances are you will love this! Just like the LashBlast, this has a big plastic brush, bulky packaging and a patented fat-wrap formula that promises to wrap and plump every single lash, from root to tip. My lashes looked instantly fuller, darker and I love how you can really pile this baby on without clumping or ending up with stiff, brittle lashes. It also wears really well and does not smear/smudge until I take it off with warm water and remover. My only complaint is the big fat brush. While it does help thicken, I find it hard to maneuver on my tiny Asian lashes (a long, slender brush like the one in L’oreal’s Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara tends to work best on me). Plus when it comes to the lengthening department, this does not seem to do much at all. I would not recommend it unless you have longer lashes to begin with. Click here to see a picture of me wearing the mascara. |
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Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara ($8.95) We all know that stilettos can drive the boys crazy and now Maybelline has created this new mascara that claims to do what stilettos do for legs, but for your lashes. The Lash Stiletto has an elastic formula with Pro-Vitamin B5 to stretch lashes and give a black-patent shine. There are a total of three shades available – Very Black, Soft Black and Brownish Black – and I have Very Black. Although I do not see any shine, it does darken and lengthen my lashes dramatically with only a few coats. Unlike the gigantic wand we see in most mascaras nowadays, this mascara has a slightly smaller, crisscross brush that claims to grasp and extend each lash to coat it from every angle. I have used this on both top and bottom lashes and it never smears all over the place like the chunky wands. It also wears well throughout the day and does not smudge until I take it off. Plus the sleek, black and red packaging is definitely a lot better than the bright colored tubes we normally see. My only complaint is the smell. Similar to the Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara, this smells kind of funky like it has gone bad. Nonetheless, Lash Stiletto is a great mascara and whenever I wear this, I just feel so sexy! |
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Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ($4.49) This has been raved by makeup artists all over the world and is always listed as one of the best mascaras. I have it in Very Black and it does darken my lashes a lot without clumping but there is nothing “great” about it. There is no significant lengthening nor thickening at all. If you are looking for something more dramatic, skip this one. |
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Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Mascara ($5.89) I use this in Very Black and I really like it. It thickens and darkens my lashes significantly and dries pretty fast too. It does clump a little but one swipe with a lash comb and I am good. My lashes also stay curled up all day. The only thing I do not like is the packaging. It is rather bulky and it takes up almost twice as much space as other mascaras. |
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Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara ($5.99) I have this in Very Black. The only thing I like about this mascara is its mini brush – it is perfect for reaching your lower lashes. But other than that, it does not do much. I do not see any difference in the length nor volume of my lashes. I only recommend it if you want a natural look or definition for your lower lashes. |
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Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara ($5.99) Similar to CoverGirl’s LashBlast mascara, the Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara comes in an uber bright tube with a gigantic brush. It is available in two shades of Black – Classic Black and Glam Black – and contains collagen to plump up lashes for up to 9 times the volume. The first thing I noticed that is different about this mascara is its scent. Unlike most other mascaras, this actually has a faint rose scent which I personally did not like (I seriously thought it went bad when I first used it). The formula itself feels very wet and does take a little longer to dry than most mascaras but the results are spectacular! My Asian lashes look fuller, darker and simply beautiful! It also stays on really well and never smudges or flakes. Plus despite the huge brush, it reaches everything – including those tiny lower lashes – without clumping or smearing all over the place. I am definitely going to stick with this one for a while. Click here to see a picture of me with and without the mascara. |
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Rimmel Lash Maxxx Mascara ($7.99) I have this in Extreme Black. It comes with a breakthrough applicator that claims to make your lashes 3 times as thick without clumping. I do like the brush a lot. The comb-style design helps to define AND separate lashes at the same time meaning I can apply as many coats as I want without clumping. It also works great on my tiny lower lashes. As for the thickening factor? Well let’s just say this baby lengthens more than it thickens. All in all, this mascara does a pretty good job and barely smears at all. Plus who can resist the hot pink + black packaging – that is just way too sexy! Me likey! |
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Rimmel Glam’Eyes Mascara ($5.99) Inspired by glamorous lingerie, this comes in a uber sexy black and pale pink tube with a fishnet stocking-looking cap. It has a thin, comb-like VolumFlex brush that comes with “extra supple, ultra-fine elasto-bristles with 2 short sides for lash building and 2 longer sides for flawless separation” for up to 10 times lash intensity. The brush feels a lot softer and bendier than most mascaras (it literally feels like you can break it), but it works really well if you are trying to get to the root of your lashes. It is also great for adding length and volume without clumping. The formula itself is very smooth and feels slightly runny. I love how it darkens and intensifies my lashes with just a few coats. It also dries fairly quickly and you can keep applying to build up the intensity. Plus even though it washes off really easily with warm water, it barely flakes and stays on all day. Overall, I like this mascara a lot and I don’t have much complaints. I will definitely repurchase when I run out. |
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Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara (~$7) This is Rimmel’s latest addition to its Volume Flash range. Although the super cute hot pink tube was the reason that sucked me in (Rimmel always makes the prettiest packaging and I can never resist!), this baby is so much more than just a pretty tube! The mascara comes in two shades, Black and Extreme Black. I have the latter and like all Rimmel mascaras, it makes my lashes sooty black with just one to two coats. The quick setting Lash Expand formula has a slightly thicker consistency and it claims to deliver up to fourteen times more volume so lashes go from skinny to fat in ten seconds flat. While it does not do much for length – so typical of volumizing mascaras – it does plump up my lashes very nicely without clumping or leaving my lashes looking brittle. The brush is semi-big and about the same size as most volumizing mascaras. It works perfect for my top lashes but I have to be extra careful with it on tiny lower lashes. I never have a problem with Rimmel mascaras smudging or flaking and this one is no different. It wears very well on both my top and bottom lashes and holds up a curl all day. Rimmel definitely makes some of the best drugstore mascaras around! |
yay! thanks for this review! i was so close to buying the Loreal Extend…..
voluminous is also my holy grail! love the stuff!
Oh thanks!!! =)
Have you tried the MAX factor Lash Perfection or CG Lash Exact? I’ve been hearing raves about them.
You should try YSL and Etude next time.
They are both pretty good.
Thank you for the reviews! Your page is awesome, I’m sure it’s helping a lot of people! Keep it going~
hey great site you have here. i come here very often for updates. thanks for making this site and keep it up! ^_^
i would very much like to know more about make up bases.. about the yellow, pink, purple, and green ones. im not sure about the exact way of using them.. also those coloued concealers (purple, green, yellow…). i heard each suits different colours that you want to conceal.. (like for eyebags, if they’re black, use so-and-so colour, and if they’re greenish, use so-and-so colour). i hope to know more on these 2 stuff, and would greatly appreciate it if you could elaborate on the exact functions of these in a coming entry.
once again, thank you very much for this blog.
wow, these really helped. and your really pretty. thanks alot!
hey lovve ur blog!! umm can you do an entry on eyeshadow? how to apply itt? CUZ im not suree..welll im not sure if im doing it right ..x__xx and say if we have a 4 shades eyeshadow thingg how are we supposed to use all the colors?? and how do i make eyeshadow stay cuz it never seems to stay and they say get concealer but IM really not sure which tone to get cuz alot dont workk..soo yeahh can u help on that ?! =DD
Wow, thank you so much for making this site! It’s very helpful and you’re a lovely woman! <3
Hi, I was wondering, does all those smudge, or is there a way to prevent it/
I know the first one smudges =\ (is there a way to stop that >< )
great page! luvv ur work, definitely keep up with the updates.
I love Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo. It is wonderful!
I was just wondering if you ever found an mascara that gives volume, lenghtens, and the curl stays the whole day? Mascaras tend to be just one or another and that really makes me mad T_T. The lancome l’etreme i bought is very disappointing.. the l’oreal featherlash is great for the natural look but i was looking for something that gives volume, length, and keeps the curl at the same time.
thank you for the review on different mascaras. i’ve been looking for a good mascara so i think i’m going to try maybelline volum’ express turbo.
thanks for the reviews!!
-maybelline “volume turbo boost express” or whatever lol..i really like that one…and maybelline “unstoppable” is good too!!
-don’t like rimmel “volume flash” or this other mascara called “fantastic lash”. clumpy & dries up fast & flakes.
woot! thanks for this!
although you should test out sky high curves (maybelline) and tell us if that’s better than the lash exact/loreal voluminous (sorry if i got the name wrong)
again thanks! i’ll def go try out lash exact now :]
I love Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo. It is wonderful!—
Me too!, i bought it yesterday at the drugstores and its really dramatically makes my lashes look black and thick. I would recommend Lash Stylist, the comb is super cool! and never clumps. Cute pakaging too!
oh darnn
i bought the maybelline great lash this morning
and i was hoping for a lash lengthener.. oh well it was cheap
hi, great reviews here. Have you tried Fasio’s 3D Airtech mascara? I hear it’s good and very long-lasting. http://www.fasio.info/sg/products/eye.html
no I haven’t but my sister did and she said it was good but pretty hard to remove.
what do you think of Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie?
Oh I totally left out that one. *Love* the Calorie 2000 too – I used to use the Dramatic one every day.
hey thanks so much for the review
was wondering what do you think of the imju fiberwig mascara, apparently it works wonder?x
The CG Lash Exact and the MF Lash Perfection have the same brush. Is the Max Factor one all that much better? They seem to me like they’d be the same, or is the Max Factor’s formula better?
hey, thanks for all the info!
just wanted to know if you had a personal favorite for affordable lengthening eyelashes. thanks!
wow makeup over there is really cheap! here in new zealand the drugstore brands are like $30-$40 for mascara and chanel and shiseido etc is like $50+
Hello. I saw that you listed a few reviews on mascaras, and I noticed there were a few that you liked. I’d like to ask: which one out of all of those is your favorite most of all?
Sorry to repeat the question that someone earlier said, but which brand of mascara is your ultimate FAVORITE over all?
anonymous i think MAX FACTOR would be a better brush. I LOVE max factor so much!!
Ive never used cover girl but pretty much all their stuff is not that great..
my 2 cents…im asian and i’ve been using loreal telescopic mascara in the silver packaging..ive also used telescopic in the gold and black packaging but ive found that the silver one really lengthens…another thing i do is after the first coat, i brush my lashes lightly with powder then build with second coat etc.., it helps with volume and lasts a long time!
thanks for the reviews what do you think about covergirl’s fantastic lash water proof mascara?
i love how you said “this is my holy grail”…
truthfully…your site is my holy grail
Thanks for the review! It’s awesome! I’m wondering if you have tried Maybelline Intense XXL mascara. How do you like it?
Thanks for posting these!!!
I was pretty sceptical abt the Lash Maxx and Glam Eyes but now i feel a lot better abt buying one~
If you have time, could you prettyplease make an entry on Mascara bases????
Thankkyouuu_* =)
Your blog is like my holy grail!!!!
i have maybelline great lash and it sucks !! it doesnt curl my lashes and instead sucks them straight!
I like to consider myself a mascara fanatic and I have probably tried almost every mascara thats out there. I found it kinda weird but I pretty uch disagreed with almost every review. I'm not trying to knock them in any way because everyone is entitled to their own opinion; I just thought I'd express mine.
My two favorites are Cover Girl Lash Blast & Lancome Definicils. I love Cover Girl Lash Blast because of its brush, it separates and adds tremendous volume. Not the best at lengthening but the separating definitely makes up for that. Plus the price is extremely reasonable.
My other favorite, Lancome Definicils is the absolute best lengthening mascara out there in my opinion. I constantly have people on the street asking me if I have fake eyelashes or what kind of mascara I am wearing. It's not heavy at all and works wonders.
So those are my two all-time favs. But I'm always constantly trying new brands and types…you can call it an obsession.
Hey, thanks for the reviews… i was wondering have you ever try the Blinc mascara? or their eyeliner. Im trying to look for a mascara that doesnt smudge because I have oily eyelids and the waterproof mascara smudges on me even the ones that says smudge proof, still smudge on me a little.
Hey, I was wondering have you ever tried the mascara call Blinc, or the eyeliner. I heard good things about the product but not sure if i should get it or not since the product isnt cheap. I tried many mascara before but, they always smudges. The mascara that stated smudge proof or waterproof still smudge on me because I have oily eyelids…..
For Max Factor, have you tried the 2000 Calorie mascara? The one with the curved brush totally lengthens and volumizes my lashes.For me its the best drug store mascara I have ever tried.
wow ok didnt notice your comment on the 2000 calorie…sorry
XD the colosal smelled like roses? my brother thought it smelt like beer XD
Hi.. Can you please do a review on dior?
Is it a great mascara like everyone says?
Thanks for all of the great mascara info! Everything I have tried flakes on me after a few hours but after reading your reviews I am going to try Loreal Voluminous. Thanks again!
I love Lash Exact too. =) My Stiletto one doesn’t smell bad; in fact, it smells a lot like roses. I thought that was interesting. I like te lengthening on that one too, although I don’t see the patent shine either. I’ve tried a combo of both and I like the results. Try it out! =)
wow, you’ve really convinced me to buy Colossal! I’m off to the store…
this post is awesome. i’m a huge fan of lancome definicils but the price tag was too steep for me! i’ve been in search of a great mascara, so i’ll be putting your list to use.
of note, i do like loreal featherlash. it might be a marketing thing though — they always have the most gorgeous ladies in their ads!
I’ve read several times now about the wonderfulness of Voluminous, but when I bought, it instantly de-curled and clumped my lashes. Do you use the waterproof kind or the regular? (I’m still trying to find out why you consider this to be your holy grail…)
I have the Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express, i thought the same thing too with the smell. thanks for the reveiws, soo helpful!
I’m debating with myself which of these would be best:
L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara
or
Maybelline Colossal Volume Express
Since both are mainly for volume, I’m also in debate about which volume mascara would be best:
L’Oreal Clear Definition Telescopic
or
Covergirl LashBlast Length
(Clicked enter accidentally, sorry D:)
I’m debating with myself which of these would be best:
L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara
or
Maybelline Colossal Volume Express
Since both are mainly for volume, I’m also in debate about which volume mascara would be best:
L’Oreal Clear Definition Telescopic
or
Covergirl LashBlast Length
orr,
Maybelline Lash Stiletto
You praise all of the above mentioned, and so they all look great. But.. I don’t want to spend $43 on all 5 of them
I love your site~~ Thanks for the reviews and everything else!
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