Sunday, 30 August 2015

Mascaras on Trial


I have multiple blushers, eyeshadows, lip products, nail polishes... but when it comes to mascara, normally one is enough for me. Especially when they need replacing every 3 or 4 months! However, recently and unexpectedly, four new ones came into my life all around the same time and I've been rotating them daily to trial and compare. As judge and jury, it's now time to deliver my verdicts.

The Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara has a standard shaped wand with small, plastic bristles. It is described as a "full lashes, natural look" mascara and while I agree with the natural look part of this statement, I can't say the same for the full lashes part. For me it is very much a daytime mascara - it lengthens and provides a subtle curl, but it doesn't thicken or volumise. I also find that I need a lot of coats for this effect; I think this is because the short bristles can't hold much product, though on the plus side this means zero clumps.
The Verdict? The Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara is ok - not one I'd replace unfortunately. 

This boldly named mascara is one I have wanted to try for ages and I now have the mini in my life thanks to the You Beauty Discovery Box. The brush is quite big and packed with natural bristles that are longer on the ends of the wand and shorter in the middle. The formula is on the drier side, which occasionally means you find small lumps on the end of the lashes, which if not removed, flake onto your face during the day. However what I love about this mascara is that it picks up every. single. lash. It lifts, thickens and adds volume; if Ardell did a mascara version of their Demi Wispies False Lashes, I imagine this is what it would look like! 
The Verdict? The Too Faced Better Than Sex gets a big thumbs up for me - it gives lashes a real oomph. Especially great to complete an evening eye if you can't deal with false lashes.


The Claudia Louch Intense Lash Mascara is a new mascara that came about as result of feedback from customers on their now discontinued Lashware Mascara. It has a curved brush with densely packed plastic bristles on the top and bottom of the wand. This does mean that excess mascara can build up on the sides of the wand, so I tend to scrape off the excess before applying, as it can transfer onto the lashes. The formula is quite wet, gliding onto the lashes to lengthen and curl, although I find that this curl does drop through the day. Being 94% natural and containing Carnauba Wax and Vitamins A, C and E, this mascara is the most gentle on the lashes out of the four.
The Verdict? The Claudia Louch Intense Lash Mascara is good but I think for naturally curly lashes it would become great, which unfortunately isn't what I'm blessed with.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - £7.99
The cheapest mascara of the bunch, but I'll put it straight out there and say that it's my overall favourite. Maybelline call the brush the "Layer Reveal Brush", which is curved with lots of plastic bristles to "capture even the tiniest lashes". This is certainly what it does; it lifts, lengthens and volumises every lash, creating on mine an almost fanned effect. The colour is also a really rich, glossy black, which is apparently due to a new liquid formula. The other thing that makes this mascara stand out is that it looks just as good at the end of the day as it did at the beginning; the curl doesn't drop and it doesn't smudge or flake whatsoever. My only (very small) negative is that this another wet formula that requires some excess removing before application to avoid the lashes sticking together.
The Verdict? L-o-v-e. This is one of the best budget mascaras out there in my opinion.

Have you been trying out any new mascaras lately?

Beauty Bird xx

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32 comments

  1. I haven't heard of the Claudia one, but am a big fan of the other 3! Maybellines is the best budget mascara I've tried in years!

    Nic x StrawberryBlondeBeauty

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    1. I agree, the Maybelline one is amazing - I think I even prefer it to the Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Mascara and I really love that one xx

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  2. Max Factor False Lash Effect is my favourite! I agree about the Lash Sensational, it's good but it's wet and I find the top of my tube gets very messy due to the formula! I use the waterproof version though so maybe it's slightly different!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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    1. Yes it could be - I don't normally go for waterproof mascaras so not sure on that one! Mine's dried out a little now after a month or two of use - still good to use, but I'm finding that I don't really have any excess to wipe away anymore xx

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  3. I love the too faced mascara! Im currently using the Bourjois 1 seconde which I loove xxx

    Karan|| studentbeautyhack

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    1. I do love the Bourjois one! But I think Maybelline tops it with the Lash Sensational...xx

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  4. I love the Maybelline Lash Sensational one, its a great drugstore option!x

    Aliya x | thecatandthegirl.blogspot.co.uk | https://www.bloglovin.com/people/thegirl09-10150959

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  5. It seems that everybody on the web is loving that Maybelline's mascara. I need to try it on me too, as I struggle to find a curling one for an affordable price

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    1. Highly recommend it, it keeps my lashes lifted and curled and mine are quite flat with no mascara xx

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  6. Better than Sex is next on my mascara list, I've heard so much about it! I like the Maybelline one but I prefer the Bourjois 1 Seconde Mascara!

    Makeup Monster

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    1. I'd wanted to try Better Than Sex for ages before this. Ah I prefer the Maybelline one but there's not much in it! xx

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  7. I love Maybelline mascaras in general. In my opinion, they're the best presented in drugstore.
    But on special days or when I feels so, I enjoy using Lancome Hypnose or Definicils. These honestly make my lashes look amazing!

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    1. I like Maybelline's The Rocket too, though I haven't used it in quite awhile!
      Ooh thanks for the recommendations, I don't think I've tried a Lancome mascara before xx

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  8. I love the too faced one and Eyes to Kill by Armani is my all time fav x

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    1. I want to try the Armani one! Just haven't given in and splurged yet!! xx

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  9. Totally agree that Lash Sensational is like the best drugstore mascara! Better Than Sex has been on my wish list for a while and this is making me want to try it even more xx

    Jasmine Talks Beauty

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    1. :-) It's a total winner!
      Definitely recommend Better Than Sex xx

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  10. I like the Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara but I love the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - probably because of the price! <3

    Tara x

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    1. It is such a good price, especially for how good it is! I've tried much more expensive mascaras that are nowhere near as good xx

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  11. definitely getting better than sex when i'm in america next month, my fave at the moment is maybelline falsies, that also seems to pick up every lash

    Jade x
    Girl Up North | UK Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Ooh have fun in America! I haven't tried the Falsies one yet, will add it to my list xx

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  12. I always wanted to try out the too faced better than sex mascara, everyone seems to love it! :)
    Urban Obsessions // Vegan Food, Beauty & Lifestyle

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  13. I really like the Max Factor mascara, I think it works really well. But I really want to try the TooFaced mascara, I have heard so much good things about it.

    Zeynab :)
    The Beauty Load

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    1. I wish the Max Factor one worked for me! xx

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  14. The only one of these I've tried is the Max Factor False lash mascara (thanks to the online Olay/Max Factor campaign) but to be honest I have no idea why it's called false lash effect. It's gives such a natural effect that as far as I'm concerned is about as far from false lashes as you can get! x

    Becky @ The Little Blog of Beauty

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    1. So glad you're with me on that! If it says false lash effect in the name then you really expect your lashes to be given some oomph! xx

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  15. Love Maybelline! they might be the cheapest but I haven't yet come across any of their mascara products that disappointed me.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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    1. Which mascara of theirs is your favourite?xx

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  16. What a glowing review for the Too Faced mascara, wow! :)
    I love the Maybelline mascara too, it reminds me of Rollerlash by Benefit :)

    Dannie x

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    1. I have tried Rollerlash and did really like it, I think it smudged a bit on me though xx

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