Mascara Review
Mascara is definitely one of my makeup must-haves! Even if I am wearing minimal makeup on the rest of my face, I have to wear mascara, otherwise I feel naked! Mascara is the one tool that can take a so-so makeup look to the next level.
A reader recently asked which Mascara I would recommend, so I decided to put a few drugstore Mascara’s through their paces and have a bit of a Mascara Lash Off!
As I mentioned these are all drugstore Mascara Brands, which makes them affordable and easily accessible to everyone. The most important thing about Mascara is to find the one that is right for you. Another important aspect of purchasing mascara, is to decide what type of effect you are after – whether it is a natural everyday look you are trying to achieve or a vavavoom dramatic effect!
The five mascara’s I am featuring are: Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme! Leather Black, Catrice Glamour Doll, Maybelline The Rock Volum’ Express, Loreal Miss Manga Punky and Essence Princess False Lash Effect Mascara.
Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme! Leather Black Mascara ~ I have always been a big fan of Maybelline Mascara’s and this one is no exception! The Colossal Go Extreme! Leather Black Mascara is also my favourite-favourite, out of all of the mascara’s I tested. You may recall a feature I did on the original Colossal Go Extreme mascara in a favourites post – well this is its big brother! The Colossal Go Extreme! Black Perfecto has a super-loading wand, which adds an extra shot of volume onto the biggest brush. Blackout pigments give you a bold look, with Leather Black intensity! Apply less product for everyday and build up the volume for more intensity in the evening. RRP R134.95
Catrice Glamour Doll Mascara ~ This is one of those rather unassuming products! When you first look at the wand, you are unsure it will do much but don’t be fooled. While it is certainly not the most volumsing, the Catrice Glamour Doll Mascara gives you great definition and it is definitely build-able. It is my favourite for everyday wear and especially if you are going for a nude makeup look, as it separates the lashes really well, for a clearly defined eye. RRP R69.95
Maybelline The Rocket Volum’ Express ~ I have repurchased the Maybelline The Rocket Volum’ Express often! What I love about this product is the brush, which is similar to that of the Catrice Galmour Doll.It has smaller bristles, allowing you to more easily separate the lashes but still create an intense bold eye. I spotted a new version of this product available on the UK Maybelline website, with a patented Supersonic Brush with micro bristles. I am unsure whether it is available in SA yet but it sounds awesome! {this is an estimated price as this product was sent to me} RRP R129
Loreal Miss Manga Punky ~ This one of those products which you whip out when you want to create an all out volumised eye, with a punky edge! Miss Manga Punky is a mega volume texturing mascara, with a konical shaped brush, which grips lashes from root to tip to create an intense spiky effect. I am not daring enough to go all out like the the photo above but even one coat creates a great effect. RRP 149.95
Essence Princess False Lash Effect Mascara ~ The Essence Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is the budget buy out of all the mascara’s I tested and for the price you cannot go wrong! With a a konical shaped brush much like the Miss Manga Punky, it tends to sweep the lashes and give you a great up-turned effect. I would not say that it is overly volumising but you can definitely build volume with a few coats. RRP R63.95
All the mascara’s mentioned above are relatively easy to remove with a dove cotton pad and eye makeup remover.
A reader pointed out I did not mention the longevity of these products, so I thought I need to add it in! All the Mascara’s tested last well but I must make particular mention of the Maybelline Colossal Go Extreme and the Miss Manga Punky, which in my opinion have the best staying power. In saying this they were the most difficult out of the five to remove.
A side note: I have quite sensitive eyes and all the products tested to be quite gentle, with no apparent reaction.
I hope you found this review helpful! I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment below and remember to share this review with your friends and family!
Stockists: Selected Clicks, Dischem, Foschini and Edgars stores.
Disclosure Ranking:2
Having used ‘fancy’ brands for years but actively attempting to be more careful with spend, I love, love, love these drugstore type reviews. Thank you! One thing, you say that come of easily with make up removed, but do they stay on?! I need to stay-put factor in mascara too!
Anna
http://www.tickledblue.co.za
Hi Anna thanks for your feedback! I will put an amendment in the review about the longevity of the mascara’s, thanks for pointing that out 🙂 yes they all last well, more particularly the Maybelline Colossal Go Extreme & the Miss Manga Punky!If you do try any of the ones I have reviewed please let me know what you think. Thanks Fiona