I don’t usually buy mascara that costs more than $10. As much as I try to use mascaras way past the suggested 3 months (I know, bad!), there’s no denying that a clumpy formula probably means that your tube of mascara has already gone bad. So when MAKE UP FOR EVER offered 40% off at IMATS, I finally didn’t feel bad shelling out $14 for this.
When it comes to my natural lashes, I have great mascara needs. If MAKE UP FOR EVER claims its Smoky Lash Mascara ($24) gives volume, length, curl, aaaand intense pigment, you know I had to put it to test.
Did the mascara live up to MUFE’s claims?
- Volume. Smoky Lash packs on a lot of volume, but lashes aren’t cleanly defined as I had hoped. If you aren’t careful, this clumps the lashes together rather than separating and volumizing each lash.
- Length. The difference in length is very minimal.
- Curl. What curl? This uncurled my lashes instead of curling them. This is probably why I can’t see a big difference in length, either.
- Intense Pigment. The mascara is very, very dark.
A Few Other Things:
- Staying Power. It has good staying power for a non-waterproof mascara. Stays on all day, but if you put on too much, you may see minimal flaking at the end of day. No smearing though!
- The Brush. The brush is big, so it’s a little bit hard to manoeuvre.
- The Crunch Factor. I hate crunchy lashes. But no crunchy lashes here! Lashes feel very soft, but look much fatter.
Pictures!
Naked curled lashes
One coat of MUFE Smoky Lash
Two coats of MUFE Smoky Lash
Two coats of MUFE Smoky Lash from another angle
Naked curled lashes (left) vs. Two coats of MUFE Smoky Lash (right)
As I was trying Smoky Lash, it reminded me of an old favourite, L’Oreal Voluminous mascara ($10). So for good measure, here is how Voluminous stacks up against its more expensive competition.
One coat of L’Oreal Voluminous
Two coats of L’Oreal Voluminous
Two coats of Voluminous (left) vs. two coats of Smoky Lash (right)
LOL I look cross-eyed!
So?
This is a pretty good volumizing mascara. I have to warn you though, that this is not a grab-and-go mascara. If you already have long and curled lashes, then it will work beautifully. But for us wimpy lashed ladies, the mascara requires a bit of work. When I use this mascara, I need to have my business cards handy. Otherwise it’ll be a clumpy hot mess.
If you really want to try this mascara but can’t shell out the big bucks, give L’Oreal Voluminous a try. I’m sure you’ll be just as happy with that one. Rating: B-.
The clumps that result from two coats always scare me. I’m a one-coat kind of girl. Haha
Yeah, many volumizing mascaras have this problem… I think it mainly has to do with the brush. Try CoverGirl VolumExact mascara. The brush makes it really hard to clump, even after two coats.
Yeah probably not going to try this! Very expensive, plus I like my mascara quick and easy and to hold a curl! Great review, I just might give the Voluminous one a try again!
.-= Lisa Kate´s last blog ..Rawr! Leopard Print Eye! =-.
Yeah I’d say pass on this. I like my mascara to hold a curl too, but haven’t found a non-waterproof version that does. Do you have a curling, non-waterproof mascara you like?
Hmmm… I found Maybelline’s Full N’ Soft ($7.50 at WalMart) to be pretty good. It definitely defines, and made my lashes look pretty good. I have super oily skin though, so it smudged… If it didn’t smudge and weren’t so hard to remove (waterproof), it’d be my HG. If your skin isn’t very oily though, definitely give this one a try.