Big volume was a flop and a half! (Boots 17 Big Volume Mascara)

Member Name: xxfoxyredxx

Product:	Boots 17 Big Volume Mascara
Date:	07/01/09 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stays put if you don't touch it, ok results but not fantastic

Disadvantages: Nothing special, needs a few coats so it's time consuming, not waterproof

When it comes to buying a mascara I find it a real chore and not one bit a pleasurable buy. However I wouldn't dream of going out and not using the stuff of course! No matter how hard I try though I can't get on with the stuff sadly. Not just choosing one but applying it and when it comes to wearing it I find it a complete nightmare as I have really sensitive eyes and I've lost count of the amount I own and although as I have said I wear them the results I can get are acceptable enough but I never think I gain all that much but a bit of colour from a mascara...however not always clumped on if I'm lucky.

So it's not an item I will browse at in stores for pleasure like other cosmetics. I buy it cos I have to buy it. This is my latest mascara and not only did I need it what actually swung it was that if I spent a fiver on the range I got a free gift and I do like something for nothing! lol. Volume sounded attractive and there were plenty of formulations available in this range so after a bit of dithering about I bought it as my brain was getting confused to hell!

The Packaging....

Well it's a long dark blue recyclable plastic tube. On the front I'm told it's 'Ultimate Volume Mascara' and 17 is written on it and around the back contact details for Boots are given. That's it really for information and you simply unscrew the top and there is a longish plastic wand and on the end of that a brush. Simple and user friendly enough. Just to let you know that 'Big Volume' is now called 'Ultimate Volume' (which is this) so all reviews in the category are for the same product it's just that it's changed it's name a wee bit!

Using It....

Simple enough. There are two colours available (brown and black) and mine is the black. The brush is quite thick, tapered at the end and of good quality although it surprised me how smooth it was rather than bristly. You simply smooth it through your lashes which is actually simple enough to do (with a steady hand!). The colour is a matt black in my case rather than a glossy black making this for me a day time mascara as it just isn't all that obvious in colour. the consistency isn't too thick and it isn't sloppy to use either though I do find that to coat my eyelashes properly I need to use about 3-4 coats which of course is tricky and time consuming, so not one you can use and run out of the door this if you want even colour. However even though I feel like I have applied a full tube on my eyes it doesn't feel that way as it is dermatologically tested and the only time I get any irritation from this mascara is when I almost poke my eye out using it (which is likely as I have to spend so long brushes it through my eyes!)! Eyelashes don't feel too thick or heavy and although I do find the brush quite clumsy to use I get satisfactory results if I'm careful and take my time.

Results....

Well I can't find any volume that this promises. It doesn't thicken my lashes, uplift them or make them longer or anything. It doesn't give me flappable eyelashes it simply coats what I have and adds some colour to them defining them a little. It stays put well enough although it isn't water proof so no swimming wearing this and deffo no crying wearing it (as I found out to my cost lol). Yes if you rub your eyes a bit it does transfer and smudge as well though once the colour is on, if you leave it, it looks ok and has no fade or anything. As I said earlier this for me is a day time mascara and really doesn't do an awful lot for my lashes thought it doesn't hurt them or anything. removal is just as annoying as with any other mascara and you just use your usual routine to remove.

In Conclusion....

At £4.69 for such a large product (8ml) you simply get what you pay for. I found mine dried up after a couple of months of regular use which isn't too bad but I never used it every day or anything so if you want something to use everyday then this is great and remember after 3 months you should throw out products such as this anyway. It's ok but nothing special. The only thing I can say for it really that I noticed is I didn't get any clumps which is another huge selling point but as for volume? Where did that go!

Only available in Boots and do look for offers within this range. At the moment (as I post this review) there is a buy one get one free offer from within this range, so now is the time to buy if your interested in trying it!

Summary: You get what you pay for in life is a true saying for a reason!