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The formula
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It seems like every other cosmetics brand releases at least one new mascara every other month and after a bit all of the formulas just start to give the same results over and over again, whilst the companies rely on a gimmicky mascara wand to sell the product. To give the marketing teams their due, I nearly always fall for this trick...


Boots teen-aimed range 17 have come up with something a bit different to the other 'new wonder mascaras'; Their PHOTO FLAWLESS MASCARA applies black but in certain lighting gleams with a pearlescent twist of colour [mine is in blue/black, which is a deep blue between royal blue and navy], which promises to help brighten your natural eye colour. The mascara also has a specially shaped wand which is designed to lift and curl lashes for a added wide eyed look.

One coat of this mascara will provide noticeable length, fanned out, slightly curled, non-clumpy lashes. However one coat alone doesn't seem to add a visible increase in volume - it's simply that your lashes are more defined.

Luckily the formula is fast drying and doesn't clump together, so it's easy to apply multiple coats. Two coats will add volume to your lashes and still holds a curl well.


I've been wearing PHOTO FLAWLESS MASCARA every day, all day since I bought it and have yet to experience any flaking or smudging from this mascara.


Available in black/blue [recommended for blue eyes], black/green [green eyes] and black/gold [and eyes]. Boots don't mention grey or hazel eyes, but I'd try the black/blue for grey as my eyes have a hint of grey in and my sister has hazel eyes and loves the brown eyed version (she has just bought the green eyed one too).


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The wand
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The best selling mascara in the UK is Maybelline The Falsies which has a uniquely curved wand (like a spoon) and since it's proved to be a huge money-spinner it was bound to have imitators sooner or later, so it's no surprise that 17 have grabbed the ball and ran with it [I think Rimmel now have their own version too].

I usually dislike mascaras that rely on a gimmicky brush to work, but this one really does work: The shape of the wand grabs, coats and pushes every lash out and up (even those little stragglers in the outer corners of the eye). Apply the mascara brushing the concave side of the wand against your lashes, as the will set the best shape and lift for your look.


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The verdict
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I admit to having taken a series of photos to see is this is indeed 'Photo Flawless' and was pleasantly surprised. Whilst the pop of colour [I got the blue/black combination] didn't show up on any of the photos, the whites of my eyes looked bright and my irises had a greenish tinge to them.


The colour to the mascara is only visible in selected lighting, so it's subtle enough to wear everyday and make a change from the same old black. The length this gives to lashes is good, but not the best [Maybelline Lash Stiletto is one of the best for that] and the volume is only so-so [try Bourjois Liner Efect], but the definition, colour and curl are great. So I think that the results I get are fantastic for the price and I'll happily re-buy it. I'm also interested in trying the other colour combinations to see if they work for me.


The 17 Photo Flawless range also includes kohl eyeliners in the same colour combinations as the mascara [£3.99], facial primer [£4.99] and liquid foundation [£6.29].


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Price
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RRP: £5.99 [8ml]