The Mission

Mascara is one of my fundamental beauty products. I like wearing low-maintenance mascaras that don't need constant reapplying to look good. I prefer volumising mascaras to lengthening or curling ones as I find that this is the only thing that an eyelash curler cannot achieve.

The Purchase

Before buying this mascara I was a fan of Maybelline's Great Lash mascara. However as the trend for false lashes really took off I was left underwhelmed at the natural look of this mascara. I wanted my eyelashes to really stand out and frame my eyes. I was attracted to this product by its bright coloured packaging and its promise to catch every single lash. I have found that a good brush is key to a good mascara and I was impressed at how you could see the brush in the packaging (the mascara tube is sealed with the brush packaged next to it). The brush is rubber with lots of little rubber spikes. I could immediately see how it would catch 'even the smallest lashes' and the fact that a waterproof option was available coupled with a cunning 3 for 2 offer secured my purchase. The mascara is normally around the eight pound mark. However it is routinely on 3 for 2 offers at both Boots and Superdrug.

The Result

I sampled both the waterproof and normal mascaras and although both were far above average it was the waterproof mascara that stole my heart. Both mascaras do provide incredible volume. Thebrush catcheds each lash and the mascara really coats and plumps the lashes to create dramatic volume. The brush was easy to manipulate and tapers at the end to make it easy to catch the little lashes on the inner corner of the eye. The normal mascara left a glossy black finish that looked healthy and lustrous and felt really nourishing for my lashes. However it was slightly greasy and was not invincible to smudging. It wore off slower than most mascaras but faster than I would have liked. The waterproof mascara provided a more matte finish that initially looked less dramatic but this was more than made up for by its longevity. I have NEVER had a mascara with this level of staying power. Throughout my holiday in Croatia it would stay on all day, through hangover induced eye rubbing, sweating and swimming. I am a contact lens wearer and I was impressed at how it stuck to my lashes and didn't flake into my eyes. It is definitely the perfect holiday mascara.

The Overall Evaluation

This product definitely has its shortcomings. If you are not into eyelash curlers you may prefer a curved brush to add a lengthening curl. If you have short lashes you may prefer a mascara that does more to add length. However if you are looking for lashes full of volume and free of clumps then this is the mascara for you.

PS the bright pink tube makes it easy to locate in a handbag.