Last time I was in the Body Shop I found out that they were offering a free mascara with every two makeup purchases. As I was buying two makeup brushes anyway, I was able to choose a mascara for nothing! I chose the Double Intensity Mascara in Black as the premise intrigued me. I saw that it normally retails for £11 so was pleased that I'd got over £10 worth of product free! I admit I was less happy when I got back, read a few reviews on Dooyoo and saw how low it was rated!

This mascara is quite unusual. You get two sides in the one product - you start off with 1 to 'extend' your lashes and follow with 2 to 'intensify' them. It is very easy to tell which is which as side 1 is white and side 2 is black! The middle of the mascara is a silver colour and the whole thing looks very sophisticated.

When I got round to using the mascara, I applied a coat of side 1 to one set of eyelashes - it goes on white, which makes for an interesting look in itself! I waited about 20 seconds before applying the second coat. The shop assistant had recommended I do this, as it would give the first coat time to dry enough, but not completely.

I was actually impressed with this mascara. After applying both coats my lashes definitely looked longer and thicker and there were no clumps. The mascara lasted all day too - it looked just as good in the evening as it did in the morning.

One thing it fell down on slightly was when I tried to apply another coat of side 2 - then my lashes did start to clump a little.

Overall I really like this mascara. I'm not sure if it's worth the high price of £11 but in itself it's a quality product and I enjoy using it. I feel it's better suited to the daytime as when I go out at night I like to use black and grey eyeshadows to create a smoky eye effect and I need a mascara that can handle this look! Because I can't really apply a second coat of side 2, I can't achieve this with this particular mascara. However, for the daytime it's perfect, and I do wear it at night if I'm going for a softer look (i.e. not full-on gothic!).

I have no more problems than usual removing this mascara with my normal eye makeup remover.

I'm actually quite surprised it has such bad reviews. I wonder if the other people who reviewed it waited too long before applying the second coat, when it's best to apply it before the first has completely dried. I was lucky in that the assistant advised me; I suppose not everyone would have been given this advice.

I probably wouldn't buy this mascara again at full price, as I prefer Rimmel ones which are cheaper, but if it was on special offer I would definitely consider it.