Over the past three decades, the beauty industry has developed some amazing beauty and skincare products. From lip glosses that adjust to your lip color to mineral makeup to skin creams made from sake and seaweed, the makeup bag and medicine chest have come a long way from the days of Ponds Cold Cream. But despite these breakthroughs, there is one area of the beauty industry that seems to be lagging behind, the mascara manufacturers.
I was extremely devoted to MaxFactor 2000 Calorie mascara. But sadly, the powers that be, took this product off the market years ago. Since then, I’ve found plenty of passable brands and even brands that I like (Tarte), but I’ve never found a product that doesn’t eventually disappoint me and leave me longing for MaxFactored lashes of yore.
Whenever I discuss my mascara malaise, someone always mention DiorShow. “Try it, you’ll love it. You’ll never go back,” they say. So last week, I bought the Best in Show Mascara Set, which contains a DiorShow mascara and a DiorShow Blackout mascara in mini-sizes (Sephora, $18). And boy, did they fail to live up to expectations.
After applying the third coat of mascara, I stared into the mirror unable to see any of the promised lengthening or thickening. Since it was a Saturday, I decided to remove the product and try the DiorShow Blackout instead. Again, the promised benefits did not emerge. Sure, the lashes were the perfect jet black color and a bit thicker, but they were not the lush, full lashes that I had been promised. My reaction could best be described as, meh.
There is nothing worse than being disappointed by a beauty product that held so much promise. It’s like going to bed with a gorgeous man only to leave his bed dissatisfied, wishing you’d stayed home with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s.
Luckily, my friend Alex suggested that I try CoverGirl LashBlast, and I figured at $6 a tube, what did I have to lose. Is it as wonderful as my MaxFactor? No. But it does a better than average job, and my lashes look fuller and longer with the LashBlast than they did with the DiorShow. So, I’m happy, for now. Next month, they’ll be some new miracle mascara that I have to try. Hopefully, I won’t be disappointed all over again.
Finally, a well known blogger that isn't hawking this crappy mascara! I purchased this set from Sephora after hearing and reading RAVE reviews on it, and it was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! Just as you describe.. and like you, I, too, will be sticking to my CG LashBlast.
Side note – if you want a good “high end department store” brand mascara, the YSL MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS in the Rich Black and Radical Black lives up to the hype… but at $30, it's the priciest mascara I've purchased. Nordstrom was having an offer not too long ago if you purchase 2 YSL mascaras, you get a 3rd for free. Wished I took up on that offer! :-
Finally, a well known blogger that isn't hawking this crappy mascara! I purchased this set from Sephora after hearing and reading RAVE reviews on it, and it was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! Just as you describe.. and like you, I, too, will be sticking to my CG LashBlast.
Side note – if you want a good “high end department store” brand mascara, the YSL MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS in the Rich Black and Radical Black lives up to the hype… but at $30, it's the priciest mascara I've purchased. Nordstrom was having an offer not too long ago if you purchase 2 YSL mascaras, you get a 3rd for free. Wished I took up on that offer! :-
I have great results by using an eyelash curler, and then waterproof LashBlast. The waterproof dries faster than regular and holds the curl better.
Belle, you should give the new Maybelline One-by-One Volum'Express mascara. Sure, it's the flavor of the week, but I find it does a decent job of defining lashes without flaking or clumping (and I'm very picky). It's not perfect, but it's probably worth adding to the rotation, and it runs about $8 a tube. DiorShow Blackout was probably my single most disappointing mascara experience. It's the only mascara I've actually hate so much that I took back to Sephora. DiorShow Iconic was a bit better, ok at defining, but not black enough and didn't really do anything else.
I've tried several Maybelline products and they never work for me. I find their formula to be entirely too thin and viscous. I always end up with mascara in my eyes and on my face. I don't even bother trying their latest and greatest anymore.
Hi Belle, this is a great post! I am in need of some assistance for you or other CHS fans. I have a lot of trouble with eye reactions to mascara (I wear a combo of contacts and glasses due to regular eye infections). I am currently using Sephora's clear mascara. I also use an eye lash curler, which helps when using only clear mascara. I used to use clear mascara from Max Factor that was pretty decent in terms of lash lengthening but from my understanding it is discontinued. I have been on the hunt for a lash lengthening mascara that is clear because even the mascara products geared toward “sensitive eyes” seem to make things worse. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance for your time, KRF
I have kind of been a fan lately of Maybelline's “The Falsies.” It's only like $5 or so, so I say it's worth a try. It's defiantly not the “thin and viscous” consistency of other Maybelline formulas. The waterproof formula certainly stays on well and it does a good job thickening my terribly thin lashes.
I totally disagree. I bought the same set last Fall and love it. I use the regular Show during the day and the Blackout at night, and my lashes definitely look longer and fuller with it. I've even been asked if I'm wearing fake lashes. Plus the Show smells delicious
I have a question — I use maybeline for the past two months because I am too lazy to use anything else (used to use bobbi brown – it was okay, but not worth the money). I have noticed lately that I have HORRIBLE rings under my eyes from mascara by the end of the day — and I don't even put it on my bottom lashes!
is it me? the makeup?
what should I try?
I agree. I mean, I think this mascara is OK, but it's nothing to write home about.
After cycling through pretty much every brand sold at Sephora, I'm currently using Cover Girl Last Blast Volume and Length (the one in the purple tube) along with Sephora's own store brand lengthening mascara. I like this combo (and on some days just use the Cover Girl Last Blast). I also really like Make Up For Ever's Aqua Smoky Eyes; it's given me the best results. Even though it's kind of expensive, I'll probably switch back to it once my tube of Lash Blast is done.
I was disappointed by DiorShow too. I've started using Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara because it came with one of their free gifts, but I really like it. And it's only $14.50 so it's not terribly expensive as far as make up goes.
I agree, I thought Dior Show really didn't live up to expectations. My tried and true, and always wonderful, mascara is Lancome Definicils. It NEVER clumps and lengthens beautifully.
The Diorshow made my lashes look long BUT at the end of the day, my eyes would itch like mad….:(
So true, I don't know WHY people are so obsessed with DiorShow. I've never seen people hawk a product that disappoints so badly before. It doesn't do anything besides flake like crazy and gets under my contacts (which itches a lot). Come to think of it, Maybelline Great Lash doesn't work either.
LastBlast is much better. The orange tube is way better than the purple tube that tries to lengthen and volumize or whatever.
Hmm…I actually really dislike the orange tube. To each her own, I guess!
Do you guys get Helena Rubinstein in the US? Their Lash Queen mascara is fantabulous! I wouldn't recommend wearing it on lower lashes (it falls down a little after about 10 hrs wear), but it's THE best mascara I've ever used.
How odd! Diorshow + Smashbox primer changed my life. I have extremely long lashes that seem to point in every different direction and won't curl. A layer of primer and then one coat of Diorshow does it for me everyday. I'll never go back. And this is coming from a girl who never buys makeup from anywhere besides CVS and even then, with a coupon! This is my one splurge item. I guess mascara brands are as personal as powder shades!
If you can handle the comb brush, Telescopic is awesome. You can get the color right into the roots of your eyelashes. On my bottom lashes, I use Blinc. No smears that way.
KRF — if your eyes are particularly sensitive, you should see which brands use more natural products, and test run their mascaras. I would start with Josie Maran, Korres, and tarte (though there are many other brands that claim to make natural products as well). I weaned my eyes back onto mascara after recovering from eye surgery using L'Oreal True Match Naturale mascara. I think it's not 100% natural, but it was quite gentle and didn't flake out (so eliminated the bits of mascara falling in your eyes to irritate them).
i'm telling you, the way to go is telescopic. i used to use (read: practically worship) maxfactor myself. the telescopic one by l'oreal is the ONLY masaca that even has come close to matching the results i got so used to getting with max factor. and i'm really REALLY picky about my lashes.
I love love LOVE Urban Decay's Big Fatty Mascara in waterproof…it's TOTALLY worth the money.
I second the motion for L'oreal mascara. L'oreal Voluminous is my go to, and the newest iteration (L'oreal Voluminous – Million Lashes) is also great. I've tried a number of Sephora and drugstore mascaras but I haven't found a better value.
I swear by Clinique's High Impact mascara – been using it for years and still regularly have people ask me if my lashes are real! If I need a waterproof one, Maybelline's Full & Soft is my go to. Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara is pretty decent too.
L'OREAL VOLUMINOUS is my favorite! It's very buildable- the formula is thick and takes a second to dry, but that means you can get a great “day” look in one coat or gloriously thick lashes in 2-3 coats. Just remember to scrape off the excess that tends to cling to the brush (or else you'll end up very clumpy- but that's true of all good mascaras).
And I agree- DiorShow was such a letdown. I've heard time and time again that you get what you pay for with primers, foundations, etc but NOT with mascara.
Mabelline Great Lash all the way! The pink and green never disappoints.
I find Blinc Kiss Me mascara to be totally reliable. You can get it at Sephora, but it's kind of different from other mascaras so have them use a tester on you first.
I really like DiorShow, but I don't think it's worth the price. Unless I have a free sample of the stuff, I stick with Clinique. I've never found a drugstore brand that works well (for me).
L'oreal Telesopic. That little brush will grab your lashes right at the root. LONG LONG LONG lashes. Also doesn't weigh things down, which is a necessity for my long but thin lashes.
Tried the telescopic, hated it.
https://caphillstyle.com/capitol/2010/2/19/bpgp-loreal-telescopic-explosion-mascara.html
I've been using the Sephora/Bare Essentials' Buxom mascara. With a few coats, I find I get great length and volume AND I don't have nasty rings or flakes under my eyes at the end of a 10-hour work day.
Ew! No, not that one:
https://www.amazon.com/L-92Oreal-Telescopic-Original-Mascara-Black/dp/B000XVJPQQ
Not sure why the names are so similar, but the results couldn't be more different.
Sidenote: The “ew” was only because I tried that one too (Explosion) and hated–HATED–it.
I am so glad I read this post… While I am super dedicated to Trish McEvoy curling mascara (the ONLY mascara in the 25 years I have been wearing mascara that truly does not smudge) every time I see DiorShow atop a best mascara list, I am tempted. I am going to now formally shelve the urge and highly recommend you give the Trish McEvoy curling mascara a try next time you want to splurge on a department store brand.
Wow, I love the Revlon mascara with the little ball as an applicator. Didn't know so many people hated it! Tarte's Lights! Camera! Lashes! is my absolute favorite mascara, but at about 20 bucks per tube, it just gets too expensive.
I have the same problems finding mascara!! I buy a new tube every time the latest and greatest comes out, use it and swear buy it. Then, after purchasing a second tube, I absolutely hate it. Smudges, flakes, clumps, gross. And I find that water-proof mascaras clump MUCH more than regular. If I could find a great water-proof, I would end my search. However, I'm currently (and have been for a few months) stuck on Covergirl's Lash Blast Volume in Very Black.
Finally, a well known blogger that isn't hawking this crappy mascara! I purchased this set from Sephora after hearing and reading RAVE reviews on it, and it was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! Just as you describe.. and like you, I, too, will be sticking to my CG LashBlast.
Side note – if you want a good “high end department store” brand mascara, the YSL MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS in the Rich Black and Radical Black lives up to the hype… but at $30, it's the priciest mascara I've purchased. Nordstrom was having an offer not too long ago if you purchase 2 YSL mascaras, you get a 3rd for free. Wished I took up on that offer! :-
as a girl who can not leave the house without mascara, i use two different kinds, lancome definicils pro (AMAZING) and clinique high definition lashes brush then comb mascara (which one Elle's Genius award!)
both really hook onto the lashes and comb through to enhance and lengthen! i do not usually recommend products to anyone, but would never hesitate with these two.
I wear a lengthening mascara that I cam completely obsessed with. It's called Rilastil Allungante Mascara and it's from Italy. I have the most unbelivably sensitive eyes and because it is a natural product, it works for me. It is a little pricey but I have short (but still full) eyelashes and I get asked by my friends if I started wearing false lashes when i wear this. Best part, it washes off so easily without makeup remover.
I, too, am a devotee of Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Mascara (I prefer the “Extreme” version). Unfortunately, you can no longer find it in stores, but they didn't stop making it! Due to dwindling sales in the U.S. market, Max Factor decided to focus their efforts overseas and stopped selling their products in the United States. That being said, you can still find it online. I just bought a 4-pack yesterday on Overstock. I've tried all kinds of mascara and, in my opinion, nothing compares to the 2000 Calorie line.