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This is what happened when L'Oreal's new waterproof Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara arrived on our desks yesterday: We put it on and it instantly changed our lives.
For months now, we've been avid fans of CoverGirl's LashBlast Length mascara—a totally natural-looking, 100% clump-free, perfect-for-everyday lash enhancer. But lately, we've been craving something a little more dramatic—and our skinny eyelashes were hankering for some plumping. The problem? So many combo volumizing/lengthening mascaras we've tried give us spiky, clumpy, gloopy looking eyelashes—stuck-together lashes so messed up that even a lash comb couldn't help. We chalk it up to mascara formulas, over the last few years, trending towards the glossy—and, therefore, a "wetter" consistency.
Well, looks like our sentiments are being echoed pretty widely in consumer research. L'Oreal's study found that:
While volumizing remains the #1 demand at nearly 50% of the mascara market, recent consumer research reveals that a number of gaps remain in the mass market. According to the 2009 Mascara Attitude & Usage Report, consumers seek clump and glob free formulas that don’t cause lashes to stick together, as well as a brush that separates and makes lashes appear thicker. Additionally, 35% of women use waterproof mascara to avoid smudging, smearing and flaking.Enter the company's brand-new waterproof version of its Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara ($8.95 at drugstores), which is hands-down the least-clumpy volumizing mascara we've ever used—of any brand, drugstore or counter. The formula is also a bit old-school (like the gorgeous packaging)—not too wet, not overly shiny, with a natural glossy, realistic-looking finish. It doesn't go on too thick, either—and that's probably because of the built-in "Clean-Sweep Wiper System" that removes excess product before the wand even comes out of the tube (this also means your product stays in the tube and one tube will go farther). The brush itself features both long and short pliable bristles that evenly coats all your lashes.
Bonus: For anyone who, like us, likes to really coat their lashes in mascara? You'll be glad to know that this mascara builds really well—without clumping on even the third or fourth coat.
· Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara [L'Oreal]
· Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara, $8.99 at ULTA