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I hate beauty hyperbole. Basically nothing is actually a miracle product, but I do believe that Kevyn Aucoin’s Volume Mascara really will change your life.
Yes, it’s $28, and some tubes dry out a little bit faster than your average, but let me tell you: It is worth it.
For one, it grants you the kind of control you need to swipe on the whole spectrum of lash. You want wispy lashes? Great. In the mood to go full Twiggy? Easy, just keep piling it on. Because here’s the best part: It doesn’t flake or rub off onto your skin in any way. You never have to worry about what’s happening underneath your eyes or if your mascara’s smudged halfway to your hairline.
If that sweet relief doesn’t sell you, the actual best part is that it just comes off with warm water. Like, really, truly comes all the way off. You don’t even need to use soap or makeup remover (though I generally recommend using soap in life). It just flakes right off; specks of black fiber will line your sink, but who cares when you don’t have to worry about mascara getting in your eyes overnight, or waking up with darker-than-necessary under-eye circles?
The best question you can ask a beauty editor is what products they actually pay for; someone who writes about beauty for a living is inundated with products to test and consistently gifted their known favorites. This was mine when I was a beauty editor years ago, and if the brand ever stopped making it I would find a way to buy 100 tubes.
My favorite is the Volume version, though all of the above goes for Curling, too. The Essential is a very different formula that makes your lashes gloriously full, but without the above benefits.