Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Mascara Wars: L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes vs. CoverGirl Clump Crusher

Top of our list for Adrien's visit last week was a Very Important Mascara Test. Quite a few people have encouraged me to try CoverGirl's Clump Crusher LashBlast mascara, swearing that I would love it more than my (admittedly pesky and taking finesse to apply) #1 most favorite mascara, L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes.

The Contenders.

Because I am nothing if not bossy, I made Adrien participate as well. And it's a good thing, because we had COMPLETELY different experiences with these products. I, for one, was so sure she would love the False Fiber Lashes as much as I do. THE RESULTS MAY SURPRISE YOU.

Anyway, let's start with some alarmingly close up pictures of our bare, sad, mascara-less lashes.

Adrien, sans mascara.
Marianne, sans mascara.

We started things off by curling our lashes. I'm just going to go ahead and say this: if you're wearing mascara and not bothering to curl your lashes? You might as well not bother with the mascara either. Thems the breaks, folks. Take 10 seconds and curl those suckers. I like the ever-popular Shu Uemura curler, Adrien favors Shiseido, which has a shallower curve.

Mascary.

And now, on to the comparison. We curled our lashes and put two generous coats of mascara on each eye, False Fiber Lashes on the left, Clump Crusher on the right. Here's Adrien's take:

I was not blown away by either of these mascaras, to be honest. I have fine, straight, sad-ass lashes and I need volume and thickening. And lengthening. I need it all. The Clump Crusher was certainly not clumpy, but it didn't really do a whole lot for me aside from making my lashes darker. The False Fiber Lashes looked amazing on Marianne but was a weird mess on me. I tried to make it better with a few more coats, but it just stuck my lashes into weird long spikes. Then I had a tantrum and threw it across the room. Then Marianne gave me a time out. Result: Neither of these will replace my beloved Colossal.

Adrien: L'Oreal False Fiber Lashes on the left, CoverGirl Clump Crusher on the right.

And here is my take: First of all, I will admit that my eyelashes are already decently long and thick, so your mileage may vary. For me, the Clump Crusher Mascara lives up to its name, there was not a clump to be seen. However, I found this mascara a bit on the wimpy side. It gives very natural results, but I'm generally looking for more volume and drama (read: I want people to think I am wearing eyelash extensions). The False Fiber Lash mascara is kind of a pain to put on, I admitted to Adrien that it's kind of "advanced".  But if you get it right, it seriously ramps up the drama. After I took these pictures, I added one coat of the False Fiber Lashes OVER the Clump Crusher eye, and that really gave me the best results. The Clump Crusher almost works as a primer, defining and separating the lashes, and then the False Fiber ramps up the volume. So now I wear two mascaras every day, which is not exactly low maintenance but it sure looks good.

Marianne: L'Oreal False Fiber Lashes on the left, CoverGirl Clump Crusher on the right.

Dang, that's a lot of talk about mascara. Have y'all tried either of these? Am I the only moron that wears more than one mascara at a time? 

9 comments:

  1. I'm sort of with Adrien on the False Fiber -- it makes me ragey and gives me spider lashes. As I'm one of the people who recommended Clumb Crusher to you, you know I love it. I'll admit, the first coat doesn't do much for my lashes, but I layer it on (at LEAST 3 coats usually) it gives my lashes tons of vavoom. And it doesn't ever get spidery or clumpy, no matter how many layers I put on it. I have been known to layer two mascaras before, but right now the Clump Crusher works solo for me.

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    1. It's a great product, to be sure. Especially if you want length, I just want a bit more drag-queeny volume. Layering them really is awesome, it's what I do every day now!

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    2. I'm coming back to say that I decided to try layering the two this morning and holy cats! Amazing! My eyelashes have never looked so thick or so long!

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    3. I've also been working with the Clump Crusher more and I've really come to like it. I need three coats if I'm wearing it alone, but also it works great layered under my other favorites. A keeper.

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  2. I am a mascara layerer (ha!) too--I do 2 coats of Tarte mascara, then a layer of Falsies Flared (Maybelline) and it is that drag queen volume and length I love. I'll have to try your combo!

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  3. I adore the False Fiber Lashes. But now I think I'm going to try your layering trick, too!

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  4. I wanted to love the False Fiber Lashes, but I just didn't.

    Here's the one I *do* love: http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Eyes/Mascara/Revlon-PhotoReady-3D-Volume-Mascara.aspx

    I can get seriously Almost Look Fake lashes with this stuff.

    My other favorite, for when I want longer, but not necessarily thicker: http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Lash-Discovery-Mini-Brush-Washable-Mascara.aspx That mini brush is the best.

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  5. I like the False Fiber Lashes well enough, but I feel like I really have to take my time applying it or I look a hot mess. Lately I've been LOVING the Almay Get Up and Grow - it really thickens & lengthens beautifully and it's a cinch to apply.

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  6. Marianne, I am totally with you. Give me some drag queen eyelashes every day of the year! I also do a mascara "cocktail" or four or five coats of L'oreal Voluminous.

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