Comparing 3 Pink-Tube Mascaras & Sephora Spring Sale

I have a thing for mascara that comes packaged in a pink tube.

It all started with Too Faced better than sex mascara. I absolutely loved it, but the higher price point was hard to justify so I graduated to a less-expensive-but-just-as good drugstore alternative called lash paradise. Most recently, I decided I needed to try lash slick from Glossier after reading so many positive reviews.

They all happen to come in a pretty shiny pink tube. Coincidence?

As I was putting on my makeup the other day, I realized that a comparison of these 3 popular mascaras might be helpful. For reference, I have extremely short sparse lashes so I take all the help I can get. I've toyed with the idea of lash extensions but my eyes are super sensitive and the fear of an allergic reaction is very real! I prefer mascara that builds volume while still looking clean (meaning no clumps) and I like them to look defined. Read my thoughts on each mascara below.


Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $24: I was introduced to this mascara by my best friend a few years ago and have been purchasing it on and off since. I love the formula, as it effortlessly creates volume with just one coat. It also holds a curl quite well. My only complaint is that the large wand is difficult to maneuver at times, and I often feel like I'm not coating every single little lash particularly in the corners. However, I keep going back to this mascara because overall it really does make my natural lashes look as full as they can.

Pros: Lots of volume and length, holds curl, does not flake
Cons: $$$ and giant wand/brush

L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, $10: I don't know if this mascara was created with Too Faced better than sex in mind, but they are mysteriously very very similar. The volume is unreal. I would say I prefer L'Oreal overall - I even like this wand much more because it isn't as large as the Too Faced version. However, the formula dries out ridiculously fast! After about a month and a half, I have to go buy another tube! So is it really worth it to spend 10 dollars on one tube practically every other month? Well yes, because I do! But I still go back and forth between this and Too Faced. It really just depends on my mood.

Pros: Lots of volume and length, useful wand/brush, holds a curl, $
Cons: Formula starts out perfectly but then dries out quickly, a little flaking sometimes

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara, $16:  I really am on the fence with this one. I love the narrow plastic wand because it allows me to get right in at the base of my lashes so I can coat each one. I love how dark and inky the formula is. I also love that it lengthens and defines. But it's a very natural looking mascara and even after trying to build some volume, any volume at all, I just can't get my stubby lashes to cooperate. Maybe I need to wait a few more weeks until it begins drying out a bit? If any of you have tried lash slick (I think Rachelle from PinkSole uses this) then please tell me what I'm missing? I don't dislike it but I won't be buying it again.

Pros: Good size and shape of wand, dark shiny color, really lengthens and separates each lash
Cons: Not good for volume

I would recommend Too Faced and L'Oreal, I would say pass on Glossier. If you have any questions, let me know.

Before I go, I wanted to quickly share what I ordered from Sephora's Spring sale. It was opened late last week for Rouge members, but it's now also open to VIB and Insiders. I'm a VIB and used code HEYVIB to get 15% off my entire order. Beauty products rarely go on sale so I took advantage and am trying new things I've had my eyes on for awhile. I'll report back soon but if you need any recommendations I'd go with this spray by Ouai (it's part of the reason why I'm trying their masque) or anything in this post!

Have a great weekend!

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New L'Oreal Lash Paradise

I was kindly sent a PR package from L'Oreal a few weeks ago.

Aside from the fact that a well-known beauty brand gifted me ANYTHING, there was one product that really stood out. Voluminous lash paradise mascara has turned me once again into a drugstore beauty believer. Here's why:

It lifts the lashes and holds a curl until it's removed.

It has great coverage in just one coat, but is also buildable. I usually opt for two coats. The result is fluttery lashes that look long and full.

It doesn't flake off. I can't stand mascara that does that!

The wand as you'll see below is large, but not so big that you can't coat every lash. Thicker wands often feel awkward but this one allows for optimal control. I normally prefer plastic bristles as they grip lashes better, but this one is perfect for building tons of volume.

The formula isn't watery, but it's also not too thick. My gripe about the regular Voluminous mascara is that it translates to goopy lashes. This formula is much easier to work with and layer without looking overdone.

Wearing the lash paradise

I don't plan on purchasing any high-end mascara after trying this. In fact, this is the only mascara in my collection now. You know that Too Faced mascara that I once raved about? It also comes in a pink tube...this is even better than that, and at a fraction of the price! 

Have you tried lash paradise? If not, make a Target run. You're welcome 😙

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Lights, Camera, Lashes!

I purchased Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara on a whim after watching a YouTube video in which a well known beauty girl raved about it. It was an emphatic review, and I decided right then and there that I had to try it out for myself. I've used this for about a month and a half now and in a word? AMAZING! Really, truly, hands-down my new holy grail mascara. I love it more than my CoverGirl LashBlast, more than the Physicians Formula Jumbo Lash. Which actually bums me out because those are so much more affordable. This retails at Sephora for $19. 

The packaging is just beautiful. The outside of the tube is encased in a deep metallic purple. It feels like leather.

The wand doesn't have plastic bristles like I normally like, but the wand is narrow enough that it can reach even the tiniest lashes at the corners of the eyes. The bristles are dense, but I think they vary in size.

The mascara is formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, and is fragrance free. It is very buildable, and I usually like to layer and layer just to see how big my stubby little lashes can get!

My sole brown eye, wearing two coats. Sorry for the odd picture, but I had so much trouble getting my camera to focus.

The mascara claims to increase lash volume by 424%! I thought that was a random number, and I'm not entirely sure how they came up with it, but I do agree that this makes my lashes so much thicker and longer. I feel like I'm wearing falsies!

I absolutely recommend this to you girls, and I wouldn't tell you that the price is worth it unless I planned on buying more again. I'll still be loyal to my drugstore favorites, but this will have to go alongside them. It's just that good.

~Noelle

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