Everything Else · The Lori Diaries
My lashes are already long, but apparently that isn't enough for me. Give me a mascara promising even bigger lashes and I'll still want to know whether it can make them longer, darker, and a little more dramatic. Essence's I Love Extreme Crazy Volume arrives in a bright-pink tube that makes no attempt to be subtle. Neither does its enormous brush. I was very ready to fall in love with it, but after putting it to the test, I've learned that there's a fine line between the lashes I want and a few coats too many.
I've had good luck with Essence mascaras before, which is why I was particularly curious about this one. I love finding an affordable product that feels like a little discovery, especially when it comes to something I use as often as mascara.
My expectations are also rather specific.
I don't need a mascara to make short lashes magically long. Mine already have a head start. What I want is for them to look fuller, hold a curl, and make my eyes stand out without needing false lashes.
The name I Love Extreme Crazy Volume suggests that this is not a mascara for someone hoping to look as though she isn't wearing any.
Perfect. That wasn't what I was looking for anyway.
A Very Pink First Impression
Let's begin with the packaging, because it's impossible to ignore.
The tube is bright pink with black lettering, and I absolutely love it. There is something cheerful about reaching into my makeup bag and finding a mascara that looks as though it's already in a good mood.
It's quite a large tube, but surprisingly light in my hand. The size makes it feel substantial without making it awkward to use.
Then I opened it and met the brush.
It's big. Very big.
I can see why Essence chose it for a mascara with the words Crazy Volume on the packaging. An enormous brush feels like a suitably dramatic introduction.
The question is whether it actually works, because a big wand isn't automatically a good one.
The Brush Has Two Very Different Personalities
On my upper lashes, the oversized brush is a pleasant surprise.
I thought I'd find it difficult to control, but I can work it through my lashes without much trouble. It coats them well and gives me the kind of bold finish I was hoping for.
On my lower lashes, however, we have a different story.
The same brush that works so well on top suddenly feels much too large when I'm trying to reach the smaller lashes underneath my eyes.
I have to be careful about where I place it, and I don't feel nearly as confident using it there. It's one of those little annoyances that doesn't ruin a product but certainly makes you notice its design.
I'd much rather have a smaller brush for my lower lashes than spend the morning trying not to decorate the skin beneath my eyes.
Still, the upper-lash result is good enough that I'm willing to forgive the wand for being a little less cooperative elsewhere.
One Coat, Two Coats, and the Temptation to Keep Going
The formula sits somewhere in the middle of the textures I've tried. It isn't so wet that I'm waiting ages for it to settle, and it isn't so dry that I have to keep brushing to see a result.
It also feels light on my lashes, which I appreciate when I'm wearing mascara all day.
One coat makes a difference immediately. My lashes look longer, thicker, and more noticeable, but I can still see them as individual lashes.
That's already a lovely result.
Naturally, I then want to know what happens if I add another coat.
With two, the look becomes much more dramatic. I get the full, slightly spidery lashes I enjoy, and the mascara really starts living up to its name.
But this is where I need to know when to stop.
Keep adding more, and those beautifully dramatic lashes begin sticking together. Instead of looking fuller, they start forming little groups, and suddenly the extra volume isn't quite as pretty as it was a few strokes ago.
I don't mind a spidery effect when it's intentional. I do mind when I've gone so far that I wish I could undo my last coat.
One coat gives me lovely everyday volume. Two give me the dramatic lashes I bought it for. Anything beyond that is where I tend to get carried away.
What Happens After a Full Day?
A mascara has to do more than look good while I'm standing in front of the mirror. I want to know whether the effect lasts once I've gone about my day.
I'm happy with the staying power of Crazy Volume. On me, it holds up well and doesn't leave me dealing with smudges as the hours pass.
The lightweight feel is another thing I enjoy. Even with the extra volume, I don't feel as though my lashes are carrying something particularly heavy.
There is one condition, though.
When I apply too many coats, I start noticing little flakes later in the day. That doesn't happen in the same way when I keep the application lighter, so for me it's another reason to stop while the lashes still look good.
It's slightly frustrating because the whole point of a mascara called Crazy Volume is to encourage me to be a little excessive.
Apparently, even crazy volume has its limits.
The Nice Thing About a Non-Waterproof Mascara
I should also mention that this is the regular, non-waterproof version.
I much prefer that. I don't enjoy having to spend ages removing mascara at the end of the day, especially when all I want to do is wash my face and get comfortable.
Crazy Volume comes off easily for me with my usual makeup remover or cleanser. I don't have to scrub at my lashes or turn the final part of my evening into a complicated little project.
I like a dramatic eye look. I just don't need the removal process to be equally dramatic.
So, Would I Keep Using It?
Yes, absolutely.
This mascara gives me a lot of what I wanted: noticeably longer-looking lashes, plenty of volume, a good curl, and a formula that feels comfortable throughout the day.
I also love that the result can be adjusted depending on how much I apply. One coat works when I want something a little softer. Two are lovely when I feel like making my lashes the focus of my makeup.
It isn't without its faults.
The large brush makes lower-lash application awkward, and too much layering can lead to clumps and flaking. Those are real drawbacks, particularly if you're someone who likes adding coat after coat.
But when I use it the way it works best for me, I get a beautiful result from a budget-friendly mascara.
I think that's a pretty good deal.
I was excited to try Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume, and it turned out to be every bit as dramatic as its pink packaging suggested.
The first coat is lovely. The second makes my lashes look wonderfully full. The third is usually the moment I realise I should have put the wand down a minute ago.
I wish the brush were a little easier to use on my lower lashes, and I could do without the flaking when I overapply it. Still, I enjoy the lightweight formula, the staying power, and how easily it comes off at the end of the day.
My verdict: 8/10. A lovely mascara for big, bold lashes, as long as I remember that sometimes the most important part of applying mascara is knowing when to stop.
Have you tried this one? I'd love to know whether you prefer one coat of mascara or, like me, always feel tempted to see what another coat could do.
And if you've found a mascara with a smaller brush that gives this much volume, please tell me about it. My lower lashes would appreciate the recommendation.
xoxo,
Lori
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