Everything Else · The Lori Diaries
There's a particular kind of beauty disappointment that comes from buying a mascara promising extraordinary lashes, only to find that it has made your existing lashes slightly darker. I already have naturally long lashes, so when I buy mascara, I want it to earn its place in my makeup bag. I want lift, length, and a little false-lash drama. Two weeks ago, I picked up Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect for around €3.50. The result? Very pretty lashes, with one small catch I didn't notice until later in the day.
I've always liked Essence for the simple reason that trying something new from the brand doesn't usually require much financial commitment.
There are days when I want to invest in a product I've researched for weeks. Then there are days when I walk into the drugstore because I've run out of mascara and leave with something I hadn't planned to buy.
This was one of those days.
I knew what I wanted, though. My lashes are already fairly long, but I love the look of dramatic, lifted lashes that make my eyes stand out. False lashes can be beautiful, but I'm not always in the mood for the extra steps.
A mascara that could get me close to that effect sounded much more convenient.
I spotted a few Lash Princess tubes together on the shelf. The black packaging and colourful detailing caught my attention, but it was the words False Lash Effect that made the decision for me.
I took it home, started wearing it to work, and gave it a proper two-week trial rather than deciding how I felt after a single application.
Which turned out to be a good idea, because my first impression and my end-of-day impression aren't quite the same.
A Pretty Little Tube with a Serious Job
The mascara contains 12 ml of product and cost me approximately €3.50.
Its black tube has mint-turquoise rubber detailing that looks a little like the lacing of a corset. It's playful, slightly dramatic, and very much in keeping with the name Lash Princess.
I have no particular need for my mascara to look elegant on a dressing table, but I won't complain when it does.
The brush is what interested me more.
It has short, closely packed bristles that give me quite a lot of control during application. I can get close to the roots of my lashes without feeling as though I'm about to poke myself in the eye.
It also works nicely on my lower lashes, where a large, awkward wand can turn an otherwise pleasant makeup routine into a test of patience.
The formula feels creamy rather than watery. It coats my lashes easily and gives them a noticeable finish without making me work very hard for the first coat.
So far, so promising.
One Coat Is Lovely. Two Coats Are Where Things Get Interesting.
With a single coat, this mascara makes my lashes look longer and more curled. I get a defined, slightly spiky finish that I personally love.
It's noticeable without looking as though I've applied half the tube.
If I were after an everyday result, I'd be perfectly happy stopping there.
Unfortunately, I am the sort of person who sees a perfectly good first coat and immediately wonders what a second one could do.
And a second coat certainly does something.
It makes the lashes look more dramatic, but it also brings them much closer to the point where they begin sticking together. The difference between bold, defined lashes and a few rather enthusiastic clumps can be surprisingly small.
I've had the best results when I apply the second coat slowly, using careful strokes rather than piling on more product and hoping for the best.
This isn't a mascara I would recommend applying in a hurry while trying to find your keys.
But if I take my time, I can get the kind of long, striking lashes I was hoping for when I bought it.
I don't mind a slightly spidery finish. I actually like that look. What I don't want is for every few lashes to decide they belong together permanently.
My favourite result comes from one careful coat, followed by a light second coat when I want a little more drama.
The Eight-Hour Office Test
A mascara can make an excellent first impression in the bathroom mirror. I'm more interested in whether I'll still like it after a full day at work.
That's why I've been wearing Lash Princess during my regular office days and paying attention to how it feels as well as how it looks.
After around eight hours, I'm still pleased with the appearance of my lashes. The curl holds up nicely on me, and the length is still there.
So far, that's a rather good result for a mascara that cost less than a coffee and a slice of cake.
But I do have one complaint.
After about four or five hours, I start to notice a slightly heavy feeling on my lashes.
It isn't something I feel the moment I apply the mascara. It develops later in the day, when the excitement of having lovely lashes has worn off and I would quite like to forget I'm wearing anything on them.
The heaviness hasn't stopped me from using it, because I really do enjoy the result. Still, I wouldn't call it the lightest mascara I've ever worn.
And I think that's important to mention. A product can look beautiful and still have a little something about it that makes it less comfortable for everyday wear.
In this case, the mascara delivers the drama it promises. I just wish the drama didn't make itself quite so noticeable by the afternoon.
Would I Buy It Again?
I would, especially at this price.
Lash Princess gives my naturally long lashes an extra lift, makes them look noticeably more dramatic, and keeps that curled appearance through a day at the office.
I like the brush, I like the creamy formula, and I like that I didn't have to spend much to get the look I wanted.
But I can also see why it might not be everybody's favourite.
If you love a very separated, delicate lash look, you'll probably want to be careful about adding a second coat. And if you're sensitive to the feeling of mascara on your lashes, the heaviness I noticed later in the day is worth knowing about.
For me, the best way to use it is to let the first coat do most of the work and add only a little more when I want a bolder finish.
It isn't quite the effortless, apply-and-forget mascara of my dreams.
But it is a very good little drugstore discovery.
I bought Essence Lash Princess hoping for a false-lash effect without having to wear false lashes. Two weeks later, I can happily say that it makes a noticeable difference to my lashes.
The first coat is lovely. The second can be even prettier, provided I'm patient. The curl lasts through work, although the formula starts to feel a little heavy on me after several hours.
It's not perfect, and I wouldn't pretend otherwise just because it's affordable.
But for around €3.50, it's a mascara I'd happily keep in my makeup bag. Just remind me not to get too carried away with that second coat.
Have you tried Essence Lash Princess? Do you prefer a clean, separated lash look or are you, like me, always tempted to add just one more coat?
I'd love to know which affordable mascaras you're enjoying lately.
xoxo,
Lori
Post a Comment