I've Been Wearing This French Mascara Forever—It's the Only Volumising Formula That Doesn't Clump

When we're shopping for the best mascara, we all have different preferences. Some may prefer a lengthening mascara, while others may favour a tubing mascara to mitigate smudging.

As for myself, I have generally steered clear of most volumising mascaras because they inevitably make my lashes clumpy and spidery. However, there is one mascara I've long trusted to deliver false-lash drama (without the drama of clumping), and that is Lancôme's iconic Hypnôse Mascara (£30).

Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara Review

The Formula and Wand

Lancôme's mascaras were some of the first luxury mascaras I tried after graduating from high-street mascaras as a teenager. (I religiously wore Définicils (£29), which gave long, defined lashes, and Hypnôse in the evenings when I wanted a bolder look.) This iconic mascara launched in 2004, but it's still just as good now.

Firstly, the formula is inky black and really grabs onto every lash to saturate them in colour. What I like about this mascara is that one coat still gives you a natural-looking flutter. It doesn't deposit too much product onto your lashes on the first go, which is great if you have fine or thin lashes. But it can be layered up for more intensity without looking clumpy or spidery if you want more intensity.

The brush is a crowd-pleasing, classic brush shape with bristles of varying lengths around it that help to separate while coating each lash with volume, while the formula contains pro-vitamin B5 to help condition each lash as you wear it.

After

This is after one coat of the Hypnôse mascara. It's just the right amount for a subtle hint of volume for the daytime, without overwhelming my eyes. There's a reason it is considered one of the best daily mascaras for those who prefer an understated look.

After Two Coats

After two coats, you can start to get more of a false-lash look. The mascara is layerable when wet, but equally, it doesn't clump if you're topping up later in the day on dry lashes either.

The Verdict

It's easy to see why Lancôme's Hypnôse mascara is a beauty icon. One coat bestows a chic flutter upon your lashes, while two coats or more bring the drama without causing clumps. You'll be pleased to hear that this mascara doesn't smudge, transfer or flake, and it's a great mascara for sensitive eyes too.

I've tried plenty of volumising mascaras, but this is one of the few that thickens my eyelashes without making them look heavy and weighed down. Instead, it almost feels weightless on my lashes.

Shop Lancòme Hypnôse Mascara