No Joke, This "Invisible" Mascara Has Replaced My Lash Lift Appointments
It promises to curl and lift natural lashes all day long, so our beauty editor put it to the test.
I've always had stubbornly straight eyelashes. They're long, but do they hold a curl? At least not without a heavy-duty mascara and my best eyelash curlers. Lately, I've been forgoing mascara in favour of "no-makeup" makeup, and to be honest, I've come to love the freedom of not wearing mascara (no smudging or irritated eyes here).
That being said, I still want my eyelashes to look defined, and while a lash lift always gives me a wide-eyed effect, I don't love the cost (and time commitment) of the regular upkeep. So, when I found out that The Ordinary was launching the Lash Curl Finisher (£9), my interest was immediately piqued.
The Ordinary Lash Curl Finisher
Key ingredients: Squalane, film-forming polymers
Pros
- Holds curled lashes in place
- Gives a natural-looking, defined effect
- Doesn't smudge, flake or feel heavy like other mascaras
Cons
- Doesn't add volume or pigment
- Can feel sticky to the touch
How Does It Work?
You can think of the Lash Curl Finisher much like a clear mascara. The transparent formula contains form-filming technologies that lock in a curl while feeling lightweight, soft and flexible on the lashes. Whilst it doesn't add any pigment, length or volume to your lashes, it does add some subtle definition, making it perfect if you want a natural look. You simply curl your lashes (my favourite is the Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler, £22), then sweep the curved brush through your lashes to set the curl in place. It also contains squalane to help nourish and condition your lashes.
It might remind you of the TikTok-viral hack where people applied Vaseline to their lashes after curling for a long-lasting curl. Having tried it, I can tell you this does work. However, the process isn't as seamless as applying it with The Ordinary's wand, and Vaseline feels sticky on the lashes. The Lash Curler, however, sets into a soft finish on your lashes.
Before Curling
After Curling and Applying
The Verdict
I really love this product, and it's a welcome addition to my makeup bag. On days when I want a more natural-looking lash look, this is perfect for enhancing my eyes without committing to the faff of mascara. It holds a curl in place really well and doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my lashes. It feels totally flexible and soft to the touch. The curved brush is great for capturing every single lash for maximum lift and curl, and it neatly fans out my lashes with subtle definition. It delivers just the right amount of product, too, and I love how lifted my lashes look.
I did notice my lashes dropped a little by the end of the day, but they still look visibly lifted and curled, more so than they would if I went without it. If I apply a lot of it or multiple layers, it does have a slightly tacky finish to the touch, but this didn't really bother me. Needless to say, this was a dream to remove at the end of the day—it melted away with my normal cleanser.
Of course, if you want length, volume or pigment, then a volumising or lengthening mascara is probably better suited for you. You can technically apply mascara on top of this, but it's best to use a thin layer and wait until it's fully dry before applying mascara. I tried it layered with the L'Oréal Paris Big Deal Mascara, and it enhanced the curl and lift so much that it looked like I was wearing lash extensions.
If you love the look of a lash lift, this is the perfect alternative without a costly visit to a lash tech. And at under £10, you can best believe I'll be topping up once I run out.
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