As a beauty editor, I'm lucky enough to get a lot of free skincare, hair, and makeup products to test—mascara included. Right at this very moment, I have over 30 tubes of mascara sitting in a bin in my closet. (Don't worry; they won't go to waste. I'm determined to get through every single tube before its expiration date.)
Because of this access and my years of mascara-swiping experience, I feel like I have a pretty good gauge of what makes a mascara special. Spoiler alert: It has nothing to do with price. In fact, some of my favorite formulas are $15 or less. Take Essence Lash Princess Mascara ($5) for example. It costs less than my morning latte, yet it delivers long, fluttery, and defined lashes in a single swipe. I'm not the only one who thinks so; it happens to be Amazon's best-selling mascara.
So when I heard it was getting a matching lash primer (yes, really!), I knew I had to test it. If it was anything like its best-selling mascara companion, I knew I would love it. Hint: I did. Keep scrolling to see the major difference it made in the state of my fine, thin lashes.
Here's the original mascara formula I love.
Here's the new lash primer that just launched! It has a light green formula that looks a little funky when it's by itself, but increases length and volume pretty significantly once the original mascara is applied over the top. Don't believe me? Keep scrolling.
Here's what my lashes look like with nothing on them—no lash serums or mascara. I'm okay with the length, but I could definitely use some added volume and definition.
Here's what they look like with just the mascara on them. They're longer, thicker, and darker.
Here's where the real magic happens. This is what my lashes look like after applying the new primer, waiting a few seconds, and applying two coats of mascara over the top. I was shocked at the result. I mean, my lashes look good, right?
Here's a close-up. Not only did my lashes look thicker, darker, and more defined, but I unlocked a new level of length. I mean, my lashes were almost reaching my eyebrows. The effect was so noticeable that my boyfriend asked if I was wearing falsies. Success.
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The brand also just launched this black-brown color of the original mascara for days when you want a more natural look.
Check out our editor in chief's before-and-after pictures from using this lash serum. They're so good that they'll convince you to buy three.
This budget-friendly lash serum is a two-in-one because it can also be used to stimulate brow growth.
Out of over 70 tubes, this mascara clinched the top spot and was named our favorite one. That's a big deal.
If you're wishing your lashes had more volume, this mascara is like your fairy godmother. It will grant that wish with just a couple of swipes.
This makeup-removing lash cleanser is so gentle that you won't lose any lashes to the skin, promise.
If you hate clumps, you need this lash separator.
These at-home lash extensions are as good as—if not better than—the real thing.
I like wearing individual, one-time-use lashes like these for big events. Most recently, I wore them to my brother's wedding.
This waterproof mascara won't bleed, flake, or smudge.
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