If I were on a surf trip right now somewhere miles from the nearest Sephora and had lost my precious tube of Urban Decay Cannonball mascara ($20), I’d head for the closest drugstore to grab an emergency tube of $9 L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof.
The original Million Lashes and I had issues with clumping when we spent time together last fall, but it looks like L’Oreal worked out some of the kinks this time around. The waterproof version doesn’t clump up on me, barely smudges at all and doesn’t drop a flake. It’s smoother than Ryan Gosling, and two layers deliver beautifully separated lashes able to hold a curl through three sweaty miles on the treadmill.
Not bad.
No kidding, this stuff is really, REALLY waterproof, which is great, but that also makes it a little tough to remove (without the right cleanser). I find myself having to use an extra pump of MAC Cleanse Off Oil, which barely blinks in the face of other mascaras, to thoroughly remove every trace.
As for lash length and volume, you know me. 🙂 It’s go drag or go home. In this case I’d love to see both attributes upgraded. If we were talking about Project Runway, L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara would be, like, the middle of the season, but I want the kind of length and volume we see in the finale at NY Fashion Week.
It’s almost there, but not quite. I think my lashes do look much longer and thicker wearing Urban Decay Cannonball, fo’ sho’. Of course, Cannonball costs more than twice the price.
Before (top) and after (bottom) two layers of L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes; Lloyd says hi, btw
Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof is a good mascara (especially around tears and water sports) and an improvement over the non-waterproof formula. What it lacks in the lash lengthening and volumizing departments, it more than makes up for in price.
PRICE: $9
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores, many grocery stores, Ulta and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S.
Joyce says
I don’t see much volume, but the mascara seems to lengthen lashes a little bit and darken them. =)
Kim says
That actually looks pretty darn good for 9 bucks! Waterproof mascaras are not my friends – I complain about getting the regular kind off my lashes at night – but I agree that, in a pinch on a water sport vacation, this would do the trick!
This is most likely one of the dumbest questions ever, but does any mascara stand up to blotting wet eyes? I’ve only tried a couple of waterproof versions (Clinique’s High Impact comes to mind), but once the towel dabbed them, they smudged.
Lloyd… you rascal. 🙂
Sarah says
That mascara is amazing – it looks really good on your lashes. I haven’t used water proof mascara but thinking about it for my wedding.
Nina says
TGIF! So curious about this mascara! ive seen it winking and smiling at me from the racks at Target !!!
Crystal says
Love this! I love it when drugstore brands create mascara that matches up with the high label counterpart.
thepaigest says
wow that looks really nice. If I just saw the second pic I would think man she has nice natural lashes… might have to grab that! So this is w/o your buxom mix up 🙂 I’m bad about loving the tammy faye look lol
Andrea says
Does the waterproof version have the same awful, floral scent the regular version has? Love the mascara, but the scent makes my eyes burn. If the waterproof formula is sans the awful scent, I may give it another shot.
kiwikiwidragon says
I have to disagree, it smudged and flaked on me and left my lashes a gooey clump when I removed it. It was gross, I returned it. I like L’Oreal Beauty Tubes for waterproof mascara. But that is my opinion 🙂
Ruchita says
I am always trying different drugstore mascaras, so I’ll add this one too the list! 🙂
Lately, I’ve been liking Maybelline Volum’ Express One-by-One Washable Mascara. It doesn’t add a lot of volume, but it makes my lashes look nice and defined and keeps the curl throughout the day.
Have a great Friday!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
I tried this in the regular formula and loved the results but it FLAKED terribly! Do you notice that with the waterproof? Maybe I should give that formula a try.
Karen says
Hi Cindy,
I didn’t have any trubs with this flaking on me. 🙂
Beauty on a College Budget says
I will definitely be trying this! I’m a lifeguard and makeup just doesn’t always stay where they should when I’m at work. I’m always on a hunt for good mascara and eyeliner that will survive the day at work. Hopefully It’ll pass the test, I know my wallet will love it if it does!
Caroline says
Hmmm i dont really like the original one but I ADORE the Waterproof Volume Million Lashes. (with the golden/teal packaging). Once I curled my lashes, just a bit of mascaraprimer on the top of them and then applied it and i can’t tell you how long my short lashes became and it lasted all night long. People even noticed the length so i will definitely purchase it again and again!
Courtney says
I had a horrible allergic reaction to this mascara and it caused my eyes to become infected. I had to go to the doctor and he put me on antibiotic drops.
Vassileia says
I was dying to try this, but all the local overpriced NYC drugstores were selling it for $11. ELEVEN DOLLARS! Can you believe that? I naturally refused to purchase any drugstore mascara that cost more than $10, but visiting my family in Kentucky I stopped at their Walmart, where they were selling it for $8! So I picked it up, and we lived happily ever after. It’s not exactly my number one mascara…yet… but I’m still trying it out.
Marie says
I was just at the store half an hour ago debating whether I should get it for 30% off…. I have too many mascaras though, but none that are waterproof.
Christine says
Ahaha Karen, every time you refer to your fringe as Lloyd I giggle :P.
Julie says
I find that L’Oreal mascaras work better when they’ve dried out a little. I usually find best results after a week or two after opening the tube.
Denise says
Looks great! Hope they can add some more volume to it, then it would really be a steal 🙂
Vijaya says
I just got a new tube of mascara, so all mascaras are out for now!
yuri says
wow the after lashes look really good
Krys says
Oooh I love this! I’m always looking for volumizing mascaras 🙂
Angelina says
I am CRACKING UP over Lloyd right now! I’m in bed with my hub and trying to be quiet! LOL! Dude- that hit my funnybone hard! Hahaha oh man…
Vesna says
My favorite mascara is L’Oreal Volumissime x4. That one is indeed excellet for my lashes!
I don’t think I’ll be getting this one cause I don’t really see ‘million lashes’ 😀
nai says
i am very polygamous when it comes to drugstore mascara (usually have three or four different ones on rotation at at time) and rarely am disappointed so much by a tube that i throw it out. i think in the last ten years, i’ve tossed only three mascaras–the much-vaunted but useless for me maybelline great lash, cover girl professional wear waterproof (because it was too much work to take it off, and i regularly wear waterproof types) and this million lashes one. it made my lashes spidery and flaked into my contacts too much.
funny how different mascaras really do suit different people differently. =D
J says
I seriously don’t see how it’s related to voluminous (my favorite usually, just a pia to remove!) but I think it’s really awesome at separating… and still easier to remove than voluminous carbon black.