FOR DECADES I believed that a lash curler was a non-negotiable when dealing with stick straight lashes (mine will flex the curl outta everything), but that’s totally not so, man! My opinion changed when Laura Mercier’s marvelous Caviar Volume Mascara, which is part of LM’s permanent collection and available at Ulta for $25, rocked my world.
It all started one day a few weeks ago… I was running late for work and couldn’t find my lash curler, so out of desperation I whacked a few coats of this stuff directly on my uncurled lashes, and it finessed a perfectly lifted curl into place.
I was shocked! In fact, I’m still in awe, and I really have no idea how it works. I almost feel like I’m messing with supernatural blood makeup magic and probably shouldn’t go there, but I can’t help myself, ya know? Not only does this mascara lift and curl lashes without the help of a lash curler, but it also separates and elongates lashes while imparting a noticeable amount of volume, but not so much that your fringe looks fake or spidery.
It also doesn’t smudge or flake, and even though it isn’t technically waterproof, I’ve cried wearing it a few times (yes, I’m a big cry baby), and it didn’t run.
It comes in one shade, a glossy black, and you can find it at Ulta for $25 a tube.
Your friendly neighborhood fringe addict,
Karen
FaeFrau says
March 19th, 2020 at 11:42 pmWow (what it can do and the price). I’ve been looking for a Mac Zoom Lash substitute. Could this be it?? The wand certainly looks similar!
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:14 pmI hope you try it! It’s kind of amazing.
Jennifer Emmett says
March 20th, 2020 at 8:19 amOk that after pic has me sold, it’s on my to try list meow. For my puny lashes the only great one so far is Tartist.
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:14 pmIt’s like night and day with this stuff… WITHOUT THE CURLER! It’s magic. 🙂
Angela says
March 20th, 2020 at 8:22 amWHOA Karen those are some AMAZING lashes!! I just got hooked on L’Oreal’s new bambi mascara and the cost isn’t hurting either. It made me sway from my most recent favorite – Lancome’s Monsieur Big, which I had to discover after Lancome discontinued my holy grail 🙁 Still bitter. However Lancome tends to flake like crazy on me but transfer only a very little on my oil-slick upper eyelids. I will definitely keep LM’s on my radar though as WOW your lashes look great and skipping the pinchy curler is really tempting LOL.
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:13 pmI’ve been wanting to try that one by L’Oréal, Angela! They’ve always made really good mascaras. For many years their Voluminous Carbon Black was one of my staples.
Rachel says
March 20th, 2020 at 8:51 amOooh when I run out of all the little mini’s I have from a Sephora Favorites set I will definitely check this out! My lashes are stick straight!
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:12 pmI hope it works for you! I was absolutely SHOCKED to see mine curl at all.
Kim says
March 20th, 2020 at 10:00 amYour lashes look lush! I’ve noticed I have less curl as I’m getting older but I definitely wouldn’t use a curler anymore (don’t tell people at work I said that…!). I’m much too concerned about damage these days.
I believe NY will be joining you in the non-essential travel lock down, beginning Sunday. Let’s hope all these precautions are worthwhile. In our area people are going to be hit much harder by not having jobs than they are by the virus. 🙁
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:11 pmYa know, I never even considered giving up my lash curler, but I would do it in a heartbeat if it helps! How long have you been doing this? And is the difference noticeable?
Hope you’re having an OK Friday so far. This has felt like an epically long week.
Tatiana says
March 20th, 2020 at 11:43 amDear Husband calls my lash curler a “prisoner of war torture device”. He thinks no sane person would get anywhere near their eyes with one. I’m gonna need to get a full size of this one. I’m still using the mini/sample size I got and I’m pretty impressed. I get good curl, good length and good separation with it. I’m really happy that it doesn’t migrate, so I don’t have raccoon eyes by the end of the day.
I like the little tease of the LM makeup bag you put in the bottom corner of that photo. Looks like it’s a good size and shape for a makeup bag. Not sure how you’re keeping it so pristine though. If I owned that cream colored bag it would at least be gray within the first 5 seconds of me touching it.
Karen says
March 20th, 2020 at 2:08 pmHa ha ha, the only time I’m allowed to touch that bag is *after* I’ve washed my hands! It’s not one I use for practical storage… That honor (burden?) goes to a clear, zip top bag and some very unstylish clear storage bags from Target.
Did you work out with your trainer today? I’m about to do some workout videos (it’s just after 2:00 pm) and hoping that the tea I’m drinking will kick in before then.
Tatiana says
March 20th, 2020 at 10:54 pmOk, now I need to know what clear bags from Target you use for your makeup.
Yeah, I met my trainer in the park again. But we both agreed it’s hard to keep distance and that maybe we should call it quits. I have a some light equipment at home and asked if we could face time. My old trainer is doing 7am workouts on Zoom, but he didn’t invite me. I might invite myself to that one, but I think I’d need to buy some kettlebells to do that workout. I think this is going to be a longer haul than any of our leaders is letting on.
Shelter in place. Keep yourself and that precious child of yours healthy.
P.S. I went to the grocery store to see if I could find TP today (we’re starting to run low.) No success finding TP but everyone was all excited because Steph was in the store yesterday afternoon.
Nav says
March 21st, 2020 at 8:29 amHey have you ever tried the Tarte Man-eater mascara? Wondering how it compares. Also, do you ever wear Colourpop? Can’t remember seeing anything on your blog 🤔