I love the look of big, bold tranny lashes, but I can’t wear them all the time (no matter how much I’d like to!). Now, when I need to look more professional than partygoer, I can reach for MAC Mascara X ($13). It delivers the perfect amount of lash volume with great separation and length.
Available for a while as part of the MAC permanent makeup line, it’s one of five mascaras designed to enhance lashes while maintaining a (somewhat) natural feel and appearance (Pro Lash, Splashproof Lash, Pro Longlash and Dazzle Lash are the others).
For volumized lashes that appear long, lush and separated — but still within the realm of possibility — I’ll apply two to three coats of Mascara X. It glides on smooth, dries to a glossy finish and leaves my lashes feeling light, flexible and soft.
Wearing three coats of MAC Mascara X
Nekkid lashes!
Two key ingredients in MAC Mascara X
Panthenol: This provitamin of B5 frequently appears in hair moisturizers and humectants due to its ability to bind to the shaft and create a kind of seal.
Acacia Senegal gum: A natural gum derived from the hardened sap of the acacia tree. It’s used as an adhesive for pigments in many makeup products because of how well it works, and because it dissolves easily in water. The gum is commercially harvested from wild trees in Senegal, a country in West Africa.
Doesn’t the brush look like a bristly little football? It feels soft, which is great because it doesn’t poke the skin along my lash line.
The product gives off a very faint rose fragrance — nice, and almost imperceptible.
When I’ve coated my lashes with Mascara X, I haven’t detected any flakes or smudging, and it keeps my lashes curled.
All that, and it removes easily with a simple cleanser and water. 🙂
For the price, Mascara X is hard to beat. On the market for lashes that look glossy, thick and long? You could do A LOT worse (available in one shade, Black X; cost: $13). Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
You might like MAC Mascara X if…
- You need to look professional but want extra lash length, separation and volume
- You like mascaras with a glossy finish
- You want something you can remove easily with a basic cleanser and water
- You want a formula that won’t clump, smudge or flake
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I’m currently trying to review all the mascaras in the MAC permanent line. If you’d like to learn more…
More MAC Mascara reviews
Marce says
May 31st, 2010 at 7:38 pmHey Karen, how are you? Long time no see, work leaves me tireeed!
This mascara looks great for everyday! Though I’m a fan of tranny lashes too, let me know what you find to achieve that without falsies! 😀
.-= Marce’s last blog post… =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:26 amHi Marce,
I’m so glad to hear that work is going well. What are you doing these days?
makeup morsels says
May 31st, 2010 at 7:59 pmI really like the finish on this mascara, it looks nice. Kinda reminds me of Maybelline Full N’ Soft, which I would love except it smudges like crazy on me (but pretty much everything smudges on me)
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Miscellaneous Monday Morsels 6/1 =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:26 amI know people who swear by that mascara!
Rachael says
May 31st, 2010 at 8:27 pmLove the science! I like that it gives definition and volume to lashes. I don’t need any more length, such an annoying thing to my mum, I need the volume. Any suggestions?
.-= Rachael’s last blog post… License to Thrill: I Wanna be a Bond Girl =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:26 amHmm, well, if you’re a MAC girl you might like Zoom Lash, Fibre Rich or Plush Lash!
Hyzenthlay says
May 31st, 2010 at 8:33 pmWoo hoo, CHEMISTRY! You thought of me when you put that in there, didn’t you 🙂
Still grading.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:25 amHeh, I totally did!
Are you done with grading yet?!? When you’re finished I vote that you reward yourself with a lipgloss.
Karen B says
May 31st, 2010 at 8:36 pmI love this mascara. Also, it’s oftalmologically tested (however you spell that) so it’s safe for people who wear contacts (which is why I initially tried it out)?
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… Hidden Potential: The Long Tee =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:24 amIt’s so fab. Do you like lots of good length from this, too?
Karen B says
June 1st, 2010 at 10:59 amYes, the effect really is very similar for me. Then again I don’t put on three coats. Two coats max as I don’t have that much time in the mornings 😉
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… Hidden Potential: The Long Tee =-.
amy says
May 31st, 2010 at 10:28 pmI like your little chemistry lesson as well, but I have never heard of mascara X from MAC. Looks like I need to check this one out.
.-= amy’s last blog post… A Touch of Green and Blue = Aquamarine NOTD American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Malibu Green =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:23 amReally? I guess it’s one of those under-the-radar ones from the line.
Kim says
June 1st, 2010 at 4:53 amI’m a fan of the tranny lashes too. 🙂 Thank you for blinding us with science too! Did you notice that your Hydrogen bond looks an awful lot like the mascara wand? Coincidence? I think not. 🙂
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:23 amOOOHH, good eye! 🙂
Nina says
June 1st, 2010 at 5:39 amChemistry – not my best subject in school but constantly fascinating now that im out of school. 😀
Thanks for another new mascara to consider. I have a feeling my Rimmel is drying up on me pretty fast …. Maybe its time for a new tube.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:23 amBummer to hear about the Rimmel. On the flip side, at least it wasn’t expensive, right?
I barely scraped by regular chemistry but a part of me (a very small part) quite enjoyed organic chem.
Nina says
June 2nd, 2010 at 5:36 amOrganic chem is more interesting, youre right!
Yep the Rimmel wasnt expensive at all. In fact im seriously thinking of getting either the same tube or the Sexy Eyes – just for everyday use.
Ill also probly get the MAC for days when I need a little bit more flutter to my lashes! 😉
Rae says
June 1st, 2010 at 8:15 am(a) This sounds awesome! Glossy lashes? Count me in.
(b) You better warn us next time before you blind us with science! Mah eyes are now hurting.
.-= Rae’s last blog post… Lash Boosting: Week [zillion and five] =-.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:22 amHeh! It’s like vitamins for your brain…so good for you!
Frances says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:07 amMascara X is my favorite mascara ever. And I have tried them all from low end to very high end. this is the one.
Karen says
June 1st, 2010 at 9:21 amIt’s great, isn’t it? What do you like most about it?
SB_Sweetie says
June 1st, 2010 at 3:10 pmI first tried wearing MAC Mascara X when I read somewhere that Carolyn Bessette Kennedy used it. I think she had a sophisticated, natural look. MAC X is wonderful for a natural, darkening, thickening look without flakes or smudges. It seems to hold my curl, too. I’ve tried others out there, but I do always come back to X! I do get compliments on my lashes when I use it!
Pinch says
June 2nd, 2010 at 6:01 amLooks very good for untranny lashes! Another tranny lash-fan here 😀
.-= Pinch’s last blog post… Review: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser =-.
Deborah says
June 16th, 2010 at 9:40 pmAfter reading this review, I couldn’t help but order it. It sounds fantastic in so many ways. I’m still waiting for it to get here, but until then… Thank you for the recommendation! 🙂
AE says
April 5th, 2013 at 3:12 pmThis was my favorite Mascara until they discontinued it.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a similar replacement.
Something that brightens the eyes while still looking natural.
Those are the qualities I loved about this one.