This being NARS we’re talking about (because even my glam granny knows that NARS has a thing for naughtily named makeup), I’m pretty sure the new NARS Climax Mascara was named after the big “O,” but can we pretend François was inspired by Klymaxx’s Meeting in the Ladies Room?
I’ll be back real soon…
Now, after you’re done dancing in your chair to the song (because you know you’re feeling it), please do actually meet me in the ladies room, because that’s where you’ll find me applying another coat of this easy-to-layer mascara, because it builds like WHOA!
NARS Climax Mascara ($24)
First Hourglass Caution; now NARS Climax. I’m really liking this trend of featherweight, flexible mascaras you can endlessly layer without clumping.
Doesn’t matter if you add another layer one minute after that first coat, one hour or five. You can easily add fresh layers during your mid-morning break, and then again after lunch, and again right before going out for drinks after work. Your lashes would still look good.
“Don’t stop. Keep going. Reach your climax with explosive volume. Exclusive ribbed bristles load up with whipped, blackened pigments for hardcore lift and a softcore feel, all with a featherweight touch. Its Lash Moisture Complex goes all the way—from roots to tips and back again—for buildable intensity without clumping or smudging. Just the way you like it.”
DETAILS
- Clump-resistant
- Flake-resistant
- Smudge-resistant
Climax is like Hourglass Caution in its affinity for layers. You can really pile it on and not feel like your lashes are wearing a heavy down jacket, and they don’t feel bumpy or gross.
In fact, I think Climax is a little better than Caution when it comes to building volume, especially at the roots (it’s totally obvs when I get up to a fourth or fifth layer), so if you like a thicker lash look, reach for Climax.
Hourglass Caution, however, beats Climax in terms of lift, length and holding a curl. Overall, I think lashes wearing Caution look more dramatic, and you can get bigger, longer, lusher lashes with fewer layers.
INGREDIENTS
Water/Aqua/Eau, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Ozokerite, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearyl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tropolone, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77499).
Still, that’s not at all to say that I think Climax is a bad mascara. It’s not. I think it’s pretty good — even better than Audacious, the last new mascara from NARS (the one with the funky hooked bristles).
In this price range…unless you only care about lash volume, I think you’re better off with Hourglass Caution, especially if you don’t wear falsies and want BIG. But let’s be real — if you’re gonna pay more than $20 for a mascara, you probably want it all — volume, length, curl and drama. In other words, errrrrr-thang!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 out of 5 hearts.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Amy says
August 16th, 2018 at 6:57 pmMove over, NARS, there’s only room for one Klymaxx in this town. That video MADE MY DAY. !!!
And I agree, Caution looks like more bang for your buck, especially if it’s so buildable.
Karen says
August 16th, 2018 at 8:04 pmME TOO! I haven’t heard that song in forever and now it’s stuck, ha ha!
Oh, and I may or may not have just put on another layer of Climax mascara just for fun.
P.S. What mascara are you using these days?
Amy says
August 16th, 2018 at 9:46 pmL’Oreal. It’s just so good for such a good price. I use their primer, too. I have to say, though, Caution has me interested. All those flexible layers plus length and curl hold – those are big selling points. I often use a lash comb to separate and slightly declump the L’Oreal after a few layers (well, maybe more than a few!), and it sounds like that’s totally not needed here.
Rachel says
August 17th, 2018 at 5:43 amWhich L’Oréal do you use? I’ve been looking for a good drugstore mascara!
Amy says
August 17th, 2018 at 7:24 amThe primer is Lash Paradise. The mascara is Voluminous waterproof, though I’ve heard the regular non-waterproof is good too. I used Benefit They’re Real for a few years, and Voluminous gives about the same thickness, separation, and hold but looks a little more natural than They’re Real. And you have to work a little harder to get curl lift – curl, then let one coat dry before applying the second, etc. Hope it works for you!
Amanda says
August 17th, 2018 at 11:23 amI just came here to say that I’m pleasantly surprised by L’Oreal Lash Paradise mascara! This is coming from someone who has shunned drugstore mascara.
Chelsea says
August 16th, 2018 at 7:40 pmI’ve never heard that song, that was good!
I rolled my eyes at the mascara nane. We know that’s your schtick Nars, I’m over it. Your lashes do look very nice though!
Karen says
August 16th, 2018 at 8:03 pmThen I’ve done what I need to do, for you know understand the magic of Meeting in the Ladies Room.
Amy says
August 17th, 2018 at 2:46 amWhat is your recommendation for removing all of these layers of mascara? I’ve tried so many but still wake up with Racoon eyes!
Linda Libra Loca says
August 17th, 2018 at 6:22 amI always want everything from my mascara. Never satisfied…
Jane says
August 17th, 2018 at 6:33 amFunny, I’ve gone back to drug store mascara and have been using L’oreal Volume mascara. It’s ok since I don’t have much in terms of lashes and usually don’t need the drama. I saw a promo for the NARS mascara and was intrigued because of the packaging. It’s not a black tube. I may give it a shot for those days when I want more drama. I have a few samples of Chanel’s Le Volume which I use as well. BTW, the product names NARS uses don’t shock me anymore! Like some of the bloggers have said, I am over it.
Be well!
Barb says
August 17th, 2018 at 6:35 amOMG!! I loved this song back in the day!
I’m a bit of a mascara junkie. My lashes are light, stubby and look non-existent with no mascara. I always use a primer (I love the Loreal Voluminous primer) and I’ve been using 2 different Essence mascaras lately. I’m really liking the way it’s making my lases look.
Maybe I’ll pick up the Caution one and add it in my rotation.
Kim says
August 17th, 2018 at 7:22 amI’m all about the thick life so I think I’d be more interested in Climax than Caution. I also think the tube is awesome looking.
Happy Friday!! 🙂 I hope you have a terrific weekend.
Tatiana says
August 17th, 2018 at 11:17 amDang, now there’s another mascara I want to try. Still haven’t gotten a tube of the Hourglass because my local Sephora has been closed for remodeling for two weeks and it’s the only store in the area that carries Hourglass.
So if I buy both the Hourglass and this Nars mascara tomorrow, is that too much mascara in one day?
Abbey says
August 17th, 2018 at 12:40 pmI cannot find a mascara that will hold curl. I have long lashes, but they’re very fine and prone to falling limp. The new Hourglass was a bust for me. Very disappointing considering how much volume it provided. But it just didn’t hold curl at all. Still on the hunt!
Olivia says
August 21st, 2018 at 1:41 pmThat’s my biggest issue with thick super coat-y type formulas! I ran out and bought a tube of this, but not of the Hourglass (yet) and I really love the fact that the formula is thinner so I can layer properly and when I curl up (after applying of course), my curl holds and I’m not removing tons of product off my lash. 😀 Still won’t prevent me from going out and buying Hourglass anyway, just to say I tried it!