If you and I were cubicle buddies on break and only had five minutes to catch up, grab Starbucks (soy chai latte for me, no foam, please) AND talk makeup shop, I would probably 1) ask you what you were wearing on your lips, because I’m always looking for cool new combos to try, and 2) mention how much I’m digging the new $24 Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, because whenever I wear it, my lashes enter a room before I do.
Two coats of this volume-growing, curl-maximizing mascara make my naturally uninspiring lashes so glossy, full and pitch black that I can see them in a mirror from across the room.
Yeah, me and Smoky Extravagant? We coo’.
All about performance and precision, it launched earlier this month with a lofty gaol at Sephora stores and Make Up For Ever Boutiques.
According to MUFE, Make Up For Ever Creator and Artistic Director Dany Sanz was trying to create the darkest, most dramatic black mascara she could for stage, backstage and real life.
What sets Smoky Extravagant Mascara apart?
- MUFE used the darkest pigments they could find. They formulating them to envelop each eyelash in an opaque cocoon of light-absorbing product, making the inky blackness even more intense.
- They used a smooth base of wax and Abyssinian Oil (often used in hair products) to help the formula glide on and off lashes, making it a snap to remove and apply.
- They included a cone-shaped brush head with 580 bristles (!). The tapered tip latches onto even the daintiest lashes while the fuller end pumps up the volume.
My experience with Smoky Extravagant has been nothing short of great! It may not be a good fit if you like it when the tips of your lashes flirt with your brows (it’s not the greatest for length), but for the darkest black, smooth, glossy lashes with separation and curl, it lives up to its name.
Two coats on my upper and lower lashes remain free of smudges and flakes all day long, as long as I remember not to rub my eyes.
And the brush? Amazering. It picks up just the right amount of product every time, so no need to swipe it across a paper towel first, and a single swipe really does coat every lash. It even gets those teeny, tiny hairs that hang out in the corners.
If you like the look of inky black, defined lashes, a little plumped up and curled (think natural-looking falsies), don’t pass up Smoky Extravagant.
But if you want some cray-cray long lashes that drag queens will take their hoop earrings off and fight you for, you’ll probably want to start with a layer of a better lengthening mascara first.
PRICE: $24
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores, Make Up For Ever Boutiques and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Had to share!
Dude, why is it so hard NOT to wear hole-riddled gym clothes to sleep? Half the time I look like I’m going paintballing when I climb into bed.
I gotta step up my sleepwear game… I’ve been eyeing these Lovebirds Pajamas by Honeydew Intimates this month, and they’re finally on sale at nordstrom.com for $25 (originally $38).
Cute, yeah?
What do you usually wear to bed, and where do you usually get your jammies/sleepwear?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
July 17th, 2013 at 7:14 pmFunny you should ask! After gaining some weight and basically having to get a new wardrobe, I thought I should start dressing like a grown up to bed too. So instead of wearing old giant t-shirts, I really like the cotton Mayfair pajama from Victoria’s Secret and you can usually find in on sale. And if any sleepwear from Anthro goes on sale I snap it up!
Lauren says
July 17th, 2013 at 7:25 pmHahaha at first I thought your right eye had one coat versus two on the left! Was going to say I wasn’t impressed with the effect. :p At least you naturally have darker lashes, mine are pretty light.
Lauren recently posted … Review: Wet N Wild Pearlescent Pink Color Icon Blush
Tract@BeautyReflections says
July 17th, 2013 at 7:46 pmI love this mascara too! It’s really great!
I get my jammies from The Gap, or Old Navy when they’re on sale. I have a problem in spending too much money on sleep wear!
Tract@BeautyReflections recently posted … Sephora Dual Action Brush Set Review
Melissa says
July 17th, 2013 at 8:45 pmI’ve been loving Make Up Forever products recently. I may have to test out this mascara. What is a good lengthening mascara? On the average day the Smokey Lash would do the truck, but when I go out I like my lashes to be long and lucious.
Tiffanyterese says
July 17th, 2013 at 8:54 pmDany Sanz is a she Karen! 🙂
Karen says
July 18th, 2013 at 7:02 amEek! Thanks for letting me know (fixed now). Good catch.
gio says
July 17th, 2013 at 10:57 pmWhat an interesting wand! I love how the mascara looks you on, the effect is great.
gio recently posted … Product Review: Haus Of Gloi Honey Tree Pumpkin Butter
Gowthami says
July 17th, 2013 at 11:11 pmthe wand is kind of interesting and gorgeous sleep wear..
Gowthami recently posted … Top 7 Skin Sins You Commit Everyday
Alison M says
July 18th, 2013 at 4:35 amI’m loving the blackness of Smoky Extravagant. I’m working on my application technique to best fan out my lashes and to get it to hold any amount of curl. Any tips?
I’ve been slowly trying to up my PJ game. I’ve been wearing old boxers and T-shirts from musicals in high school. Yeah. If I look like a tired mama, I’m going to fall asleep and wake up like one. Time to pick out some cute sets, like your Nordstrom’s one.
Alison M recently posted … Stila Convertible Color in Sweet Pea Review and Swatch
Crocus says
March 12th, 2015 at 10:11 amHey! I don’t get it Smoky Extravagant doesn’t hold curl or it holds curl?
Kim says
July 18th, 2013 at 5:21 amMy burning question is, “how does it compare to Le Volume?” That was my next, planned mascara purchase based on your reviews. Should I reconsider? I’m not as interested in length as volume, as you know. 🙂
Oh, I’m the same way. I usually wear a tshirt to bed in the summer. In the winter, I add flannel PJ bottoms and wool socks. VERY sexy. 🙂
Danielle says
July 18th, 2013 at 6:40 amNow I really want to try this! I love the original Smoky Lash!
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Kim Turbeville says
July 18th, 2013 at 8:36 amHi a previous post noted mixing mascaras. I need length volume curl but this mascara sounds wonderful. Have you mixed this yet to get the length? IAnd what do you recommend to add that will work well with the new Make Up For Ever? Thank you for any recs! And as always I am so loving your informative fun posts!
rachael says
July 18th, 2013 at 9:17 amSo which mascara would you recommend if I’m looking for drag queens to throw down their accessories and fight me? I’m on the market for a new mascara (not a drag fight) and I want something with the most drama.
The Beauty Glow says
July 18th, 2013 at 11:21 amUNFAIR! YOU have the LONGEST LASHES EVER!!!! Without mascara!
Amy says
July 18th, 2013 at 11:34 amI used to buy jammies from Garnet Hill, but they just didn’t hold up very long, and for that price?! Then I discovered that Target has great sleepwear! Cute and affordable. Lasts at least as long, too (a couple of years).
I am stuck on Maybelline, but just tried Extreme Party mascara from BB. Pretty good. This stuff looks great, though!
Maggie says
July 18th, 2013 at 3:58 pmI used to buy from Gap and Old Navy. I say used to bc I’m still wearing them! A couple of them still look good as new even though I’ve had them for years. I suspect it was bc I bought these from the men’s section. Men’s pj bottoms for some reason tend to be higher quality, softer and smoother than the womens’ versions offered by the same store. The cuter styles also go on sale more often (I’m guessing the men don’t want them bc the styles are just not manly enough–but that works out perfectly for me).
That sleepwear set is definitely cute though and has me reconsidering bc there’s no way men’s styles would have something like that.
Olivia says
July 18th, 2013 at 7:16 pmLooks pretty nice! I have a sample tube of this stashed away, so I’ll have to pull it out!
Olivia recently posted … OCC Androgyne Stained Gloss Lip Tar Review & Swatches | Tangerine Tuesday
Feircely Chic says
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:13 amI don’t think this mascara is all that great. On you I can barely see your lashes…..I use great lash mascara lots of lashes and I can see my lashes WAY more than yours
Gina says
June 23rd, 2015 at 1:37 pmI loved Smokey Extravagant — in every way but— it smudged on me! It wasn’t so bad if I wore eye makeup but if I didn’t and just went rogue — bad raccoon eyes. I loved every other blasted thing about it. Poo…..