Lovely lashes after just one coat? Like, when does that happen? Mascaras that only need one layer to work well are even rarer than hit movies starring J. Lo (still lovin’ ya, Jenny!).
Maybe that’s why I like Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara ($21, available in a single shade called Blackest Black). A single coat makes lashes look visibly thicker, darker, smoother and uber-glossy. The tips of my lashes fan out at the corners, too, for that doe-eyed lash look I really love.
Straight up, I can’t remember the last time I thought the first coat of a mascara looked this good.
One layer
The first time I applied a layer of it I liked the results so much that I was sure I was seeing a new must-have mascara for spring, something able to hold its own against MAC Opulash, and I was prepared to wager my favorite pair of platform sandals on it.
Nekkid lashes
Above average thickening and respectable length and lift from a single layer of mascara? — Yes, please!
How does it handle additional coats?
Since I can’t resist the siren song of bigger, badder, flashier lashes, I had to see how Hyperlash would layer. The answer? Not great. Bumps appear with the second layer of Hyperlash, despite the thin, smooth formula, and it makes my lashes stick together. After a third layer, the bumps and clumping get even worse.
Two layers
Three layers
Did you brush?
Despite the fact that Hyperlash seems to peak at the first layer, I really like what Smashbox did with the brush. They added short, stubby knobs to one side (similar to the brush for LashBlast); on the other side, they placed long thin bristles. I think the combination of knobby and longer bristles help the product a lot.
Sometimes I find knobby brushes like these awkward, but here it works.
More pros and cons
Hyperlash may not be able to layer for squat, but I still give it props. It stays put all day long, comes off easily and doesn’t flake or smudge. A few swipes from a cotton ball soaked with Benefit Gee… That Was Quick and it’s completely gone.
Ultimately, I wish I could wear more than one layer of Hyperlash for more dramatic looks, but it wins for delivering a lovely natural lash look in a flash. Makeup and Beauty Rating: B+
You might like Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara if…
- You like lashes that look natural (with some extra oomph!)
- You like the idea of only having to wear a single layer
- You’re not really concerned about holding a lash curl
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rae says
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 pmGah!! O.o One coat of this looks amazing! (Two or three? Well, not so much. But I normally stick to one anyways!) And it’s glossy! I adore glossy mascaras, but they’re so hard to find!
Okay, I think that’s it for the exclamation marks. (We’re all exclamation-marked out now.) I’m excited to check this out, but… almost everything, save tubing mascaras, smudges on me. Would you say that this is your favourite smudge-free glossy ‘scara, or is there another one I should check out before handing over $24 (CAD) for Hyperlash?
.-= Rae’s last blog post… Finding a hilighter: MAC Pearl vs. Hush =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:43 amHi Rae,
I love a good glossy mascara. My faves are Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara (non-waterproof) and Stila Lash Visor (waterproof). I asked MBB readers for recs on their fave glossy mascaras a while back… check out the post below for more options!
What’s Your Favorite High Gloss Mascara?
Rae says
May 4th, 2010 at 1:34 pmThanks Karen! I remember reading that, actually — sorry it slipped my mind >.< I'll definitely be looking into the Stila!
.-= Rae's last blog post… A [very] quick look with Marcelle Minerals =-.
amy says
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 pmwow That is the best one layer mascara I have ever seen. It looks great. Your lashes look very flirty and feathery.
.-= amy’s last blog post… NOTD Essie Resort Collection Nail Lacquer in Lapis of Luxury =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:43 amHi Amy,
I know! It’s so rare when a mascara looks this good after just one layer, right?
Polish Earthgirl says
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 pmThat looks unreal at one layer! Too bad it gets so clumpalicious or else I’d pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming! Great photos as always!
.-= Polish Earthgirl’s last blog post… What’s Your Polish, Peeps? =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:43 amHi Polish Earthgirl,
Thanks. 🙂 How’s your Tuesday going?
Vonvon says
May 4th, 2010 at 1:57 amWow! It’s really amazing with just 1 layer. But I find it a bit strange that with a 2nd and 3rd layer, it became clumpy, and even the lashes became ‘slightly droopy’. Is it because the formula is quite heavy?
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Review: Tsuya-Tsuya Angel Eyes Lash & Brow Intense Growth Serum =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:47 amYeah. My lashes feel heavy after three coats!
gio says
May 4th, 2010 at 4:04 amThat looks amazing with just one coat! If only it didn’t get so clumpy when layered I’d go get one now.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Product Review: Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Rose Petal =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:46 amHi Gio,
Doesn’t it though!?
Arianne says
May 4th, 2010 at 5:06 amOh what letdown! 🙁
This is kinda how I felt about Maybelline’s Colossal mascara. It’s a great one-coater, but it layers awfully. Plus it kinda stinks. So sad!
.-= Arianne’s last blog post… Shopping my Makeup Drawer: GOSH Velvet Touch Waterproof Eyeliner in Bananas. =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:44 amHi Adrianne,
Stinky mascara = BOO!
Anywho, kinda random, but I wish you could adopt this kitty:
Woodie the White Turkish Angora
Arianne says
May 4th, 2010 at 4:36 pmOh my gosh hello gorgeous! If only I could!
BF and I are looking for a kittayn to adopt in June. I’m probably going to FREAK THE HELL OUT — and so will my allergies — when we finally pick one to bring home. Now waiting for this month to be over is going to be so tough!
.-= Arianne’s last blog post… First Mani Pedi of the Season! =-.
Nina says
May 4th, 2010 at 5:11 amI do like the brush and I like using just one layer for daytime looks …. but I also need curl. Sigh @ my specs. 😀
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:44 amHi Nina,
LOL, I feel your pain!!
Nina says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:51 amSo I caved in and got the Rimmel … I hope it works. 🙂
Katie says
May 4th, 2010 at 5:12 amThis mascara is pretty..I love glossy mascaras, but I always need something to add volume, so I use Loreal Voluminous Mascara. I hope they never stop making it, it works perfect for me 😀
.-= Katie’s last blog post… I have really long hair. =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:44 amHi Katie,
I like that mascara too! It’s one of my drugstore faves. 🙂
Diana says
May 4th, 2010 at 6:07 amI can’t believe this doesn’t flake on you. My number one complaint about Smashbox is the little flakes that end up on my face later in the day. Lash DNA by Smashbox is also a “One Coat Wonder,” but it flakes horribly.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:45 amHi Diana,
Yeah, I had no trubs in the flaking department at all.
Hmm, are you swiping the mascara brush against a tissue to remove the excess before applying? That might help reduce the flakes.
Scientific Housewife says
May 4th, 2010 at 6:17 amI usually only wear one coat of mascara anyway so this sounds like my kind of product!
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:45 amHi Scientific Housewife,
You might really love this then. 🙂
Shannon says
May 4th, 2010 at 7:00 amya know…. I wonder how it compares to Neutrogena’s Healthy Lengths Mascara (non-waterproof). I just started using it yesterday, and it really gives a lot of length (but not spidery length, which I despise), wears well all day, and comes off at the end of the day really easily with some makeup remover. It does seem to have a tendency to clump a teensy bit if I’m not very careful, so that’s a small downside. However, at $6.50 on sale at Target, I can’t really complain!
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:45 amHi Shannon,
I haven’t tried that one. I reviewed Healthy Volume back in the day, but wasn’t crazy about it.
Can anybody weigh in on this?
Christy says
May 4th, 2010 at 7:22 amWowies! That looks fabulous, but the price kind of draws me away. I’d be worried a bit because I usually end up putting on three coats of mascara automatically rather than just doing a single coat.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… MAC To The Beach Event Invitation =-.
Karen says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:45 amHi Christy,
Yeah, I hear ya. But hey, if you’re ever in the mood for a one-layer mascara, at least you know it’s around!
Have a good Tuesday. 🙂
Lorraine says
May 4th, 2010 at 8:33 amI REALLY like the one-coat results…I can live with the two (which is the most I use for mascara anyway).
I don’t usually like spending more than $15 for a mascara though, and while the first coat looks fabulous, I feel like I could find a similar, if not better, product for a lower price…
.-= Lorraine’s last blog post… My Beauty Philosophy =-.
Amanda says
May 4th, 2010 at 9:14 amI’ve been blessed with “good” lashes so it doesn’t take much mascara for me to get them to look dramatic, so one coat is enough for me. I in love with tarte’s mascaras and they are cheaper, so I will probably stick with them for everyday wear. When I need drama I use Fresh supernova, which is only a few bucks more than the SB. But thanks for the review!
Lindsay says
May 4th, 2010 at 9:22 amLooks good but I’ve seen better. I dont ike the clumpiness of this mascara. Thanks for the review!
.-= Lindsay’s last blog post… April Favorites =-.
Bunny Masseuse says
May 4th, 2010 at 10:50 amSince I’m a SB addict, I had to pick this up. Granted Timber told me it’s for curling more than anything, each mascara has a point, not all of them are good for EVERYTHING, so if I want curled lashes this is the go to…. otherwise it’s Bionic and DNA for other benefits.
.-= Bunny Masseuse’s last blog post… Zoya Exchange Participation continues… =-.
Tango says
May 4th, 2010 at 11:11 amThe description of the brush reminds me a lot of one of my favorite mascaras, Bourjois Eye-liner Effect Mascara. It had a really cool brush, with a short, stubbly side that you were supposed to wiggle around at the base of your lashes, then a long side that you used to comb out and coat your whole lashes.
Housee of accessories says
May 4th, 2010 at 12:22 pmI love my loreal mascaras!
Vero says
May 4th, 2010 at 3:05 pmWow, they look fantastic! I like the effect!
makeup morsels says
May 4th, 2010 at 5:43 pmdaang that’s pretty good with one coat. It’s a shame that more coats don’t up the oomph factor, but I guess you can’t have everything when it comes to mascara
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Miscellaneous Monday Morsels 5/3 =-.
Ann says
May 5th, 2010 at 6:25 pmKaren, it looks wonderful! I will certainly be trying it once my shu uemura is gone 🙁 so sad it’s left the states!