Here’s what may be a strange observation, but doesn’t it seem like mascaras are more expensive than they used to be? Around the time DiorShow turned up, I started seeing more and more costing $30+, and now they even top $10 at the drugstore all the time.
You can imagine my surprise, then, when I heard about Wet ‘N’ Wild’s new $3 Mega Length… THREE BONES, PEOPLE! Of course I had to give it a try. 🙂
At the risk of sounding like a cranky old lady — wait, I *am* a cranky old lady — these days, you can’t buy much for $3!
The brand’s always been affordable, but now they can add their sophisticated new packaging to the list of things that makes them tempting.
Mega Length is billed as a lengthening/lifting mascara and comes in a single, simply-named shade called Very Black. My wimpy lashes and I took it for a spin last weekend, hoping to find the “Three Buck Chuck” of the mascara world.
Nekkid lashes
First things first — Mega Length gets extra gold 
stars for pigment, imparting a deep, glossy, rich look to lashes that takes it well beyond the meager price.
And it also resists smudging and flaking like a champ, while remaining surprisingly easy to remove.
But how does it do as far as length and lift?
One layer
Well, as far as lash length, eh, just okay. I think my lashes do look a little longer after applying three coats, but it’s not a dramatic difference, and not really enough for me.
Then there’s curl hold, which could probably be a little bit better, too. I have stick straight lashes, so I always use a lash curler before mascara, but after my very first coat of Mega Length, the curl began to relax — not all the way back to the straight position, mind you, but I was hoping Mega Length would lock that curl into place.
Two layers
Lash, but not least (ha!) — and you’re gonna want your lash comb ready for this one — after two coats my lashes were sticking closer together than the members of Team Edward.
NOTE: Yesterday at Target I saw a girl wearing a T-shirt that read, “… And then Buffy killed Edward. The End.” 🙂 I laughed for a good 10 minutes.
Three layers
Le sigh … I really wanted to love Mega Length, but I think my lashes need more help than it can give.
That said, in this era o’ pricey mascaras, I’m sure there’s a place for Mega Length. If you’re already blessed with naturally thick, long and/or curly lashes, it’s certainly worth the price. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
beautylogicblog says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:15 pmhmm, yea i think i’ll pass. My favorite drug store brand is def lash stiletto volumptous. love love love.
Karen says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:25 pmYa know, I don’t think I ever tried that one. I’ve been wary of Maybelline mascaras ever since having epic fail with their Great Lash! I just don’t get why it’s supposed to be a cult fave? It looks like crap on me!
Steffi says
March 30th, 2010 at 4:52 amAnd here I thought I was the only one that couldn’t stand Great Lash. Everyone talks about how great it is, but I hated it. Even many years ago when I was a teenager.
Hazel says
March 29th, 2010 at 7:24 pmohhhh i have this one too but in waterproof! it’s also my fave drug store mascara. the only one that works :\
.-= Hazel’s last blog post… WANT =-.
Summer Staff says
March 30th, 2010 at 12:22 pmOo karen, you have to try Lash Stiletto! I was so impressed, it’s got a glossy black texture, glides right on and holds a curl like a mofo’!
Makeupmorsels says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:19 pmgahh yea I’ve definitely noticed the increasing price in drugstore mascaras. If it weren’t for all the BOGOF sales, I’d definitely just spend my money on mac (I’m really itching to try out plush lash)
.-= Makeupmorsels’s last blog post… Battle of The Eye Waker-Uppers =-.
Karen says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:24 pmPlush Lash is pretty good. I was all about it in the fall of 2007!
How was your Monday?
Sara says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:28 pmGirl, my lashes are like yours. There is no hope for success for me with this one… Great review!
.-= Sara’s last blog post… Whats Your Favorite Blue? Best Answer = Secret Prize =-.
Karen says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:29 pmViva La Wimpy Lashes! We should start a support group of something, LOL!
happybadfish says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:28 pmMy problem with mascara is that I find alot of brands flake and sit under my eye by the end of the day.
Maybe I should try waterproof?
Glosslizard says
March 29th, 2010 at 5:53 pmI have the same problem, and, weirdly enough, I find that waterproof formulas tend to migrate worse than the regular formulas! Good luck (and if you find a great one, let me in on it! 😉 )
Suzette says
March 30th, 2010 at 12:31 pmI have the same problem and the only thing I can wear is Lancome Definicils. No smudging, flaking, etc… Pricy ($28’ish), but worth it since I don’t look like a racoon anymore. Ask the salesgirls for a sample so you can try it for a week before buying. The sample tube they gave me lasted about two months – and not one racoon day!!
Ana V says
March 29th, 2010 at 4:34 pmI have long straight lashes which unfotunately don’t stay curled with many mascaras :[ I do have the Shiseido Lash Base and I am telling you Karen, it work SOOO well. It is quite pricey but I can wear it under any mascara and it makes the curl stay!
Noraa says
March 29th, 2010 at 5:13 pmI use Loreal double extend tube. It lengthen and thicken like crazy and, wait for this, it does not SMUDGE at all! And I have tried everything, even Dior show, and they all smudge (maybe it’s because I yawn every 2 minutes, and I shed a lot of tears when I do). It can become a tad crunchy, but I just swear by that stuff!
.-= Noraa’s last blog post… Thit rang man – Savoury seared pork =-.
Nina says
March 29th, 2010 at 5:15 pmI had high hopes for this one … I need a not very expensive mascara for two weddings im going too soon. I dont really do mascara on a daily basis because of massive eye allergies so all my tubes have since dried up.
Oh well … the search continues.
PS – lol @ the Buffy shirt! 😛
Jen says
March 29th, 2010 at 5:17 pmSince you mentioned the t-shirt…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_QEOwJ0pKA
It’s so funny! I love it 😀
Glosslizard says
March 29th, 2010 at 5:58 pmI recently tried a couple of Rimmel formulas (at BOGO-half off) and I’ve been pretty impressed! Rimmel just might be stepping up the low-cost mascara game!
P.S. <3 Buffy!!
hunnybunny says
March 29th, 2010 at 8:31 pmim currently in love with my rimmel extra super lash it makes me eyelashes long and holds a curl but it looks natural. it only cost me $3 at target
amy says
March 29th, 2010 at 6:18 pmI have never tried wet and wild mascaras and wet and wild is pretty hard to find in Vancouver these days. A long time ago they were a staple drug store/grocery store brand but nowadays I can’t find them anywhere.
.-= amy’s last blog post… MAC Give Me Liberty of London Eyeshadow Birds & Berries Product Picture, Swatches and Review =-.
Citrine says
March 29th, 2010 at 6:18 pmlol at the T-shirt…my favorite drugstore mascara is from physicians formula, but that stuff is 10 bucks without sale though.
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother in Shine =-.
Nora says
March 29th, 2010 at 6:30 pmI actually really like a WnW mascara a few years back. But of course *right* after I discovered it…they changed the formulation. Le sigh.
marisol says
March 29th, 2010 at 6:43 pmLOL @ the Buffy comment.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Liberty of London haul =-.
Marce says
March 29th, 2010 at 7:34 pmGreat review! As usual 😀 Though in one of the photos your eye looks sorta surprised! I like Rimmel London and Maybelline for drugstore, it’s basically the cheapest I can get. But they work really well. Like, really well!!! And LOL at the chic’s shirt, I’d totally crack up too 😀 Actually, I did!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Vanidades + Lancome = Trés Chic =-.
Lindsay says
March 29th, 2010 at 7:37 pmNot bad for $3. Lolol about buffy killing edward!!
.-= Lindsay’s last blog post… Review: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Mascara =-.
K says
March 29th, 2010 at 8:33 pmIt seems like makeup in general is going up. Sad that this one is a bit of a failure.
.-= K’s last blog post… A Good Snip =-.
Tammy says
March 29th, 2010 at 9:56 pmAw, sorry this didn’t work for you. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Mascara and Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition work great on my wimpy lashes. Have you tried them?
.-= Tammy’s last blog post… Cosmetic Executive Women 2010 Beauty Awards Finalists =-.
Rica says
March 29th, 2010 at 10:20 pmI’m a huge Twilight fan, but you gotta laugh at that joke! In fact, I want one of those T-shirts!!!
Speaking of mascara being overpriced, I’ve seen drugstore mascara priced at $18.99, the Maybelline vibrating one, isn’t that ridiculous?
.-= Rica’s last blog post… WLC self reflection #1 =-.
Scientific Housewife says
March 30th, 2010 at 8:41 amThanks for the review! And that shirt sounds awesome!
Jo says
March 30th, 2010 at 4:07 pmAww, I was hoping that this mascara would show good results. I love finding treasures at the drugstore and liked some of Wet n’ Wild’s stuff in the past. But yeah, if you have thicker lashes (which I don’t either), it might be alright with just the one layer.
Kim says
April 5th, 2010 at 2:46 pmWhere the heck did Wet & Wild Makeup go? Not at any CVS or Target that I know of. Use to swear by their mascara H20 Proof. No clumps, stays on, and best of all very cheap. Can someone advise where this makeup line went?
Sobriquet says
April 11th, 2010 at 3:53 amKim, you can find WnW makeup at Walgreens, as well as Jane products. I hate mascara in general, but I like Jane Fan Club Curling Mascara.