When the wands started oscillating, I thought I’d seen it all. After the whole vibrating/spinning mascara brush trend (so 2008!), what else could one possibly do with a basic mascara brush? Wait — I know. They could fashion one into the shape of a medieval flail, hi-ya!
But that wasn’t the end of innovation for the mighty mascara wand. Buxom’s Amplified Lash Mascara ($22), a Sephora exclusive, comes with a new twist (literally).
Available in just a single shade called Loud Black, it’s designed to thicken, lengthen and separate lashes. That’s all well and good, but I think the brush is what really sets it apart. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before. By twisting a little knob on the end of the wand, right where you hold it, you can expand and contract the length of the brush part about a quarter of an inch. The different lengths, says Buxom, create different lash effects.
When fully extended, the brush volumizes lashes up to 600%. When in its compact position the bristles squeeze closer together to expertly comb through each and every lash for maximum length, separation and definition.
Twisting the knob one way makes the brush longer; the other way makes it shorter. And you can see it expanding and contracting right before your very eyes — like mascara magic, oooh!
I don’t have a lot of experience with the Buxom brand, but the few products of theirs I have tried have stood out more for packaging than actual performance.
Until now. 🙂 I’ve been wearing Amplified Lash for the past few days, and I must say — I like it.
I start by applying one coat with the brush in the elongated position, and then add two more coats using the shorter position. Together that gives me lashes that look dramatically longer and well defined.
Before (top) and after (bottom) three coats
Before (left) and right (bottom) three coats
Okay, but what about the formula? Well, I love really thick, drag queeny lashes, and I don’t think Amplified Lash amplifies lashes as well as my current mascara faves, Panthera Mascara and YSL Faux Cils, but it’s certainly not bad. If you’re cool with a moderate increase in volume, it’ll probably do you just fine. My lashes do feel soft and light wearing Amplified Lash, and they look delightfully dark and smooth (no clumps!).
As for the company’s claim that the product thickens “up to 600%,” that’s just crazy talk. Seriously, how’s anyone supposed to quantify that?!.
After about 12 hours of wear (or thereabouts — its a long time, anyway), I notice a smidge of smudging along my lower lash line, and I’m okay with that. It’s a cinch to remove at the end of the day. A little water and some good ol’ PMS does the trick.
It seems like the prices of a lot of department store brands have been inching up lately, and at $22, this one’s two bucks shy of Dior Show territory. Even with the novel brush, it’s on the expensive side. But, despite some slight smudging and the high price, I think it’s still a solid mascara. It might be worth a try if you’re on the hunt for something that offers a little bit of everything in one little tube.
PRICE: $22
AVAILABILITY: Available now exclusively at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chris25 says
May 9th, 2011 at 5:22 pmIf it’s a so-so product, I don’t want to spend $22. I asm going to try Prestige My Longest Lashes mascara next.
Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:31 pmLet me know if it’s any good, Chris!
Vijaya says
May 9th, 2011 at 5:37 pmI really liked the regular Buxom Lash, so I’ll be trying this. =D
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:31 pmGreat! I hope you like it. 🙂
LiAnn - Sparklecrack Central says
May 9th, 2011 at 5:46 pmBE almost has a phobia about making waterproof mascaras – which is irritating as heck, because unless I use waterproof mascara I have racoon-eyes in three hours or less. (It’s bad.) So while this might be interesting, I’m sticking firmly with the Flawless Definition waterproof.
Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:31 pmI haven’t tried that one yet! How is it for volume/thickness?
dani@callitbeauty says
May 9th, 2011 at 5:55 pmooh! there’s some nice volumizing action going on at the roots! i like 🙂
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:30 pmOoh, you know I’m all about root/volume action. 🙂
Jessi says
May 9th, 2011 at 6:04 pmMascara seems to almost be as subjective an experience as fragrances, so I’m always hesitant to go outside my comfort zone and explore beyond what I’m familiar with. Well, at least Sephora has an awesome return policy so I really have nothing to lose. Thanks for the review!
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:29 pmYou’re welcome. 🙂
Nina says
May 9th, 2011 at 6:22 pmi *might* check this out when my mascara ban is done. 🙂
Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:29 pmWHAT? You know I don’t believe in mascara bans, LOL! 🙂
Have you decided what else is going on your Sephora giftcard besides the Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner?
Nina says
May 10th, 2011 at 5:53 ami have the full size of the smashbox luminizing primer in my cart too, as well as the sephora airbrush concealer brush. still thinking. 🙂
Gloria says
May 14th, 2011 at 10:16 pmOooH get the airbrush concealer brush! It’s my favorite favorite brush!!!
KSlone says
May 9th, 2011 at 6:51 pmIm on a lifetime hunt for the ULTIMATE mascara. Im always trying new ones, but haven’t found any I love more than Cover Girl Lash Blast fusion. Have you given Scandal Queen Fairy Drops a whirl? I’m having a challenge with the really cool, but seemingly ineffective wand.
Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:27 pmI haven’t! I know some ladies love it though. Have you tried Panthera mascara yet? It’s all sorts of rad!
Liz says
May 9th, 2011 at 7:03 pmI wish we could have seen the brush, Karen! It seems really interesting and cool. I can’t really visualize it though. It seems to look pretty good on you.
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:26 pmHi Liz,
There’s a pic of the brush on the Sephora website. Here’s a link — Buxom Amplified Lash.
Jen W says
May 9th, 2011 at 7:27 pmSounds like a fun product to play with. The price does seem a little steep though now that you mention it’s similarly priced to Chanel!
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:25 pmIt was pretty fun and very different!
What is your favorite mascara these days?
Peachesandblush.com says
May 9th, 2011 at 8:15 pmFor that price i think i would go with some of te other mascaras..it does seem to do a good job on you though..and i love the sleek silver packaging!
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Karen says
May 9th, 2011 at 9:24 pmSeems like a lot of department store mascaras are in this price range.
Kim says
May 10th, 2011 at 7:08 amI’d say it’s only volumizing at about 104%. 😉 it actually does look good on you but I have to stay away from any smudgers (and complicated wands). 🙂 I’m still holding out for my holy grail of mascara, which will be a Hypnose formula that delivers Faux Cils volume.
Alka says
May 10th, 2011 at 2:20 pmLately I have been having all kinds of mascara drama…first Mac goes and discontinues my normal one (not a HG product because of the smell) so I start trying a bunch of drugstore ones which end up irritating my eyes to no end. I can’t stand clumping and don’t really care for volumizing formulas. My HG would be conditioning, defining and lengthening but has to last all day. So far, Rimmel has a few decent ones but they dry out too quickly and my current Neutrogena Healthy one just doesn’t last more than a few hours. 🙁 I will probably give this Buxom one a try since BE stuff doesn’t bother my eyes and the drugstore ones aren’t doing it for me.
Karen says
May 10th, 2011 at 3:13 pmBummer about your mascara being discontinued, Alka. The same thing happened more or less with my fave foundation for pics (well, they changed the color DRAMATICALLY).
Hope this one works for ya.
Charisse says
May 10th, 2011 at 7:30 pmUMM WANT IT! But more importantly, just looked at your back posts with the Panthera mascara and WOW I NEED IT!
Courtney Washington says
May 15th, 2011 at 12:56 pmRimmel’s day 2 night shares the same concept, and is much much cheaper. I have almost every high-end mascara, and on days when they aren’t doing the trick I pull out the Rimmel.
Tracey says
August 13th, 2014 at 8:49 amLove this product! Btw: What is your fav waterproof makeup remover?