I had mentioned earlier in the month (or maybe even last month) that I was in the market for a mascara, and Bare Escentual’s Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara has been on my list for ages to try, so it’s time had come. Its supposed to be gentle and non-irritating on the eyes, all while still giving the lashes a serious dose of volume, so I was pretty excited to try it. 
The brush is nice and dense with medium-sized bristles, which is the kind of brush I like. This is what I picture a mascara wand to look like – rather than all high-tech with their rubberized, pointy (re: ouchy) bristles, and all the other fancy doo-dads they have nowadays (wowza I just made myself sound MUCH older than my 29 years!). ANYWAY, I had high hopes that this mascara was going to rock my WORLD.
However, from the very first application, I became apprehensive. I found the formula to already feel dried up, like I had owned the mascara for a couple months already. NOT cool. It applied somewhat clumpy due to the drier nature of the formula, and took an extra bit of attention to coat every lash and get the volume and definition I was hoping for. I added a touch of water to the brush (I know, this is a bad beauty move, but it just had to happen), and it improved it somewhat, but still not to my liking. It just looked like…mascara. Is that being wayyy too hard to please? I just want my lashes to have some seriously length and a bit of volume, without looking like I applied several coats of mascara (in the shots below, there is only one coat). Also? The scent. OMG its really strong, and not in a fragrance kind of way, just a strong…I don’t know, odor, that when I first lift the wand to my lashes, as it passes my nose I get a bit repulsed. The mascara doesn’t irritate my eyesat all which indicates to me that it’s not truly fragrance, but nonetheless – yuk! Thankfully once you’ve got the mascara on the lashes it’s entirely unnoticeable – but still worthy of note. However. Moving on…
I dunno. Do all these mascaras start to look the same on me after a while? This one in pics kind of reminds me of Benefit’s They’re Real – which I find more and more I appreciate as I think it’s the best higher priced mascara I’ve come across in a while.
I’m a bit disappointed in this mascara to tell the truth. The fact that it was a bit dry from the get-go turns me off, and it’s just not as good as the hype made it sound. It bugs me that it looks a touch clumpy and mascara-y, and that it just doesn’t give me instantly fabulous lashes, which is – let’s face it – what I’m really looking for in a mascara. Achievable? Perhaps not, but stubbornly that’s what I’m holding out for. The only mascara’s I’ve ever come across that do what I want them to are Clinique’s; honest to goodness, that’s not a bias, it’s just the fact of the matter – they perform as I want them to, which is mainly in part to the fact that Clinique’s mascaras are practically WET. They go on super-easily and take forever to dry up, because they are so moist (I hope that word doesn’t bother anyone….I know some gals who HATE it…don’t ask). So, don’t ask me why I stray if I’ve seemed to find something that works. I just get bored is all. And since I work for Clinique, it’s even more boring to use a product when you have such easy access to it. Twisted, I know, but that’s how this flighty Gemini rolls 
So now tell me – what is your HG mascara….so I can TAKE IT FOR ME!! 
#1 by Eugenia on February 23, 2012 - 11:37 pm
I don’t know where you bought this item, but if it was Sephora, you better march there ASAP and return it! If it’s smelling funky, then either it was an old batch & should have been pulled, or it’s gone rancid…again, keep it far away from your eyes. The fact that it was already dried up looking & feeling from the start, is another good reason to deep six this baby. PS: your eyebrows are sublime! Love your naturally curly lashes too!
#2 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 9:35 pm
You know what’s really sad is that I never even thought once to return this – I just assumed it was the way the mascara was, how stupid is that? I think I will take your (and everyone else it seems) advice and head on in to Sephora to return/exchange this. I’m just not pleased at all.
As for the brows – I never really pay much attention to them, but now I’m looking at them in a different light! Thanks for the compliments, my dear
*bats curly lashes* 
#3 by beautyreflections on February 24, 2012 - 12:21 am
Agree with Eugenia! Sounds like something is not right with it.
I hate drier formulas too-I like them a bit wetter so I can build up my lashes. Not too wet mind you, but just enough. Is that too hard to ask for haha?
#4 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 9:36 pm
That’s what I’m saying Tracy!! Not so wet that its gloppy, but just enough so you can paint on a few coats without getting the dreaded clump-a-palooza going on. That’s GOT to be achievable somehow, right?
#5 by Barb on February 24, 2012 - 8:58 am
when it comes to mascara I’m a Lacome gal… I’ve always loved the formula and it’s known for not clumping or flaking… but it does have a scent so if that’s something that bothers you I guess stay away… I’m using their new “Doll Lashes” and loving the shape of the brush…. tapered at the end so you can really reach those tiny lashes… then it flares out so you can get that sweep up on the outer corner lashes. There’s a new mascara in a tube that looks like a tooth paste tube… can’t remember the name but the formula is very “wet”… maybe something to try next time….
#6 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 10:41 pm
Well, you’re the second person to recommend the ‘Doll Lashes’ mascara, so I guess I’m going to have to give it a serious look next time I’m in your store Barb!! It sounds like just the type of mascara I’m looking for, I love the sweep out look on the outer lashes. Thanks for giving me a heads up!
#7 by k Elizabeth on February 24, 2012 - 10:48 am
Your lashes & brows are beautiful.
And my HG mascara is blinc. If it’s not blinc, I don’t even bother. Glossy, beautiful and stays PUT!
#8 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 10:39 pm
Thank you so much for the compliment Elizabeth! I’ve heard of Blinc before but never tried, I’ll have to keep an eye out for it and try it out, it sounds lovely!! Thanks for the suggestion
#9 by Larie on February 24, 2012 - 1:24 pm
I agree with both Eugenia and Tracy – if it already felt dry and smelled funny, it’s prolly been sitting on the shelf too long. Return it!
But your lashes are already beautiful. And your brows!!!
#10 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 10:36 pm
Oh wow, thanks Larie! ~blushes~ That’s so crazy you guys like my brows, I honestly give them very little thought – but now I feel like I should go admire them a bit lol! At least, I should note them as something to be thankful for (I guess?).
I’m definitely taking everyone’s advice and bringing the mascara back – I’m just not impressed and I might be giving an improper review if the formula itself has gone bad. I’ll keep you all posted!
#11 by Maggie (@MaggiesMakeup) on February 25, 2012 - 9:40 am
Yeah, I would return that sucker, if you can. Even if it’s not from a funky batch.
My favorite mascaras tend to be from Lancome – Définicils, and Doll Eyes as of late. Doll Eyes has a full but tapered brush (non-scary!) that seems to do everything I need it to do for the kind of lashes I like. It builds volume, gives me that slightly ‘fluffy’ as opposed to ‘spiky’ look, and gives me a fair amount of length and definition as well. And the pointed tip really helps to grab all the little hairs and is perfect for building up the outer corners.
#12 by Latoya on February 26, 2012 - 10:18 pm
You’re probably right Maggie. No reason to keep a product I’m not satisfied with!
I’ve been very curious about Lancome’s Doll Eyes mascara…the wand does look pretty cool. I’m glad to hear positive things about it as I haven’t read too much. I definitely appreciate a brush that can build up the outer corners, because that can be tricky with standard brushes. Maybe I’ll exchange my Bare Escentual’s one for Lancome’s