Review : Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara

I have found my holy grail mascara, yet something inside me makes me want to try anything new on the market. I wasn't keen on Maybelline's original Lash Stiletto mascara because I look for ones that thicken my lashes, and although the Lash Stiletto was absolutely fab at lengthening, it wasn't right for me. When I saw the Lash Stiletto Voluptuous on an introductory offer recently, I snapped it up in the hope that this would give the length of the original Lash Stiletto, with the volume that I crave. I've been trialling it for about a week now, so thought I'd let you know if it was as I hoped. Sorry about the quality of the pictures by the way - I had a bit of a mad night last night and I'm suffering immensely today. I have lots of disgustingly calorific food on hand so I'll be right as rain in no time, I'm sure, but please forgive the sloppiness!

What do Maybelline say?

Long lashes don't have to be skinny...
You can have up to 70% longer looking lashes NOW with voluptuous volume.
The hot news? It’s dual impact. Our Voluptuous brush and cream formula lengthens and plumps your lash look – at the same time. Sweep 'Plump and Stretch Brush' upwards from root to tip to grasp each lash and coat from every angle to achieve dramatic length and volume. Continue building lashes until you reach your desired look. Do not let dry between coats. Repeat for lower lash line.

What do I think?

I quite like the packaging - I think the fact that it's actually shaped like a stiletto heel is really cute. The horrible rose scent that Maybelline put into their mascaras last year is omitted this time, which I'm really pleased about. There isn't anything unusual about the smell of it this time around, it just smells like a regular mascara. The wand is sort of curvy-shaped, like a wave, and has traditional bristles rather than the more modern rubber ones. I'm used to applying my mascara with a rubber bristled wand, and the wands I normally go for are quite small and tapered, so this is bigger than what I am used to.

The shape of the wand is actually more comfortable against my eye than I was expecting. The first few times I used it, I made a right ol' mess on my eyelids because the bristles were much longer than my usual ones. I still can't apply it without getting some on my lids now, so maybe it takes a bit more practice! With my first application, I didn't notice any 'extra' volume compared to other brands I have tried, but then in my experience, the second coat makes the volume. So, whilst the first coat was still wet (as per instructions) I applied my second coat. This just seemed to strip the first coat away from the lengths of my lashes and concentrate it more at the base. By the time I'd built up the volume I like, the base of my lashes were so clumpy, it just looked horrendous!

Every application after that was done in stages, which is what I normally do with my mascara. I apply one coat, let it dry, and then apply another coat. This process worked a lot better, but it still stripped away some bits at the end of my lashes, which is the complete opposite of the effect I'm after.

I find this mascara takes a lot of time and work, which is not something I am able to concentrate on in the mornings as I'm sure many of you will understand! When I do take the time and effort to apply it, it can make my lashes look fuller, but it just seems like too much hassle for me when my absolute favourite Max Factor Masterpiece lengthens and thickens in no time at all, and everytime without fail. That's why it is my holy grail mascara, and unfortunately, Lash Stiletto Voluptuous doesn't live up to it.

Price?

Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is priced at £7.99 and is avalable from the usual places - Boots, Superdrug and most supermarkets.

Would I repurchase?

I will definitely use my tube up but I won't be repurchasing. It wasn't an awful mascara, it just doesn't compare to my favourite Max Factor Masterpiece I'm afraid, especially when I like to apply more than one coat of mascara.

xoxo