When it comes to mascara, I wouldn’t say anything is necessarily groundbreaking. But, my opinion changed when I discovered there was a waterproof mascara that does double duty – one that adds volume without leaving my lashes feeling heavy, or my eyes looking like a panda by lunchtime.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve left the house feeling happy with how my lashes look, only to catch my reflection after my commute to work and discover that the mascara I meticulously applied has smudged onto either my eyelids or undereyes.
For me, I’ve always found that mascaras tend to fall into one of two categories: waterproof formulas that stay put but leave my lashes feeling stiff and weighed down, and volumising formulas that give me long luscious lashes but seem to smudge or flake by the end of the day.
So, when I came across Essence’s new Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara in Black, I was immediately intrigued. It promises length, volume and comes in a waterproof formula that is actually designed to withstand long days and various weather conditions – not a smudge in sight.
In an incredibly saturated beauty market where it can sometimes feel as though everything has been done before, this £3.99 mascara caught my attention. I can’t think of many other affordable formulas that promise to deliver both intense volume and serious lasting power. Here’s how I got on.
How I tested the Essence Lash Princess mascara
I used the mascara as part of my usual makeup routine, applying one coat first to see how much definition and volume it gave me on its own. I then added a second coat to test whether I could build up the false-lash effect without creating clumps.
Throughout the day, I paid attention to how the mascara felt on my lashes, whether or not it transferred beneath my eyes and how the volume and lift lasted. I also made sure to try it on a rainy day, to see how the waterproof formula really performed.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Extreme Waterproof Volumizing Mascara
Essence Lash PRINCESS false lash effect mascara
Essence Lash PRINCESS false lash effect mascara
The mascara comes with a conic fibre brush, which made it easy for me to coat each lash from root to tip. The tapered shape was particularly helpful for reaching the smaller lashes in the inner corners of my eyes, without getting product all over my eyelids in the process.
After one coat, my lashes instantly looked darker, longer and more defined. The effect was noticeable without looking too heavy, and I liked that my lashes still felt relatively light and comfortable. It gave me the everyday definition I wanted, but with more impact than a natural-looking mascara.
I was also able to build up the formula for a more dramatic look. A second coat added extra volume and intensity, while still keeping my lashes separated. I was expecting the formula to become clumpy or spidery as I layered it, considering it’s under £4 price point – but that wasn’t the case. Instead, my lashes looked fuller and more lifted, which made my eyes appear more open.
Of course, the waterproof formula was the real test for me, and let me tell you, it lived up to its name. The mascara stayed put throughout the day without flaking, smudging or leaving black streaks beneath my eyes. I didn’t need to keep checking my makeup either, or worry about the mascara transferring on to my skin, even after several hours of wear.
The best part is that despite being waterproof, it wasn’t as difficult to remove as I expected. When using a proper eye makeup remover, the mascara came away without too much rubbing or tugging, which typically irritates my skin.
Is the Essence Lash Princess mascara worth it?
For me, this mascara delivers on its promises of volume, length and long lasting wear. It gives my lashes a fuller, more lifted appearance without the heavy feeling I usually associate with waterproof formulas.
The formula is vegan and free from alcohol, fragrance and parabens, which makes it even more appealing for everyday use. At £3.99, it offers the kind of staying power and false-lash effect I would usually expect from a much more expensive mascara, without breaking my monthly beauty budget.
So, if you want dramatic lashes that can survive a long day without smudging beneath your eyes, Essence’s budget-friendly mascara is truly worth a go.
