I usually don’t get excited about mascaras… high end, low end, they really work all the same with me. I especially don’t care for non-waterproof mascaras, because I need the waterproof formula to get any hope of holding a curl in my poker-straight lashes. Usually when I receive a mascara sample, I try it.. then go back to my trusty drugstore formula. Until now.

The Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara ($21 USD) is almost a hybrid between a waterproof and non-waterproof mascara. It uses 3D polymers to surround each lash with a waterproof tube, to build lashes in length and volume dramatically.  The ultra black formula itself can be easily removed with warm water like a regular mascara, but I found cleansing water to do the best job. Note: they come off in stringy tubes… it’s a tad messy.

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

The real magic is in the application- the formula is quite dry, which is my favorite (wet mascaras make my lashes droop and even though they are great for defining lashes, I never feel like I can build enough volume).  This mascara makes lashes look lush, soft and feathery.  It does dry very fast, so apply your coats quickly or else it will start to clump.

The one complaint that I have- that many of you also had- is that it smells terrible. Not even going to sugar coat it… this mascara has an awful scent that is quite strong when applying… but it’s undetectable after you put the tube away. So really, no problems there in my opinion.

The brush is also nice- it’s a traditional mascara brush that reminds me of Benefit badGAL or similar mascaras (aka not the plastic Covergirl LashBlast ones).  I found it looked great on both top and bottom lashes and the real kicker- it held my curl!  Unfortunately it wasn’t as incredibly eye-opening as using a waterproof mascara… but I sure have never found a regular mascara hold my curl so nicely. It also lasted throughout the day without flaking, smudging or melting! Welcome to my makeup bag, Too Faced Lash Injection!

The mascara wand

1) Bare lashes | 2-4) Wearing the Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

Summary

• Price: $21 USD for 0.49oz / 14.49mL
• Availability: Too Faced
• Overall: My new favorite non-waterproof mascara. Holds my curl (which I have never found in a non-waterproof formula) and it builds volume while keeping lashes soft and feathery. The mascara comes off easily with oil-free makeup remover, but I found the best results with cleansing water. It smells pretty bad, but the results I get from it are worth it!
• Rating: A