L'Oreal Lash Architect Mascara - Back to DiorShow for Me

For the most part, I am very loyal to Dior's DiorShow when it comes to mascaras. Unfortunately, I cannot always find it. We travel a great deal so once in awhile I am forced to pick something else out if I run out of mascara. While in Melbourne, Australia last fall, that is exactly what happened. I decided on L'Oreal's Lash Architect to hold me over until I could find my beloved Dior. It was in the same price-point at about 27 AU dollars, and I have had good luck with other L'Oreal products. The chances were good that I would like this mascara. I did not.

The thing of it is, I have gotten used to dry mascaras. No I don't mean like a powder, but if you have tried numerous brands you know the difference. The Lash Architect is a pretty wet mascara. this means you have to wait awhile with your face all contorted while it dries, otherwise it is going to smear all over your eyelid. Man I hate when that happens. I strongly suggest doing your bottom lashes first with the Lash Architect, then your top lashes. That seems to cut down on the time you have to leave your face in mascara application mode.

My next problem is that it clumps. Oh yes, it claims to give the effect of false eyelashes. I am sure they mean to instill a feeling of long, dark, and sexy... but the reality is that all your damned lashes will be sticking together. So, you have to keep a toothpick handy and sit there separating the lashes after you apply this. Sorry, that is just too much like work. I am basically lazy at heart.

Now, I joke about the petrified forest effect, but the truth is that it is not so pronounced in the Lash Architect like it is in The Body Shop's Super Volume mascara. I mean that Super Volume flat makes your lashes as stiff as petrified wood. This Lash Architect is not that bad... but is still does stiffen them up more than I care for.

I bought this tube in brown so I could keep using it after I found my DiorShow, since I usually buy that in black. I do have to say that L'Oreal did a good job on the color. It is a nice, deep, rich brown that really does compliment my blond hair and blue eyes with out over-shadowing them. I like the color a great deal. Too bad the other features are so damned sucky.

As far as lastability goes, Lash Architect gains a point. It stays on all day and evening no problem, yet is very easy to remove when you are ready to do so. I have used both water, and Dior's Magique Eye Makeup Remover to take this off. One is really just as easy as the other. This easy removability has a downside, though...

This mascara is not waterproof, and runs like mad at the tiniest hint of a raindrop. You can bet your mortgage I checked the weather today before putting this on for the review. It says no rain today, I should be safe enough... as long as nothing makes my eyes water. I like Alice Cooper a great deal, especially his early stuff... but that does not mean I want to be walking around the local mall looking like him.

So. 2 stars only for L'Oreal's Lash Architect Mascara. Shame, that. I had such high hopes for this one after falling in love with their eyeliners. Back to the DiorShow for me.