Product Review of Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara

I first fell in love with mascara at the age of 13, when my older brother's girlfriend, an aspiring beautician and cosmetologist, thought it would be fun to initiate me into the world of makeup with my very first makeover. While I did not continue to wear most of the types of makeup she piled on my face that day, I was very impressed with the effect that mascara had. It separated, it lengthened, it made my eyes, as she put it, "pop."

Since that first introduction to mascara 15 years ago, I have been searching for the perfect mascara. In my quest, I try to purchase every new brand released. I recently purchased Maybelline's new Lash Stylist Mascara. Instead of the typical brush, Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara has a little plastic comb with which to apply the mascara.

The commercials and packaging for this mascara promise "up to 40%" fuller lashes and lift. I especially liked the promise of lift because although my eyelashes are dark, long enough, and reasonably thick, they are stick-straight. So for maximum effect, I have to use an eyelash curler.

I was also intrigued by the comb applicator. My favorite mascara of all time was one released by Revlon years ago. It had a lengthening formula and came with a little eyelash comb attached to it. (Apparently no one else shared my enthusiasm for this brand since it quickly disappeared from Revlon's makeup line.) I have yet to find another eyelash comb sold separately that is as fine and separates lashes as well as that little comb did. I was hoping Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara would combine just such a comb with a great mascara formula.

As I always am when a new mascara comes out, I was hopeful that this would be the one. However, when I tried Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara, I was disappointed.

The comb applicator has two rows of about a dozen teeth. The teeth are short and kind of thick-not at all the fine comb for which I was hoping. I found that I only had one stroke, possibly two, of the comb to apply the mascara. If I tried three or four strokes, I ended up with very clumpy eyelashes. The first time I applied this mascara, I could literally count the number of eyelashes I had when I was done. I had about six or seven clumpy eyelashes on each side. Dramatic? Yes, but not exactly the look to which I aspired.

Even after removing the mascara and reapplying, my eyelashes were still too clumped together. I used this mascara several more times, thinking perhaps there was a trick to it, but with similar results each time. My lashes even felt heavy when I was wearing this mascara.

The one positive about Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara is that it does provide a lot of lift. I did not have to use an eyelash curler with this mascara. Although it does not exactly curl lashes, it does lift them up and away from the eyes.

I think the premise of this product, the comb applicator, is interesting. Perhaps a different design with a finer comb might produce better results. As it is, I would not recommend Maybelline's Lash Stylist Mascara. I am sorry to say that I probably will not even keep it around as an emergency back-up mascara.

So, my search for the perfect mascara continues…