Review: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara

When it comes to mascaras, it seems that there are always plenty of promises made - but very few seem to really deliver their bold claims, especially when it comes to drugstore and budget mascaras. Sadly, for me, this is one such mascara.

The Maybelline Define-A-Lash Washable Lengthening Mascara somehow managed to receive a huge amount of hype, but didn't live up to any of it, in my honest opinion. I even used the mascara for several months, with a variety of different application techniques; the results were always the same. I have no idea how or why Allure (my favorite beauty magazine) gave this product four separate awards.

The packaging, which is a sleek, bright, lime green tube, might have drawn me in. Or maybe it was the claim of a "zero clump mascara that creates stunning length with clean definition." Either way, I decided to give it a fair trial run.

Price: $7.95

Results: Where to start with this one? The flexible brush is kind of fun at first, but you'll discover it's so flimsy that it can be difficult to use. It can take a while to get the hang of it, and the makers suggest you "roll the brush upwards" instead of, say, using the zig-zag method to apply. Even Maybelline acknowledges it's awkward to use, huh?

The formula is very thin, meaning one coat won't do much. I noticed a little added length, but this mascara does absolutely nothing for volume (they needed to make a whole separate product for that, and they did - I won't even bother trying it). As for being clump-free... not so for me, even when I applied just one coat as instructed.

I tried wiping excess mascara from the brush first, and while it helped a little, it did still not live up to the no-clump guarantee. Besides, the effect wasn't very dramatic or "stunning" either way. I could hardly tell I was wearing the stuff, nor did I ever receive a compliment on my lashes, as I usually do when wearing mascara. I don't think anyone else noticed, either. Is that a good or a bad thing? Hmmm...

Overall, the product seems incredibly overhyped and completely unimpressive. I wish I'd taken Maybelline up on their money-back guarantee months ago, but I was stubborn and wanted to make it work for me. Sigh.

Verdict: Save your money here, ladies, unless you're looking for a light mascara that may or may not work for you or own up to its advertising. This does give a very natural, daytime-lash look, but that also translates to little difference in length or definition and none in volume. Just don't expect anything dramatic... or much of anything else. I'd call it mediocre at best.

Did this mascara work for you? Tell me about it!


This post will be updated later with my before & after pictures. :) Stay tuned for more mascara reviews this week.