Based on the cuteness factor of the packaging, at the very least, I expected L’Oreal’s Miss Manga Mascara ($7.99) to grant me lashes that Jem and the Holograms would envy.
The pink and black tube? The bendy brush? The very name itself? — Miss Manga Mascara?
It would have been silly of me to have expected anything other than cartoony doe-eyed drama.
L’Oreal’s latest mascara, Miss Manga is available now in three shades for $7.99 each. The one I’m wearing in the pics below is called 374 Blackest Black.
Now, this stuff is designed to create a very distinct lash look — thick, clumpy, kind of wet and glossy.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, and I can see why, as it’s a little costume-ish and not very natural.
But I dig clumpy lash looks from time to time. I think they can look runway/high fashion, particularly when paired with the right cattitude and accessories…and when you’re also wearing other makeup that makes sense to wear with clumpy lashes (I like white liner on the bottom water line and bright lips).
Here’s the thing, though: I’ll only “go there” if, and only if, it comes with excellent curl hold.
Unfortunately, with Miss Manga, I get a sad panda droop within minutes. 🙁
The formula makes up for it a bit in other areas, like the volume, which is alright, and resistance to smudging, but waaa! — the wimpy curl hold is basically a deal-breaker for me.
Curled lashes > purposefully clumpy lashes, any day.
PRICE: $7.99, available in three shades
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores, Ulta and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: C (decent volume and no smudging, but unacceptable curl hold)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Would love to try this out! I have a natural curl and love a slightly clumpy look! Ironically this isn’t available in Japan 😐
Well, I think I’m going to try the waterproof version of this. I already love waterproof mascara, and the volume is up my alley!
Interesting! I love this mascara…I don’t need to curl my lashes at all anymore, no smudging either!
First of all – loved the blogpost title! I also have Miss Manga and have mixed feelings about it. It does smudge on me a little (but most mascaras do) and sometimes I find the clumpiness difficult to work with!
I have the purple one, and I was incredibly disappointed. It’s basically black/incredibly dark purple, and it’s very thick and goopy. Apparently the blue one is rather nice, though!
I love this mascara. I use the waterproof version. It doesn’t clamp on me and I love the length it gives my lashes.
This looks like a nice mascara though! It doesn’t give much curl but your lashes still look very pretty
I think it looks good because it seems to enhance your lashes. I’d be ok with my lashes drooping bc I have waaaay too much curl in my lashes already. And I am always after extra volume. 🙂
My lashes have some natural curl to them but about half of the mascaras on the market make my lashes droop so I’ll steer clear of this one!
I’m so glad that you reviewed this!
It’s really helpful to me.
Funny how it won’t hold a curl for you. Miss Manga is one of the few that does actually hold a curl ALL day long for me (the only other one is Dior It-Lash)!
Yeah, I’ve read mixed reviews about this one. I really like how they’re marketing this mascara but I don’t think it’s for me.
This isn’t my favorite mascara in the world. I bought it because of the packaging and my silly dreams of looking like I have anime eyes. But it’s mediocre. I use it on days I wear minimal makeup and don’t want to waste my good mascara 🙂
http://www.mishmoshmakeup.com
This is actually my HG mascara now! It’s not clumpy for me at all and gives me tons of lashes. The only problem for me is I can’t get easily to the very outer corner of my lashes, which is a problem since my lashes are a light brown/blonde color 🙁
I’ve been using this in rotation with my other mascaras – it is very dramatic, and the curl factor is ok for me because I have naturally curly lashes, but it never occurred to me it would flatten out on someone else. I like this one and will finish out the tube, but it’s not my favorite ever.
hey Karen and other beauty addicts out there…I’m actually looking for a mascara that has more skin care benefits than aesthetic…u know one that will make my lashes soft rather than crunchy and stiff, and one that will promote growth rather than falling lashes :/
would love to hear what you girls are liking in the healthy mascara department. 🙂
PS Karen I think ur lashes look cute with this mascara 😀
I think you should try the waterproof version! Cause this is actually the only mascara that does it for me, and I got it in the waterproof version and it holds my long but limpy eyelashes from 7:30 AM to pass 10 PM no joke.
I absolutely looooove this mascara!
The upside is that I think this looks much better on you than in the commercial (which just screams Clockwork Orange to me). It’s actually pretty wearable-looking in your pics. I prefer a different lash look for myself but I don’t think it’s as polarizing as it looks in the ads.