If “just because it’s [INSERT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK]” is a good enough reason for you to wear sequins and four-inch heels, allow me to introduce you to your next mascara, the new Better Than Sex Mascara from Too Faced Cosmetics.
Yeah, I giggle whenever I say the name, like my mom just asked me what mascara I’m wearing and all I can do is grin from ear to ear, giggle maniacally and hold up the pink tube. “Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh…” 🙂
Seriously, the last time I said the word “sex” to my mother was in sixth grade, when I had to get her to sign my permission slip for sex ed, and I still have not recovered from that trauma.
What you need to know
- Contains a film-forming polymer for smudge-proof, all-day wear
- Includes acacia senegal tree extract to nourish, thicken and lock curls into position
- Contains carbon black pigments and peptides for the deepest, most intense black possible
- Too Faced says it took them two years to perfect the formula
- Specializes in adding lash length and separation
- Takes some babying to maintain the curl
- Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s bombshell curves
Speaking of bombshells, that’s how this mascara makes me feel, but conveying that in pics is easier said than done. Sh*t ain’t easy when you’re trying to channel yo’ sexy and trigger a remote control camera shutter at the same time. Get the timing wrong, and this is what happens…
But the mascara, it does a great job, thanks in large part to its cool, curvy brush.
It’s kind of the business.
See how the bristles are longer at the ends than they are in the middle? Like an hourglass?
Little in the middle but she got much back!
Sorry… I really need to stop quoting Baby Got Back in casual conversation.
So, the brush, it hugs the curve of your lid, separating, coating and curling each lash for an absolutely lovely, unique lash look. I’ve been wearing 2-3 coats.
Can you see how my lashes in the middle look a little longer than the ones on the sides?
Neat, yeah? I’m pretty sure it’s the brush.
I have some false lashes that do something similar, but I don’t think I’ve ever found a mascara with the same effect.
It’s nice. I like being able to get the look without having to mess with glue and/or risk ruining my cat eye liner. 🙂
The dense bristles also carry a lot of product, which makes this great for quickly building volume and length.
Almost too quickly! If I forget myself for a minute and apply too much too soon, the curl from my Shu Uemura lash curler relaxes.
As long as I remember to swipe the brush against a clean paper towel to remove the excess from the bristles, no harm, no foul. I also make sure I wait for each layer to dry before applying the next one. Doing both helps save the curl.
Something else I like about this mascara is that you don’t actually have to channel your inner bombshell in the traditional pinup girl sense to wear it.
I think it would look just as good outside with utility cargo shorts and Tevas as it would look on a biker babe (or a cat lady, ahem!). Whatever your style, your lashes will look pretty bangin’ in Better Than Sex. Flirty, long, separated, lightweight and lifted, and not smudgy or flaky at all.
I do have to warn you, though, that you might feel a lot like Marilyn when you wear it. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to draw a mole next to your lip, or bat your lashes at the hunky bartender with the French accent when your date isn’t looking.
You may even be tempted to crawl across satin sheets like a leopard and sing “Happy birthday, Mr. President” in a breathy voice.
Just sayin’… 🙂
The adorable Jerrod Blandino, Creative Director of Too Faced Cosmetics, talks about Better Than Sex mascara
If that happens, just roll with it, and chalk it up to Better Than Sex. 😉
Better Than Sex comes in one shade, a dark carbon black, coming soon to Too Faced counters and toofacedcosmetics.com.
PRICE: $23
AVAILABILITY: Coming this fall to the Too Faced Cosmetics permanent line
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A/A- (takes a little babying to maintain the curl)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Got a travel size of this from Sephora that I’ve been using for the past few days and I am in LOVE! I have a hard time getting my lashes to show up behind my glasses, and this does a great job of making them noticeable.
Hi Heidi,
Awesome! I love that your makeup bag these days is stuffed with Too Faced. 🙂
Hi to Missy. Tabs has been extra feisty because of the weather. Tabby wants out!!
Oh, yeah, some Too Faced things have definitely won me over. Can’t imagine life without the eye pencils.
Missy is being more of a drama queen than usual due to the heat. Very whiney and can’t decide where to park herself to stay cool. Poor baby.
So, I just found out today that Santa Rosa is opening up a full-size Sephora this weekend at our downtown mall. Up until now we’ve just had the mini-Sephora in the JC Penney’s, which is okay, but doesn’t have nearly the inventory of a regular Sephora. Girl, you gotta get up here! The mall that Sephora is opening up in is about a block away from our awesome cupcake place!
UM… SOLD. How about lunch soon? 😀
i’ve seen this mascara in my promo e-mails from sephora (and i think ulta?). i was slightly curious, but not, at the same time. i have a difficult time wearing mascara because i’m low maintenance, and usually put my make up on in the morning, and just blot throughout the day, no touch ups. (the horror at the end of the day, i know!) but with your review, i may just give this a try! is it fairly easy to remove, or do i need to add the eye make-up remover to my evening face washing routine?
thanks, again, for a catchy, informative post! you’re so convincing 🙂
Hi Camille,
It’s easy to remove. I just use my usual Neutrogena Gentle Cleanser.
I don’t need a new mascara right now, but I’m lemming for it solely because of the name.
“You’re blush is so pretty, what are you wearing?”
“Orgasm.”
“Uh, okay.. what about your mascara?”
“Better Than Sex.”
“Uhh, I see.”
Hah.
Don’t forget NARS’ sex machine on the lips! Lol.
Or MAC Lust MSF on the cheeks. 😉
Boom-chicka-wah-wah!
Me too! I’m always a sucker for nice packaging and cheeky names.
It looks great! Bold but not clumpy. I usually don’t wait between coats so maybe that’s why my curl never holds.
Hi Shev,
I find it really helps to lock the curl in to wait. I usually do the first layer when I start applying my eye makeup, that way I don’t have to wait for it to dry.
I am in love with the name of this mascara!! ! I wonder if you can get it here in the UK?
At the moment – Benefit’s They’re Real is doing if for me read here http://bit.ly/14nVcGw
BUT I totally want this to try! *prays it will be in the UK* I’m off to check! 🙂
KimmyX
Hi Kimmy,
Hmm, I’m not sure. Do you guys currently receive the Too Faced line?
Hi Karen,
Alas – not really! Asos carries some of their lines but not all – I might have to get it shipped over with a friend OR (husband are you reading?) we go to the states for a lovely little holiday!
I vote B. 🙂
Thanks again,
Kim
This looks nice. I’ve been a bit bored with some of my current mascaras and I used to LOVE Too Faced’s Lashgasm mascara!
Hi Danielle,
Have you tried their Better Than False Lashes? It’s a little bit of work, but if you like big lashes it’s great too.
That is a cheeky name! I don’t know if I’m confident enough to pull this out of my purse!
Hi Sarah,
LOL, yes, it’s very cheeky. 🙂
Your posts are so awesome, Karen. Thanks for the sexy piccie laugh this morning. Don’t ever change, gurl!
Hi Anastasia,
Thanks babe! Hope you’re having a lovely Tuesday so far. 🙂 Got any plans for the long weekend ahead?
I love to see people get so passionate about make up! He’s a great spokesman for his brand 🙂 This definitely makes me want to try it out, hopefully they’ll come out with a sample size…
Hi Lauren,
I’ve interviewed him in person, and he’s just as fun in real life. 🙂 Are you a Too Faced fan, too?
If this is better than sex, I think you’re doing it wrong. These results don’t look too impressive to me, especially with multiple coats. For such a name, I would expect more!
LOL, agreed! Nothing better if you’re doing it right 🙂 I thought the mascara looked good on Karen, my problem is always the raccoon effect under my eyes, which I absolutely hate. I have been having great luck with Laura Mercier’s Long Lash mascara, but would be willing to try the Too Faced when my tube is done.
Based on what you say about the impressive formula, I’d give it a try if it came in a sample size. But I am not seeing the hourglass shape. I am spoiled with my Urban Decay Lush Lash wand. Now that thing is hourglass sexy! It makes putting on mascara so easy I can do it without a mirror.
Quoting Baby Got Back in casual conversation is totally acceptable.
Gorgeous lashes! I need to be on the lookout for a good mascara for my upcoming nuptials (I set a date less than three months from the day we decided… I like a challenge!)
How can a mascara be better than sex????
I just don’t get their marketing ploy 😉
Totally cool! I have lash issues… short stubby blonde… they suck. Bad Gal was always good to me. And Dior… of course but recently I’ve been using Chantecaille… SO SO GOOD!
I got the jumbo sample size of this mascara but it’s not my favorite. I guess I prefer a more natural look. This made my lashes a clumpy matted mess.