I gotta hand it to the cooks in Clarins’ kitchen. They consistently cook up fun mascaras for their seasonal collections (remember the teal terror?).
This time they went all sparkly on us with limited edition Wonder Volume Mascara in Black Reflections ($24), from the Palazzo d’Oro holiday collection.
First I was afraid; I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never liiiive without you by my side. But I spent so many nights, thinking how you did me wrong, I grew strong. I learned how to carry on!
Sorry about that… Gloria Gaynor moment. 🙂
What I mean to say was, at first I expected Black Reflection to be too glittery for me. While it’s a traditional black mascara, Clarins really loaded it with silver shimmer.
But I think Clarins did something remarkably well with it that makes it doable for a range of daytime looks.
Hold me closer, tiny glitter!
They milled and milled and milled! The glitter bits in Black Reflections are so tiny and elegant — no disco diva glitter here — that some folks may not even notice at first glance. Upon closer inspection, however, the glitter dances and shimmers in the light.
This is what I call *really good glitter.*
I usually reach for black mascaras (more often than tinted ones), but sometimes I find myself wanting a little something extra — exactly the times I think Black Reflections will come in handy.
Nekkid lashes
One layer
Two layers
More stuff to love about Black Reflections…
- Smooth and non-clumpy formula
- Excels at thickening and plumping
- Holds a curl from my lash curler all day long
- Glossy finish
- Doesn’t easily smudge
- Easy to remove, washing off with most any cleanser and water
The not-so-hot…
- Great as a thickening mascara, but just average in the lash lengthening and separating departments
- Not the best layering mascara. I maxed out at three coats, and beyond that looked clumpy.
- Expensive at $24, but cost is typical for a Clarins mascara
LOVE the glitter and gloss, but I only like the length and separation. I can see myself reaching for Black Reflections when a basic black mascara just won’t hit the spot. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Look out, weekend!
Ahh… Aren’t shortened workweeks the best? Even if you had to put in some hours workin’ for the man today, I hope you still got to take it easy.
What are you doing this weekend? After two straight weeks of Mad Men, I’m two episodes away from the end of the third season, no!
I think I might watch the last two while I paint my toenails with the NARS Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Set. Exciting, I know! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hm… the sparkles look so pretty when swatched on the hand, but when its on the lashes, it looks kind of clumpy. This is a pass for me =(
I guess it would just be easier to put glitter bits on the lashes after mascara =D
.-= Sheila’s last blog post… I ⤠free Guerlain, Clinique and Clarins =-.
Hey Sheila,
Hmmm, I would probably stay away from that. You never know if glitter is eyesafe…
Eye glitter + Katie = Bad Combo.
There is nothing that irritates my super-sensitive, contact lens wearing peepers than glitter. It’s such a pretty swatch too….:sobs:
Did you ever notice there is absolutely nothing on television on Thanksgiving? Zena and I camped at home (avoided that awful dining room, yay!) and I ended up having to pop in a movie after I watched the last of the House marathon on USA, the news, Wheel of Fortune (still kicked all those contestants butts by guessing the answers long before they did except the very last puzzle) AND A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. That was after we decided to take a two-hour nap. Thanksgiving = bad television!
Ha! Funny you should mention that. We ended up watching a show on Animal Planet (“Awesome Pawsome 2”) and some random Star Trek movies.
I have yet to venture into shimmer mascaras, maybe I will try the cover girl lash blast ones before test driving the higher end ones.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Dior Night Butterfly Palette 173 with Medusa’s Makeup Lipgloss in Gossip Redux =-.
Hmm, let know if you like ’em!
Well, I figure this is not for us contact lens wearers, right?
Natalie,
It depends. Some contact lens wearers aren’t irritated by glitters and some are. I’m one who’s eyes get very irritated with glitters. Optometrists (aka eye doctors) will tell you not to wear glitters with contact lenses as glitters can scratch the lens, make them uncomfortable or really irritate the eyes.
I wear contacts and it doesn’t bother me; I think it depends on the person. The box doesn’t say anything about the product not being eye safe for contact wearers, so I think it just depends on the individual.
Well I can see the glitter only after the second coat. I want from a mascara also length and not only curled lashes and volume.
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals – Spring 2010 Collection =-.
Yeah, this might not be fore you if you want something that seriously lengthens.
aww that’s the right amount of glitter for a mascara! Nice!
But it makes me angry to see a Clarins in the us costs as much as a stupid L’oreal here in my country. Soo unfair T_T
.-= maryinwonder’s last blog post… Eyeko Pretty Magic Eyes Set =-.
Yikes! That’s crazy!
Hmm don’t the glitters distract your vision? o.0
-meream
.-= All Women Stalker’s last blog post… 2 Die 4: OndadeMar Funky Coverup … =-.
LOL… not really!
I’ve always wanted a glitter mascara, but I’d never stumbled across one I really like – this one might do the trick though! I’d love a little more length and separation, but I’d be willing to give that up for some really awesome glitter 😉
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Too Faced To Go Pocket Palette swatches & review =-.
If you want really IN YOUR FACE glitter then this might not be for you. It’s *very* subtle.
i think the mascara defines well but doesn’t lengthen enough for me…
.-= BlovetBeauty’s last blog post… Funny Videos & ZOE’s Gifts 🙂 =-.
Yeah, it’s just “okay” in that department. I suppose you could try layering it with a lengthening mascara.
karen – my local cosmetic counter didn’t have this item in stock 🙁 so i wandered around aimlessly…checking out the mascaras from the other counters and stumbled across the lancome…not only did they have a glittery mascara, but they had one that’s royal blue base with gold flecks – i heart it 🙂 have you come across this yet?