L’Oreal wants you to “millionize your lashes,” and I guess they’re just assuming you’ll know what that means.
Go on, millionize them! I dare you. 🙂
If you’re confused, so was I when I heard the slogan for L’Oreal’s new Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara ($9).
Would I grow a million new lashes if I used it? Because if so that sounds like potentially too many… Or would my lashes grow in volume by a million times?
And why stop at a million anyway? Why not billionize your lashes? Let’s face it… A million just doesn’t go as far as it used to.
Overlooking 1) the silly slogan that doesn’t tell me anything about the product and 2) the fact that I’m a total word weirdo who obsesses over turns of phrase, I really tried to keep an open mind when I took Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black out for a test drive.
The first thing I noticed about it: great brush. You know how some mascara brushes just don’t know when to stop? They grab too much product. Well, this one gets it right. I don’t even feel like I have to swipe it against a paper towel to remove any excess before applying.
How is that possible, you might ask? The Clean-Sweep Wiper System, BAM! The brush passes through a “web-like structure” and comes out of the tube loaded with the right amount of product for a single layer.
The Clean-Sweep part of the brush is cool, but so is the brush itself. It’s easy to use, and the formula’s pretty good too. No smearing, smudging or flaking for a full day, while at the end of the day it remains easy to remove (soap and water will do; it’s not waterproof).
In how L’Oreal bills Million Lashes Mascara — as a volumizing lash definer — I’d say it’s a bit above average (but not as awesome as $30 YSL Faux Cils). I’d probably like it more if it delivered thicker lashes, especially at the base.
And with layers beyond the first, it begins to clump. Two layers seems to be the sweet spot; anything beyond that looks more and more like a bumpy mess.
Voluminous Million Lashes is a pretty basic volumizing mascara with an overachiever’s name. I do like the smooth, smudge-free formula and the absence of flakes, and if you’re looking for moderately thicker lashes and a drugstore-caliber price, you might want to give it a try. 🙂
PRICE: $9
AVAILABILITY: Available in Black, Blackest Black and Black Brown at drugstores and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I might have to give this one a try. Looks not bad I must say. Neat brush too. L’Oreal’s mascaras are not bad.
I’m on a mascara kick right now. Just got Sephora’s LashStash Mascara Sampler so I got a few to try out now!
Hi Tracy,
Yeah, some of them are good. Years ago I used to love Carbon Black.
Which mascaras are you lovin’ from the LashStash Sampler?
I really love the Josie Maran Gogo one–I’m escited to try the Hourglass one next!
I really love the Josie Maran Gogo one–I’m excited to try the Hourglass one next!
Oh, is it the Film Noir one?
Yes it is! Have you tried it?
Yup, here’s the review I did in September:
It Would Be a Crime to Keep Hourglass Film Noir Mascara Away from Your Fringe
The best drugstore mascara I’ve tried so far is the L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. It needs a good swipe on a paper towel sometimes, but I just love it. It gives me mega volume, seriously! 🙂
I want to love Carbon Black, but I have tried it two or three times and it smears and migrates like a mofo — even the waterproof! I’ve never had a regular tube of Voluminous behave that badly.
Hmm, did you try swiping the brush off first?
Nah, I apply it the same way I apply the regular formula, but I don’t know how that would make a difference. I think it’s an issue of the formula’s oil solubility.
Got it. I think it’s interesting how mascaras behave differently with different people. I still have yet to figure out why there’s so much hype around Maybelline Great Lash. It smudges like CRAZY on me.
I hate Maybelline Great Lash! On me it never dried and it smears like nothing I’ve ever experienced before or since. I really like The Falsies, though, and Avon has some really nice formulas, too
That’s an old school fave of mine. I haven’t used it in years though…
I HATE maybelline great lash. It’s clumps a lot on me too! I always wondered why it’s been hyped about so much? Amber, maybe you could try the carbon black with a lash primer on, I am yet to try the water proof version though 🙂
NO KIDDING! Even the waterproof version smears like crazy along my lower lash line. Come to think of it, I don’t think I know anybody who actually loves it…
For the longest time I felt like I was the only one who couldn’t stand Great Lash. Everyone else seems to love it. I think it’s the worst thing I ever tried.lol.
Glad to know someone else hates it.
Dude, I can’t stand that mascara. I tried to love it too…
Omg me too! I couldn’t figure out what all the hype was about. It didn’t seperate my lashes at all and made them look like an awful, spikey mess, even with my wiggle technique. And it smudged like crazy (I have dry skin, too)!
I threw it away after just one use.
Did you use the regular one or the waterproof one?
Wha? Weird. But as a lifelong Voluminous user, I will probably try it. Too bad I *just* bought a new tube yesterday!
It’s kinda random, right?
I’m betting you’ll probably like this one. 🙂
Tangent: I recently got minis of Bad Gal from Sephora, and that brush is so big I felt like I was applying it with a wooly bear! And then I thought ‘Karen would photoshop an awesome picture for this’ and was sad because I’m too lazy to do it myself. 😀
HA HA HA! That would be hilarious! The bear would have to be cute though, LOL!
Reading the ingredient list made me laugh – what does ‘may contain’ mean? They aren’t sure if those ingredients were added to the formula? Did they forget? Lol!
After trying higher end mascaras I don’t think I can ever go back to drugstore brands again.
I’m guessing that’s due to variations in the formula due to color?
The difference I notice most between the drugstore and department store mascara is volume (especially at the base). I’ve yet to find a cheaper mascara that creates the same look I get with YSL Faux Cils or Chanel Exceptionnel… I’m hoping that I can find one someday, though, becaues that would be awesome!
I agree, I’m definitely spoiled with the volume I get from the high-end mascaras I love like DiorShow or DiorShow Extase. I’m all for finding a cheap but excellent mascara though, considering you basically go through a tube every 3 months.
Ah, that makes sense about the “may contain.” 🙂 It still makes me giggle though…
I’ll let you know if I ever find one! The quest has only been going on for, oh, 10 years. LOL!
There’s so much going on with the word situation on this mascara! I’m off to now “millionize my shoe collection.” 🙂
Okay, that “clean-sweep” innovation sounds AWESOME. I’m using (and adoring) Marcelle’s new Power Volume mascara right now, but I hate how the brush comes out with excess product every. single. time. Not having to deal with that would be a *godsend*!
Yeah, the time spent swiping off the brush is time I could be sleeping!
Bought it, using it, I guess I like it… I like the brush (it doesn’t poke the eye!) and it’s really great for definition but goo past two layers & it is super clumpy!
What is with all of these “volumizing” mascaras that do the complete opposite?? GIVE ME WHAT I WANT NOW!!
LOL, for reals! I wonder sometimes if my definition of volume is different… they need to make lashes that are drag queen approved, you know?
I have become obsessed with the new Maybelline Falsies. I have to say that its the new go to mascara for me. I was all into MAC mascaras and needed something in a jiffy with no time to head to the mall, and boy was I surprised. At about 1/3 the cost I now have a new fav!
Hi Mel,
I’ll have to check that one out. I haven’t worn Maybelline mascara in years (mostly ’cause I was traumatized by Great Lash), but if it’s cheap and good I’ll give it a go.
Falsies mascara is AMAZING. I was using Tarte before I discovered it, which is great, but like you said with MAC mascaras, expensive.
Dang you guys! I think I need to get on that train, STAT!
Even better? The falsies mascara’s cheaper than the L’Oreal one(6.99 at Ulta. Plus I work there, so even better.)
NICE. Is it hard to resist the temptation to shop? I’d seriously have a hard time resisting if I worked there!
Price $9 what the heck??? In Finland it costs 18 euros which converted to us dollars is $25!! Not fair! 🙁
Hi Emmi,
Whoa! Yeah, here L’Oreal is considered a drugstore brand. It’s interesting to me how it’s so expensive overseas.
well yeah it actually IS a drugstore brand here too.. so imagine the prices of high end products
wooowww kinda spendy but …. still not as bad as some high end mascaras! i might snag this – if its as good as voluminous, then im sold! 🙂
$9 is much more budget-friendly than a $30 tube of Faux Cils, fo’ sho.
P.S. Guess who’s going to Chipotle for lunch today? LOL
how was lunch???? i had a ham sandwich here @ work … bipolar weather made me afraid to go out! 😀
I still haven’t gone. 🙁 And it’s almost 2. Yes, I’m starving. I’m hoping to go some time before the sun goes down!
Is it raining out your way?
it looked like rain at certain parts of the day … but it didnt pour. i want some rain plzzz!!!
You can have ours, LOL! It’s supposed to come back at the end of the week, boo.
I have been using that mascara for a few weeks now…I LOVE IT! Someone asked me if I had falsh eyelashes on the other day. I can push it to 3 layers without clumps! I have tried Maybelline’s Falsies, it’s nice but flakes on me!
Hi Chantel,
Awesome. I can’t really go past two… things start looking cray-cray!
It seems to look best on the second coat, at least based on your pictures.
And “Millionize.” Lol.
Right? WHAT DOES IT MEAN??
Falsies flaked on me too. I think Walgreens is having a BOGO1/2 on L’Oreal this week so maybe I’ll pick up some of this to try. Every now and then I use Volminous and have tried their plastic brush version but tend to go back to Full-n-Soft for everyday use. Considering how awesome Lancome mascaras are, I’m surprised L’Oreal hasn’t introduced more dupes for those like they have for some of their other products.
Don’t forget to pick up some tinted Carmex while you’re there!
Don’t worry, I didn’t! Went for a post-dinner walk down to Walgreens. Picked up both the pink and the peach. Very glossy, not a waxy balm. Even though it still has that Carmex scent, there isn’t any menthol or camphor to irritate your lips. Nice color for a balm. We’ll see how it wears over the next few days cause my lips could use a little TLC.
Nice. I’m really looking forward to getting a tube (and YAY for no menthol/camphor). Gonna go by tomorrow at lunch if I can get all my stuff done.
Sooo, I have to thank you again for introducing me to the Goody Spin Pins. I got my BFF’s hooked on them too!
Thanks for doing this review – I saw the commercial at lunch today and was like “wha??” I think I’ll stick with CoverGirl Lash Blast as my fave volumizing drugstore brand. It’s the best I’ve found! Otherwise I can’t keep my paws off of BadGal Lash. 🙂
Side note: As I watched that commercial, I wondered to myself for the 100th time: When are they going to ban false lashes from being used in mascara ads, aka false advertising??
Okay, the use of false lashes in mascara commercials irks me to no end. It’s so blatantly fake, you know? I can’t believe that it’s legal.
Exactly!! But at least it keeps me coming to you for REAL reviews. 🙂
Aw, thanks Trude. 🙂
How are things on your end? Have you had the chance to blog about the wedding you shot on the weekend?
I completely agree about the ban on fake lashes!! Didn’t they get Rimmel in trouble a couple of years back for false advertisement with a mascara?? Why can’t it continue?! I saw an ad recently with a girl who did NOT have extra enhancements, and I actually wanted to try that mascara MORE than the others, haha! No photoshopping would be nice, too… hmm.. one can dream..
I have to agree with the whole false lashes in mascara advertisements bit. Does anybody notice for the Maybelline Falsies commercials and ads , they claim ‘no false lashes’, and the model is actually wearing falsies more obviously than most mascara ads? Ironic! Anyway, back to L’oreal’s Voluminous Million Lashes, I have it, and love it! Probably my favorite drugstore mascara right now.
It really, RELLY irks me. I don’t think they should be allowed to sell their product that way — it’s totally misleading.
This sounds like a mascara to pass on, but I totally agree that the brush/wand on mascaras is maybe the most important feature. Diorshow mascara for instance, so many people love it, but the brush is just too big! I don’t get it!
I used to love that brush back in the day. I remember when it was soooo innovative, LOL!
My drugstore fave is still Maybelline XL curls. I’ve tried so many. The non drugstore type I like is fiberwig 24 hour and any of Lancome’s mascaras. I would love to try the YSL Faux cils. $30 donation anyone…
Funny you mention Faux Cils because I’ve been meaning to tell you that I just *might* love it more than Hypnose. I think it will call for a side-by-side comparison, but I’ve been very, very happy with it (and thanks again for the rec). 🙂 Btw, your “Because if so that sounds like potentially too many…” made me LOL!
I agree i hate the misleading adverts too. Styled with lash inserts and enhanced post production. Surely women cant be beind the adverts? I would assume that all women wil want to see what the mascara looks like on its own. Let the product show what it can acheive.
I’ll shut up now lol.
I don’t know who’s behind it, but it’s kind of annoying, isn’t it? I would want to see what the mascara actually looks like IRL, not a set of obviously fake false lashes!
So I finally caved and bought this…how could I resist this packaging? Well…this has been a huge disappointment. I normally use Cover Girl’s Lash Blast mascara and love it, but I’ve previously used Loreal’s Voluminous Lash mascara and loved it as well. Needless to say, and I’m not sure that I’ve ever done this before, I’m tossing this after only a weeks use and moving on. This makes my lashes look thin and cakey. I only do two coats to avoid spider lashes, but they still happen. I also get quite a bit of flaking after a long day at work. Anywho, bummer. Back to Lash Blast!
I bought this product recently because it was on sale and my usual product wasn’t in stock. I hate this product because of the strong perfume smell it has. It literally makes my eyes burn. I’ve used it twice and thrown it away. I found this review because I was looking for a place to complain to L’Oreal about this product. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I loved your review. 🙂 “A basic volumizing mascara with an overachiever’s name.” Tehe!
It didn’t looked any like that on my lashes, it actually looked like om Eva Longoria, OK, I’m exaggerate a bit, but it really does, you have to make zigzagged moves when you’re applay it!