I just love thickening mascaras that plump threadbare lashes, boo. 🙂
Say “hi” to MAC’s Opulash Mascara in Bad, Bad, Black ($14). It’s exclusive to Nordstrom stores for now, but it’ll be rolling out to other MAC counters soon.
With Opulash, MAC is venturing into totally tubular Clinique Lash Power/DiorShow territory. I’m sure you remember DiorShow, but how about Clinique Lash Power? With its “tubes” of mascara that surround each lash? Opulash also coats with tubes of mascara, and despite how long lasting it is, it still washes right off with nothing but warm water; no extra eye makeup remover required.
To remove it, I wet a cotton pad with warm water, hold it against an eye for a few seconds, and then gently slide down the length of the lash. It takes about three swipes to do a good job, but it’s a lot easier than having to bust out another remover.
The way it’s removed is pretty cool, but by far I think Opulash’s strongest point is how well it plumps up the volume from root to tip — and not just near the base (I’m talking to you, Givenchy Phenom Eyes!).
The even distribution and over-sized brush head remind me of Dior’s $24 DiorShow.
Nekkid lashes!
Back to removal for a sec, but I was really surprised by how well Opulash stays put considering how it comes off so easily with warm water. No smudging or flaking, and it’s cry-resistant, too. That is to say I had a minor PMS-induced episode last weekend, and Opulash handled it with style and grace.
Opulash has a long list of faboo things going for it and only a few minor drawbacks I’ve detected so far…
One layer
The biggest one for me? How quickly it dries. We’re talking f a s t. Like TOO fast. Lashes stiffen within a minute of application, making it tough to brush through them between layers if I dillydally at all.
Speaking of layers, two seems to be the sweet spot; more than two and my lashes start to clump and get crispy.
Two layers
I think curl hold could also be improved… Opulash straightens a lash curler curl ever-so-slightly.
Three layers
All told, I’d say Opulash’s positives vastly outweigh my minor quibbles with the product, and I’m a big fan of the $14 price. If you crave volume with plenty of BOOM-BOOM-POW!, keep MAC Opulash in mind. 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
You might like MAC Opulash if…
- You want more lash volume
- You’re already a fan of DiorShow
- You want a mascara that lasts all day long without flaking or smudging
- You want something that’s easy to remove
- You don’t mind having to apply multiple layers quickly (before it dries)
Birthday fun!
I wanted to share a few snapshots from yesterday’s birthday fun with the fam in the East Bay.
I consumed a ridonkulous amount of food, but that’s par for the course at a family gathering.
And in the years since I left home, my old room morphed into my mom’s closet!
Since my dad loves gadgets, we got him this Jabra Cruiser thing. It’s a Bluetooth speaker phone for the car, so he can stop tempting fate every time he takes a call while driving.
As soon as El Hub told Dad that a lot of police officers use the same model, we saw his eyes light up, ha!
I always have a hard time buying gifts for dudes, but the Jabra ($69 from Costco) seemed to go over pretty well.
Anywho, how’s Monday coming along?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Before you jet, beauty lover, check out the home page for more makeup reviews. 🙂
Looks like Opulash is worth a try. I admit I am a mascara hoor and have 5 open at the moment. Once I find an HG, there’s anew one coming out I must have!
The food looks delish–Happy Birthday to your dad!
No kidding, I’m the same way! I’m always on the hunt for the next best one, LOL!
Which ones are you loving right now?
The mascara sounds promising. I wonder how it compare to other tubular mascaras like Blinc.
I tried Blinc a few years ago and wasn’t wow-ed by it. This one offers much more volume.
Wow, the results look great! The party looked like fun too. Btw, love that lamp in your mother’s/your room 🙂
Ha ha, I refer to my old room as “The Storage Closet.”
hey karen! how does this compare to plushlash?
.-= Erica’s last blog post… goldenGrey Sunday =-.
Hi Erica,
This one’s definitely smoother and less clumpy. I think the pigment’s darker, too.
I purchased Opulash yesterday and loooooveee the metal tube! So pretty! But I do agree with you on the curl. It totally defeats the purpose of using my Shu Uemura curler. My lashes are back to being straight after a few coats of Opulash BUT I think one trick is since the formula is so quickdrying, just hold your lashes up with the brush until it’s almost dry. Then let go. I played around with it for a while last night . Maybe that’ll help hold your curl. It did for mine, just ever so slightly.
Hi HC,
Ahh, good thinking! I’ll give that a try next time I wear this.
I’ve heard awful things about MAC mascaras however this one looks pretty good. The price isn’t too bad too. =)
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Quote of the Week #4 =-.
Hi Sarah,
Some of ’em are just a’ight, but the last two they released are pretty good. Have you heard of their Studio Fix Lash? It’s pretty new, and I like it a lot. If you want a link to the review let me know.
Oooh, that looks nice! When I called my Nordie’s MAC counter to have them hold something for me (yes, they know me by name now! I think I have made it in the makeup world!), the makeup artist told me about Opulash. Wasn’t sure how I would like it, because I have heard the MAC mascaras aren’t the best in the world, but I’ll definitely check it out! Thanks for sharing a big Happy Birthday to your dad!
Hi Toni,
Yes, you’ve made it! I bet they call you at home to give you the scoop on events too, huh?
And thank you for the bday wishes! 🙂
ooooooh is that a goldilocks cake!!!!
My thoughts exactly! And it’s a choco roll with a gigantic chocolate biscuit at the end, too! (Heh, Pinay side showing – I don’t call ’em “cookies” when they look like that.) Now I feel like going to Goldilocks 😉
Topic: Yay new mascara! I’m unimpressed by most tube mascaras, since I usually like to have full lashes… but this looks like a winner. 🙂
.-= meimei’s last blog post… Monthly Favorites: April Edition =-.
Hi Cecille and Meimei,
It does, doesn’t it? It’s an ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins… although we’ve had those Goldilocks cakes for family celebrations and they ROCK. Now I’m craving one, hee!
Omg that food looks ridiculously good! I hope your Dad had an awesome birthday!
p.s. I really am thinking about trying Opulash! I’ve never tried a MAC mascara but since they’re only slightly more expensive than drugstore brands I’m willing to give it a test run. Can’t wait!
Hi Julbra,
It was great… a very relaxing Sunday and a fun get-together.
Have you noticed that drugstore mascaras seem to be getting more expensive? I feel like in the last year or so they’ve really upped the price!
Very pretty! I have yet to try any tubing mascaras so this might be my first!
Your birthday party photos made me crave salad rolls~~ D:
.-= Angela’s last blog post… wishlist wednesday: nars so famous set =-.
Hi Angela,
They’re pretty cool. Some are kinda hard to remove, but this one’s really easy.
Wow…. considering I have a raging addiction to mascaras, you have just completely sold me. I NEED this mascara now! =)
Mmmmm… that food looks yuuuuumy!
.-= YJ’s last blog post… Can’t live without ’em… =-.
Hi YJ,
We share a similar addiction, then. What mascaras are your current faves?
Ok, Karen. You talked me into it! I am gonna stop by Nordy’s after work and pick one up. Of course, it doesn’t help that I drive by Nordy’s on the way home everyday 🙂 My under eye area is usually a little oily from my eye cream and cream concealer. So I hope this tubular mascara won’t smudge on it.
Hi Jay,
I used to live five minutes away from a Nordstrom… it was dangerous! 🙂
Good luck with the mascara, and please let me know what you think of it!
You’ve praised a couple of the MAC mascaras recently – I may need to get a hold of one!
Hi Kypris,
Both this and Studio Fix Lash are really great! Do you know which one your leaning toward?
You have special powers, Karen, I know you do! You actually made me want this mascara, no not want, need! I need this! It looks great! I don’t really like Dior Show cos it flakes and smudges on me…and I’ve tried the Clinique mascara but had a difficult time taking it off for some reason – though my sister loves it!
Have you tried Lancome Hypnose? That’s one I fell in love with, and I’d love to know how it compares to Opulash. 😀
.-= Marce’s last blog post… FOTD: 20’s Pin-Up =-.
Hi Marce,
I have tried Hypnose. Are you wanting to know how it compares to the old school one or the new Drama version (I’ve tried both)?
wow fresh lumpia! That’s an interesting cake roll too!
I always get smudges under my eyes when i use mascara 🙁
Hi Michelle,
Argh, I hate unwanted smudging. Do you wipe the brush head against a tissue before applying (it removes excess product)? It’s an extra step, but it helps remove the smudges from most mascaras!
omg, i had one of those porcelain dolls with my birthstone on the flower. i think it’s still at my mom’s…
Hi Rosie,
That’s too funny! You gotta look for it next time you go home and send me a pic. 🙂
I kid you not, my mom has the exact same figurine of the girl in the blue dress in the last picture. She had a matching one in pink too. =/
Hi Jeanie,
Oh that’s cool! I hope hers isn’t missing an arm like mine, LOL!
Fresh lumpia and pancit! My favs! (I’m a white girl married to a Filipino).
I looooooooooooove tube mascara, ever since Blinc first came out. I really like Imju Fiberwig but it lacks a tiny bit in the volume department. Looks like I need to get my hands on Opulash! I’m a total mascara junkie.
Hi Snoopysteph,
Haaay, someone knows their Pinoy cuisine. 🙂
Looks like I’m the last person on earth to try Imju Fiberwig, sigh. How does it do with lengthening?
Eh, it’s so-so. It’s good if you don’t necessarily need the “wowza” factor for your lashes every day. It doesn’t clump at all and 2 coats is all you need. I’d say it’s better at definition than lengthening or volumizing.
My father-in-law made the best fresh lumpia ever. And my accounting clerk’s fried lumpia is so addicting that he’s only allowed to bring it to work when it’s somebody’s birthday. Otherwise I might turn into one big fried lumpia, lol!
.-= snoopysteph’s last blog post… 2 Years Old! =-.
I love those tubey mascaras! And this definitely has a friendly price tag. Wish I was near a Nordstrom, sigh… oh, the drawbacks of living in Montana.
I once got the Imju fiberwig mascara from Sephora, and found that it did really well when layered over another mascara (the removal was still crazy easy, amazingly enough…) and I absolutely LOVED it. However, I really can’t justify owning two different types of mascara at the same time. I’m religious about replacing my tube every 3 months or less, and I don’t like spending a lot of money on a regular expenditure like that.
btw, my room at my parent’s house is a TOTAL s***show now. It’s crazy what’s all piled up in there since I moved out!
Hi Shannon,
I’ve heard good things about Fiberwig and have been meaning to take it for a spin… I just get so easily distracted by new stuff coming out, ya know?
Is your old room now straight up storage like mine?
It’s sort of become the burial grounds for random objects throughout the house. It still has a bunch of my & my sister’s old clothes, random makeup bits, dolls, etc.,and then there’s a bunch of stuff that was my grandma’s, some roof shingling (no joke)… it’s sort of a war zone. My mom wouldn’t let me go in there alone last time I was home, lol!
Wow thats a lot of great lookin’ food! 🙂
Im interested in that mascara … but am torn now between that and the YSL … Decisions decisions ….
Hi Nina,
Oh, it was so tasty! Now I gotta work off what I ate on the treadmill, oy!
As for the mascaras, both are pretty solid performers. The big difference between the two (besides price) would have to be curl hold, as YSL one holds the curl slightly better. Dunno if that’s an issue for you, but that might be something to consider.
Happy Birthday, btw! What are you doing to celebrate?
I have stick straight, kinda longer in length lashes. They arent thick though. So it would be nice to have both volume and curl because I cannot for the life of me do a false eyelash. I should make a decision soon because I will most probably grab a tube this Friday.
Thanks for the boitday shoutout! 🙂
Hubs and I went to The Melting Pot. It was good and deceptive – we had these tiny morsels of food and we kept dipping and nomming … before we knew it, we were so full we could have fallen asleep on the booth! The chocolate fondue was beyond awesome. And yep, gotta work it off today!
Looks like Opulash is something I want to try because I really like Diorshow.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Once and Again NOTD with American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Office =-.
Hi Amy,
Have you tried DiorShow in different colors? I was looking at the Sephora website today and was sorely tempted by the blue shade.
I’m so glad MAC keeps their mascara prices low for the quality, and they have such a nice selection too. the food looks delish and good call on the present 🙂
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Go Fresh and Conquer =-.
Hi Karen,
Would love to try this Opulash the volume is powerful! currently using Clinique lash power volumizing mascara. Think this Opulash will have a better effect on the Clinique ones. Do you have any recommendation on curling mascara?
i’ve never been into mac mascaras before, but this one sounds like a mascara soulmate for me! i don’t mind the fast drying time too much, since i’m usually to lazy to bust out a lash comb anyway 😛
Hi! I love your blog! Can I just say this is my “daily habit”? I also love that we have the same skin color. By any chance are you filipina? I see you have pancit and lumpia on the table, so I’m just taking a guess.
How would you compare to Chanel – I was thinking of trying this – I have Studio Lash but prefer the Plushlash over Studio. I took advantage of Saks F&F last week & bought Chanel Exceptionnel but haven’t tried it yet. I have tried Diorshow but the bush seems so long – it didn’t feel good in my hand?
I am an absolute MAC lover!! I can’t wait to buy this mascara. I am so happy that I found your blog! I found this great site called EventNow (www.eventnow.com) when I was looking for makeup artists. The site actually matched me with 3 make up people in my area right away after 2-3 minutes of filling in the details of what I was looking for. I recommend checking it out if you are planning any kind of party or (like me) getting married and looking for a great make up person who uses my favorite make up!!
The cake looks sooo good! The Happy Birthday plates were super cute too! 🙂 I think I may have to try the opulash mascara…..
I am definitely going to try Opulash once we get it over here. Mmm, veggie rolls & pancit 🙂
.-= Christy’s last blog post… Make Up For Ever One Too Many HD Microfinish Cream Blush Review & Swatches =-.
OMG – my mom did that same thing to me after I moved out. Turned my old room into her shoe closet!
How would you compare this to GA’s Eyes that Kill mascara? I’m interested in this MAC one soley based on the price tag but if it can compete just as well as the famed Armani mascara at $30 a pop then I may give this MAC Opulash a try. I’m already a fan the Plushlash. Wasn’t completely moved by Diorshow though…
The jury is out on this one hahaha
Oh! I loooove tubing mascaras as my lashes make even waterproof mascaras shiver… I *must* give this a try! 🙂
Is it limited edition? I hate falling in love with LE items… 🙁
Lastly, I miss the Nordies at the WestField Centre in SF… waaaaaaaaah :'(
As a mascara junkie, I may have to try Opulash. I recently bought Plushlash and I love it…
.-= Tiffany’s last blog post… Celeb Style =-.
Hey Karen, what’s the best curling mascara you’ve found? I may still try Opulash for the volume which I need, but I’d like some curl power with it!!
Three words: I want it… I want it… I want it..
Ok… I said it 3 times. This is one of the most exciting products in a while, although I’m sure there are some drugstore products that might do the same thing =P.
Anyway, I’ve always want to try out MAC masacara, I guess Opulash will be a great start. I’m waiting for it to be available at MAC counters!!!
Are the stuffed animals yours? :p
.-= Rica’s last blog post… MAC Haulage… again… I’m a bad girl… =-.
Gah. They’ve answered my prayers and created a tubing mascara. Thanks for the review, Karen!
Thanks Karen. I will def be purchasing opulash. I was gonna pass but since its tubular im on it. thanks!
What are those noodle dishes pictured? They look absolutely delicious!!
I bought Opulash from Nordstrom and it is worth every penny. I was a big fan of LeGrand Curl from Loreal. After it was discontinued, I did not find anything like it. I am going back to buy 2 more for backups. I do not know if it is going to be discontinued as well.
Anyone know how this compares to Imju fiberwig? Thats my current HG tubing mascara but this is way cheaper!!
hi there! got a hold of Opulash a few weeks ago and am loving it. I have tried the Blinc Kiss Me mascara and was not impressed. I am blond and normally dye my lashes, so I expect a lot of my mascaras. Blinc did not add volume and made my lashes stick together, yuck:-( it also flaked when I rubbed my eyes. It did come off easily tough. I have tried it with my favourite brush and it made a difference. When I tried to change brushes permanently it appeared that Blinc has cut corners and the brush can not be taken out, it’s molded. very disappointing:-(
Back to Opulash. After Blinc I decided to give Opulash a go. I love it! it adds volume and length just as I need it. comes off easily and stays put after a nap. I love the brush. Plus it works with my “1000 hours heated curler” like a dream. My lashes virtually touch my brow bone 🙂 I will possibly try the others at some point but not until I run out of this one:-D