E.L.F. Studio Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara Review

Okay, I know I just posted a review, but I'm too excited about this mascara! If you don't know much about me, you should know I spend an inordinate amount of money on mascara. I have pretty long eyelashes, but they're very blonde and not very thick, so I'm always searching for that magical mascara that will make them nice and curvy and dark and voluminous. It's a lot to ask in a mascara, I know, but I keep searching for that magical combination. I have tried out almost every mascara out there, including the expensive DiorShow mascara and some other higher-end products, and I'm almost always left disappointed. Either they don't even come close to doing what they claim, or they flake, or they're just too dang expensive! And since I go through mascara faster than most (what can I say, I love to layer!), I can't justify spending $22 every month just on mascara.

So imagine my delight when I found this stuff! Now, usually if things seem to good to be true, they are. But at just $3, e.l.f.'s Studio Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara delivers. Read on for my lashes before and after this fantastic stuff.

Okay, as always, love the packaging. Simple, chic, and it looks like a grown woman's makeup product--no glitter or little pink hearts here! It has good shape, and it seems as though the name of the mascara won't rub off very easily, which is a plus.

The brush head on this is a nice spiral bristle head, which helps coat all your lashes. (I really prefer this type of brush head over the futuristic-looking rubber spikes anyways.) I ended up getting black brown, and I'm very happy with the color. It's really more black than brown, so it's perfect for a soft everyday look. Also, this mascara doesn't have that weird smell that so many other mascaras have.

Okay, so here's the real test. This is an extreme close up of my eye. I don't have a fancy camera, so this is me holding my iPhone really close to my face with the flash on. Also, I was kinda dumb about this and didn't put on any eye makeup before I put on the mascara, so just ignore my pink and yellow funkiness (if only I had photoshop!) As you can see, my eyelashes are long, but very pale (except for some leftover mascara in the outer corner that didn't quite wash out).

With just one coat, my eyelashes look a lot darker and fuller, but still look natural. (That's more like it--less yellow funky undereye. Hooray for foundation!)

I can't just stop at one coat, though. I'm all about big, fat, dramatic lashes. And this mascara did just that. This is after coat number three (and some concealer and eyeshadow), and without any eyeliner. It gave me thick, curvy lashes without clumping or turning into spider legs.

BOTTOM LINE: I love love LOVE this mascara! The packaging is nice, the color is great, and this stuff really lives up to its name. It left my eyelashes curvy and thick all day long without flaking off during the day, and, best of all, it's only $3! So what are you waiting for? Go get you some of this amazing mascara and let me know what you think.

Do you have a favorite mascara? Comment below and let me know what inexpensive mascara you can't live without.

Love and lashes!
-Annie