Review: Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara

Press Sample

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, then you know that my number one priority when it comes to mascara is volume. I have barely-these lashes and if my mascara doesn't make my lashes noticeably more visible, it's worthless to me.

So when I had the opportunity to try the new-for-2013 Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara (not to be confused with the original I Love Extreme Volume Mascara) I jumped on it. Now available at Ulta (in-store and online), HEB, Fred Meyer and select Walgreens locations, let's see if this one worked for me, shall we?

 Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara

(retail: $4.99, 0.40 oz)

This mascara is made in Italy. Here's the ingredients list courtesy of the Ulta website:

Aqua (Water), Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the jumbo wand (it's not the biggest I've ever seen, but it's pretty big). Also, the plastic bristles are very, very short. Here's a pic of the brush next to the CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion brush, just for perspective:

 Left: CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion

Right: Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara

Here are some before-and-after shots:

No combs, eyelashes curlers, etc. were used in either of these photos.

As you can see, this mascara offers some nice volume, definition, separation and length. It makes my lashes extremely visible but it's not over-the-top. I wouldn't call it "extreme crazy" in the volume department, but it's quite nice for day-to-day wear.

Texture: Not too dry, not too wet--I'd say the texture of this mascara is just about perfect (for me, at least). This mascara doesn't clump for me, even after three coats (I don't usually wear three coats though, because I'm quite happy with the results after two).

Ease of application: It really depends on if you're used to bigger wands. If you are, then you should have absolutely no problems with this one. I find it very easy to maneuver, and I also find it easy for applying mascara to my lower lashes. I hold my brush in a vertical position and use the tip of the brush in a windshield-wiper motion to apply mascara to my bottom lashes. That technique is VERY easy to do with this brush, because there are bristles on the very tip of the brush (love that).

Staying power: Very good. Even in warm weather, I'm able to go at least six hours or more before I even start to see a little bit of smudging underneath my lower lashes (I have very oily skin so this usually happens with washable mascaras). On cooler days, I experience absolutely no smudging at all. I also haven't experienced any flaking with his mascara EXCEPT during removal. I find that it does flake a little bit when I'm working in my facial cleanser during the removal process and if I'm not careful, a flake or two can get into my eyes.

Removal: This is a washable mascara and it's easy for me to remove using just my normal facial cleanser. Granted, I do have to "massage" my cleanser onto my eye area a bit before everything rinses clean, but that's what I do with every washable mascara I own. As I mentioned above, I do have to be careful because this one can flake when you're removing it and flakes can get into your eyes if you don't keep your eyes shut tightly when you're rinsing.

Fragrance: This product has the typical, standard "earthy" scent that you get from many other mascaras. Nothing strange, strong or notable.

FINAL VERDICT: This mascara has worked extremely well for me and when I run out, I will definitely consider a purchase the next time I'm at Ulta. In fact, when my mom noticed this mascara on me, she asked me what I was using and if I could buy her a tube. I bought her a tube a few days later and she's been wearing it non-stop ever since. So to put it into perspective, both I and my 73-year-old mom love this stuff. That never happens, so I think that speaks a bit to the universal appeal of this product. But don't take my word for it--check out the Makeup Alley reviews here, and also check out Emily Noel's review to see how it worked for her.

Have you tried the new Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara? If so, what do think of it? If not, do you think it might fit your needs?

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.Blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews. For more information, click here.