But darnit, I couldn't pass up one of the new shades for 2013: So Very Berry. There are six shades in this range and I ruled out most of them for personal reasons. Teal, blue and green are out, because they're too close to the blue I rocked in junior high (I just can't go there, again). Pink and purple? Nope and nope--I can't do most shades of pink and purple near my eyes (unless I'm going for the "jaundiced" look). But So Very Berry? Now that could work! Based on the color represented on the tube, I thought that this could 1) bring out the green in my hazel eyes and 2) be subtle, yet still a bit exciting and different. So here we go!
Maybelline Limited Edition Great Lash Mascara in So Very Berry
(retail: around $5.99 at Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens)
Going from memory alone (it's been a while since I used the original Great Lash Mascara), I believe that the brush in these colored mascaras is the same as the original formula:
What first struck me when I opened the tube was that the color on the wand actually looks like more of a rust-brown than a berry:
Two coats of Great Lash So Very Berry:
Keep in mind that the above photo is an extreme close-up. In person, when viewed from a normal distance, So Very Berry actually looks like a plain ol' brown on my lashes, and I can barely tell it's brown in real life. In this photo it does look a bit more "berry-ish" if you look at the tips of my lashes. The formula is, well, let's just say it does nothing to enhance my lashes. I have short, fine lashes and this mascara doesn't pump up the volume or length (but I wasn't expecting that, based on my past experiences with the Great Lash formula).
Now let's try So Very Berry over a coat of white primer:
For this experiment I used the primer end of L'Oreal Double Extend Waterproof Mascara:
Two coats of L'Oreal Double Extend Primer (I wanted to get my lashes really white):
Two coats of So Very Berry over L'Oreal primer:
Clumps aside, the color IS enhanced, and of course my lashes look longer and thicker (and clumpier) thanks to the primer. But again, in person, when viewed from a normal distance, this mascara just looks brown to me.The only time I could tell that this was a berry-colored mascara was during removal. On my cotton pad, So Very Berry definitely looks like a berry color. On my lashes? Not so much.
FINAL VERDICT: If you normally wear brown mascara (I wear black) you might be more perceptive when it comes to the subtle berry color of this mascara. But for me personally, this looks like a plain ol' brown mascara on my lashes and I get no berry color from it at all when viewed from a normal distance. The formula is just how I remember the original Great Lash to be--if you're looking for anything but definition, you might find it lacking. Over a white primer, it does tend to clump up a lot, but I certainly don't fault the mascara for that, since it's not formulated to be worn over a L'Oreal primer. Also, this is not a waterproof mascara, and even so much as a watery yawn sent this formula streaming down my face. Seriously, it runs like crazy when it's wet and I felt like I was a vampire on True Blood when I was washing it off (for those who don't watch True Blood, the vampires cry blood instead of tears).
Do you own any of the Maybelline Limited Edition Great Lash colored mascaras? I have heard from quite a few of you that the blue is the most visible on the eyes--I'd love to know if you agree!
The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.
Great review...out of all the colors, this is the one I would've bought but now I think I'll pass. I agree, Great Lash is not the best formula, I never liked it but a lot of people swear by it. Thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Carol! You're right--a lot of people swear by this formula and I'm convinced they all must have real nice lashes to begin with! Unfortunately I don't, so it just doesn't work for me. :(
DeleteI don't know... my lashes are pretty good to start with and this is definitely not my favorite formula. I bought this in purple, teal and blue. I got them mainly to use for a pop of color along my lower lashes. It works but I have to use at least 3 coats and use a corresponding liner to get the color intensity I want.
DeleteToday I bought the pink and teal shades. The pink is super bright and colourful. I only wore the teal on my bottom lashes so far, but it's really pretty too. If they go on sale or they come out with coupons soon, I'll be going back for more.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I might pick up the green one just because, and find some white eyelash primer. I think it'd look nice on the tips of my lashes maybe, for a pop of color.
ReplyDeleteI seriously cannot understand how Great Lash has won all those awards and is the #1 selling mascara or whatever. Due to the hype I had seen about it, I tried it back in my early 20's and threw it out after the first or second use because it was so awful!
ReplyDeleteAll that said, the teal one does interest me though...I just have such a weakness for all things teal!
I agree with you Pink! How this has won awards is beyond me. It's awful. I personally think part of the issue is the brush. It does nothing to separate lashes. You have to use a good spoolie afterwards or a eyelash comb. I am not buying it for sure.
DeleteI agree Pink. This is such a dated mascara, and the brush BLECK. I think that is part of the problem with this product. I won't be buying it! Not with so many other good drugstore mascara's available.
DeleteI used to use the L'Oreal primer in highschool but now I've found the Dior primer and it (in addition to being about 3x more $$$) is about 10x better. It gives that same length but with some more volume and definition. If you haven't tried it yet, I think you'll love it--even if you're not nouveau let's-spend-some-money!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why or how this always gets such high praise. Of all the mascaras out there this one is one of the worst. That said I will probably pick up one of the colors because I think they're fun lol
ReplyDeleteI got the purple and green last year (I don't look particularly good in most blues and there is a blue in their regular line, so I skipped the blue and teal). I like the green a lot! The purple is just kinda eh.. I haven't tried it over a white primer though...
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those that has always hated Great Lash, but I do like the fun colors. I remember in the 90's when they had royal blue all the time and I just thought I was SO awesome. Now I just might get a bright or complementary color and tip my lashes with it after using my normal mascara. I'm so glad you reviewed this one, my green eyes had this on my radar, but I might have to pass for one of the brighter colors.
ReplyDeleteThe color is more visible on your lower lashes, I think. But yeah, it just looks brown to me.
ReplyDeleteYes I had the same idea with the white primer (and I used the almost the same L'oreal mascara- the one with the red end instead of blue). I bought both the pink and teal, and although I haven't tried the pink I do think the teal is alright in terms of color payoff. But like you said, it runs like crazy and the formula is hands-down blehhhhhh. My eyes teared up and I blinked and suddenly my entire bottom eyelid was teal.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember when NYX made colored mascaras? I never tried them, so I wonder how they were...
Great lash was my "first love" of mascaras, when I used it I would get my lashes a little wet with a q-tip and it went on like a dream. its been a long time since I've used it though and I wonder if I'm adventurous enough to try a colored one haha
ReplyDeleteI have the Violet color and am so unimpressed. I still haven't tried it over white but my try it today. I don't have much to lose since I lost my receipt and I am stuck with it.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to encounter a Maybelline mascara that I like. Even if they work, they stink so bad I can't stand it. I'll pass ;)
ReplyDeleteLolMG! FALSIES SMELLS THE WORST! im a fan of quite a few maybelline mascaras but not great lash and definitely not falsies.
DeleteI can't stand Great Lash, like a lot of others. BUT I seriously am in love with The Colossal (bright yellow tube with metallic purple lettering). It gets incredibly thick without clumps on me. But the reason I replied to you is the smell: not bad at all! It actually has a slight rose scent to it!
DeleteThis review is SO helpful! I've always hated Great Lash but wanted to try these over my regular mascara. I was also interested in this shade but now I'll pass. And after seeing your comment about how water-soluble these are, I'm not going to pick up any of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say that trying this over white primer was a brilliant idea!?
I bought the purple one last year and it did nothing on my darker lashes and the formula was really disappointing as well. Shame! I like the Great Lash Lots of Lashes formula though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit wimpy as a wine color, isn't it? I bought the teal and the purple before and the teal was OK, but the purple was about as effective as smudged eyeshadow. Cool idea to put it over the L'Oreal base, though.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the berry, pink, and purple. I was actually really happy with the berry being a more "pink-brown" because I have been wanting that shade without having to import Japanese lash products to get a hold of it. I wore it all day yesterday and didn't experience any problems with running (yay b/c i have VERY oily skin). Overall, they are about what I expected and I am not disappointed, but won't be running out to stock up on them.
ReplyDeleteI am not nor have I ever been a fan of Maybelline mascara's. But I love the blue and purple one and will certainly pick this opne up. I did see them at Walgreens at Walgreens yesterday thinking.."Oh I have the ones I want already", but going back because didn't know they had this Berry color. I will be adding it to my collection.
ReplyDeletenever have been a great lash fan. didnt do too much for me. I see that Wet n' Wild had colored mascara out as well. That was a couple months ago but I still them here and there at Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteI am not one for colored mascaras and I won't be getting any of these limited edition one but I do wear Great Lash and I have never had any problems and disappointments with it.
ReplyDeleteYep I hated purple pop
ReplyDeleteI make my own colored mascara, because I think Great Lash is garbage. Right after using my regular mascara, use a brush and a pigment, and paint the lashes before they dry. :)
ReplyDeleteI find that the blackest carbon black mascaras are the only ones that truly make an impact. The colored ones seem to make my lashes look even punier.
ReplyDeleteI do agree about the blue - my lashes vary in color between blonde and brown, and I find the blue shows up across the board, though not in a tacky way. I also didn't mind the formula much when applying - though this is my first experience with the Great Lash formula and I didn't yet try to wear the mascara for a whole day. My lashes are also OK in both the length and volume department, so having a mascara that only paints color onto them without doing anything else isn't a loss for me.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, seems like Maybelline is just sticking with the exact same formula for years. I wonder how did they come up with that "America's best mascara" title when so many people hate it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review on this mascara, G. I was curious about it but now won't be buying it. I'll stick with the WnW colored mascaras. They may not have great formulas, but at least they were only a few bucks.
ReplyDeleteI love them , i have the blue one and the pink and I will buy all of them :) look how it turns out on my lashes :D https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391977300902514&set=a.216231731810406.35326.215205901912989&type=1&theater¬if_t=photo_comment
ReplyDeleteGreat Lash is the worst mascara I have ever used, so I am not tempted by these colored ones. I like the colored mascaras I tried from Hard Candy.
ReplyDeleteI JUST bought the blue and teal one a few hours ago on clearance for $2.97 at Target. I agree with most of your readers, Great Lash is terrible! I took pics earlier (for a blog post review later) and they are just awful. eeeks!
ReplyDeleteThat's a pity; I love the Great Lash formula (the BIG one is my favorite) and when I got this mascara in green it was the bomb.
ReplyDelete