I actually have this in the brown and love it. The two different brushes are excellent and the mascara wears well.

Yay! I found a great cake mascara!
I found this while on a hunt for the long-ago discontinued Maybelline cake mascara. In my search, I first found the Longcils cake mascara, which sounds but is way expensive at $25. I then did a p'ville search and found out about Paula Dorf (also $$), Lola Loves ($$), La Femme (cheap) and Diego Dalla Palma. Since the Diego had one good review from someone familiar with cake mascaras, and has a more modern formulation but for less money than Longcils, I decided to try it first.
I bought it from ebay, and went with brown. I am so happy with it! I used the Maybelline cake mascara back in the late 80's, must have been just before they stopped making it. The one problem was that it did smudge and was not waterproof at all. The Diego is very smudgeproof, though I haven't had the opportunity to test for true waterproofness. No clumping, looks natural yet defining with one thin coat: but can be easily layered for a more dramatic, thickening look.
I must buy the black now, because I'm sure that since I love this, they will stop making it soon.

For those not familiar with cake mascara: it literally ccomes in a solid cake form. You wet the brush with water, shake off excess, and rub the wet brush around on the cake to mix up the mascara, then apply with the brush. Very simple. This brand comes with two brushes: a traditional cake mascara brush that is like a tiny little thin toothbrush (or like a small eyebrow brush); and a more convential wand-like spoolie brush. (As an aside, the Paula Dorf comes with a little mini fan-type taklon brush. I bought some cheap ones on ebay to try out.)

Ingredients: PEG-8 Beeswax, Sodium Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Stearic acid, DEA Cetyl Phosphate, Carnauba Wax, Lecithin, Nylon-12, PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Lauroyl Lysine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Dehydroacetic acid, EDTA, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trihydroxypalmitamidohydroxypropyl Myristyl Ether.
May Contain:
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Carmine (CI 75470), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289).
PS: I bought from ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/DIEGO-DALLA-PALMA-MAKE-UP
Edit: 8/17/06: Boo, hoo! Just as I predicted: Diego has discontinued the cake mascara. Only brown is available from ebay now.

Skin Type: Normal to dry, tans easily, rarely breaks out. Skintone: LLL (olive skin tone) Haircolor: Changes frequently Right now, Light golden brown with caramel and beige blonde highlights and warm dark brown lowlights. Eye Color: Espresso brown.
I have a love hate relationship with mascara. I love trying different formulas, but I hate my mascara obsession. If I could find a nice formula, I would quit searching. Yeah, right.
This is a cake mascara that I love. I thought Longcils Boncza had stolen my heart in this arena, but no. This one has overtaken the top spot. Why do I like this mascara? Well, many reasons.
First of all, the formula is great. Like Longcils Boncza, it does not clump. It does not smear. It does lengthen and thicken with some patience. It looks like sexy and seductive lashes.
Second, the formula is great. Did I mention that already? This formula is more refined than Longcils. While Longcils takes pride in there old fashion formula which is really soap based. Diego moves forward. It has combined technology and the past together to make a cake mascara that surpasses many regular types.
Third, the formula is great. Ok, I will stop mentioning this. :p I usually squirt 2 drops of water and swirl the brush around in the cake. The compact includes two types of brushes, one that is like your normal cake mascara brush and the other that is like a mascara wand. I find I can use my MF foam wand with this mascara too! So, I swirl the brush around and saturate it. This formula is thicker than Longcils, it doesn't splatter. I apply from roots to tip many times. I am the type of person that likes to put many layers. The more the better with this mascara too! The first coat immediately sticks to the lashes then glides on to the tips. The second coat will thicken and lengthen without flaking or clumping. The third and fourth coats do the same. No clumping, smearing, or flaking.
Fourth, I won't mention the formula, but it is great! What makes this mascara stand out from Longcils Boncza and even other regular mascaras? HEAT!! I have recently bought a heated eyelash curler by Panasonic (which will be reviewed in the future). This mascara is heat resistant! I have used my heated eyelash curler AFTER application. WOW! The formula stays on without melting and the curl stays all day! I have tried the after application heat method with other mascaras, cake and regular, all it did was remove the mascara.
Fifth, the removal. It is so easy, just wash your face. It comes right off without any difficulty.
So, what can I say? I really love this mascara. I admit it does take some time and practice, but who cares if the formula is great!! BTW, this comes in a mirrored compact and in 2 colors: Black and Brown.
Ingredients: Peg-8 beeswax, sodium stearate, xantan gum, stearic acid, dea cetyl phosphate, carnauba wax, lecithin, nylon-12, pvp/hexadecane copolymer, triethanolamine, lauroyl lysine, methylparaben, propylparaben, sorbic acid, dehydroacetic acid, edta, tocopherol, ascorbic palmitate, trihydroxypalmitamidohydroxypropyl myristyl ether. May contain: Titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarines, manganese violet, carmine, chromium oxide greens, chromium hydroxide green.
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