First off, I never thought I'd be writing a review for anything by YSL, cuz I'm not in that price range haha. Like another user, I got a deluxe sample from Sephora and I'm pretty impressed. I tried it today and right away I was happy. I think I have normal lashes, a little on the thick side, very black, wouldn't say they are "difficult". Anyway, I put this stuff on the first eye and thought "Wowww". Immediately my lashes were blacker, fuller, volumized, not clumpy, and just looked great. After a long evening of shopping and then relaxing at home, I have no flaking or smudging. I didn't use a curler today cuz I wanted to see how the mascara performed on it's own. Didn't curl but I don't think it's supposed to. I WOULD buy again if I could afford it, but really, I think drugstore mascaras are pretty awesome and I don't feel like I need to splurge on high end mascara cuz I can get the same results. This mascara actually reminds me of original Covergirl Lashblast (just opened a fresh tube yesterday). So, if you can afford it, have at it, if not, go for the Lashblast!

I got a deluxe sample of this from Sephora, as i've been super curious about it for a while. I figured it's just another hype (after all, Diorshow didn't really do much for me...and Chanel's Inimitable WP was only good at curl holding). but boy, was I wrong.

The formula's wetter than the Diorshow I think (or actually maybe I had Diorshow Blackout, not Diorshow original) and flows onto my lashes smoothly without clumping or tugging. The brush head is pretty small and rather thin with lots of bristles, which worked fantastic at separating and fanning out. Its strength lies in lengthening rather than volumizing, and seriously, i was so shocked at how amazing my lashes looked even after just one coat (or even one pull through!).

weakness? lack of curl holding power. I have typical straight and short asian lashes, and while this definitely lengthened and separated, it didn't volumize (which i'm okay with) and it completely straightened the curl within seconds of application.

for me, I don't mind because I typically use a Japanese mascara base (using Majolica's right now) anyway. And with a mascara base that holds curl well, WOW. it's been a long long time since i've seen such amazing result from just base + mascara alone (without falsies)! The mascara base held the curl and helped to volumize and lengthen my lashes, then with Faux Cils on top to further separate and lengthen, it REALLy opened my eyes. i've never seen my lashes this well before!

the brush is small enough that applying on bottom lashes was pretty easy as well.

at one coat (with base) it was already really amazing, i can't wait to see how it'd perform if i apply more than one coat.

as soon as i'm done using up all my mascaras and samples, guess this is what i'm getting next lol

Faux Cils reminds me a lot in formula to Diorshow (I'm sure some will hate the comparison). Provides a lush, feathery effect to lashes, holds the curl, and also tends to dry out quickly in the tube once opened, too quickly ... the main difference is the brush (and the container). Faux Cils has a more traditional brush, though longer than many; Diorshow has the infamous and marvelous fat brush that you either love or hate. I love it.


However, I converted from Diorshow to Lancome's Oscillation when Oscillation came out. I completely and totally fell in love with the application. Mascara application takes just under a minute, not the usually layering time with a traditional brush.


For pure drama, I still love Oscillation; but the effect isn't the kind of full, lush feathery effect that you get with Faux Cils (or Diorshow). Both Faux Cils and Diorshow provide a kind of soft, full lash illusion; Oscillation is far more defined, obvious, and mascara looking.


I've been applying Faux Cils as a base for that beautiful full feathery effect, then defining it and pumping up the volume with the Oscillation.


Is Faux Cils a good mascara and worth recommending? Absolutely. But if you want the drama powerhouse, go straight for Oscillation. Much less time for the drama, and it's all there in about a third of the time, with no layers that are soft and feathery waiting to become mascara "false eyelashes."


If you want full, lush lashes without as much drama, this or Diorshow are your best choices, imo. However, both take a good deal of time to apply with skill for real drama, layer after layer. I rarely have that much time.

When I first bought this mascara I was SO impressed - so buildable without clumping - extra coats still add length without the freaky spidery end bits you sometimes get, doesn't irritate my eyes etc.
But - less than 2 months after I have bought it it's dried out, and I don't treat it any differently to other nice mascaras I've had - so for a pricey mascara it hasn't given me my money's worth. Maybe I should just max out how much I use it in the first few weeks!

If I could, I would rate this a 3.5. It applies well, and you can put on more than one coat without too much clumping. I don't find it especially lengthening, and it does travel onto my undereye area after about 4 hours of wear. Admittedly it's not waterproof, but I would usually want more than a half day's wear without having to wipe under my eyes. It's all the more egregious because of the cost for a product that should be replaced every few months anyway.

This is a mother to get off!! Umm, that doesn't sound right...but normally all of my mascaras come off with my face cleanser in the shower and this I had to tug with a baby wipe to get off. Too much work for a formula that wasn't more impressive than my usual Maybelline Full 'n Soft. This seemed to go on a little heavier, but that's not always better because the road to clumpville is much shorter.

In a word: superb. When used in conjunction with Shu Umera eyelash curlers delivers quite a polished look. Hair coated lightly and evenly upon first application but builds to more dramatic effect upon subsequent application/s. Have found that the trick is not to wait until product dries before applying second coat. No smudging and easy enough to remove with water based cleanser.

I received this as a free sample, and was very pleasantly surprised at how lush, delineated, and full it makes my blonde lashes appear. It doesn't clump, so it actually looks quite natural--only the lashes look thicker so that they really frame the eyes.
My only complaint is that the brush is quite rough/stiff, so be careful not to get it too close to the eye (trust me, it *hurts* when it brushes against the eyeball!)
Still, my favorite mascara is Tarina Tarantino--the brush is not as prickly, and the ingredients look quite benevolent (no parabens, etc.).

This is the mascara that has given me the most dramatic results in terms of volume and length. It really does make you look like you're wearing a lash of falsies on top. Was wary of purchasing as many on MUA have complained that it dries out quickly. This was not the case for me. It's still pretty wet after 4 months. I used MaxFactor Volume Couture before as my HG before it was discont. and YSL gives better volume although it does not define or separate as well. I wouldn't say it gets clumpy but you must brush it out properly so that it doesn't look spidery. The real con of this for me was that it does smudge on me about 7 hours in. Although the dramatic effect lasts the entire day, there is always some smudging (slight) on my bottom lash line which is annoying. MF volume couture and Japanese mascaras never smudge on me. The rose scent and the two tone packaging are unnecessary and it's pretty expensive but if you want high drama, go for it. I would want to search for similar products that don't smudge. Not sure if would repurchase again due to the price.

I have gone back and forth with this mascara, having bought it at least 3 times in the last five years.
The basic problem with it, is that it dries out sooo quickly. I do not know if it is the mascara itself or if the actual wand has a defective design. I even brought it back to NM once because the top would not close properly. I got a replacement and it worked.
Love the mascara and the colours are great. But it simply does not last, even three months.
I am still looking for the right mascara and at 66, I am running out of time and patience.
If any one has a suggestion for short, thin and pale lashes - PLEASE leave a suggestion.