Mascara is probably my favorite makeup item. I just think mascara is crucial for opening up my eyes and completing my makeup look. My favorite brand of mascara is typically Maybelline, but I recently branched out and tried L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara.

This mascara claims to separate and build lashes for bold volume. The wand is nothing spectacular or new. It’s a pretty “average” wand, if you will. The formula is pretty wet, and doesn’t contain any sort of lengthening fibers.

As you can see, whether from the formula or the brush, this mascara definitely DIDN’T separate my lashes. If anything, it made them clump some. I worked and worked with the brush to help separate them, but i’m not sure how much it helped.

Another complaint I have about this mascara is that it tended to flake and smear on me throughout the day. Granted, I first tested it in Houston, which is notoriously hot and humid. I have worn it since returning to San Antonio, and these issues have not been quite as bad, but it is definitely worth mentioning. My mom wears this mascara as well, and she has complained of similar things.

As I stated, the formula is pretty wet, so I had to wait quite a bit of time between coats. I am wearing two coats in all of these pictures, and when I’ve tried to wear three, it simply becomes too clumpy. While this isn’t the worst mascara I’ve ever tried, I definitely think there are better drugstore options available.

If you need to build a lot of volume for your lashes and you aren’t afraid of some clumping, feel free to give the L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara a try!